Other

Cornell University

Jon W Erickson

Richard A Cerione

Kristin Wilson Cerione

Clint A Stalnecker

Jianbin Wang

Sekar Ramachandran

Rick Cerione

The present invention relates to a labeled glutaminase (GLS) protein comprising a GLS protein and a fluorescent reporter group attached to the GLS protein, wherein the fluorescent reporter group is attached to the GLS protein within the glutaminase domain pfam04960 of GLS. The present invention also relates to isolated glutaminase protein mutants. Also disclosed is a method of screening for compounds that allosterically bind to a glutaminase protein. The present invention also relates to a method of identifying compounds that inhibit or stabilize tetramer formation of glutaminase protein. The present invention further relates to a screening kit for compounds that inhibit or stabilize tetramer formation.

Labeled glutaminase proteins, isolated glutaminase protein mutants, methods of use, and kit

The present invention relates to a method of reducing the production of glutamate from glutamine by glutaminase C in a cell or tissue. The method involves inhibiting glutaminase C activity in the cell or tissue under conditions effective to reduce production of glutamate from glutamine. Compounds for carrying out this method are also disclosed.

Inhibition of glutaminase C

The present technology relates to kidney-type glutaminase (GLS) proteins that have a phenylalanine to tryptophan substitution at the position corresponding to residue 322 of human glutaminase C (GAC), and methods of using such proteins to screen for compounds that bind to the activation loop of GLS and/or modulate glutaminase activity of GLS.

Method of screening compounds

The present invention relates to a method of reducing the production of glutamate from glutamine by glutaminase C in a cell or tissue. The method involves inhibiting glutaminase C activity in the cell or tissue under conditions effective to reduce production of glutamate from glutamine. Compounds for carrying out this method are also disclosed and include those of formula (III): wherein B, R, R, m, and n are defined herein.

A system is provided for monitoring the physiological exertion of a user. One or more sensors are attached to the limbs of the user to measure the user's motion. The sensors can measure either the acceleration or the force on the limbs. The measured signal is transmitted to a monitor by a wireless transmitter, such as an infrared, acoustic or radio transmitter. The monitor determines and displays the level of physiological exertion of the user by a mathematical formula or a look up table based on the measured motion of the user. The system can also measure and display various other physiological parameters of the user, such as pulse rate, blood pressure, etc. The system includes an interactive video display with a branching video sequence. The rate of progress and the direction of the video sequence at each of the branching points are interactively controlled by the level of physiological exertion and the movements of the user. The system can also record and display the level of physiological exertion and other physiological parameters of the user over time to create a personal exercise log.

Interactive system for measuring physiological exertion

An instrument for chemical spectroscopy with imaging capabilities. A lightsource produces an array of light beams, each of which is made up of a plurality of discrete wavelengths. The array of light beams are modulated by an interferometer, then directed through a sample to an array of detectors. The sample may be a chemical mixture (e.g. a fuel stream in a manufacturing facility) or a body part (e.g. breast, limb, or head). An array of laser or light-emitting diodes provides light at the desired wavelengths and high intensity. The set of wavelengths is selected for a particular kind of analysis, and a specific set of possible absorbing species to be detected. The different wavelengths are guided optically (using fiber optics, lenses, and/or mirrors) into a single lightbeam, or an array of lightbeams. This light is then directed through the sample and onto a detector. The lightsource and detector, or lightsource alone, may be rastered if necessary to form an image. Individual lightbeams in an array may be modulated, polarized, or both so as to improve resolution. The signal from the detector undergoes a Fast Fourier Transform to produce a near-infrared absorption spectrum as a function of wavelength. The absorption spectra can be used to produce an image of the spacial distribution of detected species within the sample. Either the lightsource or detectors can be placed on the end of a probe or catheter for imaging through the wall of a hollow sample.

Chemical analysis and imaging by discrete fourier transform spectroscopy

An optical lever acoustic and ultrasound sensor with increased sensitivity using an optical amplification means to amplify the motion of an incident acoustic wave and convert it to an electric signal for image processing. Three approaches to the optical amplification are disclosed. In the first approach, the vibrating mirror is part of a cantilever that increases the angular deflection of the incident light beam. In the second approach, a second, stationary mirror is positioned approximately parallel to the vibrating mirror surface. The reflected light beam is reflected back onto the vibrating mirror, and picks up a another increment of the acoustic signal with each reflection. In the third approach, the effective moment of the optical lever is increased within a small volume by the use of two stationary mirrors to increase the path length from the vibrating mirror to the position-sensitive detector. This increases the relative movement of the light beam on the surface of the position-sensitive detector and, therefore, the overall sensitivity of the sensor. The incident beam of light is focused by a lens between the light source and the vibrating mirror, so that the focal point is in the plane of the position-sensitive detector. The smaller spot size and greater intensity of the incident light allows greater detector sensitivity. Two or more chopped light beams may be directed at a single vibrating surface, and phase-locked loop circuitry used to reduce the signal-to-noise ratio.

Acoustic and ultrasound sensor with optical amplification

An acoustic sensor, suitable for use as an ultrasonic transducer, microphone or hydrophone, uses an optical lever to amplify the motion of the sensor surface and convert it to an electrical signal suitable for image processing. In the acoustic sensor, a beam of light from a laser is directed at an oblique angle onto a reflective surface coupled to a sensor membrane. The reflected light strikes a position-sensitive light detector (PSD) which generates an electrical signal indicative of the position of the spot of light on the PSD. When an incident acoustic wave strikes the sensor membrane, the small movements of the reflective surface result in large motions of the spot of light on the PSD, thereby amplifying the acoustic signal and converting it into an electrical signal. Also disclosed is a multi-element sensor array suitable for linear array or phased array imaging.

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Freeville, NY, United States of America

Jon W Erickson