Patents Assigned to University of Alberta
  • POLYMERS AND PLASTICS DERIVED FROM ANIMAL PROTEINS
    Publication number: 20160160048
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a method for preparing a polymer derived from an animal protein, such as in a feedstock derived from animal by-products. The method involves hydrolyzing proteins present in a feedstock to obtain hydrolyzed proteins, wherein hydrolysis is conducted under conditions sufficient to digest the proteins and destroy pathogens; extracting a protein fraction from the hydrolyzed proteins; and treating the protein fraction with a crosslinking reagent to form the polymer. The crosslinking reagents may include epoxies. The polymer may be further processed to form a thermoset plastic. The polymer may be used as an adhesive, or in the preparation of a natural fiber composite material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2015
    Publication date: June 9, 2016
    Applicant: THE GOVERNORS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ALBERTA
    Inventors: David Curtis BRESSLER, Phillip CHOI
  • Peptides that inhibit angiotensin converting enzyme and peptides with antioxidant activity purified from ovotransferrin and methods of producing and using the same
    Patent number: 9315563
    Abstract: Described herein are methods of identifying and releasing bioactive peptides from ovotransferrin The method involves (a) contacting ovotransferrin with a reducing agent, a sonication step, a high pressure processing step, a heating step, a fermentation step, or any combination thereof, and (b) contacting the ovotransferrin after step (a) with a hydrolytic enzyme to produce bioactive peptides that exhibit angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitory activity or antioxidant activity when compared to the parent protein. The bioactive peptides may be added to foodstuffs, a medication, or to any potable, ingestible, or edible compositions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: The Governors of the University of Alberta
    Inventors: Jianping Wu, Kaustav Majumder
  • CELLULAR TRANSPLANT SITE
    Publication number: 20160082158
    Abstract: A method of preparing a transplant site for cellular transplantation in a mammal includes the steps of inserting a foreign body comprising a biomaterial into an internal tissue; and removing the foreign body after the tissue surrounding the foreign body has undergone an inflammatory response but before significant fibrous encapsulation has occurred, leaving a neovascularized lumen suitable to receive transplanted cells or islets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2015
    Publication date: March 24, 2016
    Applicant: THE GOVERNORS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ALBERTA
    Inventor: A.M. James SHAPIRO
  • Boronic acid catalysts and methods of use thereof for activation and transformation of carboxylic acids
    Patent number: 9284270
    Abstract: The present application provides methods and catalysts for activation of carboxylic acids for organic reactions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignees: The Governers of the University of Alberta, Greencentre Canada
    Inventors: Dennis Hall, Nicolas Gernigon, Raed M. Al-Zoubi, Paul D. Thornton
  • OLIGOSACCHARIDE CONJUGATES AND METHODS OF USE
    Publication number: 20160067345
    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 anti-body, 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: April 16, 2014
    Publication date: March 10, 2016
    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
  • PREPARATION OF BONE-SEEKING SUPERPARAMAGNETIC IRON NANOPARTICLES AS CONTRAST AGENTS AND METHODS FOR USING THE SAME
    Publication number: 20160058892
    Abstract: Described herein are compositions having a nanoparticle that is conjugated to at least one bone targeting moiety, wherein the bone targeting moiety is bonded to the nanoparticle by a linker, wherein the nanoparticle contains iron, and wherein the compositions are neutral or pharmaceutically acceptable salts or esters. Also described herein are methods of making these compositions. In one aspect, the nanoparticles serve as contrast agents for magnetic resonance imaging of bone metabolism. The compounds, compositions, and methods described herein can be used in a number of therapeutic applications including diagnosing or monitoring fracture and/or the progress of conditions associated with bone loss, which include, but are not limited to, osteoporosis, Paget's disease, osteolytic tumors, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, osteoarthritis, osteopenia, and hypercalcemia.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2014
    Publication date: March 3, 2016
    Applicant: The Governors of the University of Alberta
    Inventors: Michael DOSCHAK, Arash PANAHIFAR, Morteza MAHMOUDI
  • MODIFIED ALKALI METAL NANOTITANATES FOR HYDROGEN SULFIDE ADSORPTION
    Publication number: 20160059209
    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: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2014
    Publication date: March 3, 2016
