Patents Assigned to Stellenbosch University
  • Patent number: 10294484
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a yeast strain, or strains, secreting a full suite, or any subset of that full suite, of enzymes to hydrolyze corn starch, corn fiber, lignocellulose, (including enzymes that hydrolyze linkages in cellulose, hemicellulose, and between lignin and carbohydrates) and to utilize pentose sugars (xylose and arabinose). The invention is also directed to the set of proteins that are well expressed in yeast for each category of enzymatic activity. The resulting strain, or strains can be used to hydrolyze starch and cellulose simultaneously. The resulting strain, or strains can be also metabolically engineered to produce less glycerol and uptake acetate. The resulting strain, or strains can also be used to produce ethanol from granular starch without liquefaction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignees: Lallemand Hungary Liquidity Management LLC, Stellenbosch University
    Inventors: Elena Brevnova, John E. McBride, Erin Wiswall, Kevin S. Wenger, Nicky Caiazza, Heidi Lau, Aaron Argyros, Frank Agbogbo, Charles F. Rice, Trisha Barrett, John S. Bardsley, Abigail Foster, Anne K. Warner, Mark Mellon, Ryan Skinner, Indraneel Shikhare, Riaan Den Haan, Chhayal V. Gandhi, Alan Belcher, Vineet B. Rajgarhia, Allan C. Froehlich, Kristen M. Deleault, Emily Stonehouse, Shital A. Tripathi, Jennifer Gosselin, Yin-Ying Chiu, Haowen Xu
  • Publication number: 20190119873
    Abstract: A shark barrier that comprises an anchoring assembly having a pair of anchors (9) with a flexible connecting element (11) extending between the anchors. The shark barriers also includes multiple spaced apart buoyant resiliently flexible elongate members (15) that are secured at one end along a length of the connecting element of the anchoring assembly to operatively extend generally upwardly from the connecting element. The buoyant members comprise an elongate flexible spine (32) that extends through a series of tubular members (38).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2017
    Publication date: April 25, 2019
    Applicant: Stellenbosch University
    Inventors: Michael Rutzen, Sara Andreotti, Pierre Becker, Laurie Barwell
  • Patent number: 10265365
    Abstract: The use of plant material from the Prosopis glandulosa tree (commonly known as Honey mesquite) is described for aiding sporting ability, and in particular for preventing and/or treating muscle injury and enhancing muscle strength. The plant material is typically the dried and ground pods from the tree, but could also be from other parts of the tree, such as the leaves, bark or roots.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: Stellenbosch University
    Inventors: Barbara Huisamen, Cindy George
  • Patent number: 10253337
    Abstract: A recombinant yeast that expresses both an ?-amylase (SEQ ID NO: 1) and a glucoamylase (SEQ ID NO: 2) from Talaromyces emersonii (recently re-named as Rasamsonia emersonii) is provided. The use of the recombinant yeast in a process for producing an alcohol, in particular a biofuel, from starch or sugars is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2019
    Assignee: Stellenbosch University
    Inventors: Rosemary Anne Cripwell, Willem Heber Van Zyl, Shaunita Hellouise Rose
  • Patent number: 10233414
    Abstract: A method for preparing a fermented beverage having a modulated aromatic profile is provided as well as a fermented beverage produced thereby. The method includes preparing a fermentable mixture, such as juice, must, or wort and introducing ammonium sulphide into the fermentable mixture at a predetermined concentration. The fermentable mixture is then subjected to fermentation. A C6 aldehyde, C6 alcohol or a combination thereof may be added to the fermentable mixture in combination with ammonium sulphide to enhance its effect on the aromatic profile of the fermented beverage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: Stellenbosch University
    Inventors: Wessel Johannes Du Toit, Sebastian Vannevel
  • Patent number: 10196622
    Abstract: The present invention provides for heterologous expression of polypeptides encoded by wild-type and codon-optimized cbh2 genes from the organisms Cochliobolus heterostrophus, Gibberella zeae, Irpex lacteus, Volvariella volvacea, and Piromyces sp. in host cells, such as the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The expression in such host cells of the corresponding genes, and variants and combinations thereof, result in improved specific activity of the expressed cellobiohydrolases. Thus, such genes and expression systems are useful for efficient and cost-effective consolidated bioprocessing systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: Stellenbosch University
