US Government as Represented by the Secretary of the Army

United States of America, as Represented by the Secretary of Agriculture

John Mark Carter

Jeffrey A Lyon

Christopher J Silva

Stephen A Van Albert

Jaime M Lee

Bruce C Onisko

Jesus R Requena

The invention is directed to methods to distinguish among different protein conformers of the same protein such as proteins which form amyloid deposits. Using the methods of the invention, one or more protein conformers in a sample can be detected, differentiated, and quantitated. An example of a protein which is known to exist in at least two conformations is the normal prion protein (PrP) and its infectious isoform (PrP). The invention provides means to distinguish PrPfrom PrPand allows quantitation of each individually, even when the conformers are present together in a mixture. Thus, the methods of the invention can provide important tools for human and animal health.

Methods to differentiate protein conformers

An automated, computer-driven amino acid indexer for peptide synthesis uses programmed computer, a circuit board controller, and a combination of microtiter sample well trays, light emitting diodes to illuminate each sample well, and circuitry to control the illumination of the diodes. The apparatus simplifies technical difficulties present in large-scale laboratory syntheses of peptides by substantially reducing the time required for dispensing amino acids into sample trays and reducing the occurrence of error in the process to negligible levels in typical syntheses. A programmed, automated technique for synthesizing peptides is also provided.

Computer-driven amino acid indexer for peptide synthesis

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Richmond, CA, United States of America

John Mark Carter