Patents Assigned to Governors of the University of Alberta
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Publication number: 20160082158Abstract: A method of preparing a transplant site for cellular transplantation in a mammal includes the steps of inserting a foreign body comprising a biomaterial into an internal tissue; and removing the foreign body after the tissue surrounding the foreign body has undergone an inflammatory response but before significant fibrous encapsulation has occurred, leaving a neovascularized lumen suitable to receive transplanted cells or islets.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 24, 2015Publication date: March 24, 2016Applicant: THE GOVERNORS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ALBERTAInventor: A.M. James SHAPIRO
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Publication number: 20160067345Abstract: There is provided a method of detecting in a sample the presence of an anti-M and/or anti-A and/or anti-C/Y anti-body, the method comprising contacting the sample with a diagnostic conjugate provided according to the invention, comprising an oligosaccharide which comprises at least two units of 4,6-dideoxy-4-acylamido-?-pyranose and comprising at least one -(1-3)-link between adjacent 4,6-dideoxy-4-acylamido-?-pyranose units, in which the carbon at position 5 in the pyranose is linked to an R group, where R is independently selected from —CH2OH, —H or an alkyl group having at least one C atom, the oligosaccharide being covalently linked to a non-saccharide molecule or to a surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 16, 2014Publication date: March 10, 2016Applicants: THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS, THE GOVERNORS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ALBERTAInventors: John MCGIVEN, David BUNDLE, Laurence HOWELLS, Julie GUIARD, Vijaya Ganesh NARAYANASWAMY
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Publication number: 20160061830Abstract: A biosensor for detecting a microorganism in a sample includes a polymer matrix and an immobilized layer of bacteriophages on the surface of the polymer matrix, wherein interaction of the bacteriophage with the microorganism causes a detectable physicochemical change in the polymer matrix. A method of detecting a microorganism in a sample using the biosensor includes the steps of contacting the sample with the biosensor; allowing the bacteriophage to bind to the microorganism in the sample; and detecting a physicochemical change in the polymer matrix, the change being indicative of the presence of the microorganism.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 27, 2015Publication date: March 3, 2016Applicant: THE GOVERNORS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ALBERTAInventors: Anastasia Elias, Dominic Sauvageau, Zachary Storms, Chanchan Wang, Preetam Anbukarasu, Diana Martinez-Tobon
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Publication number: 20160058892Abstract: Described herein are compositions having a nanoparticle that is conjugated to at least one bone targeting moiety, wherein the bone targeting moiety is bonded to the nanoparticle by a linker, wherein the nanoparticle contains iron, and wherein the compositions are neutral or pharmaceutically acceptable salts or esters. Also described herein are methods of making these compositions. In one aspect, the nanoparticles serve as contrast agents for magnetic resonance imaging of bone metabolism. The compounds, compositions, and methods described herein can be used in a number of therapeutic applications including diagnosing or monitoring fracture and/or the progress of conditions associated with bone loss, which include, but are not limited to, osteoporosis, Paget's disease, osteolytic tumors, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, osteoarthritis, osteopenia, and hypercalcemia.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 1, 2014Publication date: March 3, 2016Applicant: The Governors of the University of AlbertaInventors: Michael DOSCHAK, Arash PANAHIFAR, Morteza MAHMOUDI
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Publication number: 20160059209Abstract: A hydrogen sulphide adsorbent is formed from an alkali metal nanotitanate having a portion of the alkali metal cations exchanged with metal cations reactive with hydrogen sulphide, and heat treated. A method for producing the adsorbent includes the steps of mixing an alkali metal nanotitanate in powder form into an aqueous metal cation solution to produce a slurry, which is subsequently dehydrated to produce a powder, which is heat treated. A low temperature method for removing hydrogen sulphide from a gaseous mixture involves exposing the gaseous mixture to the aforementioned adsorbent, at a temperature less than 250° C. The adsorbent maintains a high adsorption capacity over a range of activation temperatures and humidity conditions.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 27, 2014Publication date: March 3, 2016Applicant: THE GOVERNORS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ALBERTAInventor: Steven M. KUZNICKI
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Patent number: 9274276Abstract: An all-dielectric metamaterial cladding is provided that can strongly confine light inside conventional low-index dielectric waveguides for use with photonic integrated circuits and nano-photonic devices. A class of metamaterials with dual electric and magnetic anisotropy along with giant birefringence can provide the ideal quasi-transverse electromagnetic mode propagation inside a glass core. A Transformed Cladding Waveguide can show an order of magnitude decreased cross-talk as compared to conventional waveguides.Type: GrantFiled: February 7, 2014Date of Patent: March 1, 2016Assignee: THE GOVERNORS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ALBERTAInventors: Saman Jahani, Zubin Jacob
