Abstract: A method for treating a patient having meibomian gland disease, ocular irritation associated with delayed tear clearance, or recurrent corneal epithelial erosion, is disclosed. Preferably, the method concerns treatment of a patient with topical tetracycline, a derivative or analogue of tetracycline, or a chemically modified tetracycline (CMT). Oral administration of a CMT is also disclosed as part of the method for treating meibomian gland disease, ocular irritation associated with delayed tear clearance, or recurrent corneal epithelial erosion.
Type:
Application
Filed:
July 21, 2010
Publication date:
February 17, 2011
Applicant:
The University of Miami
Inventors:
Stephen C. Pflugfelder, Balakrishna L. Lokeshwar, Marie Selzer
Abstract: A waste-to-energy cogeneration system is described in various embodiments. The system can convert certain fuel-laden waste to thermal energy and electrical power. In certain embodiments, fuel-laden waste which has not been pre-filtered or pre-treated to remove particulates and water is deposited in the cogeneration system and prepared by the system for combustion in an unmodified diesel engine. The fuel-laden waste can comprise oils, greases and fats from food preparation which are contaminated with water and particulates. Thermal and mechanical energy produced by the engine are utilized to provide thermal energy and electrical power external to the cogeneration system.
Abstract: Chimeric molecules comprising endostatin and all or a portion of a tumor antigen specific binding molecule for use in treating tumors. The chimeric molecule, includes endostatin, endostatin mutants and variants and an antibody or aptamer specific for a desired tumor antigen. Methods of treating cancer comprise administering the chimeric fusion molecules.
Type:
Application
Filed:
June 26, 2008
Publication date:
February 17, 2011
Applicant:
University of Miami
Inventors:
Seung-Uon Shin, Joseph David Rosenblatt, Sherie L. Morrison
Abstract: Compositions, kits and methods for inhibiting cancer cell (e.g., breast cancer cell) growth and treating a subject with cancer (e.g., breast cancer) include a therapeutically effective amount of an LBH inhibitor for inhibiting cancer cell growth and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, and/or a therapeutically effective amount of Wnt7a protein or nucleic acids encoding Wnt7a protein for inhibiting cancer cell growth and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. Methods of treating a subject having cancer (e.g., estrogen receptor negative basal-type breast cancer) include administering to the subject a composition including a pharmaceutical carrier and at least one of: an LBH inhibitor, a WNT7a protein, and a nucleic acid encoding WNT7a protein in an amount effective for inhibiting growth of cancer cells in the subject. Methods of detecting the presence of cancer (e.g.
Abstract: The invention uses recombinant technology to create infectious molecular clones that capture the sequence diversity of viral genes found in natural populations of mixed genotype viruses, such as arises during HIV infections and many other viral diseases. The invention captures the sequence diversity of different genes in these “quasi-species” populations by recombining them into in a constant genetic “backbone” for each viral species by backcrossing PCR products derived from quasispecies gene variants into this backbone in an E. coli BAC plasmid.
Abstract: A perifusion device includes at least one sample container for cells, the sample container having an inlet and an outlet. The container receives test liquid through the inlet and discharges the liquid through the outlet. A manifold having a plurality of liquid inlets, control valves, and liquid outlets can be provided so that the flow of liquids from source containers to the sample containers can be varied and controlled. A receptacle housing has a plurality of receptacles for receiving fluid from the outlet of the sample container. A drive is connected to the receptacle housing for moving the receptacle housing such that liquid samples are collected sequentially from the outlet of the sample containers. A programmable controller can be provided to control movement of the receptacle housing at predetermined times, and to record data identifying liquid samples in the receptacles.
Type:
Application
Filed:
June 30, 2010
Publication date:
January 27, 2011
Applicants:
Biorep Technologies, Inc., University of Miami
Inventors:
RAMON E. POO, CAMILLO RICORDI, FELIPE ECHEVERRI, Over Cabrera, PER-OLOF BERGGREN
Abstract: Methods for regulating glucagon release and of treating hypoglycemia, and for screening drug candidates for treating hypoglycemia. The methods are useful for treating diabetes mellitus and screening drug candidates for potential efficacy.
Type:
Application
Filed:
March 12, 2009
Publication date:
January 27, 2011
Applicant:
University of Miami
Inventors:
Per-Olof Berggren, Alejandro Caicedo, Over Cabrera
Abstract: Novel gene and protein targets are described for treatment of cardiac disorders, anti-aging therapies and tissue repair. Identified biomarkers are prognostic of long term survival of patients suffering from heart diseases and related disorders.
Abstract: The present invention identifies the changes in gene expression associated with Parkinson's Disease by examining multiregional gene expression from normal brain and brain of Parkinson's Disease. The present also identifies the changes in gene expression associated with Parkinson's Disease by examining the expression of genes from normal blood and from the blood of patients with Parkinson's Disease. In another aspect, the present invention identifies expression profiles which serve as useful diagnostic markers as well as markers that can be used to monitor disease states, disease progression, drug toxicity, drug efficacy and drug metabolism.
