University of South Florida

Ryan Gates Toomey

Norma Arcelia Alcantar

Zeinab Veisi

Tunan Peng

Andres M Cardenas-Valencia

Xiaoling Ding

Lawrence C Langebrake

Vladimir N Uversky

Fei Guo

Eva Stephanie Lobbens

Leonid Breydo

David Morgan

Sylvia Thomas

Peter George Stroot

Larry C Langebrake

Dawn I Fox

Rana Falahat

Marzenna Wiranowska

Samuel James DuPont, Jr

Kranthi Kumar Elineni

Olukemi O Akintewe

Nathan D Gallant

A method of slowing progression of an amyloid disease by administration of cactus mucilage extract from-indicia is presented. Both gelling and non-gelling cactus mucilage extracts were found to induce changes in the secondary structures of the amyloid beta peptides thus interfering with formation of A&#x3b2; fibrils and aggregation of A&#x3b2; fibrils into plaques.

Inhibition of formation of amyloid b-protein fibrils using cactus mucilage extracts

Cutin-based devices, coatings and methods of producing such devices and coatings are presented herein. Cutin-like materials (CLMs) are presented which mimic and adapt coatings found in nature for the next generation of functional coatings. Cutin has several advantages including excellent UV resistance, natural resistance to bacteria and viruses, noncorrosive, and stability under abrupt changes in temperature and environment. CLMs can be engineered at the nanoscale and readily impregnated with metals and metal oxides materials.

Cutin-like materials with advanced functionalities and methods of manufacture

A method of treating an amyloid disease by administration of cactus mucilage extract from-is presented. Both gelling and non-gelling cactus mucilage extracts were found to induce changes in the secondary structures of the amyloid beta peptides thus interfering with formation of A&#x3b2; fibrils and aggregation of A&#x3b2; fibrils into plaques.

Inhibition of formation of amyloid &#x3b2;-protein fibrils using cactus mucilage extracts

Specific drug delivery to tumor cells without affecting normal cells is a major challenge in cancer treatment. The present invention incorporates embedding nonionic surfactant vesicles (niosomes) containing an anti-cancer therapeutic agent with chlorotoxin into a thermosensitive chitosan hydrogel network. Chitosan has mucoadhesive property which can be used in the targeting of the tumor cells with the mucin over expression. Chlorotoxin is a 36 amino acid peptide obtained fromscorpion venom which binds preferentially to tumor cells of neuroectodermal origin but not to normal cells. The incorporation of chlorotoxin along with niosomes in the chitosan hydrogel is used as the second targeting strategy to further improve the specific delivery of drugs to tumor cells such as glioma.

Enhanced targeted drug delivery system via chitosan hydrogel and chlorotoxin

Despite advances in off-shore oil exploration and drilling technology, accidental oil spills do occur. Depending on their magnitude and location, irreparable damage may be inflicted on marine and coastal ecosystems. Emulsification of a water/surfactant/oil system results in the production of oil droplets and this depends on the formulation and composition variables, mixing characteristics and system preparation. Thus, research is ongoing on improving methods of cleaning up oil spills. Cactus mucilage was used to disperse and absorb oil from a simulated oil slick in different salt concentrations. Results show correlations between emulsion properties and interfacial characteristics of mucilage as function of aqueous phase salinity. Mucilage powder added to the oil floating on the water dispersed the oil film and absorbed the oil while remaining afloat, facilitates removal of the oil-mucilage aggregate. This invention is a competitive treatment for oil spill remediation with the added advantage of being more environmentally friendly.

Use of cactus mucilage as a dispersant and absorbant for oil in oil-water mixtures

The invention comprises two key components: dielectrophoresis (DEP) and reversible binding surfaces. DEP has become an important tool for trapping dielectric particles. Moreover, DEP can manipulate cell movement as dictated by the intrinsic dielectric constant of the cell without modification. DEP therefore provides a mechanism by which to force targets in a flow channel to a reversible binding surface. By building selectivity into the binding surface, the capacity to choose which targets can be held after the dielectric field is turned off, providing a separation strategy that does not suffer from fouling issues, as large foulants can freely pass over the surface through the flow channel.

Microbial cell and particle selection system and method of use

A system and method for improving electrochemical power sources through the dispensing encapsulation and dispersion into galvanic chambers of an electrochemical cell. Features of the method include the optimization of the concentration levels of chemicals involved in desired energy producing reactions.

Method of controlled delivery for use in electrochemical power sources

A system and method for improving electrochemical power sources through the dispensing, encapsulation and dispersion into galvanic chambers of an electrochemical cell. Features of the method include the optimization of the concentration levels of chemicals involved in desired energy producing reactions.

Growing community of inventors

Tampa, FL, United States of America

Ryan Gates Toomey