VRIJE UNIVERSITEIT BRUSSEL Patent applications |
Patent application number | Title | Published |
20160017422 | MARKER GENES FOR OOCYTE COMPETENCE - Cumulus cell (CC) gene expression is being explored as an additional method to morphological scoring to choose the embryo with the highest chance to pregnancy. The present invention relates to a novel method of identifying biomarker genes for evaluating the competence of a mammalian oocyte in giving rise to a viable pregnancy after fertilization, based on the use of live birth and embryonic development as endpoint criteria for the oocytes to be used in an exon level analysis of potential biomarker genes. The invention further provides CC-expressed biomarker genes thus identified, as well as prognostic models based on the bio-marker genes identified using the methods of the present invention. | 01-21-2016 |
20150252100 | PROTECTIVE ANTI-ETEC ANTIBODY - This disclosure relates to an antibody that can protect against ETEC infection in a passive immunization set up. More specifically, it relates to a VHH grafted on an IgA scaffold and produced in plant seeds. When the seeds are given in food or feed, the subject is protected against ETEC infection. | 09-10-2015 |
20150071940 | SINGLE DOMAIN ANTIBODIES CAPABLE OF MODULATING BACE ACTIVITY - Described are single domain antibodies with a specificity for BACE1. More specifically, described are single variable-domain antibodies derived from camelids that bind to BACE1 and are capable of inhibiting the activity of BACE1. The antibodies can be used for research and medical applications. Specific applications include the use of BACE1-specific antibodies for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. | 03-12-2015 |
20150015937 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR NONLINEAR OPTICAL WAVE-MIXING - A system for conversion or amplification using quasi-phase matched nonlinear optical wave-mixing comprises a first radiation source for providing a pump radiation beam, a second radiation source for providing a signal radiation beam, and a bent structure for receiving the pump radiation beam and the signal radiation beam. The radiation propagation portion of the bent structure is made of a uniform nonlinear optical material and the radiation propagation portion comprises a dimension taking into account the spatial variation of the nonlinear optical susceptibility along the radiation propagation portion as experienced by radiation travelling along the bent structure for obtaining quasi-phase matched nonlinear optical wave-mixing in the radiation propagation portion. The dimension thereby is substantially inverse proportional with the linear phase mismatch for the nonlinear optical process. The system also comprises an outcoupling radiation propagation portion for coupling out an idler radiation beam generated in the bent structure. | 01-15-2015 |
20140235187 | Front-End System for a Radio Transmitter - Front-end systems for a transmitter included in a radio device are disclosed. An example front-end system may comprise a voltage-to-power mixer. The voltage-to-power mixer may be configured to up-convert a baseband signal to a high-frequency signal by multiplying the baseband signal with a local oscillator signal. Additionally, the voltage-to-power mixer may include a voltage feedback circuit. The example front-end system may further comprise a two-stage power amplifier. The two-stage power amplifier may be configured to amplify the high-frequency signal. | 08-21-2014 |
20140187741 | MEANS AND METHODS FOR MEDIATING PROTEIN INTERFERENCE - The present invention belongs to the field of functional proteomics and more particularly to the field of protein aggregation. The invention discloses a method for interfering with the function of a target protein and uses a non-naturally, user-designed molecule, designated as interferor, that has a specificity for a target protein and which induces aggregation upon contact with said target protein. The present invention also discloses such interferor molecules and their use in agrobiotech applications. | 07-03-2014 |
20140056939 | ENHANCING THE T-CELL STIMULATORY CAPACITY OF HUMAN ANTIGEN PRESENTING CELLS IN VITRO AND IN VIVO AND ITS USE IN VACCINATION - We provide new methods of in vitro or in vivo enhancing the T-cell stimulatory capacity of human DCs and the use thereof in cancer vaccination. The method includes the introduction of different molecular adjuvants to human DCs by contacting or modifying them with mRNA or DNA molecule(s) encoding CD40L, and CD70 or constitutively active TLR4 (caTLR4). | 02-27-2014 |
20140000623 | ENDOTRACHEAL TUBE FOR MECHANICAL VENTILATION | 01-02-2014 |
