Award Data

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Multiple sequence alignment (MSA) is a core element of bioinformatics, comparative genomics, phylogenetics, molecular, and structural biology. Several excellent software tools for MSA construction are heavily used by the biomedical community; however, essentially all automatically constructed MSAs require significant editing (error corrections) prior to their a ...

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Renal transplantation has been a clinical reality for nearly 40 years. Transplantation is the only effective solution for organ end-stage renal failure. Long term renal function following transplantation has been shown to be better when kidneys are not subjected to cold preservation storage. However, despite the fact that cold preservation elicits significant k ...

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): In an effort to reduce the use of animals for toxicity testing, companies have developed in vitro skin models or equivalents to replace the Draize skin irritation test. This development has been further pushed by a European Union regulation that will prohibit the use of animals for collecting toxicological data on cosmetic ingredients beginning in 2009. Recentl ...

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Available methods for molecular structure determination, based primarily on x-ray crystallography and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) solution methods, have had limited success on the insoluble proteins that are critical to biological function. Various recent developments have enhanced the effectiveness of solids NMR methods incorporating Magic Angle sample Sp ...

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): According to the American Diabetes Association, there are more than 16 million people in the United States with known diabetes. Diabetic patients commonly demonstrate impaired wound healing. Approximately 20 percent of patients with diabetes will develop foot ulceration in their lifetime. Diabetic foot ulceration (DFU) represents a major problem that can signif ...

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Wheelchair Drive System Over half of the wheelchair user population has developed upper extremity (UE) pain and injury. One of the activities that likely contribute to the development of injury is wheelchair propulsion. A number of technologies have been developed to address this issue including ergonomic pushrims, geared hub wheels, lever drives and pushrim-a ...

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Hernial repair is the most frequent operation in general surgery for which synthetic meshes are commonly used in repairing abdominal defects. Frequently used meshes consist of non-absorbable polymers such as polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate, or polytetrafluoroethylene. Recently established modifications of these meshes to improve them biomechanical com ...

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The HIV-1 epidemic has resulted in ~2.7 million new infections in 2007 for a total of ~33 million people living with HIV/AIDS. Clinical trials have shown that HIV-1 infection cannot be prevented by immunization with monomeric recombinant forms of viral envelope (Env) proteins. However, it is clear that the HIV-1 Env contains epitopes that can induce neutralizin ...

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Influenza is a major cause of morbidity and mortality around the world. In the United States, seasonal epidemics of flu occur from late fall to early spring affecting all age groups but with especially high rates of infection in children. Serious illness and death are consequences of influenza infection among the elderly, young children, and individuals with o ...

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The HIV-1 epidemic has resulted in ~2.7 million new infections in 2007 for a total of ~33 million people living with HIV/AIDS. Clinical trials have shown that HIV-1 infection cannot be prevented by immunization with monomeric recombinant forms of viral envelope (Env) proteins. However, it is clear that the HIV-1 Env contains epitopes that can induce neutralizin ...