Patents Assigned to Governors of the University of Alberta
  • Diagnosis and treatment of mycobacteria infections
    Patent number: 9885713
    Abstract: The invention provides isolated, purified, recombinant receptor binding proteins Gp-6, Gp-10 and Gp-31 from mycobacterium phage L5, and methods for producing these recombinant receptor binding proteins. The invention also provides the use of recombinant receptor binding proteins, including Gp-6, Gp-10 and Gp-31, as probes for the identification and diagnosis of mycobacterium infections and conditions caused by mycobacterium. Further provided by the invention are methods of targeting mycobacteria using recombinant receptor binding proteins, including Gp-6, Gp-10 and Gp-31. Other methods provided by the invention include the use of recombinant receptor binding proteins, such as Gp-10, in diagnostic assays for diseases, such as Johne's disease, in animals, including ruminants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: The Governors of the University of Alberta
    Inventors: Stephane Evoy, Denis Arutyunov, Upasana Singh, Christine Szymanski
  • Leukocyte activation and methods of use thereof
    Patent number: 9880152
    Abstract: Described herein are compositions, methods and/or kits for determining the likelihood of a pregnant subject delivering at term, or developing a disorder associated with pregnancy. These compositions, methods and/or kits feature the measurement of the chemotactic activity of peripheral leukocytes, the measurement of ccl2 mRNA expression or the measurement of Fp or Otr protein expression.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: THE GOVERNORS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ALBERTA
    Inventors: Nardhy Gomez-Lopez, David Olson
  • OLIGOSACCHARIDE CONJUGATES AND METHODS OF USE
    Publication number: 20180021439
    Abstract: 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 antibody, 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: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2017
    Publication date: January 25, 2018
    Applicants: THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS, THE GOVERNORS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ALBERTA
    Inventors: John MCGIVEN, David BUNDLE, Laurence HOWELLS, Julie GUIARD, Vijaya Ganesh NARAYANASWAMY
  • GENETIC ENCODING OF CHEMICAL POST-TRANSLATIONAL MODIFICATION FOR PHAGE-DISPLAYED LIBRARIES
    Publication number: 20170355982
    Abstract: The present application provides a method of synthesizing a genetically-encoded chemical modification of a peptide library. A vector in a substrate, such as a phage, is modified to include a peptide linker and a modification to form a genetic “barcode”. The barcode is screened against potential targets which may be used in drug discovery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2015
    Publication date: December 14, 2017
    Applicant: THE GOVERNORS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ALBERTA
    Inventors: Ratmir DERDA, Pavel KITOV, Simon NG, Katrina Felicia TJHUNG, Daniel FERRER VINALS
  • SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR BEHAVIORAL AND TASK TRAINING OF LABORATORY ANIMALS
    Publication number: 20170332602
    Abstract: Systems and techniques for task training laboratory animals are described. The systems and techniques may be particularly useful for training laboratory rodents to perform a single pellet grasping (SPG) task. A system for training animals may include a task enclosure having a slit at one end. A system may include an automated pellet retrieval system. A system may include a sensor system. A system may include a computing device configured to receive data from a sensor system and cause pellet retrieval system to present a pellet to an animal. Further computing device may be configured to evaluate each task attempt.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2015
    Publication date: November 23, 2017
    Applicant: The Governors of the University of Alberta
    Inventors: Keith FENRICH, Karim FOUAD
  • Functionalized beta-sheet peptide stabilized membrane proteins, constructs comprising same, and methods of forming and using same
    Patent number: 9821278
    Abstract: Constructs having membrane proteins stabilized by functionalized beta-sheet peptides are provided. The constructs can be associated with or covalently linked to supports. The support can be a membrane. The membrane can be used to selectively move desired particles from one side of the membrane to the other while impeding passage of undesired particles through the membrane. Methods of making and using such constructs and membranes are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: The Governors of the University of Alberta
