Gene Sense

About

Project Title Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) gene reporter with broad applications in cell and gene therapy   Track Code P25950   Brief Description This platform technology (“Gene Sense”) is a DNA-based reporter that 'programs' cells to express their own contrast agent. The gene product is an MRI contrast agent that utilizes endogenous iron in the body to gain potency. Gene Sense can be used for visualizing the delivery of cellular and gene therapeutics, imaging transgenic animal models, and pharmacological profiling of drug candidates. In preferred applications, a cell therapy product, such as a stem cells, is engineered to express Gene Sense enabling long-term tracking of transplanted cells and their progeny using in vivo MRI.    Applications In vivo MRI cell tracking of stem cells and other therapeutic cell types Imaging vector delivery in vivo, e.g., gene therapy Visualizing gene expression in transgenic animals    Advantages Enables long-term longitudinal MRI cell tracking Incorporate into cells using ‘off-the shelf’ vectors and molecular biology tools Can be used to create unique therapeutic cells with integrated reporter as a combination product Conventional MRI detection at high resolution with no tissue penetration depth limitations Non-cytotoxic High-quality body of peer-reviewed scientific articles surrounding this technology Most widely used MRI gene reporter in academic research Does not require the delivery of any substrate (i.e., molecules or nanoparticles) to activate MRI detection Strong candidate for clinical translation