    Inventors: Riaan Den Haan, Emile Van Zyl
  • Patent number: 10188689
    Abstract: The invention disclosed herein relates to the use of an extract of Dodonaea viscosa in breast cancer therapy, either alone or in combination with other breast cancer therapies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: STELLENBOSCH UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Nokwanda Pearl Makunga, Anna-Mart Engelbrecht
  • Patent number: 10167459
    Abstract: The invention provides variants of the Aspergillus japonicus ?-fructofuranosidase enzyme which have been modified so as to improve synthesis of inulin-type fructooligosaccharides (FOS) from sucrose. One or more substitutions may be made to the parent ?-fructofuranosidase polypeptide at amino acid positions 121, 159, 302 and/or 471 of the mature peptide (SEQ ID NO: 3), corresponding to crystal positions 140, 178, 321 and 490. A method of synthesizing FOS using the variants is also claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Assignee: STELLENBOSCH UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Kim Trollope, Heinrich Volschenk, Johann Ferdinand Gorgens, Gerhardt Coetzee
  • Patent number: 10154673
    Abstract: The invention provides protein-functionalized magnetic nanoparticles comprising magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) to which a lactose-binding protein or enzyme has been immobilized. The protein-functionalized magnetic nanoparticles are particularly suitable for separating lactose from a lactose-containing solution, such as milk, cheese, yoghurt, flavored milk or the like. The protein-functionalized MNPs can be added to the lactose-containing solution and be allowed to bind to the lactose in the solution. The MNPs, to which the lactose is bound, can then be magnetically removed from the solution, e.g. by applying an external magnetic field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2018
    Assignee: STELLENBOSCH UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Amanda Jane Dodd, Lubertus Klumperman, Pieter Swart
  • Patent number: 10135156
    Abstract: A multi-mode composite antenna includes two crossed dipole elements each consisting of a bow-tie antenna having two bow-tie antenna segments, and a conductive tube which houses signal transmission lines connected to each bow-tie antenna segment. A conductive flared portion surrounds the conductive tube and forms a monopole element. The bow-tie antenna segments are shaped so that slots extend between each adjacent bow-tie antenna, each slot forming a tapered slot antenna that has a pair of non-linear curved edges that diverge from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: STELLENBOSCH UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: David Schalk Van der Merwe Prinsloo, Petrie Meyer, Rob Maaskant, Marianna Valerievna Ivashina
  • Patent number: 10124015
    Abstract: The disclosure describes a composition comprising a lipidaceous carrier and a peptide complex formed from poly-L-lysine or a salt thereof; and either poly-L-glutamic acid or poly-L-aspartic acid, or a salt thereof. The composition can be used to prevent or treat a disease related to pulmonary surfactant dysfunction, such as hyaline membrane disease (HMD), respiratory distress syndrome (RDS), hydrocarbon poisoning, near-drowning, HIV/AIDS-related lung diseases, adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) or acute lung injury (ALI), asthma, tuberculosis (TB) or severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS). Alternatively, the composition can be used to increase the permeability of a pharmaceutical compound or composition across a membrane of a subject or to act as a carrier. The poly-L-lysine or salt thereof is longer than the poly-L-glutamic acid or poly-L-aspartic acid so that the complex that forms has a charge-neutralized region and a positively-charged region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: Stellenbosch University
    Inventors: Johann Martin Van Zyl, Johan Smith, Arthur Owen Hawtrey, Pieter Van Der Bijl
  • Patent number: 10047729
