Patents Assigned to The University of Birmingham
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Publication number: 20190055639Abstract: Provided is a nitrided metal surface functionalized with molecules, each molecule comprising at least one binding group and an antimicrobial moiety. The molecules are immobilized on the surface by only covalent interactions between the binding groups of the molecules and nitrogen atoms within the nitrided metal surface. Articles comprising the functionalized nitrided surface find use in inhibiting or reducing the growth of microorganisms on surfaces that are frequently touched. A method for preparing the functionalized nitrided surface comprises contacting a nitrided metal surface with molecules so as to form covalent bonds between the binding groups of the molecules and the nitrogen atoms in the surface, thereby immobilising the molecules on the metal surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 11, 2016Publication date: February 21, 2019Applicant: The University of BirminghamInventor: Felicity Jane de Cogan
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Publication number: 20190015494Abstract: Provided are compositions that include one or more peptides, wherein each peptide is at least 8 amino acids long and has an amino acid sequence as set forth in any of SEQ ID NOs: 1-45. Also provided are in vitro populations of dendritic cells that include the disclosed compositions, in vitro populations of CD8+ T cells capable of being activated upon being brought into contact with the disclosed populations of dendritic cells, antibodies or antibody-like molecules that specifically bind to complexes of MHC class I molecules and the disclosed peptides, methods for treating and/or preventing cancer such as leukemia using the disclosed compositions and/or populations, methods for making cancer vaccines using the disclosed compositions, methods for screening target peptides for inclusion in an immunotherapy composition, methods for determining a prognosis of a leukemia patient, and kits that include at least one of the disclosed peptides.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 5, 2016Publication date: January 17, 2019Applicants: University of Virginia Patent Foundation, The University of BirminghamInventors: Donald F. Hunt, Jeffrey Shabanowitz, Stacy Alyse Malaker, Mark Cobbold, Sarah Penny
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Publication number: 20180371138Abstract: The present invention refers to a novel screening method for transfection employing novel acryloyl based amphiphilic polymers.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 14, 2016Publication date: December 27, 2018Applicants: UNIVERSIDADE DE SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA, UNIVERSITY OF BIRMINGHAMInventors: Javier MONTENEGRO GARCIA, Francisco FERNANDEZ-TRILLO
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Patent number: 10138261Abstract: A ferrocenyl compound having the general formula (I): (I) Het is a substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclic moiety. L1, L2 and L3 are each a linker independently selected from alkylene, alkyleneoxy, alkyleneoxyalkylene, alkylenecarbonyl, alkyleneoxycarbonyl, alkyleneamido, alkyleneoxyamido, alkenylene, alkenyleneoxy, alkenylenecarbonyl, alkenyleneamido, alkynylene, alkynyleneoxy, alkynylenecarbonyl and alkynyleneamido, all of which may be straight chain or branched, substituted or unsubstituted. R1 and R2 are each independently selected from H, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl carbonyl, substituted or unsubstituted aryl carbonyl, substituted or unsubstituted phosphate, substituted or unsubstituted phosphonate and substituted or unsubstituted phosphoramidate. M and n are each 0 or 1 and m+n?0.1.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2014Date of Patent: November 27, 2018Assignee: THE UNIVERSITY OF BIRMINGHAM EDGBASTONInventors: Chris Tselepis, James Tucker, Huy Van Nguyen, Nikolas John Hodges, Youcef Mehellou
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Patent number: 10106621Abstract: The invention provides molecule comprising: (i) a targeting moiety capable of directly or indirectly targeting to unwanted cells, and (ii) a further moiety that has a masked immune cell binding region so as to prevent binding of the further moiety to an immune cell, wherein the masked immune cell binding region is capable of being selectively unmasked when the molecule is in the vicinity of the unwanted cells so as to allow binding of the further moiety to an immune cell.Type: GrantFiled: September 19, 2017Date of Patent: October 23, 2018Assignee: The University of BirminghamInventors: Mark Cobbold, David Millar
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Patent number: 10099369Abstract: A method of generating a configuration of a robotic hand for automatically grasping a first object, the robotic hand comprising a plurality of parts, is provided. The method comprises: receiving data representing the first object; receiving a plurality of first models generated based upon an example grasp of a second object, the example grasp being based upon a configuration of the robotic hand for grasping the second object in which a plurality of parts of said hand contact said second object, each of said plurality of first models representing a relationship between a respective part of the robotic hand and a property of the second object associated with said part of the robotic hand; and processing the data representing the first object based upon the plurality of first models to determine said configuration of the robotic hand for automatically grasping the first object.Type: GrantFiled: May 21, 2014Date of Patent: October 16, 2018Assignee: The University of BirminghamInventor: Marek Kopicki
