Company Filing History:
Years Active: 1990-1994
Title: Innovations of Thomas N Parks in Spider Toxin Research
Introduction
Thomas N Parks is a notable inventor based in Salt Lake City, UT (US). He has made significant contributions to the field of neuroscience and pharmacology through his innovative research on spider toxins. With a total of 4 patents, his work focuses on the isolation and application of these toxins for therapeutic purposes.
Latest Patents
Parks' latest patents include groundbreaking methods and compositions for blocking calcium channels within an organism. One of his notable inventions involves the isolation of a toxin from the Agelenopsis aperta spider. This 48 amino acid toxin, with a molecular weight of approximately 5,274, has been shown to block calcium channels in the central nervous system. The gene responsible for producing this toxin has been identified and cloned, allowing for potential applications in treating neurological diseases. The toxins isolated by Parks may provide beneficial effects on conditions such as seizures, ischemic-hypoxic CNS damage, and neurodegenerative disorders.
Another significant patent involves the isolation of multiple toxins from various spider species, including the Agelenopsis aperta and Argiope aurantia. These toxins have been found to have both irreversible and reversible effects on calcium channels and excitatory amino acid receptors. The potential applications of these toxins extend to treating heart conditions such as arrhythmia and hypertension, as well as neurological disorders.
Career Highlights
Parks is affiliated with the University of Utah Research Foundation, where he conducts his research. His work has garnered attention for its innovative approach to utilizing spider toxins in medical applications.
Collaborations
Parks has collaborated with notable colleagues, including J R Jackson and J R Hunter Jackson, to further advance his research in this field.
Conclusion
Thomas N Parks is a pioneering inventor whose research on spider toxins has the potential to revolutionize treatments for various neurological and cardiovascular conditions. His innovative work continues to contribute to the advancement of medical science.