Patents Assigned to Medical Research Council
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Patent number: 9932385Abstract: The present invention relates to mutant transmembrane proteins which have increased conformational stability when compared to their parent protein, methods of selection and production. In particular the invention relates to mutant transmembrane proteins which are mutated in or in the proximity of the transmembrane alpha helices or in a kinked region or in an alpha-helix adjacent to a kink. The mutant transmembrane proteins have use in crystallization studies and also in screening to identify compounds for use in drug discovery and therapy.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 2014Date of Patent: April 3, 2018Assignee: Medical Research CouncilInventor: Christopher Gordon Tate
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Patent number: 9925504Abstract: The invention describes a method for the synthesis of compounds comprising the steps of: (a) compartmentalizing two or more sets of primary compounds into microcapsules; such that a proportion of the microcapsules contains two or more compounds; and (b) forming secondary compounds in the microcapsules by chemical reactions between primary compounds from different sets; wherein one or both of steps (a) and (b) is performed under microfluidic control; preferably electronic microfluidic control The invention further allows for the identification of compounds which bind to a target component of a biochemical system or modulate the activity of the target, and which is co-compartmentalized into the microcapsules.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2006Date of Patent: March 27, 2018Assignees: President and Fellows of Harvard College, Medical Research CouncilInventors: Andrew Griffiths, David Weitz, Keunho Ahn, Darren Link, Jerome Bibette
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Patent number: 9925501Abstract: The invention describes a method for isolating one or more genetic elements encoding a gene product having a desired activity, comprising the steps of: (a) compartmentalising genetic elements into microcapsules; and (b) sorting the genetic elements which express the gene product having the desired activity; wherein at least one step is under microfluidic control. The invention enables the in vitro evolution of nucleic acids and proteins by repeated mutagenesis and iterative applications of the method of the invention.Type: GrantFiled: February 1, 2016Date of Patent: March 27, 2018Assignees: Medical Research Council, President and Fellows of Harvard CollegeInventors: Andrew David Griffiths, David A. Weitz, Darren R. Link, Keunho Ahn, Jerome Bibette
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Patent number: 9919277Abstract: The invention describes a method for isolating one or more genetic elements encoding a gene product having a desired activity, comprising the steps of: (a) compartmentalising genetic elements into microcapsules; and (b) sorting the genetic elements which express the gene product having the desired activity; wherein at least one step is under microfluidic control. The invention enables the in vitro evolution of nucleic acids and proteins by repeated mutagenesis and iterative applications of the method of the invention.Type: GrantFiled: May 5, 2017Date of Patent: March 20, 2018Assignees: Medical Research Council, President and Fellows of Harvard CollegeInventors: Andrew David Griffiths, David A. Weitz, Darren Roy Link, Keunho Ahn, Jerome Bibette
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Patent number: 9914914Abstract: The invention relates to a nucleic acid polymerase capable of producing a non-DNA nucleotide polymer from a DNA nucleotide polymer template, the polymerase comprising amino acid sequence having at least 36% identity to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1, wherein the amino acid sequence is mutated relative to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1, wherein the amino acid sequence comprises the mutations P657T, E658Q, K659H, Y663H, D669A, K671N, and T676I; wherein the amino acid sequence is further mutated relative to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1 at residue: E664 and wherein the amino acid sequence comprises the mutation E664K. The invention also relates to methods of making nucleotide polymers comprising use of this polymerase. Suitably the nucleotides are arabino nucleotides such as ARA or FANA nucleotides.Type: GrantFiled: April 19, 2013Date of Patent: March 13, 2018Assignee: Medical Research CouncilInventors: Philipp Holliger, Chris Cozens, Vitor Pinheiro