Type:
Application
Filed:
October 22, 2007
Publication date:
November 25, 2010
Applicant:
University of Miami
Inventors:
Spiridon Papapetropoulos, Jarlath Ffrench-Mullen, Deborah C. Mash
Abstract: The present invention directs to compositions and methods for modulating immune system. One aspect of the present invention relates to a composition comprising FADD-dependent signaling pathway modulators. Another aspect of the 5 present invention relates to biodegradable microparticles, such as a chitosan microparticic, or PLGA/PEI microparticle, designed to deliver nucleic acids and/or proteins, such as FADD-dependent signaling pathway modulators, to boost different pathways of an immune response. Another aspect of the present invention relates to the method of making biodegradable microparticles. The further aspect of the present invention relates to the use of the chitosan and other polycationic microparticles to deliver FADD-dependent signaling pathway modulators to modulate immune system for the prevention and/or treatment infectious diseases and cancers.
Type:
Application
Filed:
September 18, 2009
Publication date:
November 11, 2010
Applicants:
University Of Miami, Vaxdesign Corporation
Abstract: Described herein are post natal, multilineage inducible cells (MIAMI cells). In some examples, the cells are isolated from non fractionated, adult (males and females 3 to 72 years old) human bone marrow under cell culture conditions, which are believed to resemble an in vivo niche microenvironment in which primitive multipotent cells exist. MIAMI cells have a unique profile of molecular markers, and can be maintained in vitro (for more than 50 population doublings) without detectable changes in their characteristic molecular profile. MIAMI cells can be differentiated into mesodermal, neuroectodermal, and endodermal cell lineages. Methods of isolating, differentiating and using MIAMI cells are also described.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
January 29, 2004
Date of Patent:
October 5, 2010
Assignees:
The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs, The University of Miami
Abstract: A method and system for harvesting wind energy. The system may include a wind turbine disposed subjacent to a roof assembly of building. A plurality of conduits are adjacent to and extending below the wind turbine, wherein each of the plurality of conduits defines a first portion and a second portion, wherein the first portion defines a larger cross-sectional area than the second portion.
Abstract: Compositions for countering immune attenuating/suppressive pathways comprise targeting agents or aptamer targeted RNAi-mediated gene silencing (siRNA/shRNA). These compositions have broad applicability in the treatment of many diseases.
Abstract: We have designed a molecular switch based on the photoinduced opening and thermal closing of a [1,3]oxazine ring. A substituted [1,3]oxazine compound described as having a general (i.e., unsubstituted) structure with fused indoline and benzooxazine fragments such that they share a common bond in the [1,3]oxazine compound: (i) the bond connecting positions 1 and 2 of the indoline fragment and (ii) the bond connecting positions 2 and 3 of the benzooxazine fragment. Irradiation by light of suitable wavelength and intensity of this photochromic compound induces cleavage of a [C—O] bond of the [1,3]oxazine ring to form a phenolate chromophore. The photogenerated (e.g., colored) isomer may revert thermally to the starting (e.g., colorless) oxazine. Alternatively, the switch may be between isomers of the compound that absorb at different wavelengths. Reversible coloration of silica or polymeric materials and switching optical signals may involve many cycles of interconversion between different colored states.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
February 20, 2007
Date of Patent:
September 7, 2010
Assignee:
The University of Miami
Inventors:
Francisco M. Raymo, Massimiliano Tomasulo
Abstract: An organ transportation device includes a fluid-tight organ container and structure within the organ container for engaging an organ within the organ container. A base assembly is provided, and structure for rotating the organ engaging structure and the organ relative to the base assembly. The base assembly can have a motor and a battery to provide for rotation of the organ container during shipping.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
December 14, 2006
Date of Patent:
September 7, 2010
Assignees:
Biorep Technologies, Inc., The University of Miami
Abstract: A system, method and apparatus for anatomical mapping utilizing optical coherence tomography. In the present invention, 3-dimensional fundus intensity imagery can be acquired from a scanning of light back-reflected from an eye. The scanning can include spectral domain scanning, as an example. A fundus intensity image can be acquired in real-time. The 3-dimensional data set can be reduced to generate an anatomical mapping, such as an edema mapping and a thickness mapping. Optionally, a partial fundus intensity image can be produced from the scanning of the eye to generate an en face view of the retinal structure of the eye without first requiring a full segmentation of the 3-D data set. Advantageously, the system, method and apparatus of the present invention can provide quantitative three-dimensional information about the spatial location and extent of macular edema and other pathologies.
Type:
Application
Filed:
December 22, 2009
Publication date:
August 19, 2010
Applicant:
University of Miami
Inventors:
Robert W. KNIGHTON, Shuliang Jiao, Giovanni Gregori, Carmen A. Puliafito
Abstract: The invention provides novel recombinant G?5 complex proteins, novel methods of identifying compounds that modulate the conformation of G?5 complex, novel methods of treating disorders, including neurological and metabolic disorders, with modulators of G?5 complex activity, and a mouse model of obesity, where the expression level of G?5 complex is reduced by targeted deletion of one allele of a gene encoding a member of the G?5 complex.
Type:
Application
Filed:
July 23, 2009
Publication date:
July 22, 2010
Applicant:
University Of Miami
Inventors:
Vladlen Slepak, Simone Sandiford, Qiang Wang
Abstract: A prosthetic device and method to restore extraocular muscle function. The device includes a housing; a biasing component disposed in the housing; a proximal connector operatively connected to a proximal end of the biasing component; and a distal connector operatively connected to a distal end of the biasing component, wherein the proximal connector is configured for being secured with respect to an orbital bone and the distal connector adapted to be secured to the paralyzed or absent muscle stump, e.g. on the globe, or to the eyelid.