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| Fast and Stable Photochromic Switch |
| The invention includes a family of ultra-fast and remarkably stable photochromic compounds. These molecules operate at nanosecond switching speeds and survive thousands of switching cycles in air with no sign of decomposition.
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| Ultra-fast photochromic materials make it possible to engineer new optical devices, such as photonic switches, which can be used instead of conventional electronic switches. This approach will significantly increase performance of computing equipment and capture a market share of conventional computer components.
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| The present invention makes it possible to build ultra-fast optical switching elements, as well as improve existing photochromic applications such as photochromic lenses and films.
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| Françisco M. Raymo and Massimiliano Tomasulo
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| Colorimetric Detection of Cyanide |
| A proprietary compound of the present invention acts as a colorimetric detection agent for cyanide in water samples.
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| Cyanides are fast-acting poisons that can be lethal. Cyanides and cyanide-containing compounds are used in industry and manufacturing and contribute to water pollution. The estimated 2004 annual U.S. production of sodium cyanide and hydrogen cyanide were 286 million pounds and more than 1.8 billion pounds, respectively.
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The proposed kit is unique in that micromolar concentrations of cyanide dissolved in water can be detected immediately in the field.
• Technique is insensitive to the presence of large concentrations of fluoride or chloride, which are generally the principal interferents in the colorimetric detection of cyanide.
• Ability to detect cyanide at concentrations lower than currently acceptable levels in drinking water.
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| Françisco M. Raymo and Massimiliano Tomasulo
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| Chemosensors Based on Quantum Dots and Oxazine Compounds |
| The invention uses quantum dots for biosensing applications by adjusting quantum dots emission properties to environmental conditions and signaling certain analytes.
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| In recent years we have witnessed an unprecedented growth in research in the area of nanoscience. There is an increasing optimism that nanotechnology applied to medicine will bring significant advances in diagnosis and treatment.
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| The invention offers several improvements over organic dyes used in conventional biosensing applications, such as improved light absorption, increased spatial resolution, increased luminescence, and tunable emission bands.
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| Françisco Raymo, Massimiliano Tomasulo and Ibrahim Yildiz
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| Mechanism to Signal Receptor-Ligand Interactions with Luminescent Quantum Dots |
| This invention uses quantum dots for biosensing applications by adjusting quantum dots emission properties to environmental conditions and signaling certain analytes. In particular, it offers the opportunity to signal protein-ligand interactions with significant luminescence enhancements.
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| In recent years we have witnessed an unprecedented growth in research in the area of nanoscience. There is an increasing optimism that nanotechnology applied to medicine will bring significant advances in diagnosis and treatment.
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| The inventions offers several improvements over organic dyes, such as improved light absorption, increased spatial resolution, increased luminescence, and tunable emission bands.
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| Françisco Raymo, Massimiliano Tomasulo and Ibrahim Yildiz
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| Maximizing Channel Throughput and Fairness of Wireless Networks |
| This invention addresses wireless networking, such as Wireless Local Area Networks and cellular communications. The proposed algorithm improves throughput of an RF channel shared by multiple wireless communication devices. It does so by reducing contention and expected waiting time between successful channel accesses.
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| Enhancements to wireless network infrastructure during the past few years have greatly expanded mobile computing. By the year 2010, there is expected to be one billion wireless subscribers worldwide on third-generation networks.
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| The algorithm increases channel utilization and improves fairness among the communicating devices without adding computation overhead or hardware cost.
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| Dilip Sarkar
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| Stain for Identifying Arsenic in Treated Wood |
| A non-toxic and easy to use colorimetric assay for arsenic in treated wood has been developed and optimized. Arsenic is toxic to humans, and can be readily dislodged or leached out of treated wood products, including mulch and structures such as wood decks.
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| Billions of board feet per year of treated wood containing arsenic-based preservatives will either remain in service or will enter the solid waste stream. Although retail sales of these products stopped in 2004, treated wood can last anywhere from 20-50 years. A test kit based on this invention can be marketed to consumers to determine if arsenic is present in wood and wood products around their homes.
