Patents by Inventor Richard W. Ermel

Richard W. Ermel has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Neutralization of food allergens by thioredoxin
    Patent number: 6190723
    Abstract: Thioredoxin, a small dithiol protein, is a specific reductant for major allergenic proteins present in widely used foods from animal and plant sources. All targeted allergenic proteins contain disulfide (S—S) bonds that are reduced to the sulfhydryl (SH) level by thioredoxin. The proteins are allergenically active in the oxidized (S—S) state. When reduced (SH state), they lose their allergenicity. Thioredoxin achieved this reduction when activated (reduced) either by NADPH via NADP-thioredoxin reductase (physiological conditions) or by dithiothreitol, a chemical reductant. Skin tests and feeding experiments carried out with sensitized dogs showed that treatment of the food with reduced thioredoxin prior to ingestion eliminated or decreased the allergenicity of the food.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Bob B. Buchanan, Karoly Kobrehel, Boihon C. Yee, Rosa Lozano, Oscar L. Frick, Richard W. Ermel
  • Neutralization of food allergens by thioredoxin
    Patent number: 5792506
    Abstract: Thioredoxin, a small dithiol protein, is a specific reductant for major allergenic proteins present in widely used foods from animal and plant sources. All targeted allergenic proteins contain disulfide (S--S) bonds that are reduced to the sulfhydryl (SH) level by thioredoxin. The proteins are allergenically active in the oxidized (S--S) state. When reduced (SH state), they lose their allergenicity. Thioredoxin achieved this reduction when activated (reduced) either by NADPH via NADP-thioredoxin reductase (physiological conditions) or by dithiothreitol, a chemical reductant. Skin tests and feeding experiments carried out with sensitized dogs showed that treatment of the food with reduced thioredoxin prior to ingestion eliminated or decreased the allergenicity of the food.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1998
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Bob B. Buchanan, Karoly Kobrehel, Boihon C. Yee, Rosa Lozano, Oscar L. Frick, Richard W. Ermel