    Abstract: A concentrating solar power collector plant is provided in which a pressurized solar power receiver with an associated gas turbine and a low-pressure solar power receiver are used together with a common thermal energy storage system. Exhaust from the gas turbine is connected to the thermal energy storage system to deliver residual heat to the thermal energy storage system in addition to that received from the low-pressure solar power receiver. The pressurized solar power receiver may be a separate unit from the low-pressure receiver and at least some heliostats are controlled to redirect reflected solar energy from one solar power receiver to the other. The pressurized solar power receiver may alternatively be combined with the low-pressure receiver in a single unit having a heat receiving part of a high-pressure receiver and a flow passage for heating air between an inlet and an outlet to form the low pressure receiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: STELLENBOSCH UNIVERSITY
    Inventor: Lukas Heller
  • Patent number: 10001481
    Abstract: A method of diagnosing tuberculosis (TB) disease and distinguishing between active TB and latent TB infection in a subject is described herein. A sample from the subject is stimulated with at least one Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M.tb) infection phase-dependent antigen selected from Rv0081, Rv2032, Rv1737c, Rv2389c, Rv0867c, TB18.2, Rv2099c, Rv1733c, M.tb PPD, PHA and ESAT-6/CFP-10 and the presence of at least one host marker in the sample is detected, the host marker being selected from EGF, TGF-?, TNF-?, VEGF, RANTES, IL-12(p40), IL-12(p70), IL-10, IP-10, IFN-?2, fractalkine, IFN-?, IL-13, IL-1Ra, IL-3, IL-4, IL-5, MIP-1?, ENA-78, BCA-1, TARC, X6-Ckine, eotaxin, eotaxin-2, SCF, APOA-1, APOE, HPALBN, HCF, Serum amyloid protein A (SAA), C-reactive protein (CRP), serum amyloid protein P (SAP), TIMP-1, MIP-1?, IL-6, GM-CSF, IL-1?, MMP-9, MMP-2, MCP-1, TRAIL, IL-15, IL-17F, IL-22, TNF-?, MCP-2 and MCP-4. Additional host markers may also be detected in an unstimulated sample from the subject.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Assignee: Stellenbosch University
    Inventors: Gerhard Walzl, Novel Njweipi Chegou, Paulin Essone Ndong
  • Patent number: 9995427
    Abstract: A height adjustable pylon and supporting frame assembly is provided. The frame includes two frame members meeting at a corner with the frame members being generally co-planar and the pylon being urged into the corner so as to extend at generally right angles to a plane including the two frame members. A fastener assembly has two end portions each anchored relative its associated frame member so as to extend transversely to it. The fastener assembly includes an intermediate saddle portion engaging a surface of the pylon that is directed outwardly relative to the corner with the pylon being urged into the corner when the fastener assembly is tightened to engage the pylon and lock it axially relative to the frame members in a selected position. Preferably, the frame members each form two upper and two lower frame members of two trusses. Lower ends of the pylons may support the assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: STELLENBOSCH UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Willem Adolph Landman, James Nicholas Larmuth
  • Publication number: 20180155744
    Abstract: A recombinant yeast that expresses both an ?-amylase (SEQ ID NO: 1) and a glucoamylase (SEQ ID NO: 2) from Talaromyces emersonii (recently re-named as Rasamsonia emersonii) is provided. The use of the recombinant yeast in a process for producing an alcohol, in particular a biofuel, from starch or sugars is also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2017
    Publication date: June 7, 2018
    Applicant: Stellenbosch University
    Inventors: Rosemary Anne Cripwell, Willem Heber Van Zyl, Shaunita Hellouise Rose
  • Patent number: 9988652
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to cellulytic host cells. The host cells of the invention expressing heterologous cellulases and are able to produce ethanol from cellulose. According to the invention, host cells expressing a combination of heterologous cellulases can be used to produce ethanol from cellulose. In addition, multiple host cells expressing different heterologous cellulases can be co-cultured together and used to produce ethanol from cellulose. Furthermore, the invention demonstrates for the first time the ability of Kluveryomyces to produce ethanol from cellulose. The yeast strains and co-cultures of yeast strains of the invention can be used to produce ethanol on their own, or can also be used in combination with externally added cellulases to increase the efficiency of saccharification and fermentation processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignees: Lallemand Hungary Liquidity Management LLC, Stellenbosch University