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| Compared to other tests, this invention is an inexpensive, simple and non-toxic test that can be easily used by consumers and government agencies.
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| Helena Solo-Gabriele, Amy Omae and Timothy Townsend
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| Method of Data Protection Using a Storage Area Network |
| The invention provides a method of splitting data between separate storage devices in a way that only if enough pieces are brought together, the data can be reconstructed. It uses the technology of block level data storage to distribute the shares of data across a network so that each piece is stored in a separate location, with separate backup and storage methodologies and policies.
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| The market for security-related hardware, software, and services experienced 25% annual growth rate between 2001 and 2006 reaching more than $45 billion in revenue by 2006, according to IDC, a global provider of market intelligence.
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| The invention provides improved security of data storage, archival, and back-up without the use of encryption.
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| Burton J. Rosenberg
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| Auxiliary Channel Masking in an Audio Signal |
| The invention is a method of embedding digital data into an audio signal, as well as detecting and extracting digital data embedded into an audio signal. It can be used to uniquely identify an audio recording or transmission.
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| A market research report, Digital Rights Management - An Industry Outlook 2005-2008, prepared by RNCOS, studies the increasing worldwide demand for online protection rights and demand for digital rights management software. The latter is expected to reach $3.6 billion by 2008 along with an annual growth rate in excess of 100%.
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| The invention provides very high capacity and robustness of encoded data.
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| Alexander Iliev and Michael Scordilis
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| Multimedia Re-Editor |
| The present multimedia re-editor, either as a stand alone tool or embedded in a text processor, would provide the capability to create powerful multimedia applications from text documents with a few simple keystrokes. It can thereby provide powerful multimedia authoring capabilities without adding complexity to the word processing.
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| Content authoring software market size is approximately 5% of total software sales, which amounts to over a billion dollars in annual sales.
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| A variety of text-based materials can benefit from multimedia enhancements provided by re-editor software due to increased effectiveness of documents.
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| James D. Shelley
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| Use of Halochromic Oxazine Compounds for Making Chromogenic Materials |
| The present invention employs oxazine molecules that change color properties according to the pH of environment. |
| This invention provides an opportunity to capture a new market segment of color adjustable paint products. |
| The invention offers a color adjustable compound that can be used in commercial paint products that will have high color adjustability and can maintain a specified color for an extended time period. |
| Françisco Raymo and Massimiliano Tomasulo |
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| Increased Capacity Wireless Access Points |
| The present invention is a transport protocol for wireless network access. |
| This invention provides an opportunity to improve performance of wireless access devices. |
| The invention improves performance of wireless communications in areas serving many user simultaneously, such as in airports. |
| Dilip Sarkar |
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| System and Method for Imaging Tear Film on Ocular Surface |
| The present invention relates to a system and method for ophthalmic imaging and in particular to a system and method for imaging tear film on an ocular surface. |
| This invention provides an opportunity to improve eye medications by enhancing their binding properties, as well as improve design of ocular devices such as contact lenses. |
| The invention enables imaging of a tear film with Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) instrumentation. Currently, there are no existing methods of tear film OCT imaging. |
| Jianhua Wang and Shuliang Jiao |
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| Bifocal OCT System for Imaging Accommodation of the Eye |
| The present invention increases imaging depth of Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) systems. |
| This invention provides an opportunity to improve OCT equipment to extend its application capacity. |
| The present invention enables OCT technology to be used to study eye accommodation and to develop a treatment for restoring its function. Conventional OCT apparatus are not capable of providing the imaging depth required for eye accommodation studies. |
| Jianhua Wang and Shuliang Jiao |
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| Emissionless Silent and Ultra-Efficient Airplane Using CFJ Airfoil |
| This invention provides an opportunity to manufacture a new generation of aircraft based on CFJ airfoil design. |
| This invention provides an opportunity to manufacture a new generation of aircraft based on CFJ airfoil design.
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| The present invention is a system-level design that is based on the novel CFJ airfoil design. Based on wind tunnel tests, the proposed design, among other benefits, significantly reduces stall speed, take-off and landing distances, and improves fuel consumption.
