[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 105 (Monday, June 2, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 32733-32734]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-13596]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army


Availability for Non-Exclusive, Exclusive, or Partially Exclusive 
Licensing of U.S. Patent and Related U.S. Patent Application Concerning 
Protein Biomarker for Mustard Chemical Injury

AGENCY: Department of the Army, DoD.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with 37 CFR 404.6 and 404.7, announcement is 
made of the availability for licensing of U.S. Patent No. 6,124,108, 
entitled ``Protein Biomarker for Mustard Chemical Injury,'' filed May 
13, 1997, and related U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 09/482,604, 
filed January 14, 2000 and having the same title. The United States 
Government, as represented by the Secretary of the Army has rights in 
this invention.

ADDRESSES: Commander, U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel Command, 
Attn: Command Judge Advocate, MCMR-JA, 504 Scott Street, Fort Detrick, 
Frederick, MD 21702-5012.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For patent issues, Ms. Elizabeth 
Arwine, Patent Attorney, (301) 619-7808. For licensing issues, Dr. Paul 
Mele, Office of Research & Technology Assessment, (301) 619-6664, both 
at telefax (301) 619-5034.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This invention relates to the use of a test 
to evaluate exposure to mustard gas. This invention relates to the 
discovery that toxicity to mustard may be evaluated by diagnostic test 
means disclosed. Upon electrophoretic separation (sodium dodocyl 
sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE)) of buffered 
extract of human skin cells (normal human epidermal keratinocytes 
(NHEK)) which had been exposed to mustard-type chemical compounds a 
band at approximately 50,000 to 80,000 daltons molecular weight was 
found. The protein band constitutes a biomarker. The marker protein can 
be

[[Page 32734]]

used either to raise protective antibodies to protect against the 
protease or may be used in a kit for identifying presence or absence of 
the marker in study of tissues taken from individuals who may have been 
exposed to mustard poisoning.

Luz D. Ortiz,
Army Federal Register Liaison Officer.
[FR Doc. 03-13596 Filed 5-30-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3710-08-M