Glyko, Inc.

Biomarin Pharmaceutical Inc.

Qt Ultrasound LLC

John C Klock

Christopher M Starr

Nasser Pirshafiey

James W Wiskin

M Abdul Mazid

Mark Wayne Lenox

Harvey I Miller

Bilal Malik

Peter Edridge

Steven K Striepeke

The speed of sound, attenuation, and reflection data obtained through quantitative Transmission ultrasound (QTUS) differs by body tissue type. Skin, fat, gland, duct and connective tissues can be classified based on the sound, attenuation, and reflection data. The system can assign coloration to breast images to provide a color-coded breast tissue volume based on the output of the classifier.

Color coding an image for identifying anatomy using quantitative transmission ultrasound tomography

The present invention provides methods for measuring endogenous heparin in a mammal at levels that were previously undetectable. The present invention further features methods for assessing the risk for and assessing the progression of atherosclerosis and methods for treating or inhibiting the progression of atherosclerosis. The invention also features methods for monitoring plasma heparin levels in subjects undergoing heparin treatment. Additionally, the present invention provides kits for assaying for heparin in biological samples.

Methods for diagnosing atherosclerosis by measuring endogenous heparin and methods for treating atherosclerosis using heparin

The subject invention provides methods and kits for detecting increased bone resorption in patients. These methods and kits use chondroitin sulfate, a glycosaminoglycan, as a marker for bone resorption. Levels of chondroitin sulfate are detected in samples of urine or serum taken from patients. Measurements of chondroitin sulfate levels are made by methods such as fluorophore-assisted carbohydrate electrophoresis (FACE). Knowledge of increased bone resorption rates is useful in diagnosis of bone disorders such as osteoporosis.

Chondroitin sulfate as a marker of bone resorption

The subject invention provides methods and kits for conveniently diagnosing various physiological conditions that produce altered levels of specific carbohydrates, known as diagnostic carbohydrates. Measurement of the levels of the diagnostic carbohydrates is performed by fluorophore assisted carbohydrate electrophoresis. Physiological conditions of particular interest that may be ascertained by the subject invention include carbohydrate metabolism diseases, autoimmune diseases, neoplasia, toxic chemical exposure and microbial infections. Fluorophore assisted carbohydrate electrophoresis diagnosis may be applied to various patient specimens, including blood, urine and skin.

Fluorophore assisted carbohydrate electrophoresis diagnosis

An apparatus for fluorescence of a biological sample includes a light illumination source, an ambient light-excluding optical chamber, a sample holder, a two-dimensional array charge coupled device ('CCD') sensor providing for on-chip signal integration of each pixel of the array, and an analog/digital converter for digitizing the CCD signal. Signal acquisition time from the array is varied so that the integrated signal from each pixel is below its saturation level. A darkfield value for each pixel is acquired and subtracted from the illuminated signal from that pixel so as to yield a darkfield corrected signal. The fluorescence value for each pixel can be compensated for variations in excitation energy reaching different sample areas. Image readout is through a single channel output.

Charge-coupled device imaging apparatus

Polynucleotide sequences encoding enzymes that possess .alpha.2-3 neuraminidase activity are provided. Of particular interest are polynucleotide sequences encoding an enzyme having .alpha.2-3 neuraminidase activity and naturally produced by the bacteria Streptococcus pneumoniae. Recombinant DNA expression of enzymes possessing .alpha.2-3 specific neuraminidase activity is also described, including methods, recombinant host cells and a genetic construction. The invention also provides a purified enzyme having .alpha.2-3 neuraminidase activity from Streptococcus pneumoniae, wherein the enzyme is isolated from S. pneumoniea cultures. Another aspect of this invention is to provide methods of isolating genes encoding enzymes having neuraminidase activity, particularly .alpha.2-3 neuraminidase activity. The gene isolation methods of the invention comprise the step of labeling a hybridization probe derived from the neuraminidase coding portion of plasmid pND-1. The hybridization probe may then be used to isolate homologous genes encoding enzymes having the desired enzymatic activity.

Polynucleotides encoding .alpha.2-3 neuraminidase

The subject invention provides novel methods and apparatus for synthesizing carbohydrates of a desired structure. The subject synthesis methods include using carbohydrage-modifying enzymes to perform individual synthesis reaction steps and electrophoresis to purify the reaction products for possible further use as substrates in additional synthesis reactions. The subject invention also provides novel methods and apparatus for detecting carbohydrates of interest. The methods and apparatus for synthesizing or detecting carbohydrates involve the use of carbohydrate-modifying enzymes immobilized in a reaction matrix gel and fluorophore labelled substrates that may be removed from the reaction matrix gel by electrophoresis and subsequently analyzed or transferred to another reaction gel matrix. The subject invention also provides methods for detecting and quantitating specific carbohydrate-modifying enzymes that might be present in a sample for analysis.

Growing community of inventors

Nicasio, CA, United States of America

John C Klock