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Publication number: 20180217144Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for identifying the presence or elevated levels of IgG2 specific for O-antigen of Gram-negative bacteria in a subject. The method comprises providing a binding agent specific for said IgG2, contacting the binding agent with the sample, allowing the binding agent and IgG2 to form a complex and thereafter directly or indirectly detecting the complex. Also provided are methods for assessing the severity of infection and/or a worsening of a patient's condition. The present invention also relates to isolated O-antigens.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 20, 2016Publication date: August 2, 2018Applicant: The University of BirminghamInventors: Ian Robert Henderson, Timothy Wells
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Publication number: 20180190428Abstract: A process is provided for the production of rare earth magnets comprising the steps of exposing a rare earth alloy to hydrogen gas at an elevated temperature so as to effect hydrogenation and disproportionation of the alloy, mechanically processing the disproportionated alloy, and degassing the processed alloy so as to effect hydrogen desorption and recombination of the alloy. The process of the invention finds use in the production and shaping of rare earth magnets, and may be particularly applicable to the production of thin magnetic sheets.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 1, 2016Publication date: July 5, 2018Applicant: The University of BirminghamInventors: Ivor Rex Harris, Allan Walton, Oliver Peter Brooks
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Publication number: 20180180603Abstract: Provided is a method that utilises linear dichroism (LD) to identify the presence of a target molecule (L) in a sample. The method comprises providing an alignable scaffold (20), preferably biomolecular fibre M13, comprising a first binding region and having a high aspect ratio of greater than 5:1, providing a substrate (e.g. a substantially spherical non-alignable moiety (12)) comprising a second binding region which binds the first binding region in the absence of the target molecule in such a way that the LD signal of the alignable scaffold is reduced or minimised relative to the unbound and aligned scaffold, wherein one of the first and second binding regions is a receptor capable of binding the target molecule, exposing the substrate-bound scaffold to the sample such that binding of the target molecule, if present, to the receptor releases the scaffold from the substrate, and measuring the LD signal of the scaffold before and after exposure to the sample.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 16, 2016Publication date: June 28, 2018Applicant: The University of BirminghamInventors: Timothy Dafforn, Matthew Hicks
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Patent number: 9957566Abstract: The present invention relates to clinical diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease or early-stage Alzheimer's disease in the live patient. In particular, the invention provides a screening method which can be used to assist with diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease in live human subjects, or to identify human subjects with a predisposition to Alzheimer's disease.Type: GrantFiled: July 16, 2010Date of Patent: May 1, 2018Assignee: THE UNIVERSITY OF BIRMINGHAMInventor: Zsuzsanna Nagy
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Publication number: 20180105599Abstract: The invention provides molecule comprising: (i) a targeting moiety capable of directly or indirectly targeting to unwanted cells, and (ii) a further moiety that has a masked immune cell binding region so as to prevent binding of the further moiety to an immune cell, wherein the masked immune cell binding region is capable of being selectively unmasked when the molecule is in the vicinity of the unwanted cells so as to allow binding of the further moiety to an immune cell.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 19, 2017Publication date: April 19, 2018Applicant: The University of BirminghamInventors: Mark COBBOLD, David MILLAR
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Patent number: 9944986Abstract: The present invention relates to novel methods for the prevention, treatment and diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease. In addition, the invention relates to methods for assessing an individual's susceptibility or pre-disposition to Alzheimer's disease. The methods of the present invention involve the use of therapeutic targets and diagnostic and/or predictive markers within the mTOR signalling pathway. The methods also involve screening subjects for genetic polymorphisms associated with rapamycin-sensitive genes.Type: GrantFiled: July 11, 2013Date of Patent: April 17, 2018Assignee: The University of BirminghamInventor: Zsuzsanna Nagy
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Patent number: 9943598Abstract: A radio- or chemo-sensitizing compound is described herein. The compound comprises a nanoparticle and attached to the nanoparticle; (i) a DNA repair inhibitor; and (ii) a nuclear localization signal element (NLS); each optionally attached via one or more linker moieties.Type: GrantFiled: May 28, 2013Date of Patent: April 17, 2018Assignee: THE UNIVERSITY OF BIRMINGHAM EDGBASTONInventor: Boris Kysela
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Publication number: 20180071388Abstract: The present invention relates to inhibitors of VAP-1 and their use as medicaments in treating fibrotic conditions. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a method of diagnosing a fibrotic condition on the basis of elevated level of soluble VAP-1 or SSAO activity in a bodily fluid, and to a kit for use in said diagnostic method.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 21, 2017Publication date: March 15, 2018Applicants: BIOTIE THERAPIES CORP., THE UNIVERSITY OF BIRMINGHAMInventors: Christopher WESTON, Lee Charles CLARIDGE, David ADAMS, David SMITH, Nina WESTERLUND (DECEASED), Marjo PIHLAVISTO, Thua ÖSTERMAN (DECEASED)
