Abstract: The present disclosure describes the thermodynamic design and concentrations necessary to design probe compositions with desired optimal specificity that enable enrichment, detection, quantitation, purification, imaging, and amplification of rare-allele-bearing species of nucleic acids (prevalence <1%) in a large stoichiometric excess of a dominant-allele-bearing species (wildtype). Being an enzyme-free and homogeneous nucleic acid enrichment composition, this technology is broadly compatible with nearly all nucleic acid-based biotechnology, including plate reader and fluorimeter readout of nucleic acids, microarrays, PCR and other enzymatic amplification reactions, fluorescence barcoding, nanoparticle-based purification and quantitation, and in situ hybridization imaging technologies.
Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to compositions and methods present a universal microbial diagnostic (UMD) platform to screen for microbial organisms in a sample using a small number of random DNA probes that are agnostic to the target DNA sequences. The UMD platform can be used to direct and monitor appropriate treatments, thus minimizing the risk of antibiotic resistance, and enhancing patient care.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
April 3, 2018
Date of Patent:
August 31, 2021
Assignee:
William Marsh Rice University
Inventors:
Rebekah A. Drezek, Richard G. Baraniuk, Amirali Aghazadeh, Mona Sheikh, Adam Y. Lin, Allen L. Chen, Pallavi Bugga
Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure pertain to methods of opening a lipid bilayer by associating the lipid bilayer with a molecule that includes a moving component capable of moving (e.g., rotating) in response to an external stimulus; and exposing the molecule to an external stimulus before, during or after associating the molecule with the lipid bilayer. The exposing causes the moving component of the molecule to move and thereby open the lipid bilayer (e.g., by pore formation). The external stimuli may include an energy source, such as ultraviolet light. The opened lipid bilayer may be a component of cell membranes in vitro or in vivo. The opening of the lipid bilayer may allow for the passage of various materials (e.g., active agents, such as peptide-based drugs) through the lipid bilayer and into cells. Additional embodiments of the present disclosure pertain to the aforementioned molecules for opening lipid bilayers.
Type:
Application
Filed:
April 16, 2021
Publication date:
August 19, 2021
Applicants:
William Marsh Rice University, Durham University
Inventors:
James M. Tour, Robert Pal, Victor García López, Lizanne Nilewski
Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure pertain to electrodes that include a plurality of vertically aligned carbon nanotubes and a metal associated with the vertically aligned carbon nanotubes. The vertically aligned carbon nanotubes may be in the form of a graphene-carbon nanotube hybrid material that includes a graphene film covalently linked to the vertically aligned carbon nanotubes. The metal may become reversibly associated with the carbon nanotubes in situ during electrode operation and lack any dendrites or mossy aggregates. The metal may be in the form of a non-dendritic or non-mossy coating on surfaces of the vertically aligned carbon nanotubes. The metal may also be infiltrated within bundles of the vertically aligned carbon nanotubes. Additional embodiments pertain to energy storage devices that contain the electrodes of the present disclosure. Further embodiments pertain to methods of forming said electrodes by applying a metal to a plurality of vertically aligned carbon nanotubes.
Type:
Application
Filed:
November 20, 2020
Publication date:
August 19, 2021
Applicant:
William Marsh Rice University
Inventors:
James M. Tour, Abdul-Rahman O. Raji, Rodrigo V. Salvatierra
Abstract: In one aspect, the present disclosure provides trioxacarcin analogs of the formula: wherein the variables are as defined herein. In another aspect, the present disclosure also provides methods of preparing the compounds disclosed herein as well as dimers of the compounds described herein. In another aspect, the present disclosure also provides pharmaceutical compositions and methods of use of the compounds disclosed herein. Additionally, drug conjugates with cell targeting moieties of the compounds are also provided.
Type:
Application
Filed:
August 16, 2018
Publication date:
July 29, 2021
Applicant:
William Marsh Rice University
Inventors:
Kyriacos C. NICOLAOU, Pengxi CHEN, Shugao ZHU, Quan CAI
Abstract: Compositions and methods for highly specific nucleic acid probes and primers are provided. The probe system comprises a complement strand and a protector stand that form a partially double-stranded probe. The reaction standard free energy of hybridization between the probe and target nucleic acid as determined by Expression 1 (?G°rxn=?G°t-TC??G°nh-PC+(?G°v-TC??G°h-PC)) is from about ?4 kcal/mol to about +4 kcal/mol. Alternatively, the reaction standard free energy of hybridization between the probe and target nucleic acid is determined by Expression 1 to be within 5 kcal/mol of the standard free energy as determined by Expression 2 (?R?ln(([P]0?[C]0)/[C]0)]), where the [P]0 term of Expression 2 equals the concentration of the protector strand and the [C]0 term of Expression 2 equals the concentration of the complement strand. In addition, a method for on-the-fly fine tuning of a reaction using the present probe is provided.
