| WARF: P04289US |  |
| HERG-1 Transfected HEK 293 Cell Line B |
| INVENTORS | • | Craig January, Blake Anson, Corey Anderson |
The Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF) is seeking commercial partners interested in the full-length cDNA of the HERG-1 cardiac potassium channel gene, which has been cloned into human embryonic kidney (HEK 293) cells.
OVERVIEW
Re-polarization of the cardiac action potential, which plays a critical role in maintaining normal cardiac rhythm, occurs mainly due to the action of potassium ion (K+) currents in the heart. The most important of these currents is the delayed rectifier current IK, which has two components, IKs and IKr. In long Q-T (LQT) syndrome, the electrocardiographic Q-T interval is increased due to delayed re-polarization of the cardiac action potential, leading in some cases to potentially fatal arrhythmias. Drugs that cause LQT syndrome act by inhibiting IKr, which is encoded by HERG (human eag-related gene).
THE INVENTION
UW-Madison researchers have cloned the full-length cDNA of the HERG-1 cardiac potassium channel gene into human embryonic kidney (HEK 293) cells, allowing expression of these channels in an experimental system. Since unintended block of HERG channel activity by drugs can lead to potentially fatal arrhythmias, this system provides an important screening tool for drugs in development.
APPLICATIONS
- Testing lead compounds and drugs for their potential to block activity of the HERG-1 cardiac potassium channel
KEY BENEFITS
- Cells are of human lineage and can be studied at body temperature, providing the highest stringency assay (channel defects may be suppressed at room temperature)
- The HEK 293 cell line is stable, providing a constant source of material
- Cell line has tested mycoplasma-free in an assay performed by a third-party laboratory
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
For More Information About the Inventors
Related Technologies
Intellectual Property Status
Assigned to WARF as biological material.
Tech Fields
Research Tools - Cell lines
Drug Discovery - Pre-clinical testing
CONTACT INFORMATION
For current licensing status, please contact our team at
licensing@warf.org
or phone 608.262.4924. (Clicking this link will open a contact form in a popup window. If you have problems viewing the form, try disabling your popup blocker software.)
Since its founding in 1925 as the patenting and licensing organization for the University of Wisconsin-Madison, WARF has been working with business and industry to transform university research into products that benefit society. WARF intellectual property managers and licensing staff members are leaders in the field of university-based technology transfer. They are familiar with the intricacies of patenting, have worked with researchers in relevant disciplines, understand industries and markets, and have negotiated innovative licensing strategies to meet the individual needs of business clients.
