Patents Assigned to The University of Houston System
  • Publication number: 20240327403
    Abstract: Identified compounds demonstrate protein kinase inhibitory activity. More specifically, the compounds are demonstrated to inhibit receptor interacting kinase 2 (RIPK2) and/or Activin-like kinase 2 (ALK2). Compounds that are either dual RIPK2/ALK2 inhibitors or that preferentially inhibit RIPK2 or ALK2 could provide therapeutic benefit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2024
    Publication date: October 3, 2024
    Applicants: UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON SYSTEM, TRUSTEES OF TUFTS COLLEGE
    Inventors: Gregory Cuny, Sameer Nikhar, Alexei Degterev
  • Publication number: 20240300889
    Abstract: This invention relates to materials and methods for iodine capture from a variety of sources and media, and at water/organic solvent interfaces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2023
    Publication date: September 12, 2024
    Applicant: UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON SYSTEM
    Inventors: Ognjen Miljanic, Alexandra Robles
  • Patent number: 12085534
    Abstract: A method of measuring dissociation of the biomolecular bonds in one or multiple sample wells using super-resolution force spectroscopy (SURFS). SURFS utilizes precise ultrasound radiation to exert an acoustic radiation force on the biomolecular bonds labeled with magnetic particles. The force-induced dissociation of the protein bonds labeled with magnetic particles may be measured as a reduced magnetic signal by a magnetic sensor. The force resolution allows for differentiating biomolecular bonds with an extremely high level of precision. The biomolecular bonds include protein-protein, protein-nucleic acid, nucleic acid-nucleic acid, small molecule-protein, and small molecule-nucleic acid interactions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2024
    Assignee: UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON SYSTEM
    Inventors: Shoujun Xu, Yuhong Wang, Haina Jia, Heng Yin, Yujia Mao
  • Patent number: 12077568
    Abstract: Described herein are single chain polypeptides comprising both the b- and a-chains of insulin fused to each other by a linker. Also provided are nucleic acids coding for the same, host cells expressing the same, and methods of use therefor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2024
    Assignee: University of Houston System
    Inventor: Ke-He Ruan
  • Publication number: 20240290976
    Abstract: This invention relates to materials for electrodes, to materials for lithium-ion batteries, and to materials for lithium-ion storage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2023
    Publication date: August 29, 2024
    Applicant: UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON SYSTEM
    Inventors: Ognjen Miljanic, Yan Yao, Said Jalife Jacobo, Judy Wu, Alexandra Robles
  • Publication number: 20240288518
    Abstract: In an embodiment, the present disclosure pertains to electric field generators that include a signal generator electrically connected to a power amplifier, a impedance matching circuit electrically connected to the power amplifier, and a power divider electrically connected to the impedance matching circuit and to at least one of a first wall, a second wall, a third wall, a fourth wall, or a base area. In an additional embodiment, the present disclosure pertains to method of determining radio frequency (RF)-induced heating on a medical device utilizing an electric field generator of the present disclosure. Additional embodiments of the present disclosure pertain to methods of making electric field generators for testing a medical device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2024
    Publication date: August 29, 2024
    Applicant: University of Houston System
    Inventors: Ji Chen, Jianfeng Zheng
  • Publication number: 20240287603
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure pertain to methods of utilizing force-modulated hybridization to determine the length of an analyte strand, to determine an unknown nucleic acid sequence, or to determine the binding of a nucleotide to an active agent. Additional embodiments of the present disclosure pertain to sample holder devices and methods of utilizing such devices. Further embodiments of the present disclosure pertain to detection devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2024
    Publication date: August 29, 2024
    Applicant: University of Houston System
    Inventors: Shoujun Xu, Qiongzheng Hu, Yuhong Wang
  • Publication number: 20240281061
    Abstract: A system for tracking an eye of a user includes one or more piezoelectric sensors positionable on the face of the user, and an eye tracking computer system in signal communication with the one or more piezoelectric sensors so as to receive signals from the one or more piezoelectric sensors, wherein the computer system is configured to detect movement in at least one direction of the eye of the user based on the signals received by the computer system from the one or more piezoelectric sensors when the one or more piezoelectric sensors are positioned on the face of the user in one or more locations each spaced from the eyelids of the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2022
    Publication date: August 22, 2024
    Applicant: University of Houston System
    Inventors: Jae-Hyun Ryou, Nam-In Kim
  • Patent number: 12061018
    Abstract: A method for full spectrum solar thermal energy harvesting and collection includes storing a first heat in a phase change material in the presence of solar radiation based on absorbing full spectrum solar radiation, harvesting a second heat from the phase change material in the presence of solar radiation, storing molecular energy in a molecular storage material in the presence of solar radiation based on absorbing full spectrum solar radiation, transferring the second heat from the phase change material to the molecular storage material in the absence of solar radiation, and harvesting the molecular energy released by the molecular storage material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2024
    Assignee: University of Houston System
    Inventors: Hadi Ghasemi, Varun Kashyap, T. Randall Lee, Siwakorn Sakunkaewkasem
  • Patent number: 12049532
    Abstract: This invention relates to nickel catalysts with alkali ions for homopolymerization and copolymerization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2024
    Assignee: UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON SYSTEM
    Inventors: Loi H. Do, Thi V. Tran
  • Patent number: 12042525
