Abstract: A cell composition composed of spermatogonial stem cells, Sertoli cells, Leydig cells and optionally peritubular cells, is provided, as is a culture composition, artificial testicular construct, hydrogel composition, and device containing the same. A method for using the device as a physiologically relevant in vitro model of human testicular function to screen compounds for pharmacological or toxicological activity is also provided.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
October 14, 2016
Date of Patent:
May 4, 2021
Assignee:
Wake Forest University Health Sciences
Inventors:
Samuel Pendergraft, Hooman Sadri-Ardekani, Anthony Atala, Colin Bishop
Abstract: In one aspect, methods of biomolecular analysis are described herein. Briefly, a method comprises providing a composition comprising glycosaminoglycans and contacting the composition with a membrane comprising at least one nanopore. An electric field is applied across the nanopore, and data of glycosaminoglycan translocation events through the nanopore are recorded. A molecular weight distribution of the glycosaminoglycans is derived from the data.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
February 14, 2019
Date of Patent:
April 6, 2021
Assignees:
WAKE FOREST UNIVERSITY HEALTH SCIENCES, THE BOARD OF REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA
Inventors:
Adam R. Hall, Elaheh Rahbar, Paul DeAngelis
Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods for wound healing and tissue regeneration. The compositions of the present invention comprise amniotic membrane of the placenta. In certain embodiments, the composition comprises amniotic membrane powder or solubilized amniotic membrane (SAM). In some aspects, the composition is cell-free and rich in cytokines, extracellular matrix proteins, and other components that improve tissue regeneration. In one aspect, the composition is a hydrogel scaffold that comprises amniotic membrane. The present invention reduces contraction and improves blood vessel development in regenerating tissue.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
June 25, 2018
Date of Patent:
April 6, 2021
Assignee:
Wake Forest University Health Sciences
Inventors:
Sean V. Murphy, Aleksander Skardal, Anthony Atala
Abstract: Medical kits and methods for performing small incision DLEK include a corneal transplantation donor tissue graft formed into an implantable and compact rolled configuration using the flexible substrate.
Abstract: Post-image acquisition methods, circuits and systems for evaluating medical images of a subject register a region of interest in a first medical image taken at a first point in time to the region of interest in a second image taken before or after the first medical image with voxels from the first and second medical images having a voxel-wise correspondence. The methods, circuits and systems can use line and/or shape changes of defined 3-D finite elements to electronically determine directional, shear and volumetric changes of the voxels in the region of interest between the first and second medical images.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
November 22, 2017
Date of Patent:
March 16, 2021
Assignee:
Wake Forest University Health Sciences
Inventors:
Jeongchul Kim, Youngkyoo Jung, Christopher T. Whitlow
Abstract: The present invention relates to recombinant vectors, modified microorganisms, and methods for omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid production.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
September 22, 2017
Date of Patent:
March 9, 2021
Assignee:
Wake Forest University
Inventors:
Leslie B. Poole, Floyd H. Chilton, Derek Parsonage, Susan Sergeant
Abstract: An in vitro liver organoid is provided along with methods of making and using the organoid. A cell culture system that includes the liver organoid is also provided. The liver organoid has fetal liver characteristics and supports expansion and differentiation of hematopoietic stem cells.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
February 13, 2014
Date of Patent:
February 9, 2021
Assignee:
WAKE FOREST UNIVERSITY HEALTH SCIENCES
Inventors:
Maria Graca Almeida-Porada, Pedro Miguel A. M. Baptista, Shay Soker
Abstract: Described are methods of detecting modified nucleotide bases in a DNA sample using specific DNA glycosylases to excise target modified bases. DNA molecules are then labeled using a DNA polymerase lacking 3??5? exo-nuclease activity and strand displacement activity. The methods can be used to detect epigenetic changes and DNA damage. Provided are methods for diagnosing a disease or condition, determining risk of a disease or condition, identifying appropriate treatment, monitoring effectiveness of treatment, and monitoring side effects of treatment in subjects based on detection of modified bases. Also provided are methods for determining environmental exposure, or an environmental exposure time, of a biological sample containing DNA. Also provided are kits, systems, and devices for performing the described methods.
Abstract: The invention is directed to methods of inducing cell recruitment and tissue regeneration at a target site in a subject. It is also based, in part, on the discovery that a subject's own biologic resources and environmental conditions can be used for in situ tissue regeneration and thereby reduce or eliminate the need for donor cell procurement and ex vivo manipulation of such donor cells. Methods are disclosed for recruitment of a subject's own stem cells to a target region by inducing a sustained positive pressure at a target site, such as the kidney, thereby increasing the number of pluripotent cells capable of differentiating to regenerate the target tissue.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
June 30, 2017
Date of Patent:
December 29, 2020
Assignee:
WAKE FOREST UNIVERSITY HEALTH SCIENCES
Inventors:
James Yoo, Sang Jin Lee, Anthony Atala, Mark Van Dyke
Abstract: Solid particulate measuring devices, systems, and methods for using the devices and systems are provided for easier and more accurate measurement of specific volumes. For example, a specific dose of a pharmaceutical multiparticulate composition can be measured out accurately and easily in a variety of settings using the devices and systems described herein.
