The University of Texas System

Vikas Kundra

Ananth V Annapragada

James A Bankson

Murali K Ravoori

Ketan B Ghaghada

Provided herein are nanoparticle-based gadolinium (Gd) agents which may be used, e.g., in T1-weighted MR imaging (MRI). In various embodiments, dual-Gd liposomal agents are provided which contain both core-encapsulated Gd as well as surface-conjugated Gd. In various embodiments, these agents were observed to deliver a higher concentrations of Gd and result in substantial improvements in signal to noise ratios and contrast to noise ratios. Also provided are methods for in vivo imaging and/or treating diseases such as cancer or tumor in a subject.

Dual mode gadolinium nanoparticle contrast agents

Methods and composition for cell-based therapy as well as somatostatin receptor-based therapy are described. For example, in certain aspects methods for administering an anti-tumor therapy using a signaling defective somatostatin receptor mutant are described. Furthermore, the invention provides compositions and methods involve a somatostatin constitutively active somatostatin receptor mutant.

Somatostatin receptor-based cancer therapy

The present invention is directed to fusion proteins that can be used to assay gene transfer and expression both in vitro and in vivo. The fusion proteins contain a reporter protein, e.g. a somatostatin receptor, fused to a second protein, which may be a protein fusion tag. Alternatively, a fusion protein may be fused to a leader sequence. A leader sequence may localize an expressed protein, e.g. localize a fusion protein to the cell membrane. The invention includes nucleic acids encoding the fusion proteins and methods of assaying for gene expression.

Truncated somatostatin receptors

The present invention is directed to fusion proteins that can be used to assay gene transfer and expression both in vitro and in vivo. The fusion proteins contain a reporter protein, e.g. a somatostatin receptor, fused to a second protein, which may be a protein fusion tag. Alternatively, a fusion protein may be fused to a leader sequence. A leader sequence may localize an expressed protein, e.g localize a fusion protein to the cell membrane. The invention includes nucleic acids encoding the fusion proteins and methods of assaying for gene expression.

Growing community of inventors

Missouri City, TX, United States of America

Vikas Kundra