Patents Examined by Deborah Crouch
  • Pig whose genome comprises a heterologous site-specific recombination site and a transpohon tag
    Patent number: 8581021
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a genetically modified pig comprising at least one site for integration of at least one transgene. The invention also pertains to a porcine embryo, blastocyst, fetus, donor cell and/or cell nucleus, derived from said genetically modified pig. In another aspect, the invention relates to any genetically modified porcine blastocyst, wherein the genetically modified genome comprises at least one site for integration of at least one transgene.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Aarhus Universitet
    Inventors: Jacob Giehm Mikkelsen, Brian Moldt, Anders Lade Nielsen, Lars Axel Bolund, Peter Michael Kragh, Jannik Ejnar Jakobsen, Arne Lund Jørgensen
  • Methods of culturing cells in a medium comprising transforming growth factor beta 1 and basic fibroblast growth factor
    Patent number: 8563311
    Abstract: The present invention is of methods of establishing and propagating human embryonic stem cell lines using feeder cells-free, xeno-free culture systems and stem cells which are capable of being maintained in an undifferentiated, pluripotent and proliferative state in culture which is free of xeno contaminants and feeder cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Technion Research & Development Foundation Limited
    Inventors: Michal Amit, Joseph Itskovitz-Eldor
  • Primitive organ-like structure comprising keratinocytes and hair papilla cells
    Patent number: 8563309
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method of producing a cell mass capable of serving as a primitive organ-like structure comprised of a plurality of somatic cell types of somatic origin, comprising: preparing cultures containing the plurality of types of somatic cells; mixing the plurality of types of somatic cell cultures followed by adding a Wnt signal activator to the mixed cell culture; subjecting the culture containing the Wnt signal activator to non-plate contact culturing over a predetermined time period; and replacing the medium of the culture cultured by the non-plate contact culturing with medium not containing Wnt signal activator and further culturing for a predetermined time period; wherein, at least one type of the plurality of somatic cells is maintained in an undifferentiated state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Shiseido Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shigeyoshi Fujiwara, Jiro Kishimoto, Tsutomu Soma
  • Treatment composition comprising physically disrupted tooth pulp and non-cultured stem cells
    Patent number: 8562969
    Abstract: A medical implant comprising in components from a tooth and stem cells harvested from at least one tooth. Tooth stem cells may be harvested from the dental pulp of mammalian teeth, such as unerupted third molars in humans. After the stem cells are removed and isolated from the other teeth tissue, the hard tooth may be ground into a base material for the manufacture of a porous matrix into which the tooth stem cells can be added. Additionally, soft tissue from the harvested tooth may be used as a carrier scaffold for soft tissue applications such as meniscal or cartilage repair.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Inventor: Ray C. Wasielewski
  • Genetically modified rat comprising a cytokine gene disruption and exhibiting a greater susceptibility to a cytokine-mediated autoimmune and/or inflammatory disease
    Patent number: 8558055
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the engineering of animal cells, preferably mammalian, more preferably rat, that are deficient due to the disruption of gene(s) or gene product(s) resulting in cytokine-cytokine mediated autoimmune and inflammatory disease. In another aspect, the invention relates to genetically modified rats, as well as the descendants and ancestors of such animals, which are animal models of human autoimmune and inflammatory disease and methods of their use. Specifically, the invention pertains to a genetically altered rat, or a rat cell in culture, that is defective in at least one of two alleles of a cytokine gene such as the Faslg gene, the Fas gene, etc. In one embodiment, the cytokine gene is the Faslg gene. In another embodiment, the cytokine gene is one of several known cytokine genes, such as Fas, IFN?, TNF-?, IL-2, IL-10, and IL-12.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Transposagen Biopharmaceuticals, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric M. Ostertag, John Stuart Crawford
  • Preparing a homogenous population of stem cells committed to differentiated to a specific cell type
    Patent number: 8557584
    Abstract: The stem cell (1) includes a cellular DNA (2) comprising a plurality of sequences coding different genes and promoters allowing DNA-protein-interactions, at least one protein molecule (3) generated by means of a specific stimulus (12) and at least one DNA-molecule (6) artificially introduced into the stem cell (1). The artificially introduced DNA-molecule (6) comprises at least one binding site sequence (30) being apt to interact with the protein molecule (3), at least one DNA-sequence (40) coding an indicator molecule (5) and at least one minimal promoter sequence (50), allowing the gene expression of said indicator molecule (5), whereby the stem cell further includes at least one indicator molecule (5) having properties allowing its identification and is produced by synthesis of the DNA-sequence (40) coding an indicator molecule (5) of the artificially introduced DNA-molecule (6).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Ao-Forschungsinstitut Davos
    Inventors: Mauro Alini, Martin Stoddart
  • Compound screening using chondrocytes derived from primate pluripotent stem cells
    Patent number: 8546101
    Abstract: This invention provides a system for obtaining cells of the chondrocyte lineage by differentiating primate pluripotent stem cells. The process involves culturing the cells as a micromass or other aggregate form in a cocktail of differentiation agents that facilitates outgrowth of the desired cell type. Progeny are capable of synthesizing Type II collagen or aggrecan, or other products that are characteristic of the chondrocyte lineage. Chondrocytes and chondrocyte precursor cells obtained according to this disclosure are suitable for use in both research and clinical therapy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Geron Corporation
    Inventor: R. Scott Thies
  • Treatment composition comprising physically disrupted tooth pulp and non-cultured stem cells in a matrix
    Patent number: 8540978
    Abstract: A medical implant comprising in components from a tooth and stem cells harvested from at least one tooth. Tooth stem cells may be harvested from the dental pulp of mammalian teeth, such as unerupted third molars in humans. After the stem cells are removed and isolated from the other teeth tissue, the hard tooth may be ground into a base material for the manufacture of a porous matrix into which the tooth stem cells can be added. Additionally, soft tissue from the harvested tooth may be used as a carrier scaffold for soft tissue applications such as meniscal or cartilage repair.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Inventor: Ray C. Wasielewski
  • Methods of generating tendon tissue in vitro from connective tissue progenitor cells
    Patent number: 8541234
    Abstract: Methods of generating and expanding proliferative, multipotent connective tissue progenitor cells from adult stem cells are provided. Also provided are methods of generating functional tendon grafts in vitro and bone, cartilage and connective tissues in vivo using the isolated cell preparation of connective tissue progenitor cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: Technion Research & Development Foundation Limited
    Inventors: Joseph Itskovitz-Eldor, Shahar Cohen
  • Soluble composition for promoting hair growth produced by hypoxic culture of fibroblasts cells
    Patent number: 8535913
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of producing compositions including embryonic proteins. The method includes culturing cells under hypoxic conditions on a biocompatible three-dimensional surface in vitro. The culturing method produces both soluble and non-soluble fractions, which may be used separately or in combination to obtain physiologically acceptable compositions useful in a variety of medical and therapeutic applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Histogen, Inc.
