Dr. Pablo Perez-Pinera from the University of Illinois has developed a multiplexable and universal nuclease-assisted vector integration system for rapid generation of gene knock outs using selection that does not require customized targeting vectors, thereby minimizing the cost and time frame needed for gene editing. Importantly, this system is capable of remodeling native mammalian genomes through integration of DNA, up to 50 kb, enabling rapid generation and screening of multigene knockouts from a single transfection. Furthermore, this method facilitates activation of genes by introduction of specific promoters that allows for genomic scale activation screens.
Benefits
• Minimizes cost and time for gene editing • Multigene knockouts can be rapidly generated • Facile integration of large constructs up to 50 kb • Introduces speci c promoters for genomic scale activation screens
Profs. Hyungsoo Choi and Kevin Kim have developed a hydrogel nanoparticle carrier comprising gelatin covalently crosslinked with cyclodextrin, which has a longer drug...
Profs. Hyungsoo Choi and Kevin Kim have developed a hydrogel nanoparticle carrier comprising gelatin covalently crosslinked with cyclodextrin, which has a longer drug release profile than other carriers. The invented nano/micro carriers allows delivery of therapeutic and/or diagnostic agents that have low aqueous solubility. These hydrophobic molecules are confined inside hydrophobic pockets, and are released as polymer matrix degrades.
Application
This technology is used for delivering hydrophobic drugs in aqueous environments in the body.
Benefit
This invention boasts a longer release profile and allows drugs to be released over a longer period of time due to additional crosslinking between gelatin and cyclodextrin.
Dr. Kong from the University of IL has developed microparticles that create fibrin gels with desirable properties for wound healing products, drug delivery, and...
Dr. Kong from the University of IL has developed microparticles that create fibrin gels with desirable properties for wound healing products, drug delivery, and diagnostic tools. When blood clots it forms fibrin gel networks to close wounds temporarily for more permanent healing to take place. A significant problem with artificially-made fibrin gel networks is that they can be difficult to tune to attain desirable gelation rate and rigidity. The microparticles developed by Dr. Kong solve this problem by releasing thrombin in response to H2O2 to make gels with tunable, desirable properties.
Benefits
Encapsulating thrombin and MnO2 nanosheets allows for decoupling of gelation rate and gel rigidity.
Applications
This technology may be used for nano- or microparticles for drug delivery, biological gels for biomedical applications, or bleeding control/wound management.
Bacteriophages use Anti-CRISPR proteins (Acrs) to inhibit these immune systems, infecting the bacteria. Because of the prevalence of CRISPR-Cas systems in bacteria (about...
Bacteriophages use Anti-CRISPR proteins (Acrs) to inhibit these immune systems, infecting the bacteria. Because of the prevalence of CRISPR-Cas systems in bacteria (about 40%) and archaea (90%) and ability of Acrs to act as “off-switches” for these systems, there is a push to further discover and characterize these proteins. CRISPR-Cas systems have extensive uses in gene editing and molecular diagnostic technologies. CRISPR-Cas Type III systems have a complementary off-switch (anticrispr) which provide a potential alternative to current CRISPR-Cas systems in development for therapeutic applications, particularly for combating the increasing antibiotic resistance in bacterial infections.
Anti-CRISPR protein (AcrIIIA1) specifically inactivates the Type III-A CRISPR-Cas system. It works by binding the components of the CRISPR system and blocking the function of the system. AcrIIIA1 is also toxic to bacteria as it binds and cleaves critical components of the bacterial translation apparatus. Due to these traits, AcrIIIA1 may be useful in (1) selectively turning off CRISPR activity during gene editing to reduce off-target effects; (2) overcoming bacterial CRISPR-Cas immunity, increasing the effectiveness of whole phage therapeutics; and (3) acting as an antimicrobacterial.
Benefits
AcrIIIA1 disrupts translation machinery in Staphylococcus. AcrIIIA1 functions to switch-off the CRISPR-Cas Type III systems (the bacterial immune system).
Lucy Chou-Zheng, Olivia Howell, Tori A Boyle, Motaher Hossain, Forrest C Walker, Emma K Sheriff, Barbaros Aslan, Asma Hatoum-Aslan, AcrIIIA1 is a protein–RNA anti-CRISPR complex that targets core Cas and accessory nucleases, Nucleic Acids Research, Volume 52, Issue 22, 11 December 2024, Pages 13490–13514, https://doi.org/10.1093/nar/gkae1006
