Kansas State University Research Foundation

The University of Texas System

Deryl L Troyer

Stefan H Bossmann

Hongwang Wang

Matthew T Basel

Duane Davis

Aruni P Malalasekera

Tej Shrestha

Allan R Brasier

Massoud Motamedi

Mark L Weiss

Donghai Wang

Christopher T Culbertson

Kathy E Mitchell

Madumali Kalubowilage

Sebastian O Wendel

Gaohong Zhu

Thilani N Samarakoon

Methods and devices for microfluidic detection of a biological maker in a biospecimen collected from a subject are disclosed. The microfluidic devices include nanoparticle-based nanosensors comprising supramolecular recognition sequences, protease consensus sequences, post-translationally modifiable sequences, or sterically hindered benzylether bonds for specific interaction with a biological marker. Also disclosed are particular nanosensors for detecting cytokines, and other proteins based upon supramolecular recognition without chemical modification or enzymatic cleavage.

Nanosensors and methods for detection of biological markers

Methods for detecting biomarkers of inflammation, infection, and/or bacterial activity in dairy production, which indicate issues with the milk itself or issues related to the health of the cow. The methods generally comprise contacting a milk sample with a nanoplatform assembly to create an assay solution, and detecting spectral changes in the assay solution that are triggered by enzymatic activity (when present) in the sample. The nanoplatform assembly comprises a first particle, a second particle, and a linkage therebetween, wherein the linkage comprises a protease consensus sequence (the sequence of amino acids cleaved by the protease), or an ester linkage (cleaved by a protease or lipase). A plurality of second particles can also be linked to the first particle. Test strips are also described, which undergo a visual color change in the presence of the target enzyme in the milk sample.

Nanosensors for detecting enzymatic activity in dairy production

A nanoplatform assembly for detection of arginase, indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase 1, and/or tryptophan 2,3-dioxygenase. The nanoplatform comprises an oligopeptide, which is used as a linker between two particles. More preferably, the linker is comprised of an oligopeptide containing a substrate for the target enzyme, where the substrate is chemically or physically modified by the target enzyme (but not cleaved). A central particle with a plurality of oligopeptide-tethered detectable particles and a plurality of directly attached detectable particles is described. Posttranslational modification of the oligopeptide leads to changes in the detectable signals from the first and/or second particles in the nanoplatform, which can be correlated to enzyme activity and concentration.

Nanoplatforms for arginase, indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase and tryptophan 2,3-dioxygenase detection by posttranslational modification

Immunocompetent animal models having immunological tolerance to a xenograft and methods of producing the same. The animal models are tolerized to the xenograft in the pre-immune, fetal or embryonic stage, followed by transplanting the xenograft into the animal in the post-natal stage, such that the post-natal animal is immunologically tolerant to the xenograft, while remaining immunocompetent.

Immune competent models of human disease

The present invention provides a diagnostic reagent or assay for assessing the activity of a protease in vivo or in vitro and methods of detecting the presence of a cancerous or precancerous cell. The assays are comprised of two particles linked via an oligopeptide linkage that comprises a consensus sequence specific for the target protease. Cleavage of the sequence by the target protease can be detected visually or using various sensors, and the diagnostic results can be correlated with cancer prognosis.

Protease assay

Nanocatalysts and methods of using the same to obtain aromatic hydrocarbon compounds from a source of carbon atoms and a source of hydrogen atoms in a single reaction step is provided. The catalyst comprises an Fe/FeOnanocatalyst that may be supported on a non-reactive support material such as a zeolite or alumina COand Hare preferred sources of carbon and hydrogen atoms for the reaction. The aromatic hydrocarbon compounds produced are suitable for direct usage as fuel without need for further refining.

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Supramolecular assemblies for delivering active agents to cancerous or precancerous tissues in a subject are provided. These supramolecular assemblies are also useful in assays for detecting and imaging of cancerous and precancerous cells. The assemblies are protease-sensitive and comprise a peptide linkage containing a protease consensus sequence. The assemblies can be selectively targeted to cancerous tissue where the protease enzymes degrade the peptide linkage thereby releasing the active agents which were physically or mechanically contained in or retained by the supramolecular assembly.

Protease selective supramolecular assemblies

Stem cells from human sources can have a variety of useful applications in disease treatment and biotechnology. More particularly the umbilical cord matrix cell cultures of the invention have a variety of totipotent, pluripotent, or multipotent cells for a variety of end uses from a non-controversial, universally available, species-specific source. The technology can have application to any amniotic animal, including agricultural and laboratory animals and humans. The invention relates to isolating the stem cells, culturing the stem cells, maintaining the stem cells, transforming the stem cells into useful cell types using genetic or other transformation technologies, stem cell and tissue banking and using untransformed or transformed cells in disease treatment.

Growing community of inventors

Manhattan, KS, United States of America

Deryl L Troyer