A Letter from The Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research

OVCR Annual ReportFiscal Year 2011Technology Management & Intellectual PropertyNatriuretic Peptide-Mediated Imaging and/or Treatment of AtheroscleroticPlaqueThis invention includes a functionalized peptide that preferentially binds to unstable plaque.Imaging of unstable plaque may identify areas of imminent plaque rupture so that correctiveaction can be taken before a catastrophic event occurs. A large corporate partner is exploring aresearch partnership using this technology. Primary Investigator: Pamela Woodard, Radiology.Novel Virus Discovery ProgramSeveral nucleic acid fragments of novel viruses have been discovered in disease samples ofunknown etiology. Over the next few years, the study of these novel fragments should result innearly complete genome and protein characterizations of several novel human viral pathogens.The novel sequences may be used in diagnostic tests or vaccines production. This technology isexpanding into other departments and is resulting in new molecular approaches to discoveries.Primary Investigator: Herbert Virgin, David Wang, Pathology.Dnmt3a, Novel Prognostic Markers for Acute Myeloid LeukemiaTwenty two percent of AML patients have a mutation in the Dnmt3a gene. These novelmutations predict which form of AML will require intensive therapy for best outcomes.Several companies are exploring this marker for licensing and implementation onto adiagnostic platform. Primary Investigator: Timothy Ley, Internal Medicine; John Dipersio,Internal Medicine; Richard Wilson, Genetics; Li Ding, Genetics; and Elaine Mardis,Genetics.The Novel Effects of NAD-Related Compounds (Nicotinamide, NicotinamideMononucleotide & NAD) on Blood Glucose LevelsNMN has been shown to be an effective molecule to regulate blood glucose levels in animalmodels. A US patent has been issued for this technology. Currently a large sponsored researchagreement is in place with a small molecule manufacturing company to test NMN on a widescalefor blood glucose regulation. Primary Investigator: Shin-ichiro Imai, Molecular Biology.Novel Biomarkers for the Early Detection of Renal Cell CarcinomaTwo novel biomarkers can be detected in urine indicating renal cell carcinoma via non-invasivetechniques. The technology has developed from west blotting techniques to quantitative ELISAassays making this technology more attractive to and compatible with diagnostic companies’clinical platforms. Although a few start-up companies have evaluated this technology, it shouldbe ready for licensing to large corporations early in 2012. Primary Investigators: Evan Kharasch,Anesthesiology, and Jeremiah Morrissey, Anesthesiology.Effective Anti-integrin Antitumor Reagent for ChrondrosarcomaChondrosarcoma is a difficult musculoskeletal tumor to treat. Chemotherapy is only somewhateffective in mesenchymal chondrosarcoma and is of uncertain value in dedifferentiatedchondrosarcoma. Surgical excision is the only tumor treatment, but it leads to severe disabilitywith high rate of local recurrence, often at a higher grade, and can thus be life threatening.47