20130266078 | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR CORRELATION CHANNEL ESTIMATION - A hash-based distributed video coding architecture has an encoder with an input video sequence organized in Groups of Pictures (GOPs) decomposed into key frames using H264/AVC Intra frame coding. The Wyner-Ziv (WZ) frames are encoded in two parts, a hash layer and a WZ layer. The WZ frames are quantized and each and then decorrelated using spatio-temporal prediction and entropy coded. The intra bit stream is H264/AVC decoded and the intra frames are stored in a reference frame buffer. The hash is decoded by inverting the tasks applied at the encoder, and the obtained bit planes are stored. Overlapped Block Motion Estimation and Probalistic Compensation (OBMEPC) is used to estimate the missing bit planes in the side-information. The decoder utilizes the hash information and the side information frame created by OBMEPC to perform online estimation of the correlation channel, and produces soft estimates used to decode the WZ bit planes. | 10-10-2013 |
20130217572 | SPECIFIC DELIVERY OF AGROCHEMICALS - Described is the specific delivery of agrochemicals to plants. More specifically, described is a composition having a targeting agent comprising at least one binding domain that specifically binds to a binding site on an intact living plant and an agrochemical or a combination of agrochemicals. Also described is a binding domain that specifically binds the binding site on an intact living plant. More specifically, described are binding domains comprising a peptide sequence that comprises four framework regions and three complementary-determining regions, or any suitable fragment thereof, so that the binding domains are able to bind or retain a carrier onto a plant. Described are binding domains that specifically bind trichomes, stomata, cuticle, lenticels, thorns, spines, root hairs, or wax layer. Described is a method for delivery of agrochemicals to a plant, for improving the deposition of agrochemicals on a plant, and for retaining the agrochemicals on a plant, using targeting agents comprising the binding domains, and to a method for protecting a plant against biotic or abiotic stress or controlling plant growth using the same. Also, described is a method for manufacturing a specifically targeting agrochemical carrier. | 08-22-2013 |
20130214870 | Robust Injection-Locked Local Oscillator - The present disclosure relates to an injection-locked local oscillator and a method for calibrating the same. The local oscillator includes an active circuit having at least one first resonator connected to the output of the active circuit, and at least one second resonator coupled to the at least one first resonator, thereby forming at least one coupled resonator. In another aspect, the present disclosure relates to a method for calibrating a local oscillator, the calibration being a two-step calibration based mainly on power measurement. | 08-22-2013 |
20130160771 | ENDOTRACHEAL TUBE FOR MECHANICAL VENTILATION - The present invention relates generally to medical devices, methods, and kits. More particularly, the present invention relates to improved endotracheal tubes or patient ventilation tubes which prevent the leakage of proximal secretions to the distal airways. | 06-27-2013 |
20130158239 | HYDROLYSIS OF MANNOSE-1-PHOSPHO-6-MANNOSE LINKAGE TO PHOSPHO-6-MANNOSE - Described herein are methods and genetically engineered cells useful for uncapping a mannose-6-phosphate residue on an oligosaccharide. | 06-20-2013 |
20130108663 | ENHANCING THE T-CELL STIMULATORY CAPACITY OF HUMAN ANTIGEN PRESENTING CELLS IN VITRO AND IN VIVO AND THEIR USE IN VACCINATION | 05-02-2013 |
20120210286 | ADDING FINE GRAIN TUNING CIRCUITRY TO INTEGRATED CIRCUIT DESIGN - A method for adding fine grain tuning circuitry to an integrated circuit design is disclosed. In one aspect, the method includes providing a design elaborated to have representations of generic logic components and interconnections between the generic logic components, automatically selecting those of the generic logic components which are in critical timing paths, and amending the design to add the fine grain tuning circuitry automatically to the selected generic logic components in the elaborated design for use in maintaining the critical timing paths during operation of the integrated circuit. By adding the circuitry at this lower level of design while it is still generic, before the synthesis stage, the additions can be made more quickly and with less disruption to the design process. | 08-16-2012 |