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Publication number: 20180044729Abstract: A method for determining the sequence of nucleotide bases in a polynucleotide analyte is provided. It is characterised by the steps of (1) generating a stream of single nucleotide bases from the analyte by pyrophosphorolysis; (2) producing captured molecules by reacting each single nucleotide base with a capture system labelled with detectable elements in an undetectable state; (3) releasing the detectable elements from each captured molecule in a detectable state and (4) detecting the detectable elements so released and determining the sequence of nucleotide bases therefrom. The method can be used advantageously in sequencers involving the use of microdroplets.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 5, 2017Publication date: February 15, 2018Applicants: BASE4 INNOVATION LTD, MEDICAL RESEARCH COUNCILInventors: Cameron Alexander FRAYLING, Barnaby BALMFORTH, Bruno Flavio Nogueira de Sousa SOARES, Thomas Henry ISAAC, Boris BREINER, Alessandra NATALE, Michele AMASIO, Paul DEAR
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Publication number: 20180044728Abstract: A method for determining the sequence of nucleotide bases in a polynucleotide analyte is provided. It is characterised by the steps of (1) generating a stream of single nucleotide bases from the analyte by pyrophosphorolysis; (2) producing captured molecules by reacting each single nucleotide base with a capture system labelled with detectable elements in an undetectable state; (3) releasing the detectable elements from each captured molecule in a detectable state and (4) detecting the detectable elements so released and determining the sequence of nucleotide bases therefrom. The method can be used advantageously in sequencers involving the use of microdroplets.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 5, 2017Publication date: February 15, 2018Applicants: BASE4 INNOVATION LTD, MEDICAL RESEARCH COUNCILInventors: Cameron Alexander FRAYLING, Barnaby BALMFORTH, Bruno Flavio Nogueira de Sousa SOARES, Thomas Henry ISAAC, Boris BREINER, Alessandra NATALE, Michele AMASIO, Paul DEAR
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Patent number: 9868956Abstract: The invention relates to a method of making a polypeptide comprising an orthogonal functional group, said orthogonal functional group being comprised by an aliphatic amino acid or amino acid derivative, said method comprising providing a host cell; providing a nucleic acid encoding the polypeptide of interest; providing a tRNA-tRNA synthetase pair orthogonal to said host cell; adding an amino acid or amino acid derivative comprising the orthogonal functional group of interest, wherein said amino acid or amino acid derivative is a substrate for said orthogonal tRNA synthetase, wherein said amino acid or amino acid derivative has an aliphatic carbon backbone; and incubating to allow incorporation of said amino acid or amino acid derivative into the polypeptide of interest via the orthogonal tRNA-tRNA synthetase pair. The invention also relates to certain amino acids, and to polypeptides comprising same.Type: GrantFiled: June 2, 2010Date of Patent: January 16, 2018Assignees: North Carolina State University, Medical Research CouncilInventors: Duy P. Nguyen, Heinz Neumann, Alexander Deiters, Jason Chin, Hrvoje Lusic
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Patent number: 9857303Abstract: The invention describes a method for the identification of compounds which bind to a target component of a biochemical system or modulate the activity of the target, by compartmentalizing the compounds into microcapsules together with the target, such that only a subset of the repertoire is represented in multiple copies in any one microcapsules; and identifying the compound which binds to or modulates the activity of the target. The invention enables the screening of large repertoires of molecules which can serve as leads for drug development.Type: GrantFiled: August 12, 2011Date of Patent: January 2, 2018Assignee: Medical Research CouncilInventors: Andrew David Griffiths, Chris Abell, Florian Hollfelder, Enrico Mastrobattista
