Alonso Castro

US Patent:

7573571, Aug 11, 2009

Filed:

Oct 12, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/871678

Inventors:

Kathryn Louise Creek - San Diego CA, US
Alonso Castro - Santa Fe NM, US
Perry Clayton Gray - Los Alamos NM, US

Assignee:

Los Alamos National Security LLC - Los Alamos NM

International Classification:

G01J 3/30

US Classification:

356317, 2504581

Abstract:

A method and apparatus for rapid and accurate detection and discrimination of biological, radiological, and chemical particles in air. A suspect aerosol of the target particulates is treated with a taggant aerosol of ultrafine particulates. Coagulation of the taggant and target particles causes a change in fluorescent properties of the cloud, providing an indication of the presence of the target.

US Patent:

20070068284, Mar 29, 2007

Filed:

Sep 26, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/239451

Inventors:

Alonso Castro - Santa Fe NM, US
Ricky Lopez - Espanola NM, US
Murray Moore - Los Alamos NM, US
Kathryn Creek - Los Alamos NM, US
Perry Gray - Los Alamos NM, US

International Classification:

G01N 1/22

US Classification:

073863210

Abstract:

A method and device for collecting airborne particulate samples comprising vacuum air intake tube(s) onto the distal end of each of which is connected a regulating nozzle that is covered by the well reservoir of a capture vessel. Ambient air is directed to impact the interior surfaces of a single or multi-reservoir capture vessel. Each such well reservoir may include additional collector media and can be fitted with a filter screen. A plurality of said intake tubes may also be assembled and automated for programmable sample times and duration through a manifold in order to service a standard well tray which provides for higher collection efficiencies. In situ pathogen detection is possible by inclusion of nucleic acid specific dyes or probes in the media and/or by attachment of an excitation light, radiation detector, or fluorometer device(s) focused on the internal surfaces of a semi-translucent well reservoir.

US Patent:

20100075298, Mar 25, 2010

Filed:

Sep 23, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/284632

Inventors:

Kathryn L. Creek - Seattle WA, US
Alonso Castro - Santa Fe NM, US
Perry C. Gray - Los Alamos NM, US

International Classification:

C12Q 1/70
C12Q 1/68

US Classification:

435 5, 435 6

Abstract:

Method for unamplified, selective identification of a microorganism comprising obtaining a sample comprising the microorganism, wherein the sample comprises unseparated genetic material of the microorganism; adding to the sample a molecular beacon comprising an nucleic sequence which is complementary to at least one nucleic acid sequence in the microorganism; and heating the sample; wherein the molecular beacon hybridizes with said nucleic acid sequence to produce a detectable signal.

US Patent:

6743578, Jun 1, 2004

Filed:

Dec 3, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/454385

Inventors:

Alonso Castro - Santa Fe NM

Assignee:

The Regents of the University of California - Los Alamos NM

International Classification:

C12Q 168

US Classification:

435 6, 435 911, 435 912, 536 231, 536 2433

Abstract:

A method for rapid and efficient detection of a target DNA or RNA sequence is provided. A primer having a 3â-hydroxyl group at one end and having a sequence of nucleotides sufficiently homologous with an identifying sequence of nucleotides in the target DNA is selected. The primer is hybridized to the identifying sequence of nucleotides on the DNA or RNA sequence and a reporter molecule is synthesized on the target sequence by progressively binding complementary nucleotides to the primer, where the complementary nucleotides include nucleotides labeled with a fluorophore. Fluorescence emitted by fluorophores on single reporter molecules is detected to identify the target DNA or RNA sequence.