    Applicant: THE GOVERNORS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ALBERTA
    Inventor: Steven M. KUZNICKI
  • BACTERIOPHAGE-BASED BIOSENSOR FOR MICROBIAL DETECTION
    Publication number: 20160061830
    Abstract: A biosensor for detecting a microorganism in a sample includes a polymer matrix and an immobilized layer of bacteriophages on the surface of the polymer matrix, wherein interaction of the bacteriophage with the microorganism causes a detectable physicochemical change in the polymer matrix. A method of detecting a microorganism in a sample using the biosensor includes the steps of contacting the sample with the biosensor; allowing the bacteriophage to bind to the microorganism in the sample; and detecting a physicochemical change in the polymer matrix, the change being indicative of the presence of the microorganism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2015
    Publication date: March 3, 2016
    Applicant: THE GOVERNORS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ALBERTA
    Inventors: Anastasia Elias, Dominic Sauvageau, Zachary Storms, Chanchan Wang, Preetam Anbukarasu, Diana Martinez-Tobon
  • Light confining devices using all-dielectric metamaterial cladding
    Patent number: 9274276
    Abstract: An all-dielectric metamaterial cladding is provided that can strongly confine light inside conventional low-index dielectric waveguides for use with photonic integrated circuits and nano-photonic devices. A class of metamaterials with dual electric and magnetic anisotropy along with giant birefringence can provide the ideal quasi-transverse electromagnetic mode propagation inside a glass core. A Transformed Cladding Waveguide can show an order of magnitude decreased cross-talk as compared to conventional waveguides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: THE GOVERNORS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ALBERTA
    Inventors: Saman Jahani, Zubin Jacob
  • CAMPYLOBACTER VACCINE
    Publication number: 20160045584
    Abstract: The present application provides a vaccine composition comprising: bacteria engineered to express at least one N-glycan of Campylobacter, such as C. jejuni for example, or an N-glycan derivative thereof on its cell surface; and one or more of a physiologically acceptable diluent, excipient, adjuvant or carrier. The bacteria is Escherichia coli, Salmonella or any suitable bacteria that offers sufficient expression and improved immunogenic response. The vaccine composition can be formulated for administration to animals, such as poultry, including chickens.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2014
    Publication date: February 18, 2016
    Applicant: THE GOVERNORS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ALBERTA
    Inventors: Christine Szymanski, Harald Nothaft
  • Piezoresistive load sensor
    Patent number: 9261423
    Abstract: A three-axis load sensor utilizing four piezoresistive devices on a flexible silicon membrane is provided. The load sensor further includes a mesa disposed on the membrane substantially equidistant from the piezoresistive devices. A six-axis load cell is provided by placing a plurality of load sensors disposed on a substrate, the substrate configured to attach to an object wherein forces applied to the object can be measured and/or determined. The load sensors can be manufactured using bulk microfabrication techniques on a single crystal silicon wafer, and can detect normal and shear loading applied to the membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: The Governors of the University of Alberta
    Inventors: David Benfield, Walied Ahmed Mohamed Moussa
  • CHANNELRHODOPSIN VARIANTS AND USES THEREOF
    Publication number: 20160039902
    Abstract: CsChrimson light-activated ion channel polypeptides, their encoding polynucleotides, and variants thereof are provided. Methods of introducing and using CsChrimson light activated ion channels and variants thereof for to alter cell activity and function are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2015
    Publication date: February 11, 2016
    Applicants: THE GOVERNORS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ALBERTA, MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Nathan Klapoetke, Brian Yichiun Chow, Edward Boyden, Gane Ka-Shu Wong, Yongku Peter Cho
  • Apparatus and method for characterizing adhesive bonding and osseointegration
    Patent number: 9250119
    Abstract: An apparatus and method is provided for characterizing adhesive bonding using an acoustic wave MEMS sensor. The sensor can consist of a silicon substrate, a thin aluminum nitride film on top of the substrate and a thin gold film above the aluminum nitride layer. An adhesive layer is added on top of the sensor and the dispersion property of acoustic waves in the layered configuration can be utilized for bonding integrity characterization. A wave dispersion model is developed to study the effect of changing the interface stiffness on the wave dispersion profile and to investigate the sensitivity of different sensor configurations. The results of the model illustrate that the dispersion profile shifts in the direction of decreasing wave velocity as the interface stiffness decreases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignees: The Governors of the University of Alberta, Alberta Health Services
