Auburn University

Vitaly J Vodyanoy

Oleg Pustovyy

Alexandre M Samoylov

Bryan A Chin

William Charles Neely

James Barbaree

Ludmila Globa

Suram T Pathirana

Edward E Morrison

Timothy D Braden

Nilmini Viswaprakash

Valery A Petrenko

Lewis G Scharpf

Iryna Sorokulova

Arnold Vainrub

Zhongyang Cheng

Tatiana I Samoylova

Tung-Shi Huang

Solomon Yilma

Howard C Wikle

Ronald Beyers

Alexander Samoylov

Gopikrishna Deshpande

Hao Jia

Ting To Lo

Mahmoud Mansour

Alexandre M Saamoylov

Thomas Denney

Jennifer Cannon Sykora

William Charles Neeley

Valery A Pentrenko

Paul Waggoner

Ed Morrison

Viswaprakash Nanduri

W Charles Neely

Oleg M Pustovyy

Many factors contribute to dogs' superior olfactory capabilities as compared to humans. Studies explored this aspect at the cellular and behavior levels; however, the cognitive-level neural substrates linking them have never been explored. Since sedated dogs cannot sniff, the present application illustrates the cognitive-level linking neural substrate using fMRI of conscious dogs. The head motion of the canine is accounted for by behavioral training and optical motion tracking. The olfactory bulb is commonly activated in both awake and anesthetized dogs, while parietal and frontal structures are activated only in the former and subcortical structures only in the latter. Comparison of low and high odor intensity shows differences in both the strength and spatial extent of activation in higher cognitive structures. Unlike humans, neural structures even at the top of the cognitive hierarchy are modulated by odor concentration in dogs. This represents one possible mechanism for their superior sense of olfaction as compared to humans.

System and method of functional MRI of the neural system in conscious unrestrained dogs

A pharmaceutical composition comprises a metal nanoparticle having an average diameter of about 0.5 nm to about 5 nm. The composition may be used to treat cancer or an anosmia-related disease.

Engineered metal nanoparticles and methods thereof

A composition, system and method for modifying an olfactory response to an odorant is disclosed. In some embodiments, the composition includes crystalline metal nanoparticles dispersed in an aqueous medium. The composition is applied to olfactory tissues using a suitable applicator or dispenser. The metal nanoparticles are believed to interact with a G-protein coupled to receptor located in the cilia to moderate (enhance or reduce) sensitivity or ability to smell particular odorants. In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, the composition includes one or more odorants.

Compositions for and methods of controlling olfactory responses to odorants

Compositions and methods for the isolation and manipulation of misfolded, or partially misfolded, proteins present in blood and other biological materials are provided. In one aspect of the invention, the compositions, hereinafter termed 'proteons' are misfolded or partially misfolded proteins surrounding a metallic nanocluster, termed 'proteon nucleation center' (PNC). Also provided are compositions and methods for the isolation and manipulation of proteon nucleation centers (PNCs) upon which the proteons of the present in blood and other biological materials form.

Methods for isolating proteons from plasma samples

Compositions and methods for the isolation and manipulation of misfolded, or partially misfolded, proteins present in blood and other biological materials are provided. In one aspect of the invention, the compositions, hereinafter termed 'proteons' are comprised of misfolded proteins. Also provided are compositions and methods for the isolation and manipulation of proteon nucleation centers (PNCs) upon which the proteons of the present in blood and other biological materials form. In another aspect of the invention, the PNCs are comprised of metallic nanoclusters.

Methods for detecting misfolded proteins in biological samples

Processes for isolating proteon nucleation centers (PNCs) from a biological sample obtained from an animal

A magnetostrictive ligand sensor device (MLSD), system and method are provided having at least one magnetostrictive particle (MSP) to which is bound at least one binding element. The MSP may be dispersed in a sample containing a target ligand such that the target ligand binds thereto. A driver is also provided to emit a varying magnetic field such that the MSP produces a resonance response detectable by a measurement device configured to receive and detect changes in the resonance response that are due to alterations of the binding element. The MLSD and assays find use in identifying and quantitating ligands as well as chemicals and environmental conditions in a sample or patient.

Magnetostrictive ligand sensor

An annular diaphragm and filter used for the simultaneous observation of darkfield images and fluorescence. The diaphragm has a variable diameter controlled by a lever and a removable filter. The diaphragm is used to adjust the amount of unfiltered incident light which produces darkfield images when directed on a sample. The removable filter is used to filter light to a particular frequency for producing fluorescence images. An Acousto-Optical Tunable Filter, or other such tunable filter may be used with the diaphragm. A method of using the diaphragm and filter is also disclosed.

Simultaneous observation of darkfield images and fluorescence using filter and diaphragm

Methods and compositions for identifying and characterizing the affinity of one or more ligands of a peptide are provided. In particular, a 'stripped phage ligand sensor device' (SPLSD) is provided comprising a sensor coupled to a binding element of interest. Binding elements of the invention comprise phage which in most embodiments express a peptide of interest on the phage surface. Assays using the SPLSD allow detection and quantitation of ligands. Also provided are improved methods for forming monolayers using phage. In particular, methods for the formation of monolayers using 'stripped phage' are provided. Further provided are monolayers and Langmuir-Blodgett films formed by the methods of the invention as well as substrates having deposited thereon the films of the invention. The monolayers, films and substrates of the invention are useful as components of biosensors and/or chemosensors.

Method of forming monolayers of phage-derived products and used thereof

Compositions and methods for the reversible preservation of biological samples are provided. The compositions include natural polymers such as pullulan or acacia gum, including derivations and modifications thereof, which are usefull as a reversible preservation solution. A method is provided for using pullulan or Acacia Gum to isolate and reversibly preserve a biological specimen in a dormant state at room temperature for an extended period with minimal damage to the specimen. The compositions and methods disclosed may also be used to create reversibly preserved biological specimens and biological receptors for use in biosensors.

Use of pullulan to isolate and preserve biological material

An illumination system for a microscope, including a light source for generating light to illuminate a sample for microscopic observation, at least one collimating lens for collimating light generated by the light source, and a darkfield condenser for receiving collimated light and directing a hollow cone of light onto the sample under observation. The system optionally includes an adapter for enhancing economy of light transmission from the light source to the specimen, the adapter having a centrally disposed spacer and a plurality of optical fibers surrounding the spacer, to generate a hollow cylinder of light for transmission to the darkfield condenser. The system provides improved resolution and contrast, and is well suited for adaptation to fluorescence microscopy techniques.

Microscope illumination device and adapter therefor

The present invention is an improved illumination system which achieves enhanced spatial resolution and contrast in the observation of small objects. The enhanced performance is achieved by using a metal-halide light source, a power conservative pre-condenser optics train, an annular diaphragm, a cardioid annular condenser, and an adjustable light-filtering iris. These features are also intended to be used with a direct-view light optical microscope. A method of manufacturing and using the improved illumination system is also disclosed.

High resolution optical microscope with cardioid condenser for brightfield and darkfield illumination

The present invention is a dark field illumination system including a light source which is fixed on an entrance slit of a condenser and an objective aligned with the condenser such that the objective and the condenser are adjusted to find a focus spot on a sample. The present invention essentially uses structured illumination to achieve an improved illumination system. The present invention also includes a system and method wherein the objective is coupled to an iris and aligned with the condenser such that when the iris is closed only dark field images are produced, and when the iris is open, direct entrance of light is allowed into the objective and bright field illumination is produced.

Microscope illumination device and adapter

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Auburn, AL, United States of America

Vitaly J Vodyanoy