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| Gecheng Zha |
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| High Performance Airfoil with Co-flow Jet Flow Control |
| A novel airfoil design that provides an improved airfoil profile with superior aerodynamic performance. This configuration significantly enhances lift, circulation, reduces drag and even generates thrust, and increases stall angle of attack. |
| This invention is a paradigm shift in airfoil design. It provides an opportunity to manufacture a new generation of aircraft airfoil that is superior to existing design. |
| The present invention provides an airfoil configuration that can be used to: 1) generate high lift without using the flap and slat system to reduce airplane weight and noise; 2) improve L/D and hence significantly reduce fuel consumption and emission pollution; 3) achieve extremely short take-off/landing (ESTOL) performance due to very high lift and low stall speed. |
| Gecheng Zha and Craig Paxton |
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| Visual System for Automated Inspection of Underwater Structures |
| The present invention is a three-dimensional visual system that can be used for automated inspection of underwater structures with submersible platforms. |
| This invention provides an opportunity to build a visual system that can be used to inspect underwater structures for maintenance or security purposes. |
| One of the major advantages of the present invention is that it provides a fully automated solution with high efficiency, reliability, and repeatability without exposing a human operator to potentially dangerous conditions. |
| Shahriar Negahdaripour and Pezhman Firoozfam |
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| IMRT Inverse Planning Algorithm Minimizing the Negative Beam from Iterating the Dose Matrix |
| IMRT inverse planning algorithm calculates beam settings or multi-leaf collimator settings. Since it is a true inverse process, the mathematical beam profile generated in each calculation can produce the desired dose distribution with the desired dose voxels. |
With cancer rates rising and 2.5M new cases per year in the developed world, cancer accounts for 5-10% of healthcare costs. Nearly 60% of cancer patients receive radiation therapy either by itself or with surgery and chemotherapy. Today, even though Intensity Modulated Radiotherapy (IMRT), has become one of the most innovative technologies in radiation oncology, IMRT planning is very complex and challenging. Despite the use of IMRT, the most appropriate form of optimization function and the most suitable calculation algorithm for inverse planning remains a challenge to medical physicists.
This invention provides an opportunity to develop and market a radiation treatment planning algorithm that solves the problem of delivering an effective dose of radiation to the targeted tissue while protecting surrounding tissues and organs. |
| Currently available algorithms are either stochastic and too slow to converge on a global minimum solution and have less control to the outcome target and organ-at-risk doses, or they are deterministic and fast but do not always find a global minimum solution. |
| Chunsong Luo |
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| Pinch Manifold: Method & System for Selecting and Regulating Fluid Flow Through One or More Conduits |
| The present invention is a mechanical design that uses a unique actuator for a number of flexible tube pinchers. |
| The present invention presents an opportunity to manufacture a manifold that solves a problem of handling hazardous or sterile fluids. |
Currently, non-contact fluid manifolds with automated controls use electrical pinch-valves controlled by solenoids to regulate fluid flow. These methods are complex and prone to failure, for example when electric current through a solenoid is interrupted.
• Efficiency: Only requires energy to change state, as opposed to maintaining a state.
• Fail safe: It retains its state in an event of power failure.
• Active open/close: The system does not rely on external factors (for example line pressure, in the case of a solenoid pinch-valve) to change state.
• Scalability: Same principle can apply for handling from 2 to N channels.
• Cost: A large number of channels can be handled by a single unit. In addition, its parts can be injection molded (if in production) to reduce the cost substantially.
• Versatility: The mechanism also allows for flow regulation in an active channel. Unlike solenoid-based valves which only have 2 discrete positions, this system allows for control of the degree of occlusion with a resolution dictated only by the stepper motor.
