4274 Federal Register / Vol. 63, No. 18 /Wednesday, January 28, 1998 / Notices

vivo. The model system can be used to

screen compounds which inhibit or

stimulate bone formation. A protocol

using marrow stromal fibroblasts is also

presented. Use of the protocol results in

the formation of self-maintained human

bone which supports hematopoiesis.

The marrow stromal fibroblasts

combined with the described delivery

vehicles can be implanted into humans

to augment bone implants or to repair

bone defects.

This research has been published in J

Bone Miner Res 1997 Sep;12(9):1335–47

and Transplantation 1997 Apr

27;63(8):1059–69.

Synthesis and Purification of Hepatitis

C Virus Like Particles In Vitro

TJ Liang and TF Baumert (NIDDK).

Serial No.: 60/030,238 filed 8 Nov 96;

PCT/US97/05096 filed 25 Mar. 97.

Licensing Contact: Carol Salata, 301/

496–7735 ext 232.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a major

causative agent of posttransfusion and

community-acquired hepatitis worldwide. Analysis of the structural features

of HCV has been hampered by the

inability to propagate the virus

efficiently in cultural cells and the lack

of a convenient animal model. This

invention discloses the production and

purification of HCV-like particles in

eukaryotic cells. Infection of insect cells

with a recombinant baculovirus

containing the cDNA for the HCV

structural proteins resulted in the

formation of HCV-like particles in

cytoplasmic cisternae of the insect cells.

Sucrose gradient purification HCV-like

particles exhibited similar biophysical

properties as putative HCV virions.

HCV-like particles, purified in large

quantities, may be useful in HCV

vaccine development or in diagnostic

kits.

An Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent

Assay (ELISA) to Detect Antibodies to a

Nonstructural Protein of Hepatitis A

Virus (HAV)

RH Purcell, T Schultheiss, D Stewart,

S Emerson (NIAID).

Serial No.: 60/013, 333 filed 13 Mar.

96; PCT/US97/03428 filed 13 Mar.

97.

Licensing Contact: George Keller, 301/

496–7735 ext 246.

The current invention embodies an

assay which can differentiate between

an individual who has been vaccinated

against Hepatitis A Virus (HAV), and

one who has actually been infected with

the virus. HAV infection results in the

production of antibodies against both

structural and nonstructural proteins of

the virus. Inactivated HAV vaccines,

which are commonly used for

immunization against HAV, cause the

production of antibodies against the

structural proteins. Assays currently in

use for determining exposure to HAV

measure only antibodies to structural

proteins, and therefore are incapable of

differentiating between individuals who

have been infected with HAV and those

who have merely been immunized with

the inactivated virus.

The assay embodied in the current

invention is capable of detecting

antibodies to the 3C proteinase, which

is a nonstructural protein of HAV. This

assay, which utilizes an ELISA for the

detection of such antibodies, should

represent a significant improvement

over assays which are currently

available.

Restriction Display (RD–PCR) of

Differentially Expressed mRNAs

JN Weinstein, J. Buolamwini (NCI).

Serial No.: 60/011, 379 filed 09 Feb

96; PCT/US97/02009 filed 7 Feb.

97.

Licensing Contact: J. Peter Kim, 301/

496–7056 ext 264.

This invention provides a kit and

methods for detecting gene expression

in cells by reverse transcribing mRNA

molecules into cDNA, and selectively

amplifying a subset of the cDNA by a

polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to

present a two-dimensional display of

the fragments or for cloning into a

vector using restriction enzyme

recognition sites added during the PCR.

In one aspect of this invention, only

cDNA corresponding to the 3′ end of the

mRNA is amplified and displayed or

cloned. In another aspect of the

invention, cDNA corresponding to the

entire mRNA molecule is amplified for

display or cloning. The method and kit

may be useful in characterizing cells

based on their mRNA content,

representing expressed genes, and

discovering therapeutics that alter

cellular gene expression by

characterizing cells of different types

under a variety of physiological

conditions. In addition to drug

discovery, this approach may be used

whenever expression of mRNA is to be

assessed, for example, in studies of

malignant transformation,

carcinogenesis, immune activation, and

developmental biology.

Selective Elimination of T-Cells that

Recognize Specific Preselected Targets

A Rosenberg (FDA).

Serial No.: 60/002, 964 filed 30 Aug.

95; PCT filed 30 /Aug. 96.

Licensing Contact: Jaconda Wagner,

301/496–7735 ext 284

The invention relates to methods and

compositions for the elimination of T

cells that recognize specific preselected

targets which can be used to threat

autoimmune diseases and graft

rejection.

