Patents Assigned to University of Cape Town
  • Publication number: 20110092728
    Abstract: A process is described for the production of one or more of linear nitriles, amides and formamides which includes reacting a nitrogen containing compound, such as ammonia or NOx, and a synthesis gas over a catalyst at a temperature of between 160° C. and 400° C. and a pressure of between 1 bar and 50 bar. A further process for the production of one or more of linear phosphorous containing compounds is also described, which includes reacting a phosphorous containing compound, such as a phosphine, and a synthesis gas over a catalyst at a temperature of between 160° C. and 400° C. and a pressure of between 1 bar and 50 bar. A supported cobalt, iron, ruthenium or rhodium catalyst or an unsupported (bulk) promoted iron catalyst, modified with a promoter is used. The synthesis gas is a mixture of hydrogen and carbon monoxide, in a ratio from 0.5:1 to 5:1; or a mixture of hydrogen and carbon dioxide; or a mixture of water and carbon monoxide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2009
    Publication date: April 21, 2011
    Applicants: THE UNIVERSITY OF CAPE TOWN, CARL VON OSSIETZKY UNIVERSITAT OLDENBURG
    Inventors: Michael Christian Maximilian Claeys, Eric Wilhelmus Josephus Van Steen, Frank Roessner, Tawanda Stephen Sango
  • Publication number: 20110080452
    Abstract: Apparatus for depositing ink on a substrate includes a nozzle defining an outlet for the ink, with at least a portion of the nozzle being electrically conductive. A first voltage source applies a first potential to the outlet nozzle. One or more auxiliary electrodes are located adjacent the outlet nozzle, and a second voltage source applies a second potential to the auxiliary electrodes. The apparatus includes a piezo-electric or thermal actuator for expelling ink from the nozzle towards a target zone on a substrate, the ink comprising a liquid vehicle and pigment particles dispersed in the vehicle. At least the pigment particles are electrically charged, typically due to the applied potentials. In one embodiment, an auxiliary electrode is disposed coaxially around the electrode formed by the nozzle. In another embodiment, an auxiliary electrode located beyond the nozzle, on a common axis with the electrode formed by the nozzle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2009
    Publication date: April 7, 2011
    Applicant: University of Cape Town
    Inventors: David Thomas Britton, Ekundare Ayodele Odo, Margit Harting
  • Patent number: 7910716
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide processes for the selection of HIV-1 subtype (clade) C isolates, selected HIV-1 subtype C isolates, their genes and modifications and derivatives thereof for use in prophylactic and therapeutic vaccines to produce proteins and polypeptides for the purpose of eliciting protection against HIV infection or disease. A process for the selection of HIV subtype isolates comprises the steps of isolating viruses from recently infected subjects; generating a consensus sequence for at least part of at least one HIV gene by identifying the most common codon or amino acid among the isolated viruses; and selecting the isolated virus or viruses with a high sequence identity to the consensus sequence. HIV-1 subtype C isolates, designated Du422, Du 151 and Du 179 (assigned Accession Numbers 01032114, 00072724 and 00072725, respectively, by the European Collection of Cell Cultures) are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignees: Medical Research Council, University of Cape Town Observatory, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Alphavax, Incorporated
    Inventors: Robert Edward Johnston, Salim Abdol Karim, Lynn Morris, Ronald Swanstrom, Carolyn Williamson
  • Patent number: 7901507
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a crystal of ACE protein. The present invention further relates to methods, processes, ACE modulators, pharmaceutical compositions and uses of ACE crystal and the structure coordinates thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignees: University of Bath, University of Cape Town
    Inventors: Ravi Acharya, Edward David Sturrock
  • Publication number: 20100303321
    Abstract: A method is provided for taking electrical impedance tomography measurements using multiple electrodes located at selected positions external to a volume of a subject body. Multiple orthogonal or near-orthogonal signals are introduced simultaneously by way of selected different electrodes and resultant predetermined responses (if any) at receiving electrodes are recorded or determined. The signals are encoded using the technique of code division multiplexing and received signals at each receiving electrode are cross-correlated with original signals to determine the contribution of each original signal to a composite received signal. The invention also relates to apparatus suitable for use in applying a method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2008
    Publication date: December 2, 2010
    Applicants: THE UNIVERSITY OF CAPE TOWN, THE UNIVERSITY OF SYDNEY
    Inventors: Alistair Lee McEwan, David Simon Holder, Andre van Schaik, Jonathan Craig Tapson
  • Publication number: 20100275327
    Abstract: A method of increasing abiotic stress tolerance in a plant is described, the method comprising transforming the plant with a vector comprising a nucleic acid which is at least 80% identical to SEQ I.D. NO: 10. Plants or plant parts transformed with these sequences are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2010
