Problem: The anticancer drug Taxol loses its effectiveness as cancer cells mutate and become resistant. Efforts to expand the use of Taxol beyond some breast, ovarian and lung cancers have been frustrated by a lack of alternatives.
Invention: Epothilones kill cancer cells through the same biochemical pathway as Taxol but appear to be equally effective against Taxol resistant cells. New methods for making epothilones provide greater control and selectivity, leading to biologically active epothilone analogs. The licensee, Kosan Biosciences Inc. of Hayward, California, is conducting phase two clinical trials in patients with measurable advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer.
Inventors: James David White (Philomath, OR), Kurt Frederick Sundermann (Summerfield, NC), Rich Garrett Carter (Corvallis, OR)
Problem: Many chemically synthesized pesticides are toxic to humans and animals and pollute the environment. Natural products can offer a safer alternative, but many are weaker, work for a limited spectrum of pests, or may be environmentally toxic; also, pests become resistant to them.
Invention: Compositions and methods for effectively controlling arthropod pests. The compounds are food grade natural products, may be isolated from natural sources, semi-synthesized from naturally occurring compounds, or completely synthesized, and are believed to be relatively safe for humans, domesticated animals, wildlife, and the natural environment. They are effective in killing or repelling arthropods of public health concern such as mosquitoes, fleas and ticks. They may also find use in agricultural applications.
Inventors: Marc C. Dolan (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), Nicholas A. Panella (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), E. B. Gabrielle Dietrich (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), Joseph J. Karchesy (OSU), Gary O Maupin (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
Problem: Many popular snack foods and carbonated drinks lack nutritional value.
Invention: This microprocessor controlled carbonation system introduces flavor-enhancing properties into nutritious fruits and vegetables, making these foods more attractive and thus contributing to their increased consumption. The system includes a sealed and pressurized container and components for regulating and monitoring performance.
Inventors: Qingyue Ling (Beaverton, OR) and John Henry Wells (Portland, OR) with Oregon State University; Galen D. Kaufman (Galveston, TX) and Bryce L. Hesterman (Fort Collins, CO) with the Fizzy Fruit Company.
Problem: In modern integrated-circuit design, in which digital, analog, and RF circuitry are integrated onto a single chip, noise from digital circuitry can severely degrade the performance. Methods to analyze substrate noise coupling have been costly and inefficient.
Invention: Various methods and apparatus to analyze substrate noise in integrated circuits, plus instructions for a single or networked computer to perform the methods. The practical and efficient design decreases engineering time.
Inventors: Dicle Ozis (at OSU at time of invention), Kartikeya Mayaram (OSU), Terri Fiez (OSU)
Problem: The microelectronics industry needs circuits made of electronic devices that are transparent to the human eye, for better display performance.
Invention: Methods to make transistors that are transparent, allowing more light to be transmitted through the display. The improved performance offers unique opportunities for improvement of circuits in laptop computers and other consumer-, automotive-, and military-electronics information display products.
Inventors: John F. Wager, III (OSU), Randy L. Hoffman (OSU at time of invention; now at HP)
Problem: Cytokinins are plant hormones required for plant growth. They stimulate cell division and regulate differentiation. The level of zeatin, a very active and naturally occurring cytokinin, is regulated by enzymes (zeatin glucosyltransferases). Previously, there was no reliable method to regulate and stabilize the level of zeatin.
Invention: Genes encoding zeatin glucosyltransferases were identified and cloned from herbaceous and grass species. The invention provides methods to alter the level of zeatin and will allow the production of transgenic crops with optimized economic yield.
Inventors: David W. S. Mok (Corvallis, OR), Machteld C. Mok (Corvallis, OR), Ruth C. Martin (Corvallis, OR), Jeffrey E. Habben (Urbandale, IA)
Problem: Semiconductor devices are used in a variety of electronic devices. Some types of thin-film transistors have relatively slow switching speeds. In some applications, this can make it difficult to accurately render motion.
Invention: A new type of semiconductor channel material, with superior performance properties and better manufacturability. These attribuites offer opportunities for improvement of circuits in laptop computers and other consumer-, automotive-, and military-electronics information display products.
Inventors: Hai Q. Chiang (OSU at time of invention; now at INTEL), Randy L. Hoffman (Hewlett-Packard), David Hong (OSU), Nicole L. Dehuff (OSU at time of invention; now at BOEING), John F. Wager (OSU)
Problem: Many chemically synthesized pesticides are toxic to humans and animals and pollute the environment. Natural products can be safer, but many are weaker, work for a limited spectrum of pests, or are environmentally toxic, and pests may become resistant to them.
