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Johns Hopkins Technology Profile

Multifunctional Nanorods for Gene Delivery

Gene therapy success has been limited in both viral and synthetic methods. In light of current gene-therapy challenges, synthetic transfection systems provide several advantages over viral methods including ease of production, as well as reduced risk of cytotoxicity and immune responses. The drawbacks of synthetic vectors greatly stem from difficulty of controlling the vectors' properties at the nanoscale. The nanorod greatly overcomes those drawbacks by binding plasmid DNA as well as a potential variety of proteins in spatially defined regions. The proteins the nanorod binds can increase the plasmid's cellular internalization, cytoplasmic release, and/or nuclear internalization. The nanorods can be further guided via their magnetic properties. The potential of this versatile gene delivery system with precise composition and size has been demonstrated in cell transfection studies. Multifunctional nanorods promise to be effective gene therapy agents for targeting internal tissues. The nanorods can be linked to a variety of ligands which can bind target cell receptors, nuclear receptors, or other receptors. The nanorods' ability to bind receptor-mediated proteins leads to more controlled plasmid routes. Utilizing the nanorods' magnetic properties can even further control plasmid routes. Gene gun therapy is one example of a method that could be improved with nanorods due to both receptor-mediated proteins bound to the rods that control route of transfection, and also the nanorods' magnetic properties which may increase plasmid penetration depth by gun modulation. Nanorod technology has the potential to benefit any company involved with in vitro or in vivo gene therapy. For more information, please visit the Johns Hopkins Technology Transfer office (www.jhtt.jhu.edu).

ACTiVATE program is now accepting applications for February 2007
The ACTiVATE program will create a systematic model for increasing the commercialization of technology innovations from universities by training women entrepreneurs to create technology-based, start-up companies. The program is recruiting women with strong business or technical experience. If you are interested, please contact the ACTiVATE Program Manager at techcenter@umbc.edu.

When? February - December 2007, one night a week and one Saturday a month.
Where? Techcenter@UMBC, just minutes from the Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport.
Cost?Tuition: no cost
Materials fee: $995 (payment plan is available)

ACTiVATE Benefits:

Hands-on applied approach using cutting-edge technologies to form companies
Instruction and coaching by experienced entrepreneurs
Access to network of successful technical experts, professional service providers and investors Support in forming companies

Ph.D. researcher from National Institutes of Health (NIH) Experienced biotechnology business development consultant Management team member, with an M.B.A., in an information technology start-up Ph.D. researcher in engineering