The Johns Hopkins University

Shawn Lupold

Ronald Rodriguez

Martin Gilbert Pomper

Il Minn

Wasim Haider Chowdhury

Tarana A Kudrolli

Mark Castanares

Theodore L DeWeese

Ping Wu

Yonggang Zhang

Xiaohua Ni

Methods, reporter gene constructs, and kits for using prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) as an imaging reporter to image a variety of cells and tissues are provided.

PSMA-based molecular-genetic reporter system

The presently disclosed subject matter provides methods, reporter gene constructs, and kits for using prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) as an imaging reporter to image a variety of cells and tissues.

The present invention relates to the field of viral gene therapy. More specifically, the present invention provides compositions and methods for retargeting virus constructs. In one embodiment, the present invention provides an adenoviral construct comprising a nucleic acid encoding the peptide sequence MAE-X-PDP (SEQ ID NO:45), wherein X is an antigen targeting peptide. In a more specific embodiment, an adenoviral construct comprises a nucleic acid sequence encoding the peptide sequence MAEWQPDTAHHWALTLPDP (SEQ ID NO:10) inserted into the HI-loop of adenovirus fiber protein. In yet another embodiment, the present invention provides a method for optimizing adenoviral infection of target cells comprising the steps of (a) generating a peptide-display adenovirus library, wherein the displayed peptide is a peptide that specifically binds an antigen expressed on the surface of a target cell, and wherein the displayed peptide is flanked by random peptide sequences; and (b) screening the peptide-display adenovirus library against the target cells.

Compositions and methods for retargeting virus constructs

Compositions and methods are provided for sensitizing neoplastic cells to radiotherapy. The invention provides aptamer-inhibitory nucleic acid chimeras that selectively inliibit the expression of radiosensitizing genes in neoplastic cells expressing a cell surface molecule that binds the aptamer.

Radiation sensitization agents for prostate cancer

The present invention provides DNA libraries, libraries of viral clones and libraries of infectious viral particles and methods of generating and screening these libraries.

Compositions and methods for generating and screening adenoviral libraries

The instant invention provides methods and compositions for generating recombinant adenoviral vectors. The invention also provides kits comprising for the generation of recombinant adenoviral vectors.

Adenoviral fiber exchange shuttle system

The invention provides isolated PSMA binding peptides, as well as pharmaceutical compositions thereof. Also provided are diagnostic and therapeutic methods utilizing the PSMA binding peptides, as well as methods for identifying further PSMA binding peptides.

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Ellicott City, MD, United States of America

Shawn Lupold