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University of Wyoming

UW Technologies Available for Licensing


Technology Disclosure: 06-072 Negative to Positive Charge Reversible Technology


When a person is undergoing either gene therapy or drug treatment the aim is to deliver the drug or gene to the cell where it can be internalized. Scientists can force a cell to internalize a molecule by capitalizing on the difference in charge between the cell membrane and the molecule the scientists want to enter the cell. Particles, polymers, and peptides carrying primary and secondary amines are positively charged, and when one of these molecules comes into contact with a negatively charged cell membrane, the cell will rapidly internalize the molecule. Furthermore, amine-based polymers such as polyethyleneimine (PEI) effectively disrupt lysosomes and can guide DNA molecules and fragments to nuclei, and thus can be used for gene delivery. The problem is positively charged polymers, particles, or peptides are very toxic and they immediately interact with cells or other components in the blood compartment Therefore, these molecules cannot be injected intravenously.

Researchers at the University of Wyoming have developed a technique that can prevent the amine group from gaining a positive charge, which allows low or no interaction with the cells, and thus the toxicity level is kept low. Typically compounds containing both amine and carboxylic acid moieties are negatively charged at high pH levels and positively charged at low levels. This invention allows the amine groups to maintain a stable, neutral pH, but rapidly decompose and convert back to amine groups at a pH less than 7. This technique has the potential to aid in the development of drug or gene delivery carriers. PCT Application WO 2007/120504 A2

If you would like to learn more about this novel fuel cell technology and how your company may apply it in commercial situations, please contact the Director of the University of Wyoming Research Product Center, Davona Douglass.  We would be please to share further details.