    Abstract: Loss of cardiomyocytes underlies most causes of heart failure, and normal repair processes are inadequate to deal with extensive myocardial damage. The inventors have identified mutations of the N-terminus of serum response factor (SRF)'s MADS box, termed STEMINs, that block cardiac differentiation, but also powerfully activate the stem cell marker genes Nanog and Octomer 4, as well as cyclins, which promotes adult myocyte replication. SRF Stemin mutations are not cardiac-specific, and also propel mammalian fibroblasts into a proliferative state. Thus, STEMINs may be useful for regeneration of all tissue and organ types, by activating partial pluripotency programs and enhancing repair by increased cell replication. Following withdrawal of STEMINs, the cells then return to normal cell identity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2024
    Assignee: University of Houston System
    Inventors: Robert J. Schwartz, Dinakar Iyer
  • Patent number: 12043688
    Abstract: This invention relates to nickel catalysts with alkali ions for homopolymerization and copolymerization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2024
    Assignee: UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON SYSTEM
    Inventors: Loi H. Do, Thi V. Tran
  • Patent number: 12043689
    Abstract: This invention relates to nickel catalysts with alkali ions for homopolymerization and copolymerization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2024
    Assignee: UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON SYSTEM
    Inventors: Loi H. Do, Thi V. Tran
  • Patent number: 12029492
    Abstract: Provided herein are systems and methods to measure the intraocular pressure, ocular tissue geometry and the biomechanical properties of an ocular tissue, such as an eye-globe or cornea, in one instrument. The system is an optical coherence tomography subsystem and an applanation tonometer subsystem housed as one instrument and interfaced with a computer for at least data processing and image display. The system utilizes an air-puff and a focused micro air-pulse to induce deformation and applanation and displacement in the ocular tissue. Pressure profiles of the air puff with applanation times are utilized to measure intraocular pressure. Temporal profiles of displacement and/or spatio-temporal profiles of a displacement-generated elastic wave are analyzed to calculate biomechanical properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2024
    Assignee: UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON SYSTEM
    Inventors: Kirill V. Larin, Manmohan Singh, Jiasong Li, Zhaolong Han, Michael D. Twa
  • Patent number: 12024452
    Abstract: Analogues of citrate, namely hydroxycitrate (HCA) and isocitrate (ICA), have dual roles as nucleation inhibitors and growth suppressors in the formation of mineral scale. Their potency is comparable to commercial phosphorous-based inhibitors, but they are more environmentally friendly, which has practical advantages for use in a broad range of commercial applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2024
    Assignee: UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON SYSTEM
    Inventors: Jeffrey D. Rimer, Xi Geng, Ricardo Sosa
  • Patent number: 12012402
    Abstract: Identified compounds demonstrate protein kinase inhibitory activity. More specifically, the compounds are demonstrated to inhibit receptor interacting kinase 2 (RIPK2) and/or Activin-like kinase 2 (ALK2). Compounds that are either dual RIPK2/ALK2 inhibitors or that preferentially inhibit RIPK2 or ALK2 could provide therapeutic benefit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2024
    Assignees: UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON SYSTEM, TRUSTEES OF TUFTS COLLEGE
    Inventors: Gregory Cuny, Sameer Nikhar, Alexei Degterev
  • Patent number: 12013449
    Abstract: In an embodiment, the present disclosure pertains to electric field generators that include a signal generator electrically connected to a power amplifier, a impedance matching circuit electrically connected to the power amplifier, and a power divider electrically connected to the impedance matching circuit and to at least one of a first wall, a second wall, a third wall, a fourth wall, or a base area. In an additional embodiment, the present disclosure pertains to method of determining radio frequency (RF)-induced heating on a medical device utilizing an electric field generator of the present disclosure. Additional embodiments of the present disclosure pertain to methods of making electric field generators for testing a medical device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2024
    Assignee: University of Houston System
    Inventors: Ji Chen, Jianfeng Zheng
  • Patent number: 12006542
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure pertain to methods of utilizing force-modulated hybridization to determine the length of an analyte strand, to determine an unknown nucleic acid sequence, or to determine the binding of a nucleotide to an active agent. Additional embodiments of the present disclosure pertain to sample holder devices and methods of utilizing such devices. Further embodiments of the present disclosure pertain to detection devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2024
    Assignee: University of Houston System
    Inventors: Shoujun Xu, Qiongzheng Hu, Yuhong Wang
  • Publication number: 20240175870
    Abstract: Presented herein are methods of evaluating cellular activity by: placing a cell population on an area; assaying for a dynamic behavior of the cell population as a function of time; identifying cell(s) of interest based on the dynamic behavior; characterizing a molecular profile of the cell(s); and correlating the obtained information. The assayed dynamic behavior can include cellular activation, cellular inhibition, cellular interaction, protein expression, protein secretion, cellular proliferation, changes in cellular morphology, motility, cell death, cell cytotoxicity, cell lysis, and combinations thereof. Sensors associated with the area may be utilized to facilitate assaying. Molecular profiles of the cell(s) can then be characterized by various methods, such as DNA analysis, RNA analysis, and protein analysis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2023
    Publication date: May 30, 2024
    Applicant: University of Houston System
    Inventors: Navin Varadarajan, Gabrielle Romain, Ivan Liadi, Victor G. Sendra, Badrinath Roysam
  • Publication number: 20240173705
    Abstract: Interconnected zeolite nanosheets with a structural motif resembling self-pillared pentasil zeolites are synthesized through the use of MEL or MFI-type zeolites as crystalline seeds. The use of MEL- or MFI-type zeolites as crystalline seeds induces the spontaneous formation of pillared zeolites, thus avoiding, for the first time, the use of any organic or branching template for the crystallization of these hierarchical structures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2022
    Publication date: May 30, 2024
    Applicant: University of Houston System
    Inventors: Jeffrey D. Rimer, Rishabh Jain