Type:
Application
Filed:
December 30, 2020
Publication date:
July 29, 2021
Applicant:
William Marsh Rice University
Inventors:
David Yu ZHANG, Juexiao WANG, Ruojia WU
Abstract: Wireless treatment of arrhythmias. At least some of the example embodiments are methods including: charging a capacitor of a first microchip device abutting heart tissue, the charging by harvesting ambient energy; charging a capacitor of a second microchip device abutting the heart tissue, the charging of the capacitor of the second microchip device by harvesting ambient energy; sending a command wirelessly from a communication device outside the rib cage to the microchip devices; applying electrical energy to the heart tissue by the first microchip device responsive to the command, the electrical energy applied from the capacitor of the first microchip device; and applying electrical energy to the heart tissue by the second microchip device responsive to the command to the second microchip device, the electrical energy applied from the capacitor of the second microchip device.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
August 22, 2017
Date of Patent:
July 27, 2021
Assignees:
William Marsh Rice University, Baylor College of Medicine, Texas Heart Institute
Inventors:
Yuxiang Sun, Aydin Babakhani, Mehdi Razavi, David Burkland, Brian Greet, Mathews John, Hongming Lyu
Abstract: Provided herein are compositions comprising multi domain peptide (MDP) hydrogels where the peptides that constitute the hydrogel have at least one N6-(1-iminoethyl)-lysine side chain. Also provided are hydrogels that further comprise a STING agonist, an immune checkpoint inhibitor, and/or an anti-cancer therapy. Also provided are methods of using such compositions in the treatment of cancer.
Type:
Application
Filed:
December 18, 2020
Publication date:
July 8, 2021
Applicants:
William Marsh Rice University, Baylor College of Medicine, The Board of Regents of the University of Texas System
Inventors:
Jeffrey HARTGERINK, Andrew G. SIKORA, David LEACH, Jared M. NEWTON, Simon YOUNG
Abstract: Alkali metal-sulfur cells and batteries with cathode layers that store alkali metal charge carriers (e.g., lithium ions) in agglomerates of sulfurized carbon. The cathode layers lack costly and environmentally unfriendly nickel and cobalt. The cathode layers are composites that include agglomerates of sulfurized-carbon particles in a conductive binder and interconnected by sp2-bonded carbon materials, such as carbon nanotubes or nanoribbons, that extend within the agglomerates and between the sulfurized-carbon particles.
Type:
Application
Filed:
September 1, 2020
Publication date:
July 1, 2021
Applicant:
William Marsh Rice University
Inventors:
James M. Tour, Rodrigo Villegas Salvatierra, Gladys Anahi Lopez Silva, Abdul-Ramahn O. Raji
Abstract: Remote measuring and sensing. Some example embodiment related to optical energy harvesting by identification device, such as infrared identification device GRID devices). Other embodiments relate to RFID device localization using low frequency source signals. Yet still other embodiments related to energy harvesting by RFID in electric fields in both conductive and non-conductive environments.
Abstract: In one aspect, the present disclosure provides tubulysin analogs of the formula (I) wherein the variables are as defined herein. In another aspect, the present disclosure also provides methods of preparing the compounds disclosed herein. In another aspect, the present disclosure also provides pharmaceutical compositions and methods of use of the compounds disclosed herein. Additionally, drug conjugates with cell targeting moieties of the compounds are also provided.
Type:
Application
Filed:
November 28, 2018
Publication date:
June 24, 2021
Applicant:
William Marsh Rice University
Inventors:
Kyriacos C. NICOLAOU, Rohan Diliprao ERANDE, Dionisios VOURLOUMIS, Kiran Kumar PULUKURI, Stephan RIGOL
Abstract: In some embodiments, the present disclosure pertains to systems and methods for distilling a fluid by exposing the fluid to a porous membrane that includes a surface capable of generating heat. In some embodiments, the heat generated at the surface propagates the distilling of the fluid by converting the fluid to a vapor that flows through the porous membrane and condenses to a distillate. In some embodiments, the surface capable of generating heat is associated with a photo-thermal composition that generates the heat at the surface by converting light energy from a light source to thermal energy. In some embodiments, the photo-thermal composition includes, without limitation, noble metals, semiconducting materials, dielectric materials, carbon-based materials, composite materials, nanocomposite materials, nanoparticles, hydrophilic materials, polymers, fibers, meshes, fiber meshes, hydrogels, hydrogel meshes, nanomaterials, and combinations thereof.
