Patents Assigned to Oxitec Limited
  • Publication number: 20240016132
    Abstract: Two or more conditional, dominant, lethal gene expression systems provide high levels of penetrance in insects. Lethality is induced at an earlier stage of development and the risk of biochemical resistance is reduced, as compared to a single insect conditional, dominant, lethal gene expression system. The invention is useful for the control of insect populations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2023
    Publication date: January 18, 2024
    Applicant: Oxitec Limited
    Inventors: Martha Koukidou, Luke Alphey, Simon Warner
  • Patent number: 11737436
    Abstract: Two or more conditional, dominant, lethal gene expression systems provide high levels of penetrance in insects. Lethality is induced at an earlier stage of development and the risk of biochemical resistance is reduced, as compared to a single insect conditional, dominant, lethal gene expression system. The invention is useful for the control of insect populations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: Oxitec Limited
    Inventors: Martha Koukidou, Luke Alphey, Simon Warner
  • Patent number: 11284608
    Abstract: In one aspect, provided herein is an apparatus for mass rearing aquatic arthropod larvae that provides control over the environment in which the larvae are reared. The apparatus comprises an aquatic reservoir, means to supply water to the reservoir, and means to drain water from the reservoir, said drainage means being equipped with a porous barrier, such as a sieve, adapted to prevent said larvae from exiting the reservoir therethrough, while permitting the passage of water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: Oxitec Limited
    Inventor: Neil Naish
  • Patent number: 10941416
    Abstract: A polynucleotide expression system is provided that is capable of alternative splicing of RNA transcripts of a polynucleotide sequence to be expressed in an organism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: Oxitec Limited
    Inventor: Luke Alphey
  • Patent number: 10844402
    Abstract: A gene expression system is provided. The system comprises at least one coding sequence to be expressed in an organism, and at least one promoter operably linked thereto. It further comprises at least one splice control sequence which, in cooperation with a spliceosome, mediates alternative splicing of RNA transcripts of the coding sequence. The mediation of alternative splicing is in a sex-specific, stage-specific, germline-specific and tissue-specific manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: Oxitec Limited
    Inventor: Luke Alphey
  • Patent number: 10426147
    Abstract: Provided is a gene expression system, suitable for expression in an insect, comprising an insect muscle actin promoter operably linked to a marker gene, which overcomes or ameliorates one or more of: cost of rearing; amount of handling; errors in identification due to human error or loss of marker by the insect; and health concerns related to the effects of marker powders on workers in mass rearing facilities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: Oxitec Limited
    Inventors: Martha Koukidou, Sarah Scaife, Luke Alphey
  • Publication number: 20180251785
    Abstract: A polynucleotide expression system is provided that is capable of alternative splicing of RNA transcripts of a polynucleotide sequence to be expressed in an organism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2018
    Publication date: September 6, 2018
    Applicant: Oxitec Limited
    Inventor: Luke ALPHEY
  • Patent number: 10059961
    Abstract: A gene expression system is provided. The system comprises at least one coding sequence to be expressed in an organism, and at least one promoter operably linked thereto. It further comprises at least one splice control sequence which, in cooperation with a spliceosome, mediates alternative splicing of RNA transcripts of the coding sequence. The mediation of alternative splicing is in a sex-specific, stage-specific, germline-specific and tissue-specific manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: Oxitec Limited
    Inventor: Luke Alphey
  • Publication number: 20180213756
    Abstract: In one aspect, provided herein is an apparatus for mass rearing aquatic arthropod larvae that provides control over the environment in which the larvae are reared. The apparatus comprises an aquatic reservoir, means to supply water to the reservoir, and means to drain water from the reservoir, said drainage means being equipped with a porous barrier, such as a sieve, adapted to prevent said larvae from exiting the reservoir therethrough, while permitting the passage of water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2015
    Publication date: August 2, 2018
    Applicant: Oxitec Limited
    Inventor: Neil NAISH
  • Patent number: 9970025
    Abstract: A polynucleotide expression system is provided that is capable of alternative splicing of RNA transcripts of a polynucleotide sequence to be expressed in an organism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: Oxitec Limited
    Inventor: Luke Alphey
  • Publication number: 20170360015
    Abstract: Provided is a gene expression system, suitable for expression in an insect, comprising an insect muscle actin promoter operably linked to a marker gene, which overcomes or ameliorates one or more of: cost of rearing; amount of handling; errors in identification due to human error or loss of marker by the insect; and health concerns related to the effects of marker powders on workers in mass rearing facilities.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2017
    Publication date: December 21, 2017
    Applicant: Oxitec Limited