20120185052 | PROSTHESIS OR ORTHOSIS - A prosthesis or orthosis has a first body and a second body rotatable relative to one another, a passive mechanical converting mechanism with a third body arranged movably with respect to the first body, and an elastic element arranged between the third and the second body. The mechanical converting mechanism is configured for converting an angular change between the first body and the second body into a change of load on the elastic element. There is further provided a ratio adapting device interacting with the converting mechanism and configured for modifying the conversion ratio by which the change of load on the elastic element is performed. | 07-19-2012 |
20120160031 | OPTICAL TACTILE SENSORS - A sensor for sensing pressure is disclosed. The sensor may be a pressure sensor for sensing pressure, or a tactile sensor for sensing tactile events through pressure measurement. In one aspect, the sensor includes at least one pressure sensor having at least one VCSEL on a substrate. It further includes a compressible sensor layer covering a top surface of the at least one VCSEL, and a reflecting element covering a top surface of the sensor layer. A method of manufacturing such a sensor is also disclosed. | 06-28-2012 |
20120133535 | Interleaved Pipelined Binary Search A/D Converter - The present invention is related to a pipelined analog-to-digital converter, ADC, for converting an analog input signal into a digital signal comprising—a plurality of comparing means having tuneable thresholds for comparing an input signal with; at least two of said given thresholds being different and—a plurality of amplifying circuits,—wherein said plurality of comparing means is configured to form a hierarchical tree structure, said hierarchical tree structure having a plurality of hierarchical levels, wherein at least one of said hierarchical levels is associated with at least one amplifying circuit of said plurality of amplifying circuits, said at least one amplifying circuit generating the input of at least one comparing means at the next hierarchical level and—wherein said plurality of hierarchical levels comprises means for setting said tuneable thresholds in accordance to the output of previous hierarchical level so that non-linear distortion of the preceding hierarchical level is removed. | 05-31-2012 |
20120115163 | MARKED PEPTIDES AND USE THEREOF FOR ASSAYING CIRCULATING IRAP - A method for the assay of the circulating extracellular portion of the IRAP protein (“insulin responsive aminopeptidase”) includes at least one stage of quantitative assay of the purified, secreted, extracellular portion of IRAP, via at least one labelled peptide, the labelled peptide interacting specifically with the extracellular portion of IRAP. | 05-10-2012 |
20120094864 | EXTRACELLULAR ALLOSTERIC INHIBITOR BINDING DOMAIN FROM A TYROSINE KINASE RECEPTOR - The present invention relates to an extracellular binding domain for an allosteric inhibitor, whereby said binding domain is derived from a single membrane span tyrosine kinase receptor. More specifically, the invention relates to an extracellular domain derived from a Fibroblast Growth Factor Receptor (FGFR). It further relates to the use of this domain for the identification of similar domains in the extracellular part of other tyrosine kinase receptors, and to a screening method for identification of a small compound allosteric inhibitor. | 04-19-2012 |
20120077412 | HIVE-MOUNTED DISSEMINATOR DEVICE - The present invention relates to the dissemination of biological control agents or other substances through the use of bees, in particular bumblebees. It relates to a disseminator device, installable in or in connection to the hive, and which contains biological control agents or other substances which are picked up, carried and disseminated by the bees when leaving the hive. | 03-29-2012 |
20120023624 | MEANS AND METHODS FOR MEDIATING PROTEIN INTERFERENCE - The present invention belongs to the field of functional proteomics and more particularly to the field of protein aggregation. The invention discloses a method for interfering with the function of a target protein and uses a non-naturally, user-designed molecule, designated as interferor, that has a specificity for a target protein and which induces aggregation upon contact with said target protein. The present invention also discloses such interferor molecules and their use in agrobiotech applications. | 01-26-2012 |
20120011921 | METHOD FOR IMPROVING THE EFFICIENCY OF HIGH-PRESSURE LIQUID CHROMATOGRAPHY - The present invention relates to a method for improving the efficiency of high-pressure liquid chromatography columns in HPLC. More specifically, the method of the present invention provides a high-pressure liquid chromatography column being divided into a multitude of shorter separation segments, the shorter separation segments being serially connected with cooling segments. By applying an active controlled cooling action on the fluid flow passing through the cooling segments the separation efficiency of the high-pressure liquid chromatography column can be increased significantly. | 01-19-2012 |
