Brown University

Central Michigan University

Scion Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Diane Lipscombe

Stephanie Schorge

Christopher I Moore

Ute Hochgeschwender

The present invention provides a method of bioluminescence-driven optogenetic control of excitable cells. The excitable cell expresses a light-gated ion channel, and a luminescent protein can be expressed either in the excitable cell or in another cell proximal to the excitable cell. The methods of the invention can be used to desynchronize local activity of excitable cells in a mammalian tissue. The methods of the invention can be used to treat a disease or condition in a mammal, the disease or condition being related to bursting. The disease or condition can be Parkinson's disease, epilepsy, a sleep disorder, or a sensory-related disease or condition (e.g., attention deficit disorder or pain). The invention also provides a conjugate of containing a voltage-gated ion channel and a luminescent protein.

Minimally-invasive and activity-dependent control of excitable cells

The invention pertains to a human N-type calcium channel isoform, h&#x3b1;, which is involved in central nervous system signaling, and nucleic acids relating thereto. The present invention also includes fragments and biologically functional variants of the human h&#x3b1;channel. Also included are human N-type calcium channel h&#x3b1;subunit inhibitors which inhibit human N-type calcium channel h&#x3b1;subunit activity by inhibiting the expression or function of human N-type calcium channel h&#x3b1;subunit. The invention further relates to methods of using such nucleic acids, polypeptides, and inhibitors in the treatment and/or diagnosis of disease, such as in methods for treating stroke, pain, e.g., neuropathic pain, and traumatic brain injury.

Human N-type calcium channel isoform and uses thereof

The invention pertains to a human N-type calcium channel isoform, h&agr; , which is involved in central nervous system signaling, and nucleic acids relating thereto. The present invention also includes fragments and biologically functional variants of the human h&agr; channel. Also included are human N-type calcium channel h&agr; subunit inhibitors which inhibit human N-type calcium channel h&agr; subunit activity by inhibiting the expression or function of human N-type calcium channel h&agr; subunit. The invention further relates to methods of using such nucleic acids, polypeptides, and inhibitors in the treatment and/or diagnosis of disease, such as in methods for treating stroke, pain, e.g., neuropathic pain, and traumatic brain injury.

Growing community of inventors

Barrington, RI, United States of America

Diane Lipscombe