Abstract: The present invention provides methods for the inhibition of reperfusion injury by treatment with Grammastola spatulata mechanotoxin4 (GsMTx4). The GsMTx4 may be delivered to the ischemic tissue in an individual by any means prior to, during or after ischemia reperfusion injury.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions for inhibiting calcium permeable cation conductance of red blood cells from individuals afflicted with sickle cell anemia. The method comprises exposing the cells to the peptide GsMTx4 and/or variants thereof.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring changes in cell volume generally includes introducing cells into a chamber having a volume between 2 and 100 times the volume of the introduced cell. A first electrically conductive extracellular fluid is introduced into the chamber and a current is applied. The voltage induced by said current flow is measured. The first fluid is exchanged with a second electrically conductive extracellular fluid and a current is applied. The voltage induced by said current flow is measured. The first induced voltage result and the second induced voltage result are used in conjunction with known voltages induced by such current flows to monitor changes in the volume corresponding to fluid flow between the cell and an extracellular fluid.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions for inhibiting calcium permeable cation conductance of red blood cells from individuals afflicted with sickle cell anemia. The method comprises exposing the cells to the peptide GsMTx4 and/or variants thereof.

Abstract: The method and system of the present invention uses synchronous rectification and frequency domain analysis to remove the need for calibration of the A/D and D/A components. It is applicable to any sensor based measurement in which either the sensor can be excited with an AC voltage or current, or in which the signal can be modulated with an AC voltage or current.

Abstract: The method and system of the present invention uses synchronous rectification and frequency domain analysis to remove the need for calibration of the A/D and D/A components. It is applicable to any sensor based measurement in which either the sensor can be excited with an AC voltage or current, or in which the signal can be modulated with an AC voltage or current.

Abstract: A scanner which includes a gradient index lens for passing and focusing beams from a radiation emitter to a cantilevered member reflective surface of a probe and from the reflective surface to a radiation detector. The lens also serves as a mechanical support for attachment of the radiation emitter and the radiation detector and is also attached to a support for the cantilevered member. The resulting fixed positions of the radiation emitter and the radiation detector relative to the reflective cantilevered member surface allows the scanner to be compact and factory focally alignable.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring changes in cell volume generally includes introducing cells into a chamber having a volume between 2 and 100 times the volume of the introduced cell. A first electrically conductive extracellular fluid is introduced into the chamber and a current is applied. The voltage induced by said current flow is measured. The first fluid is exchanged with a second electrically conductive extracellular fluid and a current is applied. The voltage induced by said current flow is measured. The first induced voltage result and the second induced voltage result are used in conjunction with known voltages induced by such current flows to monitor changes in the volume corresponding to fluid flow between the cell and an extracellular fluid.

Abstract: A device such as a sensor for use in an atomic force microscope. The device comprises a first oscillator, a second oscillator, a pair of first co-axial members interconnecting the first and second oscillators for torsionally suspending the first oscillator, a support structure, and a pair of second co-axial members whose axis is orthogonal to an axis of the first co-axial members and which interconnect the second oscillator and the support structure for torsionally suspending the second oscillator.

Abstract: A scanner which includes a gradient index lens for passing and focusing beams from a radiation emitter to a cantilevered member reflective surface of a probe and from the reflective surface to a radiation detector. The lens also serves as a mechanical support for attachment of the radiation emitter and the radiation detector and is also attached to a support for the cantilevered member. The resulting fixed positions of the radiation emitter and the radiation detector relative to the reflective cantilevered member surface allows the scanner to be compact and factory focally alignable.

Abstract: A method for making a device which includes an oscillator, which includes depositing on silicon or other first material a layer of silicon nitride or other second material, forming in the first material a support structure and the oscillator, including applying an etchant which is selective for the first material to etch all the way through the first material and leave the second material substantially unetched to thereby form the at least one flexible hinge of the second material.