The invention provides a method for

selectively inhibiting or killing T cells

that recognize a specific preselected

target molecule and also for modified

killer cells that bear a signal

transduction molecule to which is

attached the preselected target

molecule. Recognition of the preselected

molecule by a T cell activates the killer

cell which then kills or inhibits the T

cell. Where the preselected molecule is

an extracellular domain of an MHC from

a xenograft or an allograft, treatment of

the graft recipient with the modified

killer T cells delays or inhibits graft

rejection. Similarly, where the

preselected molecule is an MHC that

binds the antigenic determinant of the

autoimimune disease, treatment of the

organism with the modified T cells

mitigates the autoimmune response

directed against the antigenic

determinant.

This research was published in

Transpl Immunol 1993; 1(2):93–9.

Dated: January 16, 1998.

Barbara M. McGarey,

Deputy Director, Office of Technology

Transfer.

[FR Doc. 98–1967 Filed 1–27–98; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4140–01–M

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND

HUMAN SERVICES

National Institutes of Health

National Institute of General Medical

Sciences; Closed Meeting

Pursuant to section 10(d) of the

Federal Advisory Committee Act, as

amended (5 United States Code

Appendix 2), notice is hereby given of

the following National Institute of

General Medical Sciences Initial Review

Group (IRG) meeting:

Name of IRG: Minority Biomedical

Research Support.

Date: March 10–12, 1998.

Time: March 10—8 p.m.–11 p.m.; March

11—8:30 a.m–6 p.m.; March 12—8:30 a.m.–

adjournment.

Place: Holiday Inn—Bethesda, 8120

Wisconsin Avenue, Bethesda, Maryland

20814.

Contact Person: Dr. Michael A. Sesma,

Scientific Review Administrators, NIGMS,

Natcher Building—Room 1AS–19, Bethesda,

Maryland 20892, Telephone: 301–594–2048.

Purpose/Agenda: To evaluate and review

research training grant applications.

The meeting will be closed in accordance

with the provisions set forth in secs.

552b(c)(4) and 552b(c)(6), Title 5 U.S.C. The
Federal Register / Vol. 63, No. 18 /Wednesday, January 28, 1998 / Notices 4275

discussions of these applications could

reveal confidential trade secrets or

commercial property such as patentable

material and personal information

concerning individuals associated with these

applications, the disclosure of which would

constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of

personal privacy.

(Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance

Program Nos. (93.821, Biophysics and

Physiological Sciences; 93.859,

Pharmacological Sciences; 93.862, Genetics

Research; 93.863, Cellular and Molecular

Basis of Disease Research 93.880, Minority

Access Research Careers (MARC); and

93.375, Minority Biomedical Research

Support (MBRS)], National Institutes of

Health)

Dated: January 22, 1998.

LaVerne Y. Stringfield,

Committee Management Officer, NIH.

[FR Doc. 98–1961 Filed 1–27–98; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4140–01–M

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND

HUMAN SERVICES

National Institutes of Health

National Institute of Arthritis and

Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases;

Closed Meeting

Pursuant to section 10(d) of the

Federal Advisory Committee Act, as

amended (5 U.S.C. Appendix 2), notice

is hereby given of the following

National Institute of Arthritis and

Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases

Special Emphasis Panel (SEP) meeting.

Name of SEP: SBIR Fast Track Initiative

(teleconference).

Date: February 3, 1998.

Time: 9:00 a.m.-adjournment.

Place: Natcher Building, 45 Center Drive,

Room 5AS25U, Bethesda, Maryland 20892.

Contact Person: Tommy L. Broadwater,

Ph.D., Scientific Review Administrator,

Natcher Building, 45 Center Drive, Rm

5AS25U, Bethesda, Maryland 20892,

Telephone: 301–594–4953.

Purpose/Agenda: To evaluate and review

contract application.

This meeting will be closed in accordance

with the provisions set forth in sections

552b(c)(4) and 552b(c)(6), Title 5 U.S.C. The

discussion of this application could reveal

confidential trade secrets or commercial

property such as patentable material and

personal information concerning individuals

associated with the application, the

disclosure of which would constitute a

clearly unwarranted invasion of personal

privacy.

This meeting is being published less than

15 days prior to the urgent need to meet

timing limitations imposed by the review and

funding cycle.

(Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance

Program Nos. [93.846, Project Grants in

Arthritis, Musculoskeletal and Skin Disease

Research], National Institutes of Health,

HHS)

Dated: January 22, 1998.

LaVerne Y. Stringfield,

Committee Management Officer, NIH.