    Inventors: Martha KOUKIDOU, Sarah SCAIFE, Luke ALPHEY
  • Publication number: 20170188559
    Abstract: Two or more conditional, dominant, lethal gene expression systems provide high levels of penetrance in insects. Lethality is induced at an earlier stage of development and the risk of biochemical resistance is reduced, as compared to a single insect conditional, dominant, lethal gene expression system. The invention is useful for the control of insect populations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2015
    Publication date: July 6, 2017
    Applicant: Oxitec Limited
    Inventors: Martha KOUKIDOU, Luke ALPHEY, Simon WARNER
  • Publication number: 20170009253
    Abstract: Provided is an arthropod male germline gene expression system suitable for conditional expression of an effector gene in an Arthropod male germline. The system comprises a first expression unit comprising an effector gene and a promoter therefor operably linked thereto; and a second expression unit. Said second unit comprises a coding sequence for a transcription factor and an upstream regulatory element operably linked thereto, the transcription factor being capable of acting upon the promoter in the first expression unit to drive expression of the effector gene. The upstream regulatory element includes a promoter for the transcription factor; and a 5? UTR adjacent a start site for the transcription factor coding sequence. The upstream regulatory element driving sufficient expression of the transcription factor such that the transcription factor protein in turn drives transcription of the effector gene before meiosis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2016
    Publication date: January 12, 2017
    Applicant: Oxitec Limited
    Inventor: Luke ALPHEY
  • Patent number: 9487801
    Abstract: Provided is an arthropod male germline gene expression system suitable for conditional expression of an effector gene in an Arthropod male germline. The system comprises a first expression unit comprising an effector gene and a promoter therefor operably linked thereto; and a second expression unit. Said second unit comprises a coding sequence for a transcription factor and an upstream regulatory element operably linked thereto, the transcription factor being capable of acting upon the promoter in the first expression unit to drive expression of the effector gene. The upstream regulatory element includes a promoter for the transcription factor; and a 5? UTR adjacent a start site for the transcription factor coding sequence. The upstream regulatory element driving sufficient expression of the transcription factor such that the transcription factor protein in turn drives transcription of the effector gene before meiosis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: OXITEC LIMITED
    Inventor: Luke Alphey
  • Publication number: 20160122780
    Abstract: A polynucleotide expression system is provided that is capable of alternative splicing of RNA transcripts of a polynucleotide sequence to be expressed in an organism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2016
    Publication date: May 5, 2016
    Applicant: Oxitec Limited
    Inventor: Luke Alphey
  • Publication number: 20160106078
    Abstract: Provided is a gene expression system, suitable for expression in an insect, comprising an insect muscle actin pro-moter operably linked to a marker gene, which overcomes or ameliorates one or more of: cost of rearing; amount of handling; errors in identification due to human error or loss of marker by the insect; and health concerns related to the effects of marker powders on workers in mass rearing facilities.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2014
    Publication date: April 21, 2016
    Applicant: Oxitec Limited
    Inventors: Martha KOUKIDOU, Sarah SCAIFE, Luke ALPHEY
  • Patent number: 9234232
    Abstract: The invention relates to the field of multiplex amplification. In particular, the invention relates to methods for assaying a sample for one or more nucleic acid targets in a single reaction based on the distinct melting temperatures or melting profiles of primers and/or probes. The invention also provides probes and kits for use in such methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: OXITEC LIMITED
    Inventor: Guoliang Fu
  • Patent number: 9180464
    Abstract: There is provided an apparatus for sorting arthropod larvae and pupae and in particular, although not necessarily, to sorting arthropod pupae on the basis of size, especially in mosquitoes. The apparatus can contain two parallel bars pivotally mounted in a frame such that the distance between the bars is adjustable. Insect larvae and pupae may be inserted into a chamber with one side formed by the grid of bars and inserted into water to separate the different forms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: OXITEC LIMITED
    Inventors: Derric David Nimmo, Luke Alphey
  • Patent number: 9133477
    Abstract: A gene expression system is provided. The system comprises at least one coding sequence to be expressed in an organism, and at least one promoter operably linked thereto. It further comprises at least one splice control sequence which, in cooperation with a spliceosome, mediates alternative splicing of RNA transcripts of the coding sequence. The mediation of alternative splicing is in a sex-specific, stage-specific, germline-specific and tissue-specific manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignee: Oxitec Limited
    Inventor: Luke Alphey
  • Patent number: 9121036
    Abstract: Promoters active in insects can be enhanced by positive feedback mechanisms and associated with repressible lethal effects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: Oxitec Limited
    Inventor: Luke Alphey