First efforts to create a consortium to foster bioelectrics research originated with three research institutions: the research group at Old Dominion University's Frank Reidy Research Center for Bioelectrics (USA), the Pulsed Power Science team at Kumamoto University (Japan) and the Institute for Pulsed Power and Microwave Technology at the Forschungszentrum Karlsruhe (Germany). In 2005, based on a formal research agreement an International Bioelectrics Consortium was established. A Memorandum of Understanding was created which serves as the basis for international cooperation among the original members of the consortium and any new members. In October 2010 two additional members joined the consortium: Institute of Plasma Physics, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic (Czech Republic); and the Department of Experimental Oncology, Institute of Oncology Ljubljana (Slovenia), with Gregor Sersa as director. http://ww2.odu.edu/engr/bioelectrics/consortium.html
D.03 Membership in foreign/international boards/committees
Izum, ki ga razkrivamo v tej patentni prijavi, se nanaša na plazmidni vektor za izražanje humanega interlevkina 12 in njegovo uporabo v genski terapiji raka v kombinaciji z elektroporacijo ter druge aplikacije. Plazmid nosi zapis za fuzijski gen za humani interlevkin 12 pod transkripcijsko kontrolo p21 promotorja. V skladu s predpisi za plazmide, namenjene klinični uporabi, plazmid ne nosi zapisa za antibiotično rezistenco.
F.33 Slovenian patent
COBISS.SI-ID: 2254459A number of notable technology advances in DNA vaccination over the past few years have led to the resurgence of this field as a promising treatment modality. Among these advancements are improved physical methods of naked DNA delivery to cells. Of these, gene electrotransfer is considered as a safe and efficient method to deliver the plasmids to target cells or tissues. Among the potential targets, skin is an easy accessible and immunocompetent tissue, which makes it an attractive target for gene electrotransfer. Our study focused on gene electrotransfer of model DNA vaccine coding for the ovalbumin (OVA) protein, delivered into the mouse skin. For this purposes the non-invasive multi-electrode array (MEA) was used. The efficiency of the gene expression and the activation of immune response against delivered antigen were followed. The results demonstrated strong gene expression and an efficient delivery of DNA vaccine. The use of MEA to deliver the ovalbumin plasmid generated a strong immune response, as evidenced by the presence of antibodies in the serum, the IFN-gamma response and the delayed tumor growth when the mice were challenged with B16-OVA cells. The described method of gene electrotransfer by MEA electrode to skin proved as a promising approach to deliver the plasmids coding for the therapeutic molecules. It sets the stage for the further development of electroporation mediated delivery of DNA vaccines against infectious agents, autoimmunity or for cancer therapy. The contribution is rewarded with II. place by Slovenian Genetic Society and Slovenian Society for Human Genetics at the Colloquium on Genetics 2016.
E.01 National awards
COBISS.SI-ID: 2478459