SIMPLE TEST FOR SICKLE-CELL ANEMIA DEVELOPED THE TECHNOLOGY Sickle cell anemia is a hereditary, sometimes life-threatening disease in which red blood cells manufacture a different kind of hemoglobin called Hb-S. LLNL biomedical scientists have developed a new line of cells which secrete monoclonal antibodies that are highly specific to Hb-S molecules. The cell lines, a fusion of tumor cells with antibody-producing cells, grow forever in culture, providing consistent, high quality antibodies. These antibodies are the key to an easy way to identify carriers of Hb-S. TECHNOLOGY RECIPIENTS LLNL has granted a non-exclusive license to a biotechnology firm to commercialize products made from these biological materials. The firm intends to introduce a simple kit for diagnosing sickle-cell anemia. Marketing of the kit started fall of 1987. COMMERCIAL USES AND BENEFITS The LLNL-developed cell lines make possible sickle cell anemia testing that is much simpler, faster, and cheaper than present methods. A medical lab is not necessary to perform the test, making possible testing "in the field" from just a pinprick of blood. This holds great promise for Third World countries where sickle cell anemia is a significant health problem. Although another quick test is available, it is not specific enough to detract Hb-S molecules in newborns and young infants. The LLNL monoclonal antibodies react to Hb-S only, leaving no doubts about test results identifying newborn and young infant carriers of sickle cell anemia. The antibodies allow a determination to be made in about 15 minutes. DOE - Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory SOFTWARE PERMITS DIFFERENT COMPUTERS TO "TALK" TO EACH OTHER THE TECHNOLOGY Computer scientists from Livermore's Technology Information Systems have developed a way for computers from different manufacturers to "talk" to each other. The Intelligent Gateway Processor (IGP) is a complex software program with about 166,000 lines of code designed to run on the popular UNIX operating environment. IGP consists of three main modules electronic mail, network access and integrated information system. The electronic mail function allows messages to be sent to and from computers around the world, using either telephone lines or the U.S. Defense Data Network. The network access module allows one computer to access the resources of another without the user needing to know anything about the other system. The integrated information system module gives the computer user a choice of various computer services, such as performing an electronic information search. Hundreds of scientists have used this facility for research they would be able to do in few other laboratories. Since 1979 more than 2,000 samples have been tested. These experiments were done by investigators from 16 national laboratories throughout the U.S., as well as from universities and industry. Researchers have used the facility to study: the mechanical and physical properties of metals; the optical properties of laser glass; the properties of superconductors needed to contain the fuel in the Laboratory's Magnetic Mirror device; the properties of insulators; and the effects of radiation on organic samples, such as human liver enzymes. Many experiments, although identified as being conducted by a single country, were actually planned and conducted to meet joint research objectives. All results from this cooperative activity are published in English in literature available to the public. SARISA (SURFACE ANALYSIS BY RESONANCE IONIZATION OF SPUTTERED ATOMS) THE TECHNOLOGY When material surfaces are bombarded with energetic ion beams, the result is the ejection, or sputtering, of atoms from the surface. The behavior of these sputtered atoms tells materials researchers about impurities at the surface and in subsurface layers. Widely used current techniques can detect certain elements to a highly sensitive level. But even the best instruments, which can detect impurities of 200 parts per billion, are limited in certain respects. They detect only a small fraction of the sputtered flux, and it is difficult to quantitatively determine the concentrations of individual impurities in multicomponent systems. Additionally, the already low number of secondary ions reaching the detector is reduced significantly, decreasing the sensitivity of the instrument. Argonne's scientists have combined sputtering with lasers to convert the sputtered neutral surface atoms to ions, and have employed a unique new time-of-flight mass spectrometer to detect the resonantly ionized atoms. The resulting system is called SARISA--Surface Analysis by Resonance Ionization of Sputtered Atoms. SARISA's design emphasizes efficient sample use, and in its difficult benchmark test--iron impurities in silicon--it detected impurities of 500 parts per trillion. TECHNOLOGY RECIPIENTS The licensing negotiations now underway for SARISA could have taken place much earlier had a marketing survey been conducted early on. Most of last year was spent in negotiations with a different company, only to find that it lacked the technical resources to proceed with the project. In retrospect, ARCH and Argonne believed that a marketing survey to target appropriate prospective licensees could have resulted in much earlier licensing of this excellent technology. Responding to this thought, ARCH engaged Coopers and Lybrand to conduct a survey of potential licensees. Seven companies were researched and visited and finally placed in a priority order. The company in the #1 position has visited Argonne for detailed discussions and is developing its position on licensing SARIŠA (Surface Analysis by Resonance Ionization of Sputtered Atoms). Argonne has implemented a program to use MBA students from the University of Chicago Graduate of Business to conduct such studies for future licensing efforts, and expects that the program will provide good results. USES AND BENEFITS SARISA detects impurities in parts per trillion, a level of sensitivity about 100 times greater than existing systems. Such capability will be important in many areas of basic research, as well as technologically importatant applications such as semiconductors. DOE - Argonne National Laboratory MORE ACCURATE AND RELIABLE URANIUM BIOASSAYS THE TECHNOLOGY Through the integration of advanced laser concepts and computers, scientists at PNL developed a method for measuring uranium concentrations in bioassays more quickly, easily and accurately than conventional analytical methods. A high-intensity laser pulse illuminates the uranium, which absorbs the light and re-emits it at a specific wavelength. The data are fed to a computer which analyzes the information and generates the measurement results. TECHNOLOGY RECIPIENTS The kinetic phosphorimetry technology was selected for transfer in 1983. Information was prepared, disseminated to interested manufacturers and presented at an analytical chemistry conference. A prototype was demonstrated to vendors of similar equipment at a bioassay conference. Through these efforts three interested companies were identified. One of the firms capable of manufacturing the instrument and conducting bioassay analysis routinely was provided seminars, drawings and software related to the technology. Unfortunately, the corporate headquarters ultimately decided not to manufacture the instrument. After reevaluation, a new plan was developed. PNL began working with a staff member of the previously selected firm to establish a new local company, Chemchek Instrument, Inc., to manufacture and market the bioassay device. DOE was granted a patent in July 1986 and subsequently issued Chemchek a license to use the kinetic phosphorimetry technology. With initial assistance from PNL staff, Chemchek is now manufacturing and marketing an accurate instrument. Assistance included technical support, evaluation of the first commercial instrument in mid-1986, guidance regarding the use of federal technology and support in the creation of a new firm. USES AND BENEFITS All workers potentially exposed to uranium through mining, milling, and processing efforts are required to have uranium bioassays routinely. The new commercial uranium analysis technique is ten times more accurate and reliable than current methods and can be done more quickly and with smaller samples; thus the cost of analysis and probability of error in sampling and analysis are greatly reduced. In addition, the results can meet more stringent regulatory guidelines expected in the future. The second transfer attempt was successful and resulted in a new small business because of the persistent and dedicated efforts of PNL staff to help move the technology to the marketplace. The first commercial sales occurred four years after the invention disclosure because scientific developments were close to those needed for commercial applications. DOE Pacific Northwest Laboratory |