Abstract: A device having an oscillator such as a sensor for use in an atomic force microscope. A pair of co-axial members interconnect support structure and the oscillator for torsionally suspending the oscillator. The co-axial members are portions of a layer of silicon nitride or other material that is connected to the oscillator and support structure, which are composed of silicon or other material. A process for making a device which includes an oscillator, which includes depositing on silicon or other first material a layer of silicon nitride or other second material, forming in the first material a support structure and the oscillator, including applying an etchant which is selective for the first material to etch all the way through the first material and leave the second material substantially unetched to thereby form the at least one flexible hinge of the second material.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a peptide of SEQ ID NO:1 and its variants that blocks stretch-activated ion channels. All amino acids in this peptide are D-amino acids. The peptide, designated as D-GsMTx4, is an enantiomer of a peptide GsMTX-4 present in the venom of the spider Grammostola spatulata. The present invention also discloses a method for inhibition of stretch activated ion channels in a cell. This peptide can be used for the treatment of cardiac arrhythmias and other pathologies that involve alterations in mechanical stress.

Abstract: A device such as a sensor for use in an atomic force microscope. The device comprises a first oscillator, a second oscillator, a pair of first co-axial members interconnecting the first and second oscillators for torsionally suspending the first oscillator, a support structure, and a pair of second co-axial members whose axis is orthogonal to an axis of the first co-axial members and which interconnect the second oscillator and the support structure for torsionally suspending the second oscillator.

Abstract: A device having an oscillator such as a sensor for use in an atomic force microscope. A pair of co-axial members interconnect support structure and the oscillator for torsionally suspending the oscillator. The co-axial members are portions of a layer of silicon nitride or other material that is connected to the oscillator and support structure, which are composed of silicon or other material. A process for making a device which includes an oscillator, which includes depositing on silicon or other first material a layer of silicon nitride or other second material, forming in the first material a support structure and the oscillator, including applying an etchant which is selective for the first material to etch all the way through the first material and leave the second material substantially unetched to thereby form the at least one flexible hinge of the second material.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a peptide of SEQ ID NO:2 and its variants that blocks stretch-activated ion channels. The peptide, designated as GsMTx-4, is present in the venom of the spider Grammostola spatulata. The present invention also discloses a method of purifying the peptide GsMTx-4 from the spider venom and a method for inhibition of stretch activated ion channels in a cell. The cDNA sequence encoding the GsMTx-4 is also disclosed. This peptide and its variants can be used for the treatment of cardiac arrhythmias.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a peptide of SEQ ID NO:1 and its variants that blocks stretch-activated ion channels. All amino acids in this peptide are D-amino acids. The peptide, designated as D-GsMTx4, is an enantiomer of a peptide GsMTX-4 present in the venom of the spider Grammostola spatulata. The present invention also discloses a method for inhibition of stretch activated ion channels in a cell. This peptide can be used for the treatment of cardiac arrhythmias and other pathologies that involve alteartions in mechanical stress.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring changes in cell volume generally includes introducing cells into a chamber having a volume between 2 and 100 times the volume of the introduced cell. A first electrically conductive extracellular fluid is introduced into the chamber and a current is applied. The current flow is measured. The first fluid is exchanged with a second electrically conductive extracellular fluid and a current is applied. The current flow is measured. The first current flow result and the second current flow result are used in conjunction with known current flows to monitor changes in the volume corresponding to fluid flow between the cell and an extracellular fluid.

Abstract: A microfluidic system and method, suitable for “lab-on-a-chip” applications, by which a bubble is inflated in fluid flowing through a microfluidic channel at a predetermined location along the channel and the bubble is maintained at that location to stop flow through the channel in the manner of a valve. The microfluidic channel is formed on a semiconductor chip and a pair of electrodes is formed one on each side of the channel, whereby a bubble is electrochemically inflated between the electrodes and held in fixed position by the channel wall when a voltage is applied across the fluid incident to connecting the electrodes to a voltage source. When the voltage is removed, deflation of the bubble valve rapidly occurs to restore flow. The present invention provides flow control in a microfluidic system regardless of channel cross-sectional geometry and with no moving parts and low power consumption. Moreover, the present invention may be practiced using existing fabrication techniques.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a 35 amino acid peptide (SEQ ID NO: 1) that blocks stretch-activated ion channels. The peptide, designated as GsMTx-4, is present in the venom of the spider Grammostola spatulata. The present invention also discloses a method of purifying the peptide GsMTx-4 from the spider venom and a method for inhibition of stretch activated ion channels in a cell. This peptide can be used for the treatment of cardiac arrhythmias.