Home

Provides easily accessible and relatively abundant sources of human β- or γ-actin.  Background:
Actin is a highly conserved protein that polymerizes to produce filaments that form cross-linked networks in the cytoplasm of cells. In vertebrates, three main groups of actin isoforms (alpha, beta and gamma) have been identified. Alpha actins are found in muscle tissues. Beta and gamma actins coexist in most cell types as components of the cytoskeleton and as mediators of internal cell motility. Biochemical studies of human actin and its binding partners rely heavily on abundant and easily purified α-actin from skeletal muscle. Therefore, muscle actin has been used to evaluate and determine the activities of most actin regulatory proteins. In addition, there is underlying concern these proteins perform differently with actin present in non-muscle cells.Technology Overview:  
This technology provides easily accessible and relatively abundant sources of human β- or γ-actin (in other words, cytoplasmic actins). The technology consists of Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains that express β- and γ- actins as their sole source of actin. Both β- or γ-actin purified in this system polymerize and interact with various binding partners, including profilin, cofilin, mDia1 (formin), fascin, and thymosin-β4 (Tβ4). Notably, Tβ4 binds to β- or γ-actin with higher affinity than to muscle α-actin, emphasizing the value of testing actin ligands with specific actin isoforms. These reagents will make specific isoforms of actin more accessible for future studies of actin regulation. https://suny.technologypublisher.com/files/sites/adobestock_588658728.jpegAdvantages:  
•    High yield.
•    No special growth requirements.
•    Requires only conventional purification reagents and protocols.
•    No additional post-purification processing.
•    No concern over removal of contaminating “host” actin. Applications:  
The primary application for this technology is to evaluate and determine the activities of actin regulatory proteins.  Intellectual Property Summary:
U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/399,088 filed 8/18/22Stage of Development:
TRL 3 - Experimental proof of concept Licensing Status:
This technology is available for licensing Licensing Potential:
This technology would be of interest to anyone involved in biochemical studies of human actin and its binding partners, including:
•    Pharmaceutical companies.
•    Medical research laboratories.
•    Universities and other educational facilities.

 

Targeted gene silencing technology promotes corneal wound healing. Background: Ocular scarring after surgery, trauma, or infection leads to vision loss and blindness. Blindness due to corneal scarring can currently only be resolved by transplantation, necessitating new approaches in regenerative wound healing in the eye.Technology Overview:  A self-deliverable siRNA has been developed by Upstate Medical University researchers to specifically target a gene that modulates scarring in order to promote corneal wound healing. The approach has been validated ex vivo and in vivo, with treatment after corneal wounding resulting in faster wound closure, limited scarring, suppression of fibrotic markers, and restoration of corneal thickness. https://suny.technologypublisher.com/files/sites/110-2089.jpghttps://www.pexels.com/photo/human-eye-2609925/Advantages:  

• Targeted siRNA therapy circumvents the need for immunologically compatible corneal donors.
• In vivo studies demonstrate this therapy promotes 41.5% reduction in scarring

• Effective treatment for corneal scarring resulting from mechanical injuries, burns, infections or surgery.
• Model useful to study pathogenesis of fibrotic healing.

Enables the prevention and treatment of dengue by avoiding the challenge of Antibody Dependent Enhancement. Background: Dengue virus is one of the most widespread vector-borne viral pathogens in the world. Nearly 400 million dengue virus infections occur each year, resulting in approximately 20,000 deaths. In addition, dengue-associated illness comprises an annual global economic burden of around $9 billion USD. While dengue is rare in the continental U.S., warming patterns across the Southern U.S. are increasing the range of the mosquito genus capable of transmitting the virus. There is currently no FDA approved dengue vaccine for use in individuals who have not experienced a previous dengue virus infection, or any approved monoclonal antibody therapy for the prevention or treatment of acute dengue. Technology Overview: This Upstate Medical University technology overcomes a major challenge in dengue prevention and treatment called Antibody Dependent Enhancement (ADE). This phenomenon causes IgG isotype antibodies that recognize dengue virus to enhance infection in individuals with waning or incomplete antiviral immunity. Our technology circumvents this challenge by 1) providing immediate immunity to infection by providing dengue virus neutralizing antibodies, and 2) utilizing an IgA1 antibody construct that will preserve antibody function while being incapable of facilitating ADE like IgG antibodies. This not only provides immediate protection against dengue infection in individuals who have not had dengue in the past, but also counteracts the risk of developing severe disease in individuals with preexisting/suboptimal dengue immunity. Advantages: Enables the development of dengue prevention and treatment options by avoiding Antibody Dependent Enhancement. Applications: There are several potential applications for this product:
- Travelers: reduce the risk of infection while in dengue-endemic areas.
- US Military: reduce the risk of infection and prevent the loss of combat effectiveness when deployed in dengue-endemic areas.
- Residents of dengue endemic areas during dengue transmission seasons
- Relatives, neighbors, or other living in close proximity to an individual experiencing an acute dengue infection.
Intellectual Property Summary: Patent application submitted, Provisional patent, US Provisional Filed, 63/235,325 Stage of Development: Technology Readiness Level (TRL): 3 - Experimental proof of concept.   Licensing Status: This technology is available for licensing and will be of value to any company or institution involved in preventing and treating dengue. This includes: 
- Manufacturers of vaccines and therapeutic medicines 
- Humanitarian agencies providing medical care in underdeveloped areas 
- Hospitals and treatment facilities https://suny.technologypublisher.com/files/sites/110-2173adobestock_89001593.jpeg  

A method to precisely control the amount of pressure applied by the fluid flow from the lithotripsy device with a stopcock. Background:
In percutaneous nephrolithotomy, the urologist inserts a needle into the kidney, dilating a tract into which a sheath is inserted. Fluid irrigation and lithotripsy are then used to break up and retrieve kidney stones into a vial, via the sheath.The devices used for this purpose have channels through which suction is applied from an external source to remove the stones; however, they do not have a method for modulating that suction. Instead, someone in the OR has to clamp or bend the suction tubing in order to slow or release the flow.

This is awkward, imprecise and frustrating; too much suction can lead to loss of visualization and air bubbles inside the body; too little suction can also reduce visualization due to the buildup of particles and/or stone fragments in the tubing. These particles and/or fragments sometimes stick to the inside of the suction tubing; they are difficult to remove and this gums up the works, limiting the effectiveness of the suction device.Technology Overview:  
A SUNY Upstate Medical University team has created a method for reducing pressure buildup in the pelvis during endoscopic procedures. First, the researchers determined the optimal shape of a ureteroscope for reducing intrapelvic pressure. Next, they found that by offsetting the endoscope to the side of the access sheath, which contains the endoscope, they could substantially improve fluid outflow and reduce pressure. Finally, the team determined that this displacement could be achieved by adding small, radially emanating projections within the working channel of the scope. They concluded that any endoscope or catheter could be adapted with these projections and that the methods could also be used with bronchoscopes to reduce the disruption in air flow.  https://suny.technologypublisher.com/files/sites/adobestock_4398441972.jpegAdvantages:

• Makes endoscopy safer for patients.
• Reduces pressure that can cause infection, injury, and pain.
• Modifications can be used to adapt any endoscope or catheter

• Reduces pressure buildup during endoscopic procedures.

• Patent application submitted
• Provisional patent