    Inventors: Mohamed Mahmoud Taher El Gowini, Walied Ahmed Mohamed Moussa, Edmond Hok Ming Lou
  • Supercritical fluid treatment of high molecular weight biopolymers
    Patent number: 9249266
    Abstract: Micro- and nano-sized particles, agglomerates and fibers are generated from high molecular weight water-soluble biopolymers applying supercritical fluid technology. A method of producing micro- or nanoparticles from an aqueous solution of a high molecular weight biopolymer includes the step of spraying the aqueous solution together with a mixture of a compressible gas and a water-soluble co-solvent/antisolvent into a pressurized chamber. The method may be adapted to impregnate the micro- or nanoparticles with a bioactive material. A method for microencapsulating a bioactive material with a biopolymer is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: THE GOVERNORS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ALBERTA
    Inventors: Feral Temelli, Bernhard Seifried
  • PYROLYSIS REACTIONS IN THE PRESENCE OF AN ALKENE
    Publication number: 20160024394
    Abstract: Described herein are methods for producing branched alkanes and branched alkenes from the pyrolysis of radical precursors in the presence of one or more alkenes. The branched alkanes and branched alkene have numerous applications as fuels, plat form chemicals, and solvents.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Publication date: January 28, 2016
    Applicant: THE GOVERNORS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ALBERTA
    Inventor: David BRESSLER
  • Methods and systems for -glycosylating proteins
    Patent number: 9238830
    Abstract: Described herein are methods and systems for O-glycosylating proteins in vivo or in vitro in any prokaryotic organism. In these methods and systems, DNA comprising a gene that produces a PglL-like oligosaccharyltransferase and DNA comprising a gene that produces a protein to be O-glycosylated are used. The PglL-like oligosaccharyltransferase facilitates the covalent attachment of the glycan to the protein to produce the O-glycosylated protein. The methods and systems described herein provide an approach for the design and production of new vaccines and therapeutic agents for the treatment of various diseases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2016
    Assignee: THE GOVERNORS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ALBERTA
    Inventors: Mario Feldman, Amirreza Faridmoayer
  • Apparatus and method for measuring the quantity and optical parameters of a liquid in a container using the principle of optical low coherence reflectometry
    Patent number: 9239226
    Abstract: An apparatus for measuring the quantity and optical parameters of a liquid in a container using the principle of optical low coherence reflectometry is provided, the apparatus having: a source arm with a low coherence light source; a reference arm including a reference lens, a mirror, means for adjusting the distance between the reference lens and the mirror and means for measuring the distance between the reference lens and the mirror; a test arm with a test lens; means for dividing the output of the source arm between the test arm and the reference arm; means for combining light reflected back into the reference arm and the test arm to create an interference signal; and means for detecting and analyzing the interference signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2016
    Assignee: The Governors of the University of Alberta
    Inventors: Robert Fedosejevs, Ilya Utkin, Sunita Sindhu, Ying Yin Tsui
  • CARDIAC SEGMENTATION WITH POINT CORRESPONDENCE
    Publication number: 20150379724
    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: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2015
    Publication date: December 31, 2015
    Applicant: THE GOVERNORS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ALBERTA
    Inventors: Michelle Noga, Kumaradevan Punithakumar
  • N-linked glycan compounds
    Patent number: 9221898
    Abstract: An isolated or purified compound is provided, comprising A-GlcNAc[GlcNAc]-GalNAc-GalNAc-QuiNAc4NAc, wherein A is GlcNAc or Glc. There is further provided a vaccine based on such compound, having particular use to treat or prevent an infection caused by a Campylobacter organism. There is also provided an antibody or antisera against the compound, having particular use to diagnose the presence of an infection caused by a Campylobacter organism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: The Governors of the University of Alberta
    Inventors: Christine Szymanski, Harald Nothaft
  • OPTOGENETIC PROBES FOR MEASURING MEMBRANE POTENTIAL
    Publication number: 20150369740
    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: June 17, 2015
    Publication date: December 24, 2015
    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