    Inventors: John McBride, Elena Brevnova, Mark Mellon, Allan Froehlich, Kristen Deleault, Vineet Rajgarhia, Riaan Den Haan, Merja Penttila, Marja Ilmen, Matti Siika-Aho, Jaana Uusitalo, Emily A. Stonehouse, Alan Gilbert, Haowen Xu, Deidre Willes, John Bardsley, Anu Koivula, Sanni Voutilainen
  • Patent number: 9963209
    Abstract: A shark barrier includes a plurality of resiliently flexible, elongate members that extend in a generally upright condition between a sea floor and a sea surface. The elongate members are arranged so as to have the appearance of a thicket, preferably a kelp forest, when viewed from within the water and include magnets to assist in deterring certain shark species. The elongate members may be secured to the sea floor by an anchoring base and are held in the generally upright condition by a buoy or buoyant material held within the elongate members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: Stellenbosch University
    Inventors: Craig Patrick O'Connell, Michael Rutzen, Sara Andreotti, Conrad Matthee
  • Patent number: 9964335
    Abstract: A central solar receiver (1) is provided having a heat exchanger assembly with walls that form an inlet chamber (2) and a generally juxtaposed outlet chamber (3) connected to each other by way of a multitude of tube assemblies (4). Each tube assembly (4) has an inner tube (6) and an outer tube (7) with the tube assemblies (4) extending away from the inlet and outlet chambers (2, 3). A remote end (8) of the outer tube (7) is closed and the inner tube (6) terminates short of that closed end (8). The interior of each inner tube (6) communicates with one of the inlet and outlet chambers (2, 3) and a space between each of the inner and outer tubes (6, 7) communicates with the other of the inlet and outlet chambers (2, 3) to form a passageway connecting the inlet and outlet chambers (2, 3) by way of the inner tube (6) and the space between the inner and outer tubes (6, 7) with a change in direction of flow of about 180°.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: STELLENBOSCH UNIVERSITY
    Inventor: Detlev Gustav Kröger
  • Patent number: 9933347
    Abstract: A method and system for determining a density of a fluid is provided. The method is carried out using an electrospraying apparatus connected in the system. At a first step fluid is introduced into an emitter of the electrospraying apparatus. A voltage is applied between the emitter and a counter-electrode spaced apart from the emitter for a number of intermittent time periods, wherein the duration of at least some of the time periods during which the voltage is applied progressively decreases. The current between the emitter and the counter-electrode is measured for each time period during which a voltage is applied and the shortest time period for which a current reading is obtained is recorded. The shortest time period is used to calculate the density of the fluid in the emitter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: Stellenbosch University
    Inventor: Cornelius Louwrens Pieterse
  • Patent number: 9932749
    Abstract: A supporting frame includes a truss composed of an upper straight frame member and a parallel lower straight frame member supported at their ends in spaced relationship relative to each other. At least two spans of divergent inclined brace member extend between them with the ends of the brace member spans each being securable to the upper or lower straight frame member by means of a fastener. Limited relative longitudinal movement of the upper and lower straight frame members is permitted before a fastener is secured to fix the positions at which the ends of the brace member spans are attached to the upper and lower straight frame members. In one application two trusses meet at a corner with a pylon being urged in the plane of the supporting frame into a corner between two frame members of each pair of trusses to extend at right angles to the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: STELLENBOSCH UNIVERSITY
    Inventor: Paul Gauché