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| Andres Bernal and Faustino Poo |
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| Corrosion Under Paint Detection |
| An inexpensive, all solid-sate electrochemical sensor (containing no liquid solution) has been designed to detect under paint corrosion, surface contamination, and moisture without damaging the substrate. The sensor and associated system have been prototyped and demonstrated to be highly effective in the laboratory. |
| Enormous - can be used in the automotive, aircraft, boating, construction, and semiconductor industries. Applications in other industrial sectors expected. Direct annual costs of corrosion amount to ~3% of the GNP of industrialized countries. |
| Sensor are light-weight and compact with dimensions on the order of several millimeters possible; (ii) Devices incorporating sensors are handheld; (iii) High sensitivity - the current prototype's signal to noise ratio is 100; (iv) Causes no damage to the surface to be detected; (v) Does not require paint removal; (vi) Can be used on irregular surface geometries; (vii) Low fabrication costs; (viii) Easy to use. |
| Xiangyang Zhou |
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| Method for keyless protection of data using a local array of disks |
| The present invention is a method of writing data segments to different disk drives of a RAID system, so that failed disk drive can be disposed securely. |
| This technology presents an opportunity to enhance data storage security. |
| Currently, when a user disposes of a failed disc drive, care must be taken to permanently erase sensitive data, which usually involves sending failed disk drive to a special service shop and paying associated fees. The present technology avoids these inconvenience and expenses. |
| Burton J. Rosenberg |
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| Supersonic bi-directional flying wing aircraft |
| The present invention is a supersonic aircraft design where flight direction can be altered in respect to aircraft axis. |
| The present invention provides an opportunity to develop a supesonic aircraft that can fly over populated areas in compliance with FAA regulations without producing a sonic boom. |
| The aircraft of the present invention has optimal planform for both take-off and subsonic segments of flight, and for the supersonic segment of flight. |
| GeCheng Zha |
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| Wind Energy System |
| The invention is a system integration of a wind generation apparatus for residential buildings. |
| The present invention provides an opportunity to equip single family homes and other small buildings with efficient wind generation apparatus. |
| The present invention enables wind power generation equipment to be installed in resedential buildings.
Presently, no wind powered systems exist that provide usable electrical output with ordinary and variable wind flow arriving from any compass direction, while being visually
pleasing or unnoticeable, substantially inaudible and vibration free, as well as protected from the
elements. |
| Alexander Suma |
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| Spherical helix embolic coils for the treatment of cerebral aneurysms |
| The invention is a method of increasing packing densities of endovascular coiling devices. |
| There are about 30,000 to 40,000 cases of aneurysmal rupture per year in the United States, accounting for about
5% of all strokes. The prognosis after aneurysmal rupture is poor; the 30-day
15 mortality rate is approximately 45% and a positive functional outcome is achieved in only 40-50% of survivors. One emerging method to combat aneurysmal rupture involves endovascular
occlusion of the aneurysm. |
| Present endovascular aneurysm treatments include
packing the aneurysm with metallic coils and partially occluding the aneurysm. The packing density of the coil, which is the
ratio of the volume of coils inserted into the aneurysm sac and the volume of the aneurysm sac, is used as a measure of efficacy of the treatment. Currently available products achieve packing densities of 35-40%.
The present technology provides an opportunity to develop endovascular coils that can achieve packing densities of over 72%. |
| Chandramouli Sadasivan; Baruch Lieber |
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| ID: UME-123 UMF-103 UMH-142 |
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| Colorimetric Indicators & Sensors |
The University of Miami is currently seeking commercialization partners for a suite of proprietary compounds having a number of applications.
UME-123
• The invention includes a family of ultra-fast and remarkably stable photochromic compounds. These molecules operate at nanosecond switching speeds and survive thousands of switching cycles in air with no sign of decomposition.
UMH-142
• The invention employs proprietary molecules that change color properties according to the pH of environment.
UMF-103
• A proprietary compound of the present invention acts as a colorimetric detection agent for cyanide in water samples. |
UME-123
• Development of photochromic materials for ophthalmic lenses and smart windows with improved switching times.
UMH-142
• Development of reversible colorimetric indicators, chromogenic materials, color-changing coatings, paints, and sensors, all with tunable properties.
UMF-103
• Inexpensive and easy to use colorimetric assays for the detection of cyanide in drinking and waste waters.
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UME-123
• Ability to switch between a colorless and a colored state in nanoseconds, simply by turning on and off a light source.
• Improvement of ten orders of magnitude in the switching times over existing photochromic compounds.
• Process is not accompanied by photodegredation. The photochromic compounds survive thousands of switching cycles without decomposing.