20110262348 | Selective targeting of intratumoral cells - The present invention relates to the field of tumor growth and biology. The invention relates to activities and characteristics of tumor-associated macrophages, and uses of such for the diagnosis and treatment of cancer and tumor growth. | 10-27-2011 |
20110257372 | IMMUNOGLOBULINS DEVOID OF LIGHT CHAINS - There is provided an isolated immunoglobulin comprising two heavy polypeptide chains sufficient for the formation of a complete antigen binding site or several antigen binding sites, wherein the immunoglobulin is further devoid of light polypeptide chains. | 10-20-2011 |
20110244011 | SPECIFIC DELIVERY OF AGROCHEMICALS - The present invention relates to specific delivery of agrochemicals to plants. More specifically, it relates to a composition, essentially consisting of a targeting agent comprising at least one binding domain that specifically binds to a binding site on an intact living plant and an agrochemical or a combination of agrochemicals. The present invention relates further to a binding domain that specifically binds the binding site on an intact living plant. More specifically, it relates to binding domains comprising an amino acid sequence that comprises four framework regions and three complementary determining regions, or any suitable fragment thereof, whereby the binding domains are capable to bind or retain a carrier onto a plant. In one preferred embodiment, the invention relates to binding domains which specifically bind trichomes, stomata, cuticle, lenticels, thorns, spines, root hairs, or wax layer. The invention relates further to a method for delivery of agrochemicals to a plant, for improving the deposition of agrochemicals on a plant, and for retaining the agrochemicals on a plant, using targeting agents comprising the binding domains, and to a method for protecting a plant against biotic or abiotic stress or controlling plant growth using the same. Also, the invention relates to a method for manufacturing a specifically targeting agrochemical carrier. | 10-06-2011 |
20110232373 | CHROMATOGRAPHIC SEPARATION DEVICE WITH VARIABLE LENGTH AND A METHOD FOR ITS USE - The present invention enables the automatic change of the number of segments involved in a coupled chromatographic column system, without the need to physically detach and attach the individual segments. The present invention further relates to a method for performing method development in chromatography and for selecting the optimal separation conditions to perform a chromatographic separation using the system of the present invention. | 09-29-2011 |
20110091446 | SINGLE DOMAIN ANTIBODIES CAPABLE OF MODULATING BACE ACTIVITY - The present invention relates to single domain antibodies with a specificity for BACE1. More specifically, the invention provides single variable domain antibodies derived from camelids which bind to BACE1 and are capable of inhibiting the activity of BACE1. Said antibodies can be used for research and medical applications. Specific applications include the use of BACE1 specific antibodies for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. | 04-21-2011 |
20110063614 | PHOTOSPECTROMETER - Impinging electromagnetic radiation generates pairs of majority and minority carriers in a substrate. A spectrometer device for detection of electromagnetic radiation impinging on a substrate comprises means for generating, in the substrate, a majority carrier current; at least one detection region for collecting generated minority carriers, the minority carriers being directed under influence of the majority carrier current; and means for determining spectral information based on minority carriers collected at the at least one detection region. | 03-17-2011 |
20110052635 | LIVE ATTENUATED SALMONELLA VACCINE - The present invention is related to double and triple attenuated mutant strains of a bacterium infecting veterinary species such as | 03-03-2011 |
20100330049 | METHOD FOR GENERATING ISLET BETA CELLS FROM DEDIFFERENTIATED EXOCRINE PANCREATIC CELLS - The present invention relates to an in vitro method for generating insulin-producing beta cells from a population of mammalian cells comprising dedifferentiated exocrine pancreatic cells. The method comprises the step of culturing said dedifferentiated exocrine pancreatic cells in a culture medium in the presence of at least one agent that is able to inhibit the Notch 1 signaling pathway in said dedifferentiated exocrine pancreatic cells, and at least one ligand of the gp130 receptor and/or at least one ligand of the EGF receptor. The invention further provides a population of mammalian pancreatic cells comprising insulin-producing beta cells obtainable by the present method and uses thereof in a pharmaceutical composition for treating type 1 or type 2 diabetes. | 12-30-2010 |