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Patent number: 9839890Abstract: The invention describes a method for the synthesis of compounds comprising the steps of: (a) compartmentalising two or more sets of primary compounds into microcapsules; such that a proportion of the microcapsules contains two or more compounds; and (b) forming secondary compounds in the microcapsules by chemical reactions between primary compounds from different sets; wherein one or both of steps (a) and (b) is performed under microfluidic control; preferably electronic microfluidic control, The invention further allows for the identification of compounds which bind to a target component of a biochemical system or modulate the activity of the target, and which is co-compartmentalised into the microcapsules.Type: GrantFiled: October 12, 2005Date of Patent: December 12, 2017Assignees: National Science Foundation, Medical Research Council, President and Fellows of Harvard CollegeInventors: Andrew Griffiths, David Weitz, Darren Link, Keunho Ahn, Jerome Bibette
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Publication number: 20170348440Abstract: The present invention provides novel liposomes comprising Gd.DOTA.DSA (gadolinium (III) 2-{4,7-bis-carboxymethyl-10-[(N,N-distearylamidomethyl-N?-amido-methyl]-1,4,7,10-tetra-azacyclododec-1-yl}-acetic acid), characterised in that said liposome further comprises a neutral, fully saturated phospholipid component (e.g. DSPC (1,2-distearoyl-sn-glycero-3-phospocholine]), which are of particular use in the preparation of magnetic resonance contrast agents for enhancing a magnetic resonance image of tumours in a mammal.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 20, 2017Publication date: December 7, 2017Applicants: Medical Research Council, Imperial Innovations LimitedInventors: Nazila KAMALY, Tammy Louise KALBER, Gavin David KENNY, Maya THANOU, Andrew David MILLER, Jimmy BELL
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Patent number: 9828631Abstract: A method for determining the sequence of nucleotide bases in a polynucleotide analyte is provided. It is characterized by the steps of (1) generating a stream of single nucleotide bases from the analyte by pyrophosphorolysis; (2) producing captured molecules by reacting each single nucleotide base with a capture system labelled with detectable elements in an undetectable state; (3) releasing the detectable elements from each captured molecule in a detectable state and (4) detecting the detectable elements so released and determining the sequence of nucleotide bases therefrom. The method can be used advantageously in sequencers involving the use of microdroplets.Type: GrantFiled: April 9, 2014Date of Patent: November 28, 2017Assignees: BASE4 INNOVATION LTD, MEDICAL RESEARCH COUNCILInventors: Cameron Alexander Frayling, Barnaby Balmforth, Bruno Flavio Nogueira de Sousa Soares, Thomas Henry Isaac, Boris Breiner, Alessandra Natale, Michele Amasio, Paul Dear
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Patent number: 9687168Abstract: A method and apparatus for conducting electromyography of a deep muscle non-invasively are provided. An array of suitable surface electromyography electrodes is arranged in one or more rings encircling a part of the human body in which a deep muscle being investigated is located. The potential of at least selected electrodes relative to another electrode selected from a common reference electrode (mono-polar) and other electrodes (bi-polar) in the array is recorded and the data is processed in respect of the recorded potentials of at least some of said selected electrodes in order to determine (optionally using approximations or algorithms, or both) the contribution being made by at least the deep muscle being investigated. Typically, this is done mathematically by resolving the electromyography signals into their constituent components using a suitable technique.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 2010Date of Patent: June 27, 2017Assignees: University of Cape Town, South African Medical Research CouncilInventor: Lester Ryan John
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Patent number: 9683226Abstract: The invention provides functional mutants of activation-induced cytidine deaminase (AID) protein that have increased activity as compared to a wild-type AID protein. The invention also provides nucleic acids encoding the functional AID mutants, and vectors and cells comprising the nucleic acids. The invention further provides methods of using the functional mutant AID proteins.Type: GrantFiled: April 5, 2010Date of Patent: June 20, 2017Assignee: Medical Research CouncilInventors: Meng Wang, Zizhen Yang, Cristina Rada, Michael Neuberger