    Inventors: Carlo David Montemagno, Jeffrey Germain, Kyle Minor, Sinoj Abraham, Hiofan Hoi, Yuan He
  • Automatic segmentation of image frames in anatomical scan based on non-rigid registration with manually segmented frame
    Patent number: 9824456
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: The Governors of the University of Alberta
    Inventors: Michelle Noga, Kumaradevan Punithakumar
  • OPTOGENETIC PROBES FOR MEASURING MEMBRANE POTENTIAL
    Publication number: 20170313757
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2016
    Publication date: November 2, 2017
    Applicants: President and Fellows of Harvard College, The Governors of the University of Alberta
    Inventors: Adam E. Cohen, Daniel Hochbaum, Peng Zou, Samouil Leon Farhi, Robert Earl Campbell, Yongxin Zhao, Daniel Jed Harrison
  • Branched nanowires and method of fabrication
    Patent number: 9765445
    Abstract: A new set of branched nanowire or nanotree structures and their fabrication process. Some structures have one or more of the following distinctions from other branched nanowires: (1) the trunk and branch diameter and branching number density can be changed along the trunk's length; (2) the branch's azimuthal direction can be controlled along the trunk's length; (3) the branch's diameter can be modulated along its length; (4) the crystal orientation and branches of the ensemble of nanowires can be aligned on a non-epitaxially matched substrate. The structures are made by a geometrically controlled kinetic growth method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: The Governors of the University of Alberta
    Inventors: Ryan Thomas Tucker, Allan Leo Beaudry, Joshua Michael LaForge, Michael Thomas Taschuk, Michael Julian Brett
  • Modified alkali metal nanotitanates for hydrogen sulfide adsorption
    Patent number: 9764306
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: THE GOVERNORS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ALBERTA
    Inventor: Steven M. Kuznicki
  • Stimulus responsive polymeric system
    Patent number: 9759648
    Abstract: Herein, a polymer-based device capable of lifting many times its own mass was fabricated by drying a solution of the polycation poly (diallyldimethyl ammonium chloride) (pDADMAC) on a surface coated with charged poly (N-isopropylacrylamide)-based microgels. Due to strong polymer-polymer and polymer-surface interactions, when the pDADMAC solution dries on the microgel-modified surface, it bends. If the surface is flexible, it curls up into a scroll like structure, that can be opened up at high (ca. 80%) humidity. This process is fully reversible, i.e., if the humidity is decreased, the surface curls back up. This expansion/contraction behavior is capable of lifting relatively large masses, many times its own mass, and can potentially be used as an artificial muscle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: The Governors of the University of Alberta
    Inventor: Michael Serpe
  • BURIED SOURCE SCHOTTKY BARRIER THIN TRANSISTOR AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURE
    Publication number: 20170250287
    Abstract: A Schottky source-gated thin film transistor is provided including: a drain contact; an insulating substrate; a source contact made of a Schottky metal; a channel connecting the buried source contact to the drain, the channel made of ZnO; and a Schottky source barrier formed between the source contact and the channel; and a gate; wherein the source contact is positioned below the channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2017
    Publication date: August 31, 2017
    Applicant: THE GOVERNORS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ALBERTA
    Inventors: Douglas Barlage, Alex Ma, Manisha Gupta, Kyle Bothe, Kenneth Cadien, Amir Afshar
  • Oligosaccharide conjugates and methods of use
    Patent number: 9744245
    Abstract: 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 antibody, 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: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignees: THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR ENVIRONMENT FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS, THE GOVERNORS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ALBERTA
    Inventors: John McGiven, David Bundle, Laurence Howells, Julie Guiard, Vijaya Ganesh Narayanaswamy
  • Nanocrystalline cellulose hydrogels for inhibition of bacterial adhesion
    Patent number: 9744270