Abstract: In some embodiments, thermoelectric apparatus and various applications of thermoelectric apparatus are described herein. In some embodiments, a thermoelectric apparatus described herein comprises at least one p-type layer coupled to at least one n-type layer to provide a pn junction, and an insulating layer at least partially disposed between the p-type layer and the n-type layer, the p-type layer comprising a plurality of carbon nanoparticles and the n-type layer comprising a plurality of n-doped carbon nanoparticles.
Abstract: Peptide constructs comprising a mitochondrial antiviral-signaling protein (MAVS) peptide and a cell penetration peptide are disclosed, which are useful for stimulating interferon production in vitro and in vivo. Lactate has been discovered to inhibit glycolysis-mediated retinoic acid-inducible gene I (RIG-I) like receptor signaling by directly binding to the MAVS transmembrane (TM) domain and preventing MAVS aggregation; peptide constructs according to the disclosure can prevent or reverse this inhibition to stimulate interferon production. Methods for stimulating interferon production in a cell are also described, as well as methods for the treatment of viral infections and cancer.
Abstract: In one aspect, thermoelectric apparatus and articles and various applications of thermoelectric apparatus and articles are described herein. In some embodiments, a thermoelectric apparatus described herein comprises at least one p-type layer coupled to at least one n-type layer to provide a pn junction, and an insulating layer at least partially disposed between the p-type layer and the n-type layer, the p-type layer comprising carbon nanoparticles and the n-type layer comprising n-doped carbon nanoparticles. In some embodiments, the nanoparticles of the p-type layer and/or the nanoparticles of the n-type layer are disposed in a polymeric matrix comprising electrically poled polymer. In some embodiments, a thermoelectric article comprises a thermally insulating support and thermoelectric modules formed of a structure passing around or through the thermally insulating support to provide faces of the thermoelectric modules on opposing sides of the thermally insulating support.
Abstract: Methods are disclosed for forming tissue engineered, tubular bowel constructs from intestinal circular smooth muscle cells and enteric neural progenitor cells. The intestinal smooth muscle cells and neural progenitor cells can be seeded on a mold with a surface texture that induces longitudinal alignment of the intestinal smooth muscle cells and co-cultured until an innervated aligned smooth muscle sheet is obtained. The innervated smooth muscle sheet can then be wrapped around a tubular scaffold to form an intestinal tissue construct.
Abstract: Angiotensin (1-7) analogs are provided. Also provided are methods of making such analogs methods for using analogs as therapeutic compositions such as, for example, treatment cancer.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
September 16, 2016
Date of Patent:
November 10, 2020
Assignees:
WAKE FOREST UNIVERSITY HEALTH SCIENCES, TENSIVE CONTROLS, INC.
Inventors:
Patricia Gallagher, Ann Tallant, Daniel Yohannes, Kenneth A. Gruber
Abstract: Methods are provided to produce optimal fractionations of charged keratins that have superior biomedical activity. Also provided are medical implants coated with these keratin preparations. Further provided are methods of treating blood coagulation in a patient in need thereof.
Abstract: Modified alginates are described herein along with hydrogels comprising the same. A modified alginate may be prepared by reacting alginate and an aromatic compound (e.g., an aromatic amine) and/or pH sensitive compound. The modified alginates, hydrogels, and/or methods described herein may be used to coat and/or encapsulate at least a portion of a bioactive substance, optionally for oral delivery in humans and other animals.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
June 30, 2017
Date of Patent:
September 8, 2020
Assignees:
Wake Forest University Health Sciences, Wake Forest University
Inventors:
Mark E. Welker, Emmanuel C. Opara, Surya R. Banks, Amber N. Weissenfluh
Abstract: Disclosed are novel compounds, complexes, compositions and methods using Zirconium-89 combined with azamacrocyclic chelators in connection with PET. The compositions and methods should provide better diagnostic, prognostic and therapeutic oncology treatments relative to the presently available chelator compositions due to a variety of superior properties of the disclosed compositions. The present invention also relates to a superior method of making these compounds, complexes, compositions that allows one to make compounds/complexes (and thus, compositions) that were previously unattainable.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
March 18, 2017
Date of Patent:
September 1, 2020
Assignee:
Wake Forest University
Inventors:
Thaddeus J. Wadas, Darpan N. Pandya, Nikunj B. Bhatt