10. U.S. Patent Application Serial Number: (to be assigned) Filed: August 15, 2008
Title: "High-activity mutants of butylcholinesterase for cocaine hydrolysis and of generating the same"
Inventors: Drs. Chang-Guo Zhan, Hoon Cho and Hsin-Hsiung Tai (Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences)
Technical Description: The invention relates to butylcholinesterase variant polypeptides and, in particular, to butylcholinesterase mutants having amino acid substitutions.
Summary: Cocaine is a highly addictive substance. Drugs such as cocaine that are resistant to metabolic breakdown are often more addictive than those readily broken down. The inventors have enhanced the ability of the butylcholinesterase enzyme to metabolize cocaine by causing specific mutations in the natural enzyme. The inventors anticipate that this enhanced enzyme can be used to treat cocaine addiction.
11. U.S. Patent Application Serial Number: (to be assigned) Filed: September 10, 2008
Title: "System and methods for diagnosis and monitoring of bacteria-related conditions"
Inventors: Drs. Sylvia Daunert, Sapna Deo, Patrizia Pasini, Anjali Kumari, Harohalili Shashidhar, Deborah Auer Flomenhof, Nilesh Raut (Chemistry)