Name of Intellectual Property: Enhanced measurement of cAMP, an important signaling molecule, enabling improved study and drug discovery for related disorders

Submitted by: Lindsay Polak, Marketing & Communications Manager, University of Colorado

Inventor Information: Lead inventors: Dr. Jeffrey W. Karpen, Oregon Health Sciences University; Dr. Jerome Schaack, University of Colorado Denver (School of Medicine)

Non-Confidential Technology Summary: Dr. Karpen and his team have developed a novel research tool to detect activity of the cellular signaling molecule cAMP. They genetically engineered cyclic nucleotide-gated ion channels (CNGs) that are 2-20 fold more sensitive to activation by cAMP. Once activated, CNG channels allow positively charged calcium ions (Ca2+) to flow into the cell. This Ca2+ influx can either be recorded as an electrical current or imaged with fluorescent dyes. Using modified CNGs, both measurements act as a quantification of cAMP activity. Technically, this tool has a high signal-to-noise ratio allowing for improved spatial and temporal resolution over current techniques.

Why is this important or intriguing? Modified CNGs show potential as a drug-screening tool, testing the efficacy of pharmaceutical treatments for pathological conditions involving the cAMP-signaling pathway. This includes the following medical conditions: diabetes, heart failure, ischemic brain damage, some cancers and cognitive deficits common with aging and ADHD.

Synopsis of Business Opportunity: Development of modified CNGs (mCNGs) will provide the research and medical fields with a powerful drug-screening tool for potential treatments of diabetes, heart failure, ischemic brain damage, some cancers and cognitive deficits common with aging and ADHD.  In addition, mCNGs could be marketed as a research tool to laboratories in the basic sciences studying cAMP signaling pathways. mCNGs are an improvement over current technology. First, mCNGs are more sensitive, able to detect cAMP over a wider concentration range. Second, the electrical recording methods allowed by mCNGs give improved spatial and temporal resolution.

Ownership: This technology is owned by the University of Colorado, and is available for licensing.

Patent Status: U.S. Patents 7,341,836 and 7,166,463.

Contact Information:

David Poticha
Senior Licensing Manager
University of Colorado Technology Transfer Office
12635 E. Montview Blvd., Suite 350
Aurora, CO 80045
United States

E-mail: david.poticha@cu.edu
Phone: 303-724-0220
Fax: 303-724-0816

Key Science/Technology Team Team Member 1:
Jerome Schaack, PhD
Associate Professor
School of Medicine, Dept. of Microbiology
Aurora, CO 80045
United States

E-mail: Jerry.Schaack@UCDenver.edu
Phone: 303-724-4220

Posted June 25th, 2009 under Hot IP, Molecular Biology