Abstract: The present invention generally relates to microfluidics, and, in particular, to systems and methods for coalescing or fusing droplets. In certain aspects, two or more droplets within a microfluidic channel are brought together and caused to coalesce without using electric fields or charges. For example, in certain embodiments, droplets stabilized with a surfactant may be disrupted, e.g., by exposing the droplets to a solvent able to alter the surfactant, which may partially destabilize the droplets and allow them to coalesce. In some instances, the droplets may also be physically disrupted to facilitate coalesce. In addition, in some cases, the positions of one or more droplets may be controlled within a channel using a groove in a wall of the channel. For example, a droplet may at least partially enter the groove such that the position of the droplet is at least partially controlled by the groove.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
June 12, 2014
Date of Patent:
October 12, 2021
Assignee:
President and Fellows of Harvard College
Inventors:
David A. Weitz, Thomas E. Kodger, Donald Aubrecht, Ilke Akartuna
Abstract: This invention generally relates to systems and methods for the formation and/or control of fluidic species, and articles produced by such systems and methods. In some cases, the invention involves unique fluid channels, systems, controls, and/or restrictions, and combinations thereof. In certain embodiments, the invention allows fluidic streams (which can be continuous or discontinuous, i.e., droplets) to be formed and/or combined, at a variety of scales, including microfluidic scales. In one set of embodiments, a fluidic stream may be produced from a channel, where a cross-sectional dimension of the fluidic stream is smaller than that of the channel, for example, through the use of structural elements, other fluids, and/or applied external fields, etc. In some cases, a Taylor cone may be produced.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
February 26, 2019
Date of Patent:
October 12, 2021
Assignee:
President and Fellows of Harvard College
Inventors:
David A. Weitz, Darren Roy Link, Manuel Marquez-Sanchez, Zhengdong Cheng
Abstract: In some embodiments, the present disclosure pertains to a bimetallic metal-organic framework. In some embodiments, the bimetallic metal-organic framework includes a plurality of first metals and a plurality of metal-containing ligands, where each metal-containing ligand includes a second metal and a ligand. In some embodiments, the ligand is coordinated with the second metal and at least one first metal. In some embodiments, the present disclosure pertains to a method of detecting an analyte in a sample by associating the sample with a bimetallic metal-organic framework, as disclosed herein, detecting a change in a property of the bimetallic metal-organic framework, and correlating the change in the property of the bimetallic metal-organic framework to the presence or absence of the analyte in the sample. In some embodiments, the present disclosure pertains to a method of making the bimetallic metal-organic frameworks disclosed herein.
Type:
Application
Filed:
August 19, 2019
Publication date:
October 7, 2021
Applicant:
Trustees of Dartmouth College
Inventors:
Katherine A. Mirica, Zheng Meng, Aylin Aykanat
Abstract: The present invention, in some aspects, relates to systems and methods for determining oxidized proteins, including glutathionylated proteins such as S-glutathionylated proteins. The systems and methods of the invention can be used in vitro (e.g., in cell or tissue culture) or in vivo, for example, to diagnose a person having an oxidative stress condition. For instance, in some cases, the invention can be used to spatially determine the location and/or concentration of oxidized proteins within cells and/or tissues (e.g., through visual detection). In one set of embodiments, a glutathionylated or otherwise oxidized moiety on a protein may be reacted with a detection entity, which may be, for example, fluorescent, radioactive, electron-dense, able to bind to a signaling entity or a binding partner in order to produce a signal, etc.
