Life Sciences Non-Healthcare

Latest Innovations
Method of Removing the Hull from Corn Kernels A method of removing the hull from corn kernels wherein the method involves exposing the corn kernels to ammonia (e.g., gas-phase anhydrous) under conditions... Read More A method of removing the hull from corn kernels wherein the method involves exposing the corn kernels to ammonia (e.g., gas-phase anhydrous) under conditions effective to remove the hull from corn kernels.
Improved Raman Spectroscopic Analysis for Grain Composition Grain breeders and dealers rely heavily on the compositional properties of many different types of grain, including: soybeans, corn, rice, and wheat etc. The most... Read More Grain breeders and dealers rely heavily on the compositional properties of many different types of grain, including: soybeans, corn, rice, and wheat etc. The most common variables assessed for commercial and nutritive properties of grains are oil and protein content, both of which are highly variable. Content assessment is a frequent occurrence in a seeds lifetime: grain breeders assess content individually, per seed, to select the best line for crop production; dealers on the other hand will likely assess content in bulk each time the grain changes hands to set a price point. This invention uses a new, untapped type of spectroscopy to assess the protein and oil content of grains. It is completely unaffected by moisture content, is significantly more robust in the presence of contaminants, and is dramatically more accurate and reproducible. This technology is a type of spectroscopy that uses Raman principles. A beam of light is passed through the sample of interest; some of the light is scattered, and some is passed through; the light that passes through is collected and analyzed. The different resultant wavelengths indicate the presence or absence of certain bonds (all parts of organic molecules). The spectra are compared to the necessary proprietary calibration set from UIUC researchers to quantitatively indicate molecule-of-interest presence. Applications This technology is applicable in any grain testing environment where NIR can be used, such as grain breeding and dealing facilities. It can detect with very high sensitivity and specificity many organic compounds (for example, it has to potential to differentiate between individual amino acids) and therefore has significant potential for analysis of animal feedstocks. Benefits This technology solves many of the problems posed by NIR, the conventional method of grain testing. More robust and less susceptible to operator error and machine abuse Less susceptible to dust and contaminant fouling, both of which are ubiquitous in the operating environment of such devices. Not susceptible to variation in atmospheric water, or grain moisture content Significantly more accurate, sensitive, and reproducible than NIR
Spinach X-Chromosome Marker Dr. Wadlington from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign has developed a novel marker for the X-chromosome of spinach. This marker allows identification of YY... Read More Dr. Wadlington from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign has developed a novel marker for the X-chromosome of spinach. This marker allows identification of YY spinach for the first time and can be used with Y-specific markers to accurately sex spinach. By identifying YY spinach breeders can grow an all XY generation of seeds, this enables the planting of all-male rows for hybrid crosses which should enhance crop yields. This is the first X-chromosome specific marker developed.
