Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080268546 | DETECTION OF DNA HYBRIDIZATION ON SURFACES - A DNA hybridization surface includes a support having a self assembled monolayer on a metallized surface. The self assembled monolayer includes an alkanethiol and a strand of nucleic acids comprising a functional group that binds to the metallized surface. A method for detecting DNA hybridization in a sample includes (a) incubating a DNA hybridization surface with an aqueous sample that includes a fragment of DNA to produce an incubated DNA hybridization surface; (b) rinsing the incubated DNA hybridization surface to produce a rinsed incubated DNA hybridization surface; (c) contacting the rinsed incubated DNA hybridization surface with a liquid crystal; and (d) determining whether the liquid crystal is uniformly anchored on the rinsed incubated DNA hybridization surface. | 10-30-2008 |
20090123670 | Detecting Interactions at Biomimetic Interfaces with Liquid Crystals - A method of forming a liquid crystal device, includes: contacting an aqueous solution comprising a surfactant and a receptor molecule with a top surface of a liquid crystal. The liquid crystal is in a holding compartment of a substrate, and the receptor molecule is adsorbed on the top surface of the liquid crystal forming an interface between the liquid crystal and the aqueous solution. The receptor molecule is different than the surfactant. A method of detecting a compound in a flowing stream includes passing an aqueous solution over a top surface of a liquid crystal in a holding compartment of a substrate. The method also includes determining whether a change in the orientation of the liquid crystal occurs as the aqueous solution is passed over the top surface of the liquid crystal. A change in the orientation of the liquid crystal indicates the presence of the compound in the flowing stream. | 05-14-2009 |
20090262350 | Automated analysis system for detection and quantification of biomolecules by measurement of changes in liquid crystal orientation - The present invention provides systems and methods for data acquisition and image analysis that utilize twisted nematic liquid crystals (“TNLCs”) to create maps of bio/chemical functionality patterned on surfaces. The method involves the acquisition of a series of images of TNLC film that contacts the analytic surface followed by analysis of the series of images to yield maps of twist angle of the liquid crystal across the surface. This analysis technique effectively condenses a large data set (stack of images) into a compact form (map of twist angle), revealing features on the surface that were not apparent in the individual images comprising the original stack. | 10-22-2009 |
20090317792 | OIL EMULSIONS AND METHODS FOR MANUFACTURE AND USE THEREOF - The invention provides oil emulsion droplets and a general and facile method for providing same through the use of templating multilayer capsules. The oil emulsion droplets are further useful in fabricating liquid crystal droplet-based biosensors for the detection of target analytes such as bacteria or viruses in a sample. | 12-24-2009 |
20100021344 | BETA-PEPTIDE LYOTROPIC LIQUID CRYSTALS AND METHODS OF MANUFACTURE AND USE THEREOF - The present invention provides materials and methods that make liquid crystal phases accessible with relatively short β-peptides in aqueous solvents. | 01-28-2010 |
20100062525 | OPTICALLY RESPONSIVE AND MECHANICALLY TUNABLE COLLOID-IN-LIQUID CRYSTAL GELS - Colloidal liquid crystal gels (CLCGs), sensors incorporating the CLCGs, culture substrates made from the CLCGs, and patterned films and molded articles made from the CLCGs are provided. The CLCGs are composite liquid crystal materials comprising networks of particles having liquid crystal domains dispersed therein. | 03-11-2010 |
20100081123 | Devices and methods for analyte detection using distorted liquid crystals - The present invention provides devices and methods for detection of analytes based on measuring the anchoring strength of liquid crystals having distorted geometries. Methods for detecting an analyte in a sample include the steps of: (a) capturing an analyte on a substrate surface wherein the substrate surface defines an easy axis when in contact with a liquid crystal. Substrate surface and liquid crystal are brought into contact and an analyte-dependent departure in the orientation of the liquid crystal from the easy axis of the substrate surface is measured. This departure indicates the presence of the analyte in the sample. | 04-01-2010 |
20100221834 | LIQUID CRYSTALLINE SUBSTRATES FOR CULTURING CELLS - The present invention is directed to liquid crystalline substrates useful in the culture of cells and methods of their use. In certain embodiments, the invention provides methods and devices for imaging changes (e.g., reorganization) of extracellular matrix components by living cells. | 09-02-2010 |
20100233729 | DETECTING INTERACTIONS AT BIOMIMETIC INTERFACES WITH LIQUID CRYSTALS - A method of forming a liquid crystal device, includes: contacting an aqueous solution comprising a surfactant and a receptor molecule with a top surface of a liquid crystal. The liquid crystal is in a holding compartment of a substrate, and the receptor molecule is adsorbed on the top surface of the liquid crystal forming an interface between the liquid crystal and the aqueous solution. The receptor molecule is different than the surfactant. A method of detecting a compound in a flowing stream includes passing an aqueous solution over a top surface of a liquid crystal in a holding compartment of a substrate. The method also includes determining whether a change in the orientation of the liquid crystal occurs as the aqueous solution is passed over the top surface of the liquid crystal. A change in the orientation of the liquid crystal indicates the presence of the compound in the flowing stream. | 09-16-2010 |