• Ability to tolerate a variety of substituents in order to manipulate excitation wavelength and color of the compound.
UMH-142
• Tunability of the compound’s properties.
UMF-103
• Ability to detect cyanide at concentrations lower than the maximum acceptable levels in drinking water.
• Technology is insensitive to the presence of fluoride and chloride anions, the principle interferents of colorimetric detection of cyanide.
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Francisco M. Raymo
Massimilliano Tomasulo
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| A Novel Material for Use in Cryogenic Cooling |
| Cryogenic cooling can be achieved without the use of cryogens or vacuum pumps by exploiting the Ettingshausen effect. A material with a very large Ettingshausen coefficient generates heat flow in the presence of electrical and magnetic fields perpendicular to each other. |
| Currently thermoelectric coolers dominate the industry; however this leaves room for thermomagnetic coolers to find a niche in cryogenic refrigeration. |
| Current thermoelectric coolers can only produce temperatures as low as 100K. The material at hand can produce temperatures as low as 20K to 60K. |
| Joshua L. Cohn and John J. Neumeier |
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| Microscope Adapter for Plate Well fluorescence & Time Resolved Phosphorescence Measurements |
| Time-resolved (phosphorescence) measurements and imaging would be valuable both for quantitative immunohistochemical assays (e.g. pathology assays for cancer cell type) and assays using phosphorescent probes (e.g. measuring oxygen with platinum phorphorins). Current methods are both very expensive, complex and of limited accuracy since the image intensified cameras used are both expensive and of limited dynamic range. |
| The microscope adapter would greatly extend the capabilities of an inverted microscope system. The same computer controlled microscope stage that is used for microscopic imaging would be used by this device to position the wells, and the same computer could be used to collect images with the microscope in its standard imaging mode and collect the photon counts from this new device. Thus for a relatively small cost the device would provide a time resolved platereader function with the added feature of allowing correlation with the images of the sample. The device would also be able to measure other parameters correlated with cell metabolism including oxygen consumption and pH changes. |
Device will perform most of the functions of fluorescence and time-resolved phosphorescence platereaders at a much lower cost and with the ability to make accurate measurements on much smaller wells.
• Time-resolved (phosphorescence) measurements and imaging: would be valuable both for quantitative immunohistochemical assays (e.g. pathology assays for cancer cell type) and assays using phosphorescent probes (e.g. measuring oxygen with platinum phorphorins). But current methods are both very expensive, complex and of limited accuracy since the image intensified cameras used are both expensive and of limited dynamic range.
• Simultaneous florescence and phosphorescence measurements and imaging: there is a recognized need for more objective measures in pathology. This system could help provide that by using imaging of phosphorescent probes at time resolved delay intervals for which background is very low, together with standard fluorescent probes measured at short delay intervals after the excitation flash. The ratio of the delayed fluorescence to the prompt fluorescence would provide an objective measure of the amount of the phosphorescent probe present in cells.
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| John Barret |
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| Novel Molecular Beacons |
| Molecular beacons are a versatile, rapidly advancing class of biosensors. They combine the molecular recognition of nucleic acid hybridization with fluorescent spectroscopy. The typical “stem-loop” design consists of a single stranded oligonucleotide, with a loop region complementary to the target sequence, and a stem region of two short, self-complimentary sequences, onto which a flourophore and a quencher is bonded. Upon hybridization, the loop unfolds, placing the flourophore and quencher on opposite ends of the strand and allowing the fluorescence to be observed by spectroscopic methods. |
| This technology is a new method for the detection of nucleic acid targets at a greater sensitivity than currently possible. It can also be incorporated into currently developed assays as a more sensitive reporter, thus expanding their application to new targets and new fields of study. Additionally, this technology can be used in a clinical research setting for the direct imaging of nucleic acid localization and in human in vitro diagnostics. |
| The design allows for detection of lower concentration targets than current “stem-loop” probes (fluorescent molecular beacons). Because of its increased sensitivity, the need for complicated amplification procedures in assays is reduced, providing a less expensive alternative with faster results. |
| Sapna K. Deo and Eric A. Hunt |
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