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Publication number: 20160045584Abstract: The present application provides a vaccine composition comprising: bacteria engineered to express at least one N-glycan of Campylobacter, such as C. jejuni for example, or an N-glycan derivative thereof on its cell surface; and one or more of a physiologically acceptable diluent, excipient, adjuvant or carrier. The bacteria is Escherichia coli, Salmonella or any suitable bacteria that offers sufficient expression and improved immunogenic response. The vaccine composition can be formulated for administration to animals, such as poultry, including chickens.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 4, 2014Publication date: February 18, 2016Applicant: THE GOVERNORS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ALBERTAInventors: Christine Szymanski, Harald Nothaft
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Patent number: 9261423Abstract: A three-axis load sensor utilizing four piezoresistive devices on a flexible silicon membrane is provided. The load sensor further includes a mesa disposed on the membrane substantially equidistant from the piezoresistive devices. A six-axis load cell is provided by placing a plurality of load sensors disposed on a substrate, the substrate configured to attach to an object wherein forces applied to the object can be measured and/or determined. The load sensors can be manufactured using bulk microfabrication techniques on a single crystal silicon wafer, and can detect normal and shear loading applied to the membrane.Type: GrantFiled: February 7, 2012Date of Patent: February 16, 2016Assignee: The Governors of the University of AlbertaInventors: David Benfield, Walied Ahmed Mohamed Moussa
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Publication number: 20160039902Abstract: CsChrimson light-activated ion channel polypeptides, their encoding polynucleotides, and variants thereof are provided. Methods of introducing and using CsChrimson light activated ion channels and variants thereof for to alter cell activity and function are also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 4, 2015Publication date: February 11, 2016Applicants: THE GOVERNORS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ALBERTA, MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGYInventors: Nathan Klapoetke, Brian Yichiun Chow, Edward Boyden, Gane Ka-Shu Wong, Yongku Peter Cho
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Patent number: 9250119Abstract: An apparatus and method is provided for characterizing adhesive bonding using an acoustic wave MEMS sensor. The sensor can consist of a silicon substrate, a thin aluminum nitride film on top of the substrate and a thin gold film above the aluminum nitride layer. An adhesive layer is added on top of the sensor and the dispersion property of acoustic waves in the layered configuration can be utilized for bonding integrity characterization. A wave dispersion model is developed to study the effect of changing the interface stiffness on the wave dispersion profile and to investigate the sensitivity of different sensor configurations. The results of the model illustrate that the dispersion profile shifts in the direction of decreasing wave velocity as the interface stiffness decreases.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2013Date of Patent: February 2, 2016Assignees: The Governors of the University of Alberta, Alberta Health ServicesInventors: Mohamed Mahmoud Taher El Gowini, Walied Ahmed Mohamed Moussa, Edmond Hok Ming Lou
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Patent number: 9249266Abstract: Micro- and nano-sized particles, agglomerates and fibers are generated from high molecular weight water-soluble biopolymers applying supercritical fluid technology. A method of producing micro- or nanoparticles from an aqueous solution of a high molecular weight biopolymer includes the step of spraying the aqueous solution together with a mixture of a compressible gas and a water-soluble co-solvent/antisolvent into a pressurized chamber. The method may be adapted to impregnate the micro- or nanoparticles with a bioactive material. A method for microencapsulating a bioactive material with a biopolymer is also provided.Type: GrantFiled: April 1, 2011Date of Patent: February 2, 2016Assignee: THE GOVERNORS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ALBERTAInventors: Feral Temelli, Bernhard Seifried
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Publication number: 20160024394Abstract: Described herein are methods for producing branched alkanes and branched alkenes from the pyrolysis of radical precursors in the presence of one or more alkenes. The branched alkanes and branched alkene have numerous applications as fuels, plat form chemicals, and solvents.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 14, 2014Publication date: January 28, 2016Applicant: THE GOVERNORS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ALBERTAInventor: David BRESSLER
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Patent number: 9239226Abstract: An apparatus for measuring the quantity and optical parameters of a liquid in a container using the principle of optical low coherence reflectometry is provided, the apparatus having: a source arm with a low coherence light source; a reference arm including a reference lens, a mirror, means for adjusting the distance between the reference lens and the mirror and means for measuring the distance between the reference lens and the mirror; a test arm with a test lens; means for dividing the output of the source arm between the test arm and the reference arm; means for combining light reflected back into the reference arm and the test arm to create an interference signal; and means for detecting and analyzing the interference signal.Type: GrantFiled: January 23, 2014Date of Patent: January 19, 2016Assignee: The Governors of the University of AlbertaInventors: Robert Fedosejevs, Ilya Utkin, Sunita Sindhu, Ying Yin Tsui