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Patent number: 9879985Abstract: A method of generating surface geometry information of an object within an imaged region using an imaging system comprising a camera and a source of structured light, the source of structured light comprising a source of a plurality of rays of light. The method comprising obtaining first image data comprising a plurality of pixels, the first image data comprising image data representing the object and first structured light incident on the object, the first structured light comprising a periodic pattern comprising a plurality of pattern elements and having a first spatial frequency projected from said source of structured light and obtaining second image data comprising a plurality of pixels, the second image data comprising image data representing the object and providing information associating each of the plurality of image pixels of the second image data with a ray of said source of structured light.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 2013Date of Patent: January 30, 2018Assignee: The University of Birmingham EdgbastonInventors: Hector Richard Abraham Basevi, James Andrew Guggenheim, Hamid Dehghani, Iain Bruce Styles
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Patent number: 9839671Abstract: Provided is a method for treatment and/or prophylaxis of a condition associated with T cell mediated chronic inflammatory disease by administration, to a patient, of a peptide comprising N?-SVTEQGAELSNEER-C? (SEQ ID NO: 1) or an analog thereof that inhibits T cell migration. Also provided is the peptide or its analog for use in the methods of treatment and/or prophylaxis of said condition. Also provided is a method for the treatment of Sjogren's syndrome by administration of a peptide comprising N?-SVTEQGAELSNEER-C? to a patient in need thereof.Type: GrantFiled: November 17, 2016Date of Patent: December 12, 2017Assignee: The University of BirminghamInventors: George Edward Rainger, Parth Narendran, Helen McGettrick, Myriam Chimen
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Patent number: 9822180Abstract: The invention provides molecule comprising: (i) a targeting moiety capable of directly or indirectly targeting to unwanted cells, and (ii) a further moiety that has a masked immune cell binding region so as to prevent binding of the further moiety to an immune cell, wherein the masked immune cell binding region is capable of being selectively unmasked when the molecule is in the vicinity of the unwanted cells so as to allow binding of the further moiety to an immune cell.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2013Date of Patent: November 21, 2017Assignee: THE UNIVERSITY OF BIRMINGHAMInventors: Mark Cobbold, David Millar
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Patent number: 9795671Abstract: The present invention relates to inhibitors of VAP-1 and their use as medicaments in treating fibrotic conditions. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a method of diagnosing a fibrotic condition on the basis of elevated level of soluble VAP-1 or SSAO activity in a bodily fluid, and to a kit for use in said diagnostic method.Type: GrantFiled: September 7, 2010Date of Patent: October 24, 2017Assignees: BIOTIE THERAPIES CORP., THE UNIVERSITY OF BIRMINGHAMInventors: Christopher Weston, Lee Charles Claridge, David Adams, David Smith, Nina Westerlund, Max Ole Valdemar Westerlund, Marjo Pihlavisto, Thua Österman, Elina Ainomaija Antikainen
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Patent number: 9780556Abstract: A Voltage Sourced Converter, VSC, for a High Voltage Direct Current, HVDC, power converter, the VSC comprises a bridge circuit for each of one or more phases of an AG network. The bridge circuit has two arms, each arm connecting the supply to a pole of a DC terminal, wherein each arm of the bridge circuit has one or more semiconductor modules capable of being switched between an on-condition, in which a capacitor of the module is in-line in the arm of the bridge circuit, and an off-condition, in which the capacitor is out of line. A DC current fault detection arrangement detects a fault arising at one or the other of the poles of the DC terminal within the DC converter or the DC grid. A controller responsive to the detection of the DC current fault switches one or more of the semiconductor modules in one of the arms of the bridge to the on and one or more of the semiconductor modules of the other arm of the bridge circuit to the off-condition.Type: GrantFiled: November 29, 2012Date of Patent: October 3, 2017Assignee: THE UNIVERSITY OF BIRMINGHAMInventors: Xiao-Ping Zhang, Zhou Li
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Patent number: 9775367Abstract: The application describes comestible products comprising a water-in-oil emulsion, the water-in-oil emulsion comprising cocoa butter and a fat-crystal stabilised aqueous phase dispersed substantially through the cocoa butter continuous phase and optionally one or more additional ingredients of chocolate. Hydrocolloids, such as gelative or carrageenan are typically used to stabilise the aqueous phase. Methods of making comestible products are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: June 15, 2010Date of Patent: October 3, 2017Assignee: The University of BirminghamInventors: Ian Timothy Norton, Philip William Cox, Benjamin Jean Didier Le Reverend, Jennifer Elizabeth Norton