Tuskegee University Inventors

Invention Title:  Detection of biothreat and foodborne pathogens
Inventors:  Abdela Woubit, Temesgen Samuel, Teshome Yehualaeshet
U.S. Patent no.:  8,883,488
Date of Patent:  11/11/2014

Abstract:  Disclosed are novel primers for use in the molecular detection of food-threat agents and food-borne pathogens. The primers may be used in combination for the rapid, high-throughput screening PCR-based techniques to simultaneously detect multiple food safety biothreat agents. The multiplex-detection methods have improved sensitivity and specificity for the detection of multiple high-impact food-borne pathogens simultaneously. Real-time PCR assaying techniques using such primers include microarrays and multiplex single-tube arrays, the latter optionally simultaneously with TaqMan probes.

Invention Title:  Capillary Viscometers for Use With Newtonian And Non-Newtonian Fluids
Inventors:  Kyung C. Kwon, Nadar Vahdat, Tamara Floyd-Smith, Legend Burge, Paul Jones
U.S. Patent No.:  7,730,769 B1
Patent Date:  6/8/2010 

Abstract:  The present disclosure describes a viscometer for measurements of both Newtonian and non-Newtonian fluids. In one embodiment, the viscometer comprises (i) a storage reservoir to store a test fluid, (ii) at least one drain tube assembly comprising a capillary drain tube, (iii) a collector for collecting said test fluid, and (iv) a detector. In addition, its novel viscosity equations suitable for the described viscometers are provided and illustrated for the application to Newtonian fluids and non-Newtonian fluids.

Invention Title:  Lytic Peptideshaving Anti-Proliferative Activity Against Prostate Cancer Cells
Inventors: Clayton Yates, Timothy Turner, and Jesse Jaynes
U.S. Patent No.: 8,461,118 B2
Patent Date:  6/11/2013

Abstract:  Lytic peptides, including fusion peptides of lytic peptides conjugated with luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone or modified versions thereof to target luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone receptors, are disclosed. The lytic peptides show anti-proliferative activity against human prostate cancer cell lines, but are nontoxic to normal primary human prostate epithelial cells or to bone marrow stromal cells in co-culture. The lytic peptides have specificity for and anti-proliferative activity against prostate cancer tumor cells, and low toxicity for normal prostate cells, making the peptides useful in therapies for prostate cancer.

Invention Title: Recovery of Phosphorus from Poultry Litter
Inventor: Kokoasse Kpombluekou-A
U.S. Patent No.:  8,936,663 B2
Patent Date:  1/20/2015

Abstract:  A chemical extractant selected from solutions of K₂SO₄ and/or Na₂SO₄ can be used by contacting with untreated broiler litter to selectively and efficiently remove phosphorous from the broiler litter. The broiler litter and extractant solution mixture, after a suitable time, can be separated, such as by filtration. The resulting treated broiler litter is thus significantly lower in P content without being lower by an undesirable amount in more preferred minerals. The treated litter so obtained is suitable for crop soil augmentation. Further, phosphorous can be thereafter precipitated in the form of phytic acid. Since the precipitate is high in mineral content, it can be used for other purposes (e.g., plant food, etc.).

Invention Title: Chemokine Derived Peptides that bind with Chemokine Receptor CXCR3 and Uses for Chronic Wound and Angigenesis Inhibition Treatments
Inventors: Cecilia Yates-Binder, Timothy Turner, Alan Wells, Jesse Jaynes, Richard Bodnar
U.S. Patent No.:  8,734,775 B2
Patent Date:  5/27/2014

Abstract:  Disclosed are peptides having activity against receptor CXCR3 are disclosed that exhibit activity in preventing the formation of new vessels and activity in mediating the dissociation of newly-formed vessels and resolving of wounds in the later stages of wound healing. Preferred peptides are derived from the α-helix portion IP-10 (CXCL10) or from IP-9 (CXCL11), are nontoxic, and smaller than naturally occurring peptides, making them useful in therapies against diseases or disease states marked by unwanted angiogenesis, including tumorogenic diseases such as cancers, and in healing of chronic wounds.

Invention Title: Nanostructured Thermoplastic Polymide Films
Inventor: Heshmat Aglan
U.S. Patent No.: 9,034,426 
 Patent Date: 5/19/2015

Abstract:   Structured films containing multi-walled carbon nanotubes (“MWCNTs”) have enhanced mechanical performance in terms of strength, fracture resistance, and creep recovery of polyimide (“PI”) films. Preferably, the loadings of MWCNTs can be in the range of 0.1 wt % to 0.5 wt %. The strength of the new PI films dried at 60° C. increased by 55% and 72% for 0.1 wt % MWCNT and 0.5 wt % MWCNT loadings, respectively, while the fracture resistance increased by 23% for the 0.1 wt % MWCNTs and then decreases at a loading of 0.5 wt % MWCNTs. The films can be advantageously be created by managing a corresponding shift in the annealing temperature at which the maximum strength occurs as the MWCNT loadings increase.

Invention Title: Railroad Rail Head Repair
Inventor: Heshmat Aglan
U.S. Patent No.: 9,358,628  
Patent Date: 6/7/2016

Abstract : A multi-pass gas metal arc weld (“GMAW”) approach is used for in-situ repair of railhead defects. A defect is removed via machining a perpendicular slot or grove in the railhead leaving the web and base unaltered. A sufficient number of GMAW passes are used to fill the slot using a weld material suitable for the particular type of parent steel, and excess weldment can be removed. Optionally, for pearlitic steel rails post-weld heat treatment can be used to cause austenization and/or quenching of the weld. The weld heat inputs and other parameters are controlled to avoid ductile and brittle fracture related morphologies.

          

Abstract:  The invention relates to a method of determining whether a live microbe, such as bacteria, is present in  test sample.

Inventors:  Temesgen Samuel, Teshome Yehualaeshet, Tesfaye Serbessa, and Dr. Khalda Fadalla
Title: Anticancer Treatment Methods Involving Analogs and Derivatives of 3-(2 Substituted-Ethyl) Indole Compounds 
U.S. Patent No.: 9,877,949
Patent Date:  1/30/2018

                           

Abstract:  Methods for inhibiting cancer cell proliferation and killing cancer cells are disclosed. Such methods comprise treating cancer cells with an indole compound having the structure of formula (I):

wherein R is defined herein. 

Inventors:  Walter Hill, Carlton Morris, Conrad Bonsi, and Philip Loretan
Title:  Movable root contact-pressure plate assembly for hydroponic system
U.S. Patent No.: 4,860,490
Patent Date:  8/29/1989

Abstract

A hydroponic system for growing sweet potatoes and other root and tuber crops includes a growing channel incorporating a movable root contact/pressure plate assembly. The assembly consists of a flat, rigid PVC plate in which holes for inserting plants are drilled and a flexible vinyl film which is secured along the length of each side edge of the plate, by means of pressure fit connectors. The assembly is secured to the top edges of a growing channel, again by pressure fit connectors. The flexible film suspends the plate near and parallel to the bottom of the growing channel, with the flexibility of the film allowing upward movement of the plate within the channel as the plant roots grow. The assembly provides contact and pressure to the plant roots inside the growing channel thereby promoting enlargement of the roots. This enlargement causes the assembly to move upwardly, thereby maintaining the desired pressure conditions during growth. A suitable nutrient solution is supplied in the growing channel.

Inventors:  Walter Hill, Carlton Morris, Conrad Bonsi, and Philip Loretan
Title:  Movable root contact-pressure plate assembly for hydroponic system
U.S. Patent No.: 5,216,836
Patent Date:  6/8/1993

Abstract