Type:
Application
Filed:
February 22, 2021
Publication date:
October 7, 2021
Applicants:
The University of Vermont and State Agricultural College, Universiteit Maastricht
Inventors:
Yvonne M. Janssen-Heininger, Niki Reynaert
Abstract: There is provided a nanopore sensor including cis and trans fluidic reservoirs. A nanopore is provided in a support structure separating the cis and trans reservoirs. The nanopore has an inlet in fluidic connection with the cis fluidic reservoir and an outlet in fluidic connection with the trans fluidic reservoir. The cis fluidic reservoir has a fluidic access resistance, RC, the trans fluidic reservoir has a fluidic access resistance, RT, and the nanopore has a fluidic resistance, RP. RP is of the same order of magnitude as RT and both RP and RT are at least an order of magnitude greater than RC. An electrical transduction element is disposed at a nanopore sensor site that exposes the transduction element to the trans reservoir. An electrical circuit is connected to the electrical transduction element for producing an electrical signal indicative of changes in electrical potential local to the trans reservoir.
Type:
Application
Filed:
June 14, 2021
Publication date:
October 7, 2021
Applicant:
President and Fellows of Harvard College
Abstract: The present invention provides methods of reprogramming cells, for example, directly reprogramming a somatic cell of a first cell type into a somatic cell of a second cell type, are described herein. In particular, the present invention generally relates to methods for reprogramming a cell of an endoderm origin to a cell having pancreatic ?-cell characteristics. The present invention also relates to an isolated population comprising reprogrammed cells, compositions and their use in the treatment of diabetes mellitus. In particular, the present invention relates to reprogramming a cell of an endoderm origin to a cell having pancreatic ?-cell characteristics by increasing the protein expression of at least one transcription factor selected from Pdx1, Ngn3 or MafA in the cell of endoderm origin to reprogram the cell of an endoderm cell to a cell which exhibits at least one or at least two characteristics of an endogenous pancreatic ?-cell.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
March 4, 2019
Date of Patent:
October 5, 2021
Assignee:
President and Fellows of Harvard College
Abstract: Provided herein are compounds (e.g., compounds of Formulae (I), (II), and (III)) which are anti-fungal agents and can be used in the treatment of diseases, including infectious diseases. The invention provides methods of treating diseases in a subject (e.g., infectious diseases such as fungal infections), and methods of killing or inhibiting the growth of fungi in or on a subject or biological sample. The compounds may be used in subjects, in clinical settings, or in agricultural settings.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
February 17, 2017
Date of Patent:
October 5, 2021
Assignees:
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Inc., Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois, The General Hospital Corporation, President and Fellows of Harvard College
Inventors:
Sara Jean Buhrlage, Anders Näär, Gerhard Wagner, Haribabu Arthanari, Joy Luz Nishikawa, Andras Pal Boeszoermenyi, Dominique Sanglard
Abstract: Identified compounds demonstrate protein kinase inhibitory activity and inhibition of dependent cell signaling pathways, such as NOD2 cell signaling. More specifically, the compounds are demonstrated to inhibit receptor interacting kinase 2 (RIPK2) and/or Activin-like kinase 2 (ALK2). Compounds that are either dual RIPK2/ALK2 inhibitors or that preferentially inhibit RIPK2 or ALK2 could provide therapeutic benefit.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
March 29, 2018
Date of Patent:
October 5, 2021
Assignees:
University of Houston System, Trustees of Tufts College
Abstract: Methods and agents are provided for inhibiting interleukin 1 receptor accessory protein (IL1RAP) protein-protein interaction to treat a broad spectrum of diseases and conditions.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
November 23, 2015
Date of Patent:
October 5, 2021
Assignee:
Albert Einstein College of Medicine
Inventors:
Ulrich Steidl, Laura Barreyro De Pujato, Mario Pujato
Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure concern methods and compositions related to manipulation of the microbiome in an individual having at least one social behavior deficit. In particular embodiments, an individual has at least one social behavior deficit and was born from a mother who during pregnancy was obese, overweight, or on a high-fat diet during pregnancy or carries mutations associated with neurodevelopmental disorders. In specific embodiments, the individual having at least one social behavior deficit is provided an effective amount of Lactobacillus reuteri for the improvement of at least one symptom of a social behavior deficit.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
April 15, 2017
Date of Patent:
October 5, 2021
Assignee:
Baylor College of Medicine
Inventors:
Mauro Costa-Mattioli, Shelly Alexandra Buffington
Abstract: A homogenous composite material with increased tensile strength comprising 2-dimensional nano-sheets exfoliated from a 3-dimensional layered material mixed in a liquid non-Newtonian viscoelastic material to produce the homogenous composite material; and a process for making the same.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
August 3, 2017
Date of Patent:
October 5, 2021
Assignee:
The Provost, Fellows, Foundation Scholars, & the Other Members of Board, of the College of the Holy & Undiv. Trinity of Queen
Inventors:
Conor Boland, Umar Khan, Jonathan Coleman
Abstract: This invention relates to methods and compositions for assessing an amount of non-native nucleic acids in a sample, such as from a subject, and/or noise, background or discordance quality check (QC). The methods and compositions provided herein can be used to determine risk of a condition, such as cancer, in a subject.
