Two- and Three-Dimensional Autoradiographic Imaging Utilizing Charge Coupled Devices

A novel two- and three-dimensional autoradiographic device offers to improve the imaging of body tissues. Numerous methods and apparati have been proposed to produce a three-dimensional map or image of a distribution of radioactively-tagged tissues or chemical substances; however, many of these devices merely detect the radiation, not image it. This new device uses a charged coupling device (CCD) in combination with a microtome to produce numerous two-dimensional images of the radioactively-tagged tissue.

Spatial and Temporal Control of Gene Expression Using a Heat Shock Protein Promoter in Combination with Local Heat

In many instances, it is desirable to express exogenous genes only in certain tissues, and/or at will at certain times, and/or only to a certain degree. However, current gene transfer and exogenous gene expression protocols do not provide adequate means of simultaneously controlling which cells in a heterogeneous population are transformed and when, where, and to what degree the transferred genes are expressed. The invention provides methods for using local heat to control gene expression.

Software to Improve the Quality of Microscopy Images

Available for licensing and commercial use is software based on an iterative deconvolution procedure that recovers images that have been blurred by a known point spread function. The software provides superior results when multiple independent observations of the same specimen are obtained. An example of such observations might be the multiple views of a specimen collected by a selective illumination plane microscope (SPIM).

Method For Proton Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopic Imaging With Multiple Spin-Echoes

This application describes a new method for proton magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging. This new method does not have the limiting disadvantages of the previous techniques. The method combines multi-slice and multi-spin-echo techniques for high signal-to-noise ratio per unit time and high efficiency spectroscopic information. This invention can also produce compound weighted spectroscopic images by selecting the period between refocussing pulses according to the coupling constant of a group contained in the compound.

Resolution Doubling with Digital Confocal Microscopy

This technology includes a microscopy method that reduces the speed penalty at least 1000-fold, while retaining resolution improvement. A Digital mirror device (DMD) or sweptfield confocal unit is used to create hundreds to thousands of excitation foci that are imaged to a sample mounted in a conventional microscope and record the resulting emissions on an array detector. Detection of each confocal spot is done in our proprietary software, as is the processing and deconvolution that is used for a 2x resolution enhancement.

Multiview Super-resolution Microscopy System and Methods for Research and Diagnostic Applications

This technology includes a microscopy technique that combines the strengths of multiview imaging (better resolution isotropy, better depth penetration) with resolution-improving structured illumination microscopy (SIM). The proposed microscope uses a sharp line-focused illumination structure to excite and confocally detect sample fluorescence from 3 complementary views.

Intranasal or Inhaled Delivery of a Custom IgA Antibody for Protection Against COVID-19

This technology includes an IgA antibody, specifically designed to target the receptor binding domain of SARS-CoV-2, the virus causing COVID-19. Administered intranasally, this antibody has potential neutralizing activity, aiming to prevent COVID-19. IgA, an antibody class present in mucosal areas, plays a crucial role in immune defense at the initial site of viral infection. The primary application of this technology is envisioned as a therapeutic nasal spray, intended to prevent SARS-CoV-2 infection, particularly in high-risk populations.

Computational Alleviation of Depth-dependent Degradation in Fluorescence Images

This technology includes an approach that dramatically lessens the effects of depth-dependent degradation in fluorescence microscopy images. First, we develop realistic ‘forward models’ of the depth dependent degradation and apply these forward models to shallow imaging planes that are expected to be relatively free of such degradation. In doing so, we create synthetic image planes that resemble the degradation found in deeper imaging planes. Second, we train neural networks to remove the effect of such degradation, using the shallow images as ground truth.

Fluorescence Scanning System for Improvement of Analytical Ultracentrifugation

This technology includes improvements in the fluorescence scanner to increase efficiency. This method works by eliminating the need to radially slide the optical assembly during scanning, instead using a galvanometric mirror deflecting a laser beam to different positions in the sample. This allows the scanner to be incorporated into existing commercial analytical ultracentrifugation (AUC) systems with minimal modifications.

Improvement of Axial Resolution via Photoswitching and Standing Wave Illumination

This technology includes an illuminator and reflector that enables flexible standing wave illumination on an inverted microscope stand, and procedures for using such illumination to improve axial resolution in confocal or instant SIM imaging systems. The axial resolution in conventional fluorescence microscopy is typically limited by diffraction to ~700 nm. This method that improves axial resolution ~7-fold over the diffraction limit, and that can be applied to any fluorescence microscope.

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