Enhancing Responses to Chemical Interventions by Programmed Introduction of Multiple Refractory Periods

Background

The ability of any exogenous intervention, be it physical or chemical in nature, to influence cell activity is markedly enhanced by incorporating a rest period between stimulation periods within any given 24 hour period. Thus, a 24 hour period does not need to transpire before the biologic responsiveness to a given stimulus is ?reset.?

Technology

Researchers at Stony Brook University created an invention which indicates that the potency of a given intervention can be improved, and the biologic response enhanced, by delivering it via multiple, brief doses over a day, rather than single doses in any given day. In the context of a medical device that delivers an electric or mechanical signal, the ability of that intervention to upregulate a cell response is improved by waiting at least 1 hour before introducing the signal again and is improved even more by waiting 3 hours. This allows for multiple periods of stimulus over a given day, and the outcome is improved as compared to a single dose given once per day.

Advantages

Builds on the responsiveness of the biologic system. - Can also be used in non-human applications, such as timing/optimizing yields in recombinant stills in bioprocessing or agriculture.

Application

Introduces rest periods between stimulation periods within a 24 hour period to increase the effectiveness of exogenous intervention.