Invention: Compounds and methods for controlling arthropod pests. The compounds are food-grade natural products, may be isolated from natural sources or synthesized, and are believed safe for humans, domesticated animals, wildlife, and the natural environment. They kill or repel arthropods of public health concern such as mosquitoes, fleas, termites, and cockroaches. Applications include residential, commercial, veterinary, and agricultural.
Inventors: Gary O. Maupin (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), Joseph Karchesy (OSU), Nicholas A. Panella (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), Marc C. Dolan (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
Problem: Pollution of water poses an environmental problem with risks to human and animal health. For fecal contamination, traditional testing does not indicate the source.
Invention: A molecular test of polluted water using gene amplification. The technique quickly detects unique gene sequences from specific strains of fecal bacteria, distinguishing among host species. Sources of contamination may be septic tanks, wastewater treatment, cattle operations, or wild or domesticated animals. When the type of pollution is confirmed, communities can clean up and prevent future problems.
Inventors: Katharine G. Field (OSU), Anne E. Bernhard (Shoreline, WA)
Problem: Formaldehyde-based adhesives such as urea-formaldehyde resins are commonly used for production of wood composite panels. Carcinogenic formaldehyde is emitted from the production and use of these panels. The formaldehyde-based adhesives are produced from petroleum-based products that are nonrenewable and have finite reserve.
Invention: A formaldehyde-free adhesive was invented by modification of soy protein, using mussel adhesive protein as a model. Soy protein is inexpensive, abundant, and renewable. Wood composite panels made with this adhesive are strong, water-resistant and environmentally friendly.
Inventors: Kaichang Li (OSU), Yuan Liu (OSU)
Problem: Formaldehyde-based adhesives such as urea-formaldehyde resins are commonly used for production of wood composite panels. Carcinogenic formaldehyde is emitted from the production and use of these panels. The formaldehyde-based adhesives are produced from petroleum-based products that are nonrenewable and have finite reserve.
Invention: Adhesives are formaldehyde-free and are produced from abundant, inexpensive, renewable materials, including tree barks and decayed wood.
Inventors: Kaichang Li (OSU) and Xinglian Geng (OSU)
Problem: Thickening agents, such as xanthan gum, are crucial for the food industry and other manufacturing sectors (pharmaceuticals, beauty products and waste treatment). Production of xanthan gum, however, relies on the disease-causing bacterium, Xanthomonas campestris. While the FDA has grandfathered classification of xanthan gum as “Generally Regarded as Safe," this biopolymer is suspected of inducing fevers and may pose risks for human consumption.
Invention: Discovery of a natural isolate of the non-disease causing bacterium Lactococcus lactis (used for centuries in fermented dairy products), which produces a previously unknown biopolymer with strong potential as a safe thickening agent. This biopolymer imparts desirable sensory characteristics (smoothness, sweetness) to dairy-, fruit- and soy-based liquids. It may also provide effective thickening in shampoos, skin creams, nail polishes, pill coatings, liquid pharmaceuticals and other products. The invention includes laboratory methods to isolate and transfer the genes coding for the biopolymer.
Inventors: Janine E. Trempy (Corvallis, OR), Eric P. Knoshaug (Golden, CO), William E. Sandine (Temecula, CA), Karen P. Dierksen (Lebanon, OR), all with Oregon State University; Jeff A. Ahlgren (Santa Barabara, CA) with the U.S. Department of Agriculture
Problem: Formaldehyde-based adhesives such as urea-formaldehyde resins are commonly used for production of wood composite panels. Carcinogenic formaldehyde is emitted from the production and use of these panels. The formaldehyde-based adhesives are produced from petroleum-based products that are nonrenewable and have finite reserve.
Invention: This adhesive was invention through mimicking mussel adhesive protein. It is based on abundant, renewable, and inexpensive soybean flour, and is formaldehyde-free, cost-competitive with urea-formaldehyde resins, and commercially viable. The adhesive has been successfully used in wood composite plants. The PureBond™ plywood made with this adhesive has won numerous awards as green building material. The commercial use of this adhesive has greatly improved indoor air quality of wood panel production plants, residences, and office buildings.
