Description of Invention:
Researchers have developed a green fluorescent protein (GFP) based plasmid that can be used to detect differentiated retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells. RPE is a layer of cells located behind the eye that becomes damaged in age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Current cell based therapies for treating AMD focus on generating RPE cells from stem cells. This GPF-based plasmid can be inserted into growing stem cells, and the fluorescence marker can be used to detect and purify stem cells differentiating into RPE cells. This advancement allows generation of a purified population of RPE cells for in vitro and transplantation purposes.

Additionally, cells comprising the GFP-based construct may be useful in high-throughput drug screening as a means to: (1) identify potential therapeutic targets of RPE degenerative diseases such as AMD, and (2) evaluate initial toxicity of candidate drugs in RPE cells.

Applications:

• Fluorescence based marker for detecting and purifying differentiated RPE cells
• Potential use in high throughput drug screening

Advantages:
GFP based marker allows for fast and simple detection of differentiated RPE cells from stem cells.

Development Status:

• Prototype
• In vitro data available

Inventors:
Kapil Bharti (NINDS)


Patent Status:
HHS, Reference No. E-054-2012/0


Relevant Publication:

1. Bharti K, et al. [ PMID 20846177 ]

For Licensing Information Please Contact:
Lauren Nguyen-Antczak Ph.D.
NIH Office of Technology Transfer
6011 Executive Blvd. Suite 325,
Rockville, MD 20852
United States
Email: nguyenantczakla@mail.nih.gov
Phone: 301-496-7057
Fax: 301-402-0220


Ref No: 2471

Updated: 08/2012