Johns Hopkins University

James Francis Casella

Emily Barron-Casella

Jeffrey R Keefer

Yolanda Fortenberry

Shirley H Purvis

Jennifer E Van Eyk

Allen Dale Everett

Allan Dale Everett

The present invention provides polynucleotide aptamers that selectively bind to and inhibit polymerization of sickle hemoglobin (HbS), pharmaceutical compositions comprising the same, methods of use for diagnostics and treatment of sickle cell disease, methods of use as capture reagents, and methods of rational drug design.

Aptamers for the treatment of sickle cell disease

The present invention relates to the field of biomarkers. More specifically, the present invention relates to biomarkers useful in diagnosing brain injuries. Brain injury can include overt or traumatic brain injury, as well as subclinical brain injury (SCI). In one embodiment, a method for diagnosing SCI in a patient comprises (a) collecting a sample from the patient; (b) measuring the levels of a panel of biomarkers in the sample collected from the patient, wherein the panel of biomarkers comprises ASTN1, BAI3, CNDP1, ERMIN, GFAP, GRM3, KLH32, MAGE2, NRG3, NRGN, OMG, SLC39A12, RTN1, and MT3; and (c) comparing the levels of the panel of biomarkers with predefined levels of the same panel of biomarkers that correlate to a patient having SCI and predefined levels of the same panel of biomarkers that correlate to a patient not having SCI, wherein a correlation to one of the predefined levels provides the diagnosis.

Biomarkers of brain injury

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Baltimore, MD, United States of America

James Francis Casella