    Publication date: October 28, 2010
    Applicants: University of Cape Town, The Maize Trust
    Inventors: Jennifer Ann Thomson, Jesse Machuka, Revel Iyer, Richard Okoth
  • Patent number: 7813537
    Abstract: Myocardial tissue tracking techniques are used to project or guide a single manually-defined set of myocardial contours through time. Displacement encoding with stimulated echoes (DENSE), harmonic phase (HARP) and speckle tracking is used to encode tissue displacement into the phase of complex MRI images, providing a time series of these images, and facilitating the non-invasive study of myocardial kinematics. Epicardial and endocardial contours need to be defined at each frame on cine DENSE images for the quantification of regional displacement and strain as a function of time. The disclosed method presents a novel and effective two dimensional semi-automated segmentation technique that uses the encoded motion to project a manually defined region of interest through time. Contours can then easily be extracted for each cardiac phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignees: Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc., University of Virginia Patent Foundation, University of Cape Town
    Inventors: Frederick H Epstein, Ernesta M Meintjes, Bruce S Spottiswoode
  • Patent number: 7775257
    Abstract: The invention concerns a casting apparatus which includes a crucible support and induction heating means (14, 16, 18) arranged to receive and support a crucible (10) containing material which is to be melted and poured from an outlet (38). The outlet is positioned on a vertical axis (40). The support and induction heating means also operates to apply induction heating to the material to melt it in the crucible. There is also a translation mechanism which tilts the crucible while the crucible is still supported and while heat is continuously applied to it. This mechanism operates in such a way that during tilting, the outlet of the crucible is maintained on the vertical axis so that the molten material pours from the outlet on the vertical axis. In the embodiments described, the crucible is simultaneously moved vertically towards the mould into which the melt pours.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignee: University of Cape Town
    Inventors: Irshad Khan, Wessel Marthinus Cronje
  • Patent number: 7763530
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method of doping semiconductor material. Essentially, the method comprises mixing a quantity of particulate semiconductor material with an ionic salt or a preparation of ionic salts. Preferably, the particulate semiconductor material comprises nanoparticles with a size in the range 1 nm to 100 ?m. Most preferably, the particle size is in the range from 50 nm to 500 nm. Preferred semiconductor materials are intrinsic and metallurgical grade silicon. The invention extends to a printable composition comprising the doped semiconductor material as well as a binder and a solvent. The invention also extends to a semiconductor device formed from layers of the printable composition having p and n type properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Assignee: University of Cape Town
    Inventors: David Thomas Britton, Margit Härting
  • Publication number: 20100173977
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a crystal. In particular the present invention relates to a crystal of the N-domain of ACE protein. The present invention also relates to methods, processes, domain specific modulators, pharmaceutical compositions and uses of the N-domain crystal and the structure co-ordinates thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2007
    Publication date: July 8, 2010
    Applicants: University of Bath, University of Cape Town
    Inventors: Ravi Acharya, Edward David Sturrock
  • Publication number: 20100160180
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a crystal of ACE protein. The present invention further relates to methods, processes, ACE modulators, pharmaceutical compositions and uses of the ACE crystal and the structure co-ordinates thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2010
    Publication date: June 24, 2010
    Applicants: UNIVERSITY OF BATH, University of Cape Town
    Inventors: Ravi Acharya, Edward Sturrock
  • Patent number: 7713530
    Abstract: The invention describes HIV-1 subtype isolate regulatory/accessory genes, and modifications and derivatives thereof. The genes which are described are the tat, nef and rev genes. Consensus amino acid sequences are also disclosed. The invention also relates to a vaccine including two or more of the nucleotide sequences, and nucleotide sequences from the pol and/or gag genes of HIV-1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignees: The South African Medical Research Council, University of Cape Town
    Inventors: Carolyn Williamson, Joanne Heidi van Harmelen, Clive Maurice Gray, William Bourn, Salim Abdool Karim
  • Patent number: 7704319
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a crystal of ACE protein. The present invention further relates to methods, processes, ACE modulators, pharmaceutical compositions and uses of ACE crystal and the structure coordinates thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Assignees: University of Bath, University of Cape Town
    Inventors: Ravi Acharya, Edward Sturrock
  • Patent number: 7619121