Inventor: Kaichang Li (OSU)
Problem: Many microorganisms are resistant to detection and identification through standard laboratory techniques. As molecular methods have revealed new microbial diversity, techniques are needed to identify and characterize new microbial species.
Invention: Comprehensive methods include miniaturization and rapid processing to identify some of the planet's most abundant and elusive species. The results lead to exploration of microbes with potential application in medicine, the Earth sciences, manufacturing and biotechnology.
Inventor: Stephen Giovannoni (OSU)
The problem: In the interest of homeland security, it is important to have cheap, broadband testing for bioactive compounds in various products, e.g., food, drugs, and cosmetics. Non-biological methods cannot ensure broadband assessment. Biological methods can harm live animals, are expensive and are not generally robust for portability.
Invention: A microfluidic package and control system for portable bioactive compound detection to help interpret hazardous conditions. The control system includes software for analyzing bio-responses from a fish chromatophore cell. The shelf life of the packaged cells has been extended to several months, unique among biological solutions. Applications are in toxicology, pharmacology, and medicine.
Inventors: Frank W. R. Chaplen (OSU), William H. Gerwick (OSU), Goran Jovanovic (OSU), Jim Liburdy (OSU), Phil McFadden (OSU), Brian Kevin Paul (OSU), Thomas K. Plant (OSU), Janine E Trempy (OSU), Corwin Willard (Labtronix)
The problem: Spreadsheet programs are notoriously prone to errors, which are problematic, impacting day-to-day decision-making and costing businesses around the world billions of dollars. Testing methods to locate errors have not been reliable.
Invention: A successful testing methodology for spreadsheets for both professional and end-user programmers. Cells are validated in a way that provides feedback that is incremental, responsive, and entirely visual, and supports large grids of cells with shared or copied formulas. Also, a method for providing feedback about how thoroughly tested each region of the spreadsheet is.
Inventors: Andrei Ernstovich Sheretov (OSU), Margaret Myers Burnett (OSU), Gregg Evan Rothermel (OSU)
The problem: Chlamydiae are bacterial pathogens, some species of which are associated with human diseases, including the leading cause of preventable infectious blindness worldwide, and respiratory diseases associated with coronary artery disease. Some species are primarily pathogens of animals and may infect humans accidentally. No adequate genetic engineering methods have been developed for this organism, and there is a need for protections that do not contribute to pathology.
Invention: A method for the detection of Chlamydia and the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of infections in animals. It includes a vaccine directed against the Reticulate Body form of Chlamydia comprising one or more infection-specific proteins.
Inventors: Daniel D. Rockey (OSU), John P. Bannantine (National Animal Disease Center, United States Department of Agriculture)
Invention: Released jointly by the Agricultural Experiment Stations of Oregon, Idaho, Washington,
Colorado, and the USDA Agricultural Research Service
• Has slightly higher vitamin C and protein content than Russet Burbank
• Achieves slightly lower total yields but consistently higher U.S. No. 1 yields
than Russet Burbank
• Has outstanding flavor as a baked potato
• Is less susceptible to verticilium wilt, early blight and potato leafroll virus but
more susceptible to potato virus Y and common scab
Contributors: Dr. Alvin R. Mosley, Emeritus Professor of Crop and Soil Science Research team: Clint Shock, Malheur Experiment Station; Dan Hane, Hermiston Agricultural Research and Extension Center; Steve James, Central Oregon Agricultural Research Center; Ken Rykbost (emeritus) and Brian Charlton, Klamath Basin Research and Extension Center; Solomon Yilma, Department of Crop and Soil Science, Corvallis
Plant Variety Protection Certificate Number: 200200252
Issue Date: 12/13/2007
Invention: Released by the Agricultural Experiment Stations of Oregon, Idaho, and Washington and the
USDA Agricultural Research Service
• Produces much higher yield of U.S. No. 1s than Russet Burbank
• Has excellent frozen processing characteristics
• Adapts to a wide range of soil and climatic conditions