20110007261 | ANALYTE DETECTION USING LIQUID CRYSTALS - Devices and methods for using changes in the defects in micrometer sized dispersed liquid crystal domains to detect or quantify analytes in a test sample, including endotoxin lipopolysaccharide (LPS), are disclosed. The dispersed liquid crystal microdomains are exposed to the test sample, and any changes in the number of defects in the liquid crystal microdomains are detected by detecting changes in the anchoring configuration of the microdomains. Such changes in anchoring configuration indicate the presence of analyte in the test sample. | 01-13-2011 |
20110053280 | Detection of Post-Translationally Modified Peptides with Liquid Crystals - A method for differentiating between a post-translationally modified peptide and a peptide contained in a sample, comprising: (a) contacting the sample with a peptide attachment surface to create a peptidized surface, wherein the sample includes at least one functional group; (b) contacting the peptidized surface with a recognition reagent that selectively binds or forms a complex with the post-translationally modified peptide in the sample to provide an incubated surface; and (c) contacting a liquid crystal with the incubated surface and detecting presence of post-translationally modified peptide in the sample with the liquid crystal. | 03-03-2011 |
20110183357 | DEVICE AND METHODS FOR LIQUID CRYSTAL-BASED BIOAGENT DETECTION - The present invention provides liquid crystal-based devices and methods for bioagent detection. In certain aspects, the present invention is directed to devices and methods utilizing liquid crystals and membranes containing polymerized targets that can report the presence of bioagents including, but not limited to, enzymes, antibodies, and toxins. | 07-28-2011 |
20110189287 | METHODS AND COMPOSITIONS FOR WOUND HEALING - The present invention relates to methods and compositions for wound healing. In particular, the present invention relates to promoting and enhancing wound healing by utilizing cross-linker covalent modification molecules to attach and deliver wound active agents to a wound. In addition, the present invention provides methods and compositions utilizing oppositely charged polyelectrolytes to form a polyelectrolyte layer on a wound surface. The invention further relates to incorporating wound active agents into a polyelectrolyte layer for delivery to a wound. | 08-04-2011 |
20110195498 | LIQUID CRYSTALLINE SUBSTRATES FOR CULTURING CELLS - The present invention is directed to liquid crystalline substrates useful in the culture of cells and methods of their use. In certain embodiments, the invention provides methods and devices for imaging changes (e.g., reorganization) of extracellular matrix components by living cells. | 08-11-2011 |
20110306142 | IMMOBILIZATION OF DROPLETS OF LIQUID CRYSTALS ON SURFACES - Devices and methods for immobilizing micrometer sized liquid domains onto a chemically functionalized substrate surface are disclosed. A multifunctional polymer is adsorbed at the surface interface of the liquid microdomains, and the liquid microdomains are immobilized by covalent bonding or non-covalent forces such as electrostatic attraction between the adsorbed multifunctional polymer and the functionalized substrate surface. | 12-15-2011 |
20130224780 | LIQUID CRYSTAL DEVICE FOR SCREENING CLEANERS OF BIOFOULING OR FOR VALIDATING CLEANING PROCESSES - Methods and devices for assaying the effectiveness of a cleaning composition in removing a protein or a biofilm from a surface are disclosed. Such methods include the steps of providing one or more proteins at an interface between an aqueous phase and a liquid crystal phase or at the surface of a liquid crystal, contacting the interface or liquid crystal surface with a cleaning composition, and observing the orientational ordering of the liquid crystal at the interface or liquid crystal surface. A continuous change in the orientational ordering of the liquid crystal at the interface or liquid crystal surface indicates that the proteins are being removed from the interface, and the rate of change in orientational ordering, the extent of the change in orientational ordering, or both, are correlated with the effectiveness of the cleaning composition. Because the ability of cleaning agents to remove proteins from the interface or liquid crystal surface is correlated with the state and concentration of the protein that is being removed, similar methods and devices can be used to assay the effectiveness of a putative protein stabilizing agent or to assay the optimal concentration of a protein for preventing the unfolding of the protein. | 08-29-2013 |
20140024122 | ANALYTE DETECTION USING LIQUID CRYSTALS - Devices and methods for using changes in the defects in micrometer sized dispersed liquid crystal domains to detect or quantify analytes in a test sample, including endotoxin lipopolysaccharide (LPS), are disclosed. The dispersed liquid crystal microdomains are exposed to the test sample, and any changes in the number of defects in the liquid crystal microdomains are detected by detecting changes in the anchoring configuration of the microdomains. Such changes in anchoring configuration indicate the presence of analyte in the test sample. | 01-23-2014 |