    Abstract: A method of detecting a member of the taxa actinomycetes is provided. A method also is provided for detecting mycothiol or precursor thereof. An antibody is provided when binds to mycothiol or a mycothiol precursor. A method is further provided for diagnosis of a subject having or at risk of having an actinomycetes-associated disorder. A method is also provided for identifying a sample with altered production of mycothiol or a precursor thereof. A method is provided for detecting mycothiol or precursor thereof in a bacterial colony. Kits are also disclosed which are useful for detecting the presence of mycothiol or precursor thereof in a sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2009
    Assignee: University of Cape Town
    Inventor: Daniel Jacobus Steenkamp
  • Publication number: 20090142822
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a crystal of ACE protein. The present invention further relates to methods, processes, ACE modulators, pharmaceutical compositions and uses of ACE crystal and the structure coordinates thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2008
    Publication date: June 4, 2009
    Applicants: UNIVERSITY OF BATH, UNIVERSITY OF CAPE TOWN
    Inventors: RAVI ACHARYA, EDWARD DAVID STURROCK
  • Publication number: 20090092855
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method of doping semiconductor material. Essentially, the method comprises mixing a quantity of particulate semiconductor material with an ionic salt or a preparation of ionic salts. Preferably, the particulate semiconductor material comprises nanoparticles with a size in the range 1 nm to 100 ?m. Most preferably, the particle size is in the range from 50 nm to 500 nm. Preferred semiconductor materials are intrinsic and metallurgical grade silicon. The invention extends to a printable composition comprising the doped semiconductor material as well as a binder and a solvent. The invention also extends to a semiconductor device formed from layers of the printable composition having p and n type properties.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2006
    Publication date: April 9, 2009
    Applicant: UNIVERSITY OF CAPE TOWN
    Inventors: David Thomas Britton, Margit Harting
  • Publication number: 20090076245
    Abstract: The invention describes HIV-1 subtype isolate regulatory/accessory genes, and modifications and derivatives thereof. The genes which are described are the tat, nef and rev genes. Consensus amino acid sequences are also disclosed. The invention also relates to a vaccine including two or more of the nucleotide sequences, and nucleotide sequences from the pol and/or gag genes of HIV-1.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2008
    Publication date: March 19, 2009
    Applicants: The South African Medical Research Council, University of Cape Town
    Inventors: Carolyn Williamson, Joanne Heidi van Harmelen, Clive Maurice Gray, William Bourn, Salim Abdool Karim
  • Publication number: 20090047302
    Abstract: A method for producing a chimaeric human papillomavirus (HPV) L1 polypeptide containing a heterologous peptide, and in particular, a HPV L2 peptide comprising the steps of introducing a DNA sequence coding for the heterologous peptide into a DNA sequence coding for the L1 polypeptide; introducing the DNA sequence including the sequences for the L1 polypeptide and heterologous peptide into a host cell in which the DNA sequence can be expressed; causing expression of the DNA sequence; and recovering the resulting chimaeric L1 polypeptide which includes the heterologous peptide. The invention also describes a vector for use in the method, a host cell containing the vector, and a vaccine including the chimaeric HPV L1 polypeptide produced according to the method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2008
    Publication date: February 19, 2009
    Applicant: UNIVERSITY OF CAPE TOWN
    Inventors: Arvind Devshi Varsani, Edward Peter Rybicki
  • Patent number: 7479547
    Abstract: The invention describes HIV-1 subtype isolate regulatory/accessory genes, and modifications and derivatives thereof. The genes which are described are the tat, nef and rev genes. Consensus amino acid sequences are also disclosed. The invention also relates to a vaccine including two or more of the nucleotide sequences, and nucleotide sequences from the pol and/or gag genes of HIV-1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2009
    Assignees: The South African Medical Research Council, University of Cape Town
    Inventors: Carolyn Williamson, Joanne Heidi van Harmelen, Clive Maurice Gray, William Bourn, Salim Abdool Karim
  • Patent number: 7407807
    Abstract: The invention describes a method for producing a chimaeric human papillomavirus (HPV) L1 polypeptide containing a heterologous peptide, and in particular, a HPV L2 peptide. The method comprises the steps of introducing a DNA sequence coding for the heterologous peptide into a DNA sequence coding for the L1 polypeptide; introducing the DNA sequence including the sequences for the L1 polypeptide and heterologous peptide into a host cell in which the DNA sequence can be expressed; causing expression of the DNA sequence; and recovering the resulting chimaeric L1 polypeptide which includes the heterologous peptide. Typically, the nucleotides encoding the heterologous peptide replace the nucleotides of the L1 polypeptide at the point of insertion. The invention also describes a vector for use in the method, a host cell containing the vector, and a vaccine including the chimaeric HPV L1 polypeptide produced according to the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2008
    Assignee: University of Cape Town
    Inventors: Arvind Devshi Varsani, Edward Peter Rybicki