Biology

  • Methods for Producing Improved Strains of Seaweed by Fusion of Spore-Protoplasts, and Resultant Seaweeds and Phycocolloids

    Genetically modified/engineered seaweeds, in particular Porphyra (nori) can provide a cheap biomass platform for the production of pharmaceutical proteins and antibodies; vaccines for human consumption or agricultural feed supplements, including "edible vaccines"; nutritionally-enhanced edible seaweed strains with increased health benefits due to improved antioxidant or omega-3 fatty acid content; and new phycocolloids with novel gelling properties.

    Inventor: Donald P. Cheney and Clifford Duke
    US Patent No.: 5,426,040

  • A Novel Process for Producing Polymer Coatings with Various Porosities and Surface Areas

    A unique process for formation of polymer coatings with tailored properties. The coatings may be used on surfaces including stents and vascular grafts. The process provides fine control of the properties of the coatings, such as the amount of surface area, porosity, smoothness, thickness, etc. The control of such properties has a great influence on various characteristics of the coatings such as the kinetics of drug delivery, thrombo-genicity, flexibility, adherence, and self-healing ability.

    Inventors: Yiannis A. Levendis and Thomai Panagiotou
    US Patent No.: 6,143,370

  • Use of Digital Mazes as a Game to Enhance Learning in Educational Settings

    The Digital Maze Game is a novel learning algorithm that places students in a maze constructed using questions from virtually any academic or technical discipline. See http://www.digital-maze.com/ for further information and details.

    Inventor: Donald O'Malley
    Non-provisional Patent Application No.: 11/881,511

  • Protein Painting of Early Embryos

    The Ped gene governs the rate at which pre-implantation embryos develop. Control of the development rate by painting Ped gene-controlling proteins on 8-cell embryos provides distinct advantages for embryo survival.

    Inventors: Carol Warner
    Patent Application No.: 09/463,506