University of Houston System

University of California

Shoujun Xu

Alexander Pines

Dmitry Budker

Li Yao

Yuhong Wang

Micah Ledbetter

Qiongzheng Hu

Louis S Bouchard

David E Wemmer

John Kitching

Svenja Knappe

Igor Mykhaylovych Savukov

Valeriy V Yashchuk

Elad Harel

Haopeng Yang

Thomas Lowery

Christian Hilty

Lashan De Silva

Vishal K Shah

David J Michalak

Thomas L Lowery

Haina Jia

Te-Wei Tsai

Heng Yin

Yujia Mao

A method of measuring dissociation of the biomolecular bonds in one or multiple sample wells using super-resolution force spectroscopy (SURFS). SURFS utilizes precise ultrasound radiation to exert an acoustic radiation force on the biomolecular bonds labeled with magnetic particles. The force-induced dissociation of the protein bonds labeled with magnetic particles may be measured as a reduced magnetic signal by a magnetic sensor. The force resolution allows for differentiating biomolecular bonds with an extremely high level of precision. The biomolecular bonds include protein-protein, protein-nucleic acid, nucleic acid-nucleic acid, small molecule-protein, and small molecule-nucleic acid interactions.

Multiplexable super-resolution force spectroscopy using ultrasound methods and magnetic detection

Embodiments of the present disclosure pertain to methods of utilizing force-modulated hybridization to determine the length of an analyte strand, to determine an unknown nucleic acid sequence, or to determine the binding of a nucleotide to an active agent. Additional embodiments of the present disclosure pertain to sample holder devices and methods of utilizing such devices. Further embodiments of the present disclosure pertain to detection devices.

Force-modulated hybridization for visualizing nucleic acid length and function

A method of using an exchange-induced remnant magnetization (EXIRM) technique for label free detection of short strands of nucleotides and cancer biomarkers, such as DNA and microRNA strands, DNA/RNA-binding biomarkers, and cancer-specific antigens, with high sensitivity, high specificity, and broad dynamic range. The method may provide a label-free approach aimed to facilitate high reliability, and to require a minimum amount of biochemical reagents.

Exchange-induced remnant magnetization for label-free detection of DNA, micro-RNA, and DNA/RNA-binding biomarkers

A system and method for resolving and/or mechanically manipulating molecular bonds. A method for resolving molecular bonds includes applying ultrasound to molecules to be manipulated. A magnetic signal associated with the molecules is measured. Whether ultrasound causes dissolution of the bonds of the molecules is determined based on measurements of the magnetic signal.

System and method for ultrasound identification and manipulation of molecular interactions

Methods of quantifying the efficiency of a drug molecule for its targeted receptor, using a differential binding force to quantify the efficiency of a drug molecule to its targeted receptor.

Sequence and chiral selectivity of DNA-drug interactions revealed by force spectroscopy

A method of detecting target molecules comprising; conjugating a first magnetic particle to a first ligand to form a first magnetic particle ligand conjugate; adding the conjugate to a sample containing target molecules to form a mixture comprising, the free conjugate and conjugate-target molecule binding pairs; measuring a first magnetization of the mixture; subjecting the mixture to a first force; measuring a second magnetization value of the mixture; subtracting the second magnetization value from the first magnetization value to calculate a first force-induced magnetization contrast; subjecting the mixture to a second force; measuring a third magnetization of the mixture; and subtracting the third magnetization value from the second magnetization value to calculate a second force-induced magnetization contrast.

Force-induced magnetization contrast for diagnosis and imaging

A method of magnetic imaging at long detection ranges. In one embodiment the method comprises introducing a magnetic sample having magnetic particles into a detection field; detecting weak magnetic field signals of the magnetic particles; forming an image from the detected signals; and determining the location and quantity amount of the magnetic particles. The method further comprises introducing a magnetic sample to a human or other organism's body.

High resolution scanning magnetic imaging method with long detection ranges

A novel approach to magnetic resonance imaging is disclosed. Blood flowing through a living system is prepolarized, and then encoded. The polarization can be achieved using permanent or superconducting magnets. The polarization may be carried out upstream of the region to be encoded or at the place of encoding. In the case of an MRI of a brain, polarization of flowing blood can be effected by placing a magnet over a section of the body such as the heart upstream of the head. Alternatively, polarization and encoding can be effected at the same location. Detection occurs at a remote location, using a separate detection device such as an optical atomic magnetometer, or an inductive Faraday coil. The detector may be placed on the surface of the skin next to a blood vessel such as a jugular vein carrying blood away from the encoded region.

Magnetic resonance imaging of living systems by remote detection

A method and apparatus are described wherein a micro sample of a fluidic material may be assayed without sample contamination using NMR techniques, in combination with magnetoresistive sensors. The fluidic material to be assayed is first subject to pre-polarization, in one embodiment, by passage through a magnetic field. The magnetization of the fluidic material is then subject to an encoding process, in one embodiment an rf-induced inversion by passage through an adiabatic fast-passage module. Thereafter, the changes in magnetization are detected by a pair of solid-state magnetoresistive sensors arranged in gradiometer mode. Miniaturization is afforded by the close spacing of the various modules.

Detection of magnetic resonance signals using a magnetoresistive sensor

An integral microfluidic device includes an alkali vapor cell and microfluidic channel, which can be used to detect magnetism for nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Small magnetic fields in the vicinity of the vapor cell can be measured by optically polarizing and probing the spin precession in the small magnetic field. This can then be used to detect the magnetic field of in encoded analyte in the adjacent microfluidic channel. The magnetism in the microfluidic channel can be modulated by applying an appropriate series of radio or audio frequency pulses upstream from the microfluidic chip (the remote detection modality) to yield a sensitive means of detecting NMR and MRI.

Integrated microchip incorporating atomic magnetometer and microfluidic channel for NMR and MRI

A laser-based atomic magnetometer (LBAM) apparatus measures magnetic fields, comprising: a plurality of polarization detector cells to detect magnetic fields; a laser source optically coupled to the polarization detector cells; and a signal detector that measures the laser source after being coupled to the polarization detector cells, which may be alkali cells. A single polarization cell may be used for nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) by prepolarizing the nuclear spins of an analyte, encoding spectroscopic and/or spatial information, and detecting NMR signals from the analyte with a laser-based atomic magnetometer to form NMR spectra and/or magnetic resonance images (MRI). There is no need of a magnetic field or cryogenics in the detection step, as it is detected through the LBAM.

Growing community of inventors

Houston, TX, United States of America

Shoujun Xu