Production of 2-FL from Engineered Yeast Dr. Yong-Su Jin from the University of IL has developed a method for synthesis of 2-fucosyllactose (2-FL) using engineered yeast. 2-FL is human milk oligosaccharide that... Read More Dr. Yong-Su Jin from the University of IL has developed a method for synthesis of 2-fucosyllactose (2-FL) using engineered yeast. 2-FL is human milk oligosaccharide that has been shown to have properties. The method uses Fucose as the starting material for over-production of 2-FL and requires fewer downstream purification methods compared to conventional methods. 2'-fucosyllactose
Method for Natural Product Discovery by Activation of Silent Biosynthetic Gene Clusters Method for Natural Product Discovery by Activation of Silent Biosynthetic Gene ClustersDr. Huimin Zhao from the University of IL has developed a unique method to search... Read More Method for Natural Product Discovery by Activation of Silent Biosynthetic Gene ClustersDr. Huimin Zhao from the University of IL has developed a unique method to search for new natural products that may be promising candidates for next generation antimicrobial and antifungal agents. Through the use of a library of transcription factor decoys he is able to activate formerly silent biosynthetic gene clusters in a high throughput manner allowing for isolation of many formerly unseen natural products. Activation of Actinorhodin BGC
Complex Compounds From the Natural Product Lycorine Dr. Hergenrother from the University of Illinois has created a diverse compound screening library from the synthetic scaffold lycorine. Lycorine is an alkaloid isolated... Read More Dr. Hergenrother from the University of Illinois has created a diverse compound screening library from the synthetic scaffold lycorine. Lycorine is an alkaloid isolated from Amaryllidaceae species and has demonstrated anti-cancer, anti-angiogenesis, anti-viral, anti-bacterial, anti-parasitic and anti-inflammatory activity. Through manipulation of the ring system, the Hergenrother lab has constructed more than 42 novel and diverse compounds to be used in a high throughput drug screen. Lycorine
Increasing Per Hectare Yields in Soybean, Glycine Max Dr. Paige from the University of IL has developed a method to increase seed yield in soybeans by removing the apical meristem at a specific stage in plant... Read More Dr. Paige from the University of IL has developed a method to increase seed yield in soybeans by removing the apical meristem at a specific stage in plant development, by removing the apical meristem at a specific growth stage in certain cultivars can cause increased gene expression and more protein synthesis, which leads to increased seed production and other benefits. Benefit This method increases seed yield, seed weight, seed oil content, seed protein, aboveground and belowground biomass, and secondary metabolite production (increase abiotic and biotic stress tolerance)
Processing of Lipid-producing Biomass for High Yields of Oils and Cellulosic Sugars for Biofuel Production Dr. Singh from the University of Illinois has developed a hydrothermal pretreatment method which increases the efficiency of oil extraction from high oil feedstocks. ... Read More Dr. Singh from the University of Illinois has developed a hydrothermal pretreatment method which increases the efficiency of oil extraction from high oil feedstocks. New research has engineered high energy crops that produce high concentrations of vegetable oil. Novel pretreatment methods are required in order to make efficient use of these high energy crops for biofuel production and oil extraction. Typical commercial pretreatment for simultaneous saccharification and fermentation (SSF) bioethanol production include addition of acid or alkali to prepare the feedstock for saccharification. However, these chemical pretreatments can degrade the oil content (saponification) and detract from the economic efficiency of the production pipeline. This pretreatment method improves the yields of oil from corn germ meal by four times and alleviates the need for additional chemicals in the pretreatment steps.
Paper-based Iron Assay Dr. Andrade from University of Illinois has developed a rapid, cost effective, paper-based assay that interfaces with a smartphone for the detection and quantification of... Read More Dr. Andrade from University of Illinois has developed a rapid, cost effective, paper-based assay that interfaces with a smartphone for the detection and quantification of common iron in fortified grains This invention can quantify iron content is a cheap cost-effective method for areas which lack access to laboratory equipment and trained personnel. Dr. Andrade's group has improved upon this technology by streamlining the sensor fabrication process and improved upon the detector sensitivity. Furthermore, this technology can now quantify iron released from Lucky Iron Fish, iron metal electrolytic, as well as Sodium Iron EDTA.
A Novel and Greener Electrodialysis Method for Purification of Biomolecules Current methods for dialysis either require high pressure or large volumes and additional chemicals to remove ions from solutions. This makes it expensive and... Read More Current methods for dialysis either require high pressure or large volumes and additional chemicals to remove ions from solutions. This makes it expensive and unsustainable for the environment. An alternative method is electrodialysis, which is a greener method, but can cause proteins to precipitate due to lower pH and require high voltage. To overcome these problems, the Su lab at UIUC has developed an improved method for electrodialysis. This invention can be applied to large food and pharmaceutical processing applications at a fraction of the energy required. Bulk solution of valuable biomolecules can pass through a channel where ions can be continuously removed. This provides a quick and sustainable way to remove unwanted ions from valuable products and can help lower the cost of production.