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Patent number: 9238830Abstract: Described herein are methods and systems for O-glycosylating proteins in vivo or in vitro in any prokaryotic organism. In these methods and systems, DNA comprising a gene that produces a PglL-like oligosaccharyltransferase and DNA comprising a gene that produces a protein to be O-glycosylated are used. The PglL-like oligosaccharyltransferase facilitates the covalent attachment of the glycan to the protein to produce the O-glycosylated protein. The methods and systems described herein provide an approach for the design and production of new vaccines and therapeutic agents for the treatment of various diseases.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 2007Date of Patent: January 19, 2016Assignee: THE GOVERNORS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ALBERTAInventors: Mario Feldman, Amirreza Faridmoayer
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Publication number: 20150379724Abstract: A time series of image frames in an anatomical scan is segmented. An image frame k in the time series of image frames is manually segmented. A non-rigid registration is then performed between the image frame k and a next image frame k+1 in the time series of image frames. A segmentation on the image frame k+1 is computed based on the non-rigid registration. Each subsequent image frame k+n in the time series of image frames is iteratively segmented using non-rigid registration with the segmented previous image frame k+(n?1) in the time series of image frames.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 26, 2015Publication date: December 31, 2015Applicant: THE GOVERNORS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ALBERTAInventors: Michelle Noga, Kumaradevan Punithakumar
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Patent number: 9221898Abstract: An isolated or purified compound is provided, comprising A-GlcNAc[GlcNAc]-GalNAc-GalNAc-QuiNAc4NAc, wherein A is GlcNAc or Glc. There is further provided a vaccine based on such compound, having particular use to treat or prevent an infection caused by a Campylobacter organism. There is also provided an antibody or antisera against the compound, having particular use to diagnose the presence of an infection caused by a Campylobacter organism.Type: GrantFiled: February 11, 2011Date of Patent: December 29, 2015Assignee: The Governors of the University of AlbertaInventors: Christine Szymanski, Harald Nothaft
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Publication number: 20150369740Abstract: Provided herein are variants of an archaerhodopsin useful for application such as optical measurement of membrane potential. The present invention also relates to polynucleotides encoding the variants; nucleic acid constructs, vectors, cells comprising the polynucleotides, and cells comprising the polypeptides; and methods of using the variants.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 17, 2015Publication date: December 24, 2015Applicants: President and Fellows of Harvard College, The Governors of the University of AlbertaInventors: Adam E. Cohen, Daniel Hochbaum, Peng Zou, Samouil Leon Farhi, Robert Earl Campbell, Yongxin Zhao, Daniel Jed Harrison
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Patent number: 9216940Abstract: A method for preparing polyols from fatty acid substrates such as free fatty acids, alkyl esters of fatty acids, mono-glycerides, diglycerides, and triglycerides. The method comprises the steps of (a) epoxidizing an unsaturated fatty acid substrate and (b) hydroxylating the epoxidized fatty acid substrate with at least one diol to produce a polyol or a blend of polyols. The method may be varied to produce polyols with desired functionality, molecular weights, or viscosity.Type: GrantFiled: July 21, 2011Date of Patent: December 22, 2015Assignee: THE GOVERNORS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ALBERTAInventors: Jonathan Curtis, Guoguang Liu, Tolibjon Omonov, Ereddad Kharraz
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Publication number: 20150365033Abstract: A method and system for controlling the power factor of induction machines connected to power distribution grids are provided. In some embodiments, the method can comprise inserting an adjustable voltage source in series with one or more windings of a grid-connected induction machine such that the adjustable voltage source can be adjusted to manipulate the phase angle of the current flowing through the one or more windings relative to the phase angle of the grid voltage. The system can comprise an adjustable voltage source in series with one or more windings of a grid-connected induction machine such that the adjustable voltage source can be adjusted to manipulate the phase angle of the current flowing through the one or more windings relative to the phase angle of the grid voltage.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 14, 2014Publication date: December 17, 2015Applicant: THE GOVERNORS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ALBERTAInventors: John Salmon, Andrew Knight
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Patent number: 9213945Abstract: A quantum device is provided that includes controllably quantum mechanically coupled dangling bonds extending from a surface of a semiconductor material. Each of the controllably quantum mechanically coupled dangling bonds has a separation of at least one atom of the semiconductor material. At least one electrode is provided for selectively modifying an electronic state of the controllably quantum mechanically coupled dangling bonds. By providing at least one additional electron within the controllably quantum mechanically coupled dangling bonds with the proviso that there exists at least one unoccupied dangling bond for each one additional electron present, the inventive device is operable at least to 293 degrees Kelvin and is largely immune to stray electrostatic perturbations. Room temperature operable quantum cellular automata and qubits are constructed thereform.Type: GrantFiled: July 31, 2014Date of Patent: December 15, 2015Assignees: National Research Council of Canada, The Governors of The University of AlbertaInventors: Gino A. Dilabio, Robert A. Wolkow, Jason L. Pitters, Paul G. Piva