University of California

Leland Stanford Junior University

Christina E Lee

Jonathan A Ellman

Irwin D Kuntz

A Geoffrey Skillman

Daniel V Palanker

Mark S Blumenkranz

Gary S Lynch

Harvey Abraham Fishman

Philip Huie, Jr

Stacey F Bent

Xiaoning Bi

Diana C Roe

Tasir Haque

Ellen K Kick

Guangcheng Liu

The present invention relates to () non-peptide aspartyl protease inhibitors; (ii) methods for modulating the processing of an amyloid precursor protein (APP); (iii) methods for modulating the processing of a tau protein (&#x3c4;-protein); and (iv) methods for treating neurodegenerative diseases. For instance, in one embodiment, the present invention provides a method for modulating the processing of an amyloid precursor protein (APP), the method comprising contacting a composition containing the APP with an aspartyl protease inhibitor having the formula: wherein: RRand Rare members independently selected from the group consisting of alkyl, substituted alkyl, aryl, substituted aryl, arylalkyl, substituted arylalkyl, aryloxyalkyl, substituted aryloxyalkyl, heteroaryl, substituted heteroaryl, heteroarylalkyl, substituted heteroarylalkyl, heterocycles, substituted heterocycles, heterocyclicalkyl and substituted heterocyclicalkyl; and Rand Rare independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, halogen, alkyl, substituted alkyl, aryl, substituted aryl, arylalkyl, substituted arylalkyl, aryloxyalkyl and substituted aryloxyalkyl; or Rand Rand the carbons to which they are bound join to form an optionally substituted carbocyclic or heterocyclic fused ring system having a total of 9- or 10-ring atoms within the fused ring system.

Methods for treating neurodegenerative disorders using aspartyl protease inhibitors

Methods and apparatus for modifying membranous tissue, growing cells on modified membranous tissue, and for transplantation of modified tissues and modified tissues with attached cells are provided. In particular, the invention provides methods and apparatus for modifying membranous tissue such as lens capsule tissue and inner limiting membrane tissue, for growing cells such as iris pigment epithelial (IPE) cells and retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells on modified membranous tissue, and for modifying membranous tissue and growing cells on biodegradable polymer substrates. A method of modifying membranous tissues comprises depositing micropatterns of biomolecules onto membranous tissue with a contacting surface such as a stamp; other methods include mechanical ablation, photoablation, ion beam ablation, and modification of membranous tissues via the action of proteolytic enzymes.

Microfabricated tissue as a substrate for pigment epithelium transplantation

The present invention provides non-peptide cathepsin D binding compounds and methods for using such compounds in the detection, labelling and inhibition of cathepsin D.

Nanomolar, non-peptide inhibitors of cathepsin D

Growing community of inventors

San Francisco, CA, United States of America

Christina E Lee