    Abstract: The invention provides compositions for the inhibition of bacterial adhesion. The composition can include nanocrystalline cellulose (NCC) and a water-soluble polymer, which form an NCC hydrogel in water. The NCC hydrogel can be used to treat or coat devices such as a catheter, whereby the NCC hydrogel inhibits bacterial adhesion to the catheter surface to thereby inhibit biofilm formation and growth of bacteria on the catheter surface. The compositions and devices can thus be useful for inhibiting or preventing conditions such as urinary tract infections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: The Governors of the University of Alberta
    Inventors: Yaman Boluk, Yang Liu, Xiaohui Sun
  • Network coding using an outer coding process
    Patent number: 9749388
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices for encoding and decoding data packets for transmission across a data network. To encode, data packets are first subjected to a an outer code process to result in outer coded packets. The outer coded packets are then divided into generations or groups of outer coded packets, each group or generation having an equal number of packets. Output packets are then created by forming random linear combinations of the outer coded packets from a specific generation or group of outer coded packets. The coefficients for the various elements of each linear combination is selected from a Galois field of values. To decode the incoming packets, enough packets are received until an iterative decoding process can be initiated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: THE GOVERNORS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ALBERTA
    Inventors: Kaveh Mahdaviani, Raman Yazdani, Masoud Ardakani
  • Parathyroid hormone, insulin, and related peptides conjugated to bone targeting moieties and methods and making and using thereof
    Patent number: 9718868
    Abstract: Described herein is insulin, an insulin-like growth factor, parathyroid hormone, a fragment of parathyroid hormone, or a parathyroid hormone related protein that includes at least one bone targeting moiety, wherein the bone targeting moiety is covalently bonded to the peptide. Also described herein are the methods of making these compositions that prevent or treat conditions associated with bone loss and preventing bone fractures, and/or the inability to initiate de novo bone turnover and stimulate bone fracture repair.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: The Governors of the University of Alberta
    Inventors: Michael Doschak, Yang Yang, Krishna Hari Bhandari
  • BIOSORBENTS FOR REMOVAL OF CONTAMINANTS FROM WASTE/OIL SAND PROCESS-AFFECTED WATER (OSPW) AND CONSOLIDATION OF OIL SANDS TAILINGS
    Publication number: 20170210641
    Abstract: Methods of using modified keratin to remove trace metals and/or napthenic acids from a waste water stream are described. The waste water stream may be mature or fine fluid tailings from oil sands operations, and the methods may include the removal of trace metals, naphthenic acids with simultaneous consolidation of the tailings. The keratin may be modified to unfold the keratin, disrupt disulphide bonding, add functional groups, and/or maintain or stabilize the unfolded configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2016
    Publication date: July 27, 2017
    Applicant: THE GOVERNORS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ALBERTA
    Inventors: Aman ULLAH, Tariq SIDDIQUE
  • Method for operating an electronic state device by perturbating dangling bond electronic states
    Patent number: 9704101
    Abstract: 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 therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignees: National Research Council of Canada, The Governors of the University of Alberta
    Inventors: Gino A. Dilabio, Robert A. Wolkow, Jason L. Pitters, Paul G. Piva
  • HYDROGEL
    Publication number: 20170190844
    Abstract: A novel mussel-inspired injectable hydrogel with self-healing and anti-biofouling capabilities is developed, possessing great potential as drug delivery carrier. The hydrogel can heal autonomously from repeated structural damage and also effectively prevent nonspecific cell attachment and biofilm formation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2016
    Publication date: July 6, 2017
    Applicant: The Governors of the University of Alberta
    Inventors: Hongbo Zeng, Lin Li, Bin Yan
  • GENETICALLY ENCODED PHOTOCLEAVABLE PROTEINS
    Publication number: 20170190749
    Abstract: Genetically encoded, photocleavable proteins are derived from a fluorescent protein. Upon illumination, the proteins photocleave and spontaneously dissociate into two or more fragments or release one end of an internal loop.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2015
    Publication date: July 6, 2017
    Applicant: THE GOVERNORS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ALBERTA
    Inventors: Robert CAMPBELL, Wei ZHANG, Hiofan HOI