[FR Doc. 98–1962 Filed 1–27–98; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4140–01–M

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND

HUMAN SERVICES

National Institutes of Health

National Institute of Diabetes and

Digestive and Kidney Diseases; Closed

Meeting

Pursuant to Section 10(d) of the

Federal Advisory Committee Act, as

amended (5 U.S.C. Appendix 2), notice

is hereby given of the following

National Institute of Diabetes and

Digestive and Kidney Diseases Special

Emphasis Panel meeting:

Name of SEP: ZDK1 GRB4–C2B.

Date: February 13, 1998.

Time: 3:00 p.m.

Place: Room 6as–37A, Natcher Building,

NIH (Telephone Conference Call).

Contact: William Elzinga, Ph.D., Review

Branch, DEA, NIDDK, Natcher Building,

Room 6as–37A, National Institutes of Health,

Bethesda, Maryland 20892–6600, Phone:

(301) 594–8895.

Purpose/Agenda: To review and evaluate

contract proposals.

This meeting will be closed in accordance

with the provisions set forth in secs.

552b(c)(4) and 552b(c)(6), Title 5 U.S.C.

Applications and/or proposals and the

discussions could reveal confidential trade

secrets or commercial property such as

patentable material and personal information

concerning individuals associated with the

applications and/or proposals, the disclosure

of which would constitute a clearly

unwarranted invasion of personal privacy.

(Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance

Program No. 93.847–849, Diabetes, Endocrine

and Metabolic Diseases; Digestive Diseases

and Nutrition; and Kidney Diseases, Urology

and Hematology Research, National Institutes

of Health)

Dated: January 20, 1998.

LaVerne Y. Stringfield,

Committee Management Officer, NIH.

[FR Doc. 98–1964 Filed 1–27–98; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4140–01–M

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND

HUMAN SERVICES

National Institutes of Health

National Institute on Aging; Closed

Meetings

Pursuant to Section 10(d) of the

Federal Advisory Committee Act, as

amended (5 U.S.C. Appendix 2), notice

is hereby given of the following

meetings:

Name of SEP: National Institute on Aging

Special Emphasis Panel, Calcium Regulation

in Brain Aging and Alzheimer’s Disease.

Date of Meeting: February 12, 1998.

Time of Meeting: 1 p.m. to adjournment.

Place of Meeting: Wyndham Garden Hotel,

1938 Stanton Way, Lexington, Kentucky

40511.

Purpose/Agenda: To review one grant

application.

Contact Person: Dr. Maria Mannarino,

Scientific Review Administrator, Gateway

Building, Room 2C212, National Institutes of

Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892–9205,

(301) 496–9666.

Name of SEP: National Institute on Aging

Special Emphasis Panel, The Einstein Aging

Study (Teleconference).

Date of Meeting: February 24, 1998.

Time of Meeting: 1:30 p.m. to adjournment.

Place of Meeting: Gateway Building, 7201

Wisconsin Avenue, Bethesda, MD 20814.

Purpose/Agenda: To review a program

project.

Contact Person: Dr. Maria Mannarino,

Scientific Review Administrator, Gateway

Building, Room 2C212, National Institutes of

Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892–9205,

(301) 496–9666.

Name of SEP: National Institute on Aging

Special Emphasis Panel, Molecular

Mechanisms of T Cell Aging in Mice.

Date of Meeting: February 27, 1998.

Time of Meeting: 1:00 p.m. to adjournment.

Place of Meeting: University of Michigan,

Ann Arbor, Michigan.

Purpose/Agenda: To review a program

project grant.

Contact Person: Dr. James Harwood,

Scientific Review Administrator, Gateway

Building, Room 2C212, National Institutes of

Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892–9205,

(301) 496–9666.

Name of SEP: National Institute on Aging

Initial Review Group, Neurosciences of Aging

Review Committee.

Date of Meeting: March 16–18, 1998.

Times of Meeting: March 16—7 p.m. to

recess, March 17—8 a.m. to 6 p.m., March

18—8 a.m. to adjournment.

Place of Meeting: Hyatt Regency Hotel,

7400 Block of Wisconsin Avenue, Bethesda,

Maryland 20814.

Purpose/Agenda: To review grant

applications.

Contact Person: Dr. Maria Mannarino, Dr.

Louise Hsu, Scientific Review

Administrators, Gateway Building, Room

2C212, National Institutes of Health,

Bethesda, Maryland 20892–9205, (301) 496–

9666.

These meetings will be closed in

accordance with the provisions set forth in

secs. 552b(c)(4) and 552b(c)(6), Title 5, U.S.C.

Applications and/or proposals and the

discussions could reveal confidential trade

secrets or commercial property such as

patentable material and personal information

concerning individuals associated with the

applications and/or proposals, the disclosure

of which would constitute a clearly

unwarranted invasion of personal privacy.

(Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance

Program No. 93.866, Aging Research,

National Institutes of Health)