
Universität für Bodenkultur Wien
Leading life sciences university specializing in sustainable resource management, biotechnology, and environmental engineering. Expertise in agriculture, forestry, food technology, and renewable resources for a sustainable future.
4
Patents
13
Inventors
10
Spin-offs
Analysis of our organization's intellectual property assets
Total Patents
4
Recent Patent Publications (2025 & 2026)
1
Top Inventors
Patent Portfolio
Discover our latest patented technologies
Plants and plant cells are used to produce many different recombinant proteins, including vaccine subunits, antibodies and antibody fragments, and offer unique advantages in terms of production time, environmental impact, scalability and overall cost. Among the successfully produced target proteins were also some with high structural complexity, such as secretory IgAs, which pose a challenge for recombinant production in mammalian cells and often require additional technological solutions, such as reassociation in vitro. Overall, it thus appears that the plant cellular machinery is well suited for the expression and assembly of SIgAs and other complex multimeric proteins in functional form. However, the overall yield and in particular the proportion of fully assembled protein still varies depending on the protein. It is therefore desirable to further optimize plants accordingly and develop production lines that are ideally suited to synthesize complex proteins and lead to a higher yield of fully assembled and functional proteins. Technology: The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is a central cell organelle for the synthesis of complex proteins, which are subsequently released into the lumen of the ER where they are folded with the help of chaperones and undergo some posttranslational modifications. The ER is well developed in most cells specialized for protein synthesis, and there is evidence in the literature that expansion of the ER increases ER resilience, supports a high protein production rate and alleviates ERstress. In the present invention, mutations were inserted in one to three N. benthamiana genes for CTP:phosphatidate cytidylyltransferase (CCT), so that a shortened version of the enzyme is produced, which is constantly present in an active conformation. CCT catalyzes a rate-limiting step for the synthesis of phosphatidylcholine (PC), which is an essential building block for ER membranes and causes the expansion of the ER. It has been shown that this expansion results in a higher yield of fully assembled and functional SIgA in the mutant plant lines, thus removing a major obstacle to realizing the full potential of SIgA for clinical use, both in humans and animals.
In a new container concept, patient cells are pre-incubated on the implant surface. In combination with platinum functionalization, but also on all common implants, the ingrowth behavior can be significantly improved by this point-of-care (PoC) strategy. An excerpt from our experimental data: The PoC container, consisting of a container concept and platinum-functionalized high-performance ceramics from MKM Engineering GmbH, represents a further step in implantology toward the targeted improvement of ingrowth behavior through surface modification. Traces of the precious metal platinum in the high-performance ceramics make the implant surface more hydrophilic overall. In addition, cell adhesion is enhanced via universal protein binding. Even targeted cell adhesion motifs can be applied to the implant surface in a single process step, either by the manufacturer or the user, without the need for further chemical coupling steps. Our patent application describes the platinum functionalization of ceramic materials and an incubator concept. In a glass container, dimensioned for an implant threaded pin, which can be filled with sterile growth medium, patient cells from a punch biopsy are introduced via a cannula. Through a self-closing septum, this patient punch sample (or a saliva sample containing cells from the oral mucosa) is introduced directly by needle injection, thereby individualizing the implant surface. Pre-incubation with patient material is known to improve ingrowth behavior.
The invented device relates to the placement of concrete via tremie pipe in deep foundations, e.g. bored piles and diaphragm walls. Particularly the invention improves the first charging of tremie pipe to avoid the impact caused erosion at the base of drilled shafts for better construction quality of deep foundations. The initiation of pouring, i.e. the first shot of concrete, into the empty tremie pipe still presents a challenge for contractors with the tremie method. There are evidences that the improper initiation of pouring is responsible for some often-observed damages such as debris at pile end and bleeding along piles and diaphragm walls. The objective of the invention is to provide a device for the initial charging of the tremie pipe in a well-controlled manner so that the disturbance caused can be avoided. Technology: The device is comparable to an inversed umbrella. The device is robust to survive the harsh site conditions and is flexible to be adapted to different tremie pipe diameter and pile length. The device is placed upside down into the tremie pipe and connected with a rope to a tripod with a pulley. This mechanism enables controlled descending of concrete to initiate pouring. Once the device reaches the bottom, the tremie pipe is lifted and the device slides out of the tremie pipe. The device can be cleaned and reused. Through controlled descending speed of concrete, the mixing of concrete with supporting fluid is avoided as well as the segregation of concrete, and the turbulence and impact induced erosion and local failure in soil. The use of this device together with the tremie pipe will improve the construction quality of deep foundations. A prototype has been built which is currently tested at a construction site.
Success Stories
Companies founded based on our organization's technologies
Holloid GmbH develops AI-powered, real-time holographic microscopy systems for continuous bioprocess monitoring, enabling automated detection and classification of microorganisms in industrial fermentations and other biotechnological environments.
Rockfish Bio AG develops senolytic therapies to promote healthy aging and treat age-related diseases.
AgroBiogel GmbH develops and manufactures innovative, sustainable lignin-based hydrogels (RETENTIS®) for efficient water and nutrient storage in soil, supporting agriculture, horticulture, and forestry.
The BOKU Vienna Technology Transfer team is ready to assist you with licensing inquiries and collaboration opportunities
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