Abstract: Embodiments of immunogens comprising a recombinant Nipah virus (NiV) F ectodomain trimer stabilized in a prefusion conformation are provided. Also provided are embodiments of immunogens comprising chimeric proteins comprising the recombinant NiV F ectodomain trimer and one or more G ectodomains, a multimer of NiV G ectodomains, and protein nanoparticles comprising the recombinant NiV F ectodomain trimer or an NiV G ectodomain. Also disclosed are nucleic acids encoding the immunogens and methods of their production. Methods for inducing an immune response in a subject by administering a disclosed immunogen to the subject are also provided. In some embodiments, the immune response treats or inhibits NiV infection in a subject.
Type:
Application
Filed:
August 5, 2019
Publication date:
September 30, 2021
Applicants:
The United States of America, as represented by the Secretary, Department of Health and Human Servic, Trustees of Dartmouth College
Inventors:
Barney Graham, Rebecca Loomis, Guillaume Stewart-Jones, John Mascola, Jason McLellan
Abstract: Disclosed herein are compounds and methods for decreasing MECP2 mRNA and protein expression. Such compounds and methods are useful to treat, prevent, or ameliorate MECP2 associated disorders and syndromes. Such MECP2 associated disorders include MECP2 duplication syndrome.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
August 8, 2019
Date of Patent:
September 28, 2021
Assignees:
Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Baylor College of Medicine
Inventors:
Susan M. Freier, Huda Y. Zoghbi, Ezequiel Sztainberg
Abstract: The present invention provides for certain sulfonyl ureas and related compounds which have advantageous properties and show useful activity in the inhibition of activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome. Such compounds are useful in the treatment of a wide range of disorders in which the inflammation process, or more specifically the NLRP3 inflammasome, have been implicated as being a key factor.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
August 7, 2019
Date of Patent:
September 28, 2021
Assignees:
The Provost, Fellows, Foundation Scholars, And The Other Members Of Board, Of The College Of The Holy And Undivided Trinity Of Queen Elizabeth Near Dublin, The University Of Queensland
Inventors:
Luke O'Neill, Rebecca Coll, Matthew Cooper, Avril Robertson, Kate Schroder
Abstract: The present invention provides for concentrated aqueous silk fibroin solutions and an all-aqueous mode for preparation of concentrated aqueous fibroin solutions that avoids the use of organic solvents, direct additives, or harsh chemicals. The invention further provides for the use of these solutions in production of materials, e.g., fibers, films, foams, meshes, scaffolds and hydrogels.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
May 8, 2019
Date of Patent:
September 28, 2021
Assignee:
Trustees of Tufts College
Inventors:
David L. Kaplan, Ung-Jin Kim, Jaehyung Park, Hyoung-Joon Jin
Abstract: Novel methods for making high resolution oligonucleotide paints are provided. Novel, high resolution oligonucleotide paints are also provided.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
October 6, 2017
Date of Patent:
September 28, 2021
Assignee:
President and Fellows of Harvard College
Inventors:
Chao-ting Wu, George M. Church, Benjamin Richard Williams