20100301946 | Switchable Multiband LNA Design - A low noise amplifying (LNA) circuit comprising an amplifying section ( | 12-02-2010 |
20100283649 | Sigma-delta-based analog-to-digital converter - An analog to digital converting device is proposed for generating a digital output signal of an RF analog input signal. The device comprises a first analog to digital converter stage, a mixer, a second analog to digital converter stage and a digital filter. The first analog to digital converter stage generates a first and a second output signal. The first output signal is inputted in the filtering means. The second output signal is being down-converted to a signal with an intermediate frequency or DC. Thereafter, this down-converted signal is being fed to the second analog to digital converter stage. The digital output signal of this second stage is further processed together with the first digital output signal in the digital filter to a digital signal representative of the analog input signal. | 11-11-2010 |
20100278782 | DIFFERENTIATION OF RAT LIVER EPITHELIAL CELLS INTO HEPATOCYTE-LIKE CELLS - Methods for differentiation of cells of a rat liver epithelial (RLEC) cell line to hepatocyte-like cells are disclosed. In particular, methods involve sequential exposure of the RLEC to two or more differentiation agents. Cells obtained by the method are described as well as their uses in various pharmacological, toxicological, therapeutic, diagnostic and research applications. | 11-04-2010 |
20100215674 | ENHANCING THE T-CELLS STIMULATORY CAPACITY OF HUMAN ANTIGEN PRESENTING CELLS AND THEIR USE IN VACCINATION - With the current invention, we provide new methods of enhancing the T-cell stimulatory capacity of human dendritic cells (DCs) and their use in cancer vaccination. The method comprises the introduction of different molecular adjuvants to human DCs through transfection with at least two mRNA or DNA molecules encoding markers selected from the group of: CD40L, CD70, constitutively active TLR4 (caTLR4), IL-12p70, EL-selectin, CCR7 and/or 4-1 BBL; or in combination with inhibition of SOCS, A20, PD-L1 and/or STAT3 expression, for example through siRNA transfection. We could show a clear increase in the immunostimulatory capacity of DCs obtained in this way, enabling them to elicit an unexpectedly high T-cell immune response in vitro. Introduction of at least two of the above molecules, in combination with a tumor-specific antigen enables the DCs to elicit a significant host-mediated T-cell immune response in vivo against the tumor antigen and thus makes them very attractive in the manufacturing of anti-cancer vaccines. | 08-26-2010 |
20100196929 | STABILISATION OF THE PHENOTYPIC PROPERTIES OF ISOLATED PRIMARY CELLS - The invention provides a method for stabilisation of phenotypic properties of isolated primary cells comprising modulating at least two epigenetic modifications in said cells. | 08-05-2010 |
20100166611 | DEVICE FOR THE DISTRIBUTION OF SAMPLE AND CARRIER LIQUID ACROSS A MICRO-FABRICATED SEPARATION CHANNEL - The present invention relates to a chromatographic separation device comprising a first substrate body carrying a micro-fabricated separation channel recessed on one of its surfaces and covered by a second substrate body, both perforated with connection-holes for the supply and withdrawal of a sample and carrier liquid. The present device is characterized in that said micro-fabricated separation channel is preceded or succeeded by a flow distribution region that is filled with an array of micro-fabricated pillars, having a shape, size and positioning pattern selected such that said flow distribution region has a ratio of transversal to axial permeability of at least 2. | 07-01-2010 |
20090209433 | METHOD FOR SCREENING AND SELECTING LIGANDS - The present invention provides a method for screening of ligands wherein the target is a membrane protein, which is reconstituted into a membrane environment, using the surface plasmon resonance (SPR) technology. In particular, the target is a VDAC protein. | 08-20-2009 |
20090128906 | Folded Radial Brewster Polariser - A compact polarisation selection device ( | 05-21-2009 |
20080199472 | Use of a polypeptide domain to modulate the tumorigenic and metastatic potential of cancer cells - The present invention reates to the use of a polypeptide domain to modulate the tumorigenic and metastatic potential of cancer cells. More specifically, the present invention relates to a domain of a Secretory Leukocyte Protease Inhibitor (SLPI) to modulate tumor invasiveness and/or metastasis. It further relates to compounds, such as antibodies, that interact with the domain and repress the tumor invasiveness and/or the metastasis. | 08-21-2008 |