32 results about "Melanopsin" patented technology

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE The newly discovered retinal ganglion cell photoreceptor melanopsin absent in the central fovea of the eye but distributed throughout the remaining human retinal body provides both non-visual biological / physiological input inducing circadian entrainment, and visual input affecting perceived brightness; this perceived brightness is not the object brightness commonly associated with luminance and perceived color of an object in central view, but the perception of brightness of a whole space or task background. Discussed are improvements to circadian lighting systems based on melanopsin stimulation whereby ambient and / or device background lighting may be temporally tuned over a range of prescribed color temperatures from a first subset of lighting having a higher melanopic content to a second subset of lighting having a lower melanopic content or vice versa in accordance with a desired circadian cycle, and in a manner where net light output is of a constant perceived brightness and color throughout temporal tuning.

The invention provides a three-channel lighting apparatus with the option to support the human circadian rhythm. By choosing especially the blue LED and green phosphor, the range of biological activity that can be changed is optimized. By adjustment of the LED spectra a bigger range in melanopsin effectiveness factor, at the same CCT range (from daylight like CCT down to dimmed halogen), can be obtained.

A calorimetric pupil light reflex testing device for diagnostic assessment of the ocular and central nervous system diseases based on melanopsin and non-melanopsin spectral light properties. The device employs blue and red light emitting diodes emitting light at wavelengths of approximately 472 nanometers and 630 respectively to elicit pupillary constriction. The light emitting diodes are each provided within a handheld light wand, allowing the light emitting diodes to be hand held. The light emitting diodes provide intense light and the predetermined wavelengths, thereby eliminating the necessity of a light meter or colored filter.

The present invention relates to a GFP-CAP peptide having an amino acid sequence derived from TGF-β1 (transforming growth factor-β1) and a cell adhesion sequence, wherein the amino acid sequence derived from TGF-β1 consists of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:1 and the TGFP-CAP peptide is represented by the following formula I: Ile-Trp-Ser-Leu-Asp-Thr-Gln-Tyr-Cell adhesion sequence (I). The TGFP-CAP peptide of the present invention exhibits excellent anti-angiogenic activity. In addition, the TGFP-CAP peptide of the present invention prevents effectively melanin generation in skin to have skin whitening effects. The present peptide shows much higher stability and permeability to skin than natural-occurring TGF-β1. Such plausible activities and safety of the present peptide enable advantageously to application to drugs, quasi-drugs and cosmetics.

A light source and a method of generating a light using the light source is disclosed. The light source is configured to produce a plurality of distinct colors in generating the light, one of the distinct colors falling within a blue spectral light band. A light controller modulates the spectral light produced by the plurality of distinct colors. The modulation provides melanopsin contrast in order to increase melanopsin responsiveness of a subject exposed to the generated light and maintains the color temperature, color quality, and color constancy experienced by the subject in a lit viewing environment within an acceptable range.

Methods of weight treatment in animals are presented including: stimulating a retinal ganglia of the animal by an exposure to a narrow spectrum light. In some embodiments, the stimulating the retinal ganglia of the animal is associated with a stimulation of melanopsin. In some embodiments, the stimulation of melanopsin is associated with a inhibition of melatonin secretion. In some embodiments, inhibition of melatonin secretion is associated with a stimulation of leptin secretion. In some embodiments, the stimulation of leptin secretion is associated with a decrease in appetite in the animal. In some embodiments, the exposure to the narrow spectrum light is associated with a weight loss in the animal. In some embodiments, the narrow spectrum light is in a spectrum range of approximately 435 to 520 nanometers.

A method of treating an eye disease comprising administering an adeno-associated virus (AAV) vector to a mammalian subject by subretinal injection, wherein the AAV vector comprises a nucleotide sequence encoding melanopsin operably linked to an expression control sequence to promote expression of melanopsin in cells of the eye of the subject.

A light-sensitive chimeric protein includes domains from at least two members of the G-protein-coupled-receptor (GPCR) protein super family, which are fused to yield a light-sensitive GPCR chimera capable of coupling a light signal to the signaling cascade of the metabotropic glutamate receptor 6 (mGluR6) is provided for medical therapy and pharmaceuticals for treating loss of vision, in particular resulting from retinal photoreceptor degeneration. A first GPCR family member contributes domains which mediate the light-sensitivity to the chimeric light-sensitive GPCR protein and belongs to the family of light-sensitive GPCR proteins also called photopigments. In some cases, the GPCR protein is melanopsin, in particular human melanopsin. A second of the at least two GPCR family members is mGluR6, which contributes domains for coupling the light signal to the intracellular signaling cascade of mGluR6, which is a native component of the cell membrane of ON-bipolar cells in the inner retina.

The disclosed light emitting devices can provide white light with a cyan break consistent with the melanopsin sensitivity range, and thus have reduced melanopsin content. The disclosed light emitting devices can include a light source that provides violet or blue light having a peak wavelength less than 450 nanometers (nm). The disclosed light emitting device may include at least one down-converter coupled to and downstream of the light source and configured with a long wavelength onset to convert the spectrum of violet or blue light to generate light at 447- White light having a spectral power content in the wavelength range of 531 nm less than or equal to 10% of the total spectral power content in the wavelength range of 380‑780 nm. The disclosed light emitting device can be incorporated into a light engine system that also includes a control system that controls drive current to the light emitting device.

The present invention relates to a composition containing a chemokine, particularly, an interferon-inducible T-cell alpha chemoattractant (ITACT) which can decrease the gene expression of a factor related to melanin pigment production in melanocytes, thereby exhibiting a skin whitening effect.