Type:
Application
Filed:
October 19, 2020
Publication date:
June 10, 2021
Applicant:
William Marsh Rice University
Inventors:
Qilin Li, Jinjian Wu, Nancy C. Halas, Katherine R. Zodrow, Haoli Guo, Jiarui Xu, Cong Yu
Abstract: Provided herein are systems, reagents, methods, and kits that are useful for the targeted editing of nucleic acids, including editing a single site within the genome of a cell or subject, e.g., within the human genome. In some embodiments, fusion proteins of Cas9 and cytosine deaminase domains, are provided. In some embodiments, methods for targeted nucleic acid editing are provided.
Abstract: Disclosed herein methods for combating biofouling in a liquid, e.g. an aqueous medium by providing a surface coated with at least one laser-induced graphene (LIG) layer in said liquid medium. Particularly disclosed herein method and devices for treating water comprising passing a water stream through a membrane module equipped with at least one spacer coated with at least one layer of LIG, and optionally by applying an electric potential to the at least one LIG layer to achieve a bactericidal effect in the water stream. Specifically, disclosed herein a polymeric mesh suitable for use as a spacer in a membrane module in water treatment application, said mesh being at least partially coated with LIG.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
May 16, 2017
Date of Patent:
June 8, 2021
Assignees:
B.G. Negev Technologies and Applications Ltd., at Ben-Gurion University, William Marsh Rice University
Inventors:
Christopher John Arnusch, Swatantra Pratap Singh, Franklin Sargunaraj, Yoram Oren, James Mitchell Tour, Yilun Li
Abstract: This invention describes a method of controlling the hybridization yield of nucleic acid probes by adjusting the relative concentrations of auxiliary oligonucleotides to the probes and the targets. The auxiliary oligonucleotide is partially or fully complementary to either the probe or the target, and is released upon hybridization of the probe to the target.
Type:
Application
Filed:
February 5, 2021
Publication date:
June 3, 2021
Applicant:
William Marsh Rice University
Inventors:
David Yu ZHANG, Ruojia WU, Juexiao WANG
Abstract: Laser-induced graphene (LIG) and laser-induced graphene scrolls (LIGS) materials and, more particularly to LIGS, methods of making LIGS (such as from polyimide (PI)), laser-induced removal of LIG and LIGS, and 3D printing of LIG and LIGS using a laminated object manufacturing (LOM) process.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
June 21, 2017
Date of Patent:
May 25, 2021
Assignee:
William Marsh Rice University
Inventors:
James M. Tour, Duy X. Luong, Ajay Subramanian
Abstract: Provided herein are methods for encoding information in DNA molecules in a way that allows rapid and permanent erasure of information. As such, methods of erasing such information are also provided. Also provided are compositions that so encode information.
Type:
Application
Filed:
May 23, 2019
Publication date:
May 13, 2021
Applicant:
William Marsh Rice University
Inventors:
David Yu ZHANG, Alessandro PINTO, Jangwon KIM
Abstract: In some aspects, the present disclosure provides methods of aminating an aromatic compound comprising reacting an aminating agent with an aromatic compound in the presence of a rhodium catalyst. In some embodiments, the methods may comprise aminating an aromatic compound which contains multiple different functional groups. The methods described herein may also be used to create bicyclic system comprising reacting an intramolecular aminating agent with an aromatic ring to obtain a second ring containing a nitrogen atom. In another aspect, the methods described herein may also be used to create a cyclic aliphatic cyclic/poly cyclic amine system comprising a reacting an intramolecular aminating agent by insertion into a C(sp3)-H bond.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
July 11, 2017
Date of Patent:
May 4, 2021
Assignees:
The Board of Regents of the University of Texas System, William Marsh Rice University
Inventors:
John R. Falck, Mahesh P. Paudyal, László Kürti
Abstract: A device, system, and methods are described to perform machine-learning camera-based indoor mobile positioning. The indoor mobile positioning may utilize inexact computing, wherein a small decrease in accuracy is used to obtain significant computational efficiency. Hence, the positioning may be performed using a smaller memory overhead at a faster rate and with lower energy cost than previous implementations. The positioning may not involve any communication (or data transfer) with any other device or the cloud, providing privacy and security to the device. A hashing-based image matching algorithm may be used which is cheaper, both in energy and computation cost, over existing state-of-the-art matching techniques. This significant reduction allows end-to-end computation to be performed locally on the mobile device.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
August 28, 2017
Date of Patent:
May 4, 2021
Assignees:
William Marsh Rice University, Seoul National University R&DB Foundation
Inventors:
Anshumali Shrivastava, Chen Luo, Krishna Palem, Yongshik Moon, Soonhyun Noh, Daedong Park, Seongsoo Hong