Contributors: Dr. Alvin R. Mosley, Emeritus Professor of Crop and Soil Science Research team: Clint Shock, Malheur Experiment Station; Dan Hane, Hermiston Agricultural Research and Extension Center; Steve James, Central Oregon Agricultural Research Center; Ken Rykbost (emeritus) and Brian Charlton, Klamath Basin Research and Extension Center; Solomon Yilma and Isabel Vales, Department of Crop and Soil Science, Corvallis
Invention: Released by Agricultural Experiment Stations of Oregon, Idaho, and Washington and the
USDA Agricultural Research Service
• Consistently produces higher total yields and much higher yields of U.S. No. 1s
with larger tuber size than Russet Burbank or Russet Norkotah
• Is higher in sugars and similar in vitamin C and protein than Russet Burbank
• Is very resistant to common scab, moderately resistant to verticilium wilt, very
susceptible to potato leafroll virus
Contributors: Dr. Alvin R. Mosley, Emeritus Professor of Crop and Soil Science Research team: Clint Shock, Malheur Experiment Station; Dan Hane, Hermiston Agricultural Research and Extension Center; Steve James, Central Oregon Agricultural Research Center; Ken Rykbost (emeritus) and Brian Charlton, Klamath Basin Research and Extension Center; Solomon Yilma and Isabel Vales, Department of Crop and Soil Science, Corvallis
Invention: Released by Agricultural Experiment Stations of Oregon, North Dakota,
California, Idaho, and Washington
• Produces bright red-skinned potatoes suitable for table use and the red-skinned
creamer market
• Produces a higher percentage of marketable tubers than Red LaSoda or
Dark Red Norland
• Is more resistant to potato virus Y than Dark Red Norland and much more
resistant than Red LaSoda
Contributors: Dr. Alvin R. Mosley, Emeritus Professor of Crop and Soil Science Research team: Clint Shock, Malheur Experiment Station; Dan Hane, Hermiston Agricultural Research and Extension Center; Steve James, Central Oregon Agricultural Research Center; Ken Rykbost (emeritus) and Brian Charlton, Klamath Basin Research and Extension Center; Solomon Yilma and Isabel Vales, Department of Crop and Soil Science, Corvallis
Invention: Released by Agricultural Experiment Stations of Oregon, North Dakota,
California, Idaho, and Washington
• Has excellent appearance with a bright red skin, shallow eyes and few defects
• Produces a high percentage of marketable tubers
• Is susceptible to most fungal diseases and corky ringspot
Contributors: Dr. Alvin R. Mosley, Emeritus Professor of Crop and Soil Science Research team: Clint Shock, Malheur Experiment Station; Dan Hane, Hermiston Agricultural Research and Extension Center; Steve James, Central Oregon Agricultural Research Center; Ken Rykbost (emeritus) and Brian Charlton, Klamath Basin Research and Extension Center; Solomon Yilma and Isabel Vales, Department of Crop and Soil Science, Corvallis
Invention: Possesses Clearfield™ herbicide resistance technology to facilitate control of grassy weeds. High yield potential, broadly adapted, with superior resistance to Strawbreaker footrot, Cepahlosporium stripe, and Fusarium Crown rot as compared with currently available Clearfield™ varieties. Licensed on a non-exclusive basis for production and marketing of seed.
Contributors: Oregon State University: C.J. Peterson, M. Verhoeven, M. Larson, B. Hoefer, W.E. Kronstad, R. Karow, J. Bassinette, A. Ross, J. Ohm, D. Ball, R. Smiley, and C. Mundt. USDA-Agricultural Research Service: C. Morris, D. Engle, X. Chen. Washington State Crop Improvement Association: G. Vollmer.
Invention: A reselection of the variety Tubbs with reduced susceptibility to current races of stripe rust. Agronomically similar to Tubbs, with broad adaptation to wheat production areas of the Pacific Northwest. Open release to seed companies and growers.
Contributors: Oregon State University: C.J. Peterson, M. Verhoeven, M. Larson, B. Hoefer, J. von Zitzewitz, M. Flowers, A. Ross, J. Ohm, R. Smiley, and C. Mundt. USDA-Agricultural Research Service: C. Morris, D. Engle, and X. Chen. Washington State Crop Improvement Association: J. Robinson
Invention: Superior milling and baking quality for the soft white market class with uniquely soft kernel texture. Resistant to major diseases and adapted to dryland production areas of north-central Oregon. Exclusively licensed to Mid-Columbia Producers for identity preserved production and marketing.
Contributors: Oregon State University: C.J. Peterson, M. Verhoeven, M. Larson, B. Hoefer, W. Kronstad, R. Karow, J. Bassinette, A. Ross, J. Ohm, R. Smiley and C. Mundt. USDA-Agricultural Research Service: C. Morris, D. Engle, and X. Chen. Washington State Crop Improvement Association: G. Vollmer and J. Robinson.
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