Meet our SPARK Fellows

Introducing Cohort 8

ken_maclean_500

Ken Maclean, PhD

Formate Treatment of Cystathionine Beta Synthase Deficient Homocystinuria

Formate Treatment of Cystathionine Beta Synthase Deficient Homocystinuria

This project aims to address Cystathionine beta-synthase (CBS) deficient homocystinuria (HCU), a life-threatening metabolic disorder resulting in the toxic buildup of homocysteine. Current treatments involving dietary restrictions and betaine have limitations in effectively controlling homocysteine levels and require unpleasant medical foods. The researchers have discovered that combining sodium formate and betaine treatment can significantly reduce homocysteine levels in HCU mice on a normal protein diet, presenting a major breakthrough in treatment. Several pharmaceutical companies have shown interest in commercializing this discovery. The project's milestones include determining the optimal concentration of sodium formate, its effectiveness in lowering homocysteine in tissues, analyzing relevant folate species, and exploring alternative formate donors for lowering homocysteine in HCU mice. Collaborator: Taranagulla Ventures

Learn more about Dr. Maclean

Cohort 7

Jessica Rove, MD

Jessica Rove, MD

Colorado Chest Tube

Juan-Pablo Idrovo, MD

Juan-Pablo Idrovo, MD

Gastrostomy Tube Guardian

Rui Zhao, PhD

Rui Zhao, PhD

Developing a First-in-Class Allosteric Eya2 Tyrosine Phosphatase Inhibitor for Brain Cancer Therapy

Sujatha Venkataraman, PhD

Development of Gated Dual-antigen Targeting CAR-T Cell Therapy to Treat ATRT, an Aggressive Brain Tumor in Children

zhirui_wang_500

Zhirui Wang, PhD

Bivalent CD47 Immunotoxin for Targeted Therapy of T-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia and Other CD47+ Cancers

Cohort 6

ken_maclean_500

Ken Maclean, PhD

Formate Treatment of Cystathionine Beta Synthase Deficient Homocystinuria

Formate Treatment of Cystathionine Beta Synthase Deficient Homocystinuria

This project aims to address Cystathionine beta-synthase (CBS) deficient homocystinuria (HCU), a life-threatening metabolic disorder resulting in the toxic buildup of homocysteine. Current treatments involving dietary restrictions and betaine have limitations in effectively controlling homocysteine levels and require unpleasant medical foods. The researchers have discovered that combining sodium formate and betaine treatment can significantly reduce homocysteine levels in HCU mice on a normal protein diet, presenting a major breakthrough in treatment. Several pharmaceutical companies have shown interest in commercializing this discovery. The project's milestones include determining the optimal concentration of sodium formate, its effectiveness in lowering homocysteine in tissues, analyzing relevant folate species, and exploring alternative formate donors for lowering homocysteine in HCU mice. Collaborator: Taranagulla Ventures

Learn more about Dr. Maclean

Cohort 5

ken_maclean_500

Ken Maclean, PhD

Formate Treatment of Cystathionine Beta Synthase Deficient Homocystinuria

Formate Treatment of Cystathionine Beta Synthase Deficient Homocystinuria

This project aims to address Cystathionine beta-synthase (CBS) deficient homocystinuria (HCU), a life-threatening metabolic disorder resulting in the toxic buildup of homocysteine. Current treatments involving dietary restrictions and betaine have limitations in effectively controlling homocysteine levels and require unpleasant medical foods. The researchers have discovered that combining sodium formate and betaine treatment can significantly reduce homocysteine levels in HCU mice on a normal protein diet, presenting a major breakthrough in treatment. Several pharmaceutical companies have shown interest in commercializing this discovery. The project's milestones include determining the optimal concentration of sodium formate, its effectiveness in lowering homocysteine in tissues, analyzing relevant folate species, and exploring alternative formate donors for lowering homocysteine in HCU mice. Collaborator: Taranagulla Ventures

Learn more about Dr. Maclean

Cohort 4

Cohort 3

Cohort 2

Cohort 1

CU Innovations

CU Anschutz

Anschutz Health Sciences Building

1890 N Revere Ct

Suite 6202

Mail Stop F411

Aurora, CO 80045


303-724-3720

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