Award Data

Historically organophosphorus compounds such as insecticides and nerve agents have been susceptible to decomposition by proteinaceous enzymes. Organophosphate hydrolases (OPH) represent a practical method to deactivate such compounds peripherally and on surfaces. However, when such organophosphates are ingested, the use of proteinaceous enzymes such as OPH can be problematic because of their tende ...

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The deliberate release of Bacillus anthracis spores remains an imminent threat both in terms of bioterrorism and biowarfare. Individuals who inhale these spores are at extreme risk of infection and death from anthrax. C urrent prophylaxis and therapy in the event of B. anthracis spore inhalation fall into two categories. Vaccination to protect against future ex ...

DESCRIPTION (provided by investigator): Lyme disease, caused by the gram-negative spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi and transmitted by Ixodid tick species, is the leading vector-borne infectious disease in the United States, with a steady rise in the number of cases reported each year. The most common Lyme disease symptom, the classic bull's-eye rash (erythema migrans or EM rash) in endemic areas, ...

Given the possibility to administer prophylactic doses of protein bioscavengers inactivating OP nerve agents before they reach their acetylcholinesterase target, much attention has been given to proteins such as human butyrylcholinesterase and paraoxonase I. As small nucleic acid catalysts can exhibit triphosphoesterase activities, the identification of new molecules active against nerve agents w ...

Shelter enclosures for military working dogs in the event of a CB attack is a technology gap identified by the Joint Requirements Office. Important parameters to consider in the design of protective enclosures include low weight and size to minimize transport requirements; rapid setup; and accommodation of canine physiological and psychological comfort needs. The overall operational weight of th ...

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): This project aims to develop talactoferrin (TLF, recombinant human lactoferrin) as a therapeutic agent to treat prematurely born neonates. The treatment will be given orally shortly after birth to prevent nosocomial inf ections (NIs) due to abnormal bacterial invasion of neonatal intestinal epithelia and consequently to limit systemic bacteremia and necrotizing ...

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The specific aim of this study is to develop an add-on module for the ONCAD breast MRI CAD system that will provide radiologists with additional assistance when they have suspicion of the presence of infiltrating lobula r carcinoma (ILC). The proposed research will investigate the possibility of developing, training and evaluating an ILC- specific algorithm tha ...

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The siRNA molecule needs better protection from nuclease degradation before it can be effectively used as a therapeutic. AM Biotechnologies (AM) will address this critical issue by developing ribonucleoside thiophospho ramidite (ABz, CBz, GIbu and U) reagents that will enable synthesis of phosphorodithioate siRNA (PS2-siRNA). This synthesized PS2-siRNA will si ...

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Lymph node evaluation is an important prognostic factor in colorectal cancer (CRC) because accurate identification of lymph node metastases significantly influences survival. However, a 30% recurrence rate in patients w ith node-negative CRC clearly indicates that current staging methods are inadequate. The primary form of treatment for all stages of colon canc ...

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Prostate cancer (PrCa) is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in American men, with over 218,000 new cases diagnosed each year. It is second only to lung cancer in cancer mortality among men, and approximately 1 man in 5 will be diagnosed during his lifetime. When it is detected early, PrCa can be cured. In contrast, patients with metastatic prostate cancer hav ...