Methods of Determining Homeostatic Perturbations

Biological homeostasis is a state of steady internal, physical, and chemical conditions maintained by a living organism observed at the cellular level.   Biological homeostasis can vary in order to alter the cellular physical and chemical conditions. Thus, it acts as a mechanism to define the physiological state of cellular activity; for instance resting states or active states (e.g., intensive physical or mental activity or intensive physical or mental stimulation).  Deviations or perturbations from biological homeostasis, even at the cellular level, can be caused by pathological conditions such as diseases within the organism.  Such deviations result in physical and chemical conditions that feedback to prolong pathological states as part of an injury or disease.  In the extreme case, cell death can be characterized by a complete loss of homeostasis.  In these ways, states of biological homeostasis are linked to physiological and pathological activities occurring at various levels of the organism (e.g., organelle, cell, tissue, or gan).  States of biological homeostasis can be difficult to detect using conventional analytical techniques.The disclosed technology consists of methods to determine a homeostatic steady-state of a biological entity.   Also disclosed are methods to use Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) or Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) to quantify a water exchange rate between at least two compartments in a biological system, to characterize physiological w...
Source: NIH OTT Licensing Opportunities - Category: Research Authors: Tags: Diagnostics Licensing Desired NICHD Source Type: research