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Patent number: 9682943Abstract: The present invention relates to a compound of formula (I), or a tautomer and/or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein: R1 is alkyl, Cl, F or Br; R2 is H or F; R3 is selected from H and alkyl; R4 is selected from H and C(O)R6; R5 is H; or R4 and R5 are linked to form a heterocyclic group which is optionally substituted with one or more R10 groups; R6 is selected from R7, OR7 and NR8R9; R7, R8 and R9 are each independently selected from alkyl, cycloalkyl, aralkyl, cycloalkenyl, heterocyclyl and aryl, each of which is optionally substituted with one or more R10 groups; each R10 is independently selected from halogen, OH, CN, NO2, COO-alkyl, aralkyl, SO2-alkyl, SO2-aryl, COOH, CO-alkyl, CO-aryl, NH2, NH-alkyl, N(alkyl)2, CF3, alkyl and alkoxy; X and Z are each independently CR11, and Y is selected from CR11 and N; and R11 is H or F; for use in treating a disorder associated with protein misfolding stress and in particular associated with accumulation of misfolded proteins.Type: GrantFiled: January 10, 2014Date of Patent: June 20, 2017Assignees: MEDICAL RESEARCH COUNCIL, INFLECTIS BIOSCIENCEInventors: Philippe Guedat, Anne Bertolotti
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Patent number: 9632099Abstract: The present invention, relates to the use of TFF3 in the diagnosis and detection of Barrett's Oesophagus using non-invasive, non-endoscopic methods.Type: GrantFiled: February 7, 2014Date of Patent: April 25, 2017Assignee: Medical Research CouncilInventors: Pierre Lao-Sirieix, Rebecca C. Fitzgerald
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Patent number: 9629859Abstract: The invention relates to novel NO donors which are targeted to the mitochondria. The NO donor compounds of the invention allow NO to be selectively provided to the mitochondria.Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 2015Date of Patent: April 25, 2017Assignee: Medical Research CouncilInventors: Robin Andrew James Smith, Michael Patrick Murphy
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Patent number: 9606122Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of aiding in the prognosis of a subject with oesophageal and/or gastro-oesophageal junctional (GOJ) adenocarcinoma, the method comprising the steps of: (a) providing a sample from the subject, (b) determining the expression level of biomarkers TRIM44 and SIRT2 in said sample, and either (i) determining the expression level of biomarker PAPPS2 in said sample; or (ii) determining the expression level of biomarkers WT1 and EGFR in said sample; (c) comparing the expression level of each of said biomarkers to a corresponding reference standard, (d) determining the biomarkers of (b) whose expression is dysregulated compared to the reference standard, (e) inferring from the dysregulated biomarkers identified in (d) the prognosis of 5-year survival, wherein the greater the number of said biomarkers which are dysregulated, the greater the reduction in prognosis of 5-year survival. The invention also relates to kits, uses and devices.Type: GrantFiled: March 24, 2011Date of Patent: March 28, 2017Assignees: Cambridge Enterprise Limited, Medical Research CouncilInventors: Christopher J. Peters, Carlos Caldas, Rebecca C. Fitzgerald
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Patent number: 9587265Abstract: There is described a method for analyzing ubiquitin polymers using linkage-specific deubiquitinase enzymes. Novel specificities of deubiquitinase enzymes are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 2012Date of Patent: March 7, 2017Assignee: Medical Research CouncilInventors: Tycho E. T. Mevissen, Manuela K. Hospenthal, David Komander
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Patent number: 9555127Abstract: The invention relates to a biological system for diminishing cell growth or inducing selective killing of target cells, in particular pathogenic bacterial or fungal cells, or cancer cells. The biological system is based on toxin-antitoxin systems, as found in prokaryotic plasmids and their host chromosomes. The biological system comprises a vehicle with a first nucleic acid sequence or amino acid sequence encoding for a prokaryotic toxin of a prokaryotic toxin-antitoxin pair, and a second nucleic acid sequence or amino acid sequence encoding for the corresponding prokaryotic antitoxin of the prokaryotic toxin-antitoxin pair. The system is characterized in that the toxin and/or the antitoxin is operably linked to a protein output modifier (POM) that comprises a nucleic acid sequence or amino acid sequence that modifies the relative rate of transcription, mRNA stability, mRNA translatability or protein stability of the toxin and/or antitoxin.Type: GrantFiled: September 17, 2012Date of Patent: January 31, 2017Assignees: Medical Research CouncilInventor: Guillermo de la Cueva-Méndez