    Inventors: Gail K. Naughton, Frank Ziegler, Mark Baumgartner, Kyle Nickey
  • Culturing embryonic stem cells, embryonic stem-like cells, or induced pluripotent stem cells with a Muc1 or Muc1* ligand
    Patent number: 8535944
    Abstract: The present application describes a method of culturing, expanding or growing stem or stem-like cells or induced pluripotent stem cells on a surface, including attaching the cells to the surface through a ligand that binds to the surface and the cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Minerva Biotechnologies Corporation
    Inventor: Cynthia C. Bamdad
  • Defective Sindbis viral vector comprising an anti-tumor gene
    Patent number: 8530232
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are new defective Sindbis viral vectors made from wild type Ar-339 Sindbis virus, with differences in replicase and envelope proteins between JT vectors and consensus Sindbis virus sequences, and also between JT and Ar-339 vectors. Also disclosed are plasmids used for the production of the vectors, methods for producing the vectors, methods for treating mammals suffering from tumors and pharmaceutical formulations for use in the treatment methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: New York University
    Inventors: Alicia Hurtado, Daniel Meruelo
  • Repair and/or regeneration of cells with a composition produced by culturing fibroblast cells under hypoxic conditions
    Patent number: 8530415
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of producing compositions including embryonic proteins. The method includes culturing cells under hypoxic conditions on a biocompatible three-dimensional surface in vitro. The culturing method produces both soluble and non-soluble fractions, which may be used separately or in combination to obtain physiologically acceptable compositions useful in a variety of medical and therapeutic applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Histogen, Inc.
    Inventors: Gail K. Naughton, Frank Ziegler, Mark Baumgartner, Kyle Nickey
  • Low oxygen tension and BFGF generates a multipotent stem cell from a fibroblast in vitro
    Patent number: 8524494
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of producing compositions including embryonic proteins. The method includes culturing cells under hypoxic conditions on a biocompatible surface in vitro. The culturing method produces both soluble and non-soluble fractions, which may be used separately or in combination to obtain physiologically acceptable compositions useful in a variety of medical and therapeutic applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Histogen, Inc.
    Inventors: Gail K. Naughton, Frank Ziegler, Mark Baumgartner, Kyle Nickey
  • Nucleic acids encoding SOX10 promoter and methods to isolate SOX10 expressing cells
    Patent number: 8524875
    Abstract: DNA enhancer sequences are provided for use in constructs to identify early stage embryonic cells. The enhancer sequences can be used in parallel with short-hairpin RNA in a vector construct for endogenously regulated gene knockdowns. The disclosed enhancer sequences can be used to isolate a selected population of early stage embryonic cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Tatjana Sauka-Spengler, Sonja J. McKeown, Paola Betancur, Marianne Bronner
  • Nucleic acid vector comprising a promoter and a sequence encoding a polypeptide from the endogenous retrovirus PCAV
    Patent number: 8518694
    Abstract: A nucleic acid vector comprising: (i) a promoter; (ii) a sequence encoding a HML-2 polypeptide operably linked to said promoter; and (iii) a selectable marker. Preferred vectors comprise: (I) a eukaryotic promoter; (ii) a sequence encoding a HML-2 polypeptide downstream of and operably linked to said promoter, (iii) a prokaryotic selectable marker; (iv) a prokaryotic origin of replication; and (v) a eukaryotic transcription terminator downstream of and operably linked to said sequence encoding a HML-2 polypeptide. Vectors of the invention are particularly useful for expression of HML-2 polypeptides either in vitro (e.g. for later purification). Or in vivo (e.g. for nucleic acid immunization). They are well suited to nucleic acid immunization against prostrate tumors. A preferred HML-2 is PCAV, which is located in chromosome 22 at 20.428 megabases (22q11.2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Novartis Vaccines and Diagnostics, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen Hardy, John Donnelly, Jan zur Megede
  • Non human transgenic mammal comprising a transgene comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding a ribosomal protein fused to a peptide tag
    Patent number: 8513485
    Abstract: The invention provides methods for isolating cell-type specific mRNAs by selectively isolating ribosomes or proteins that bind mRNA in a cell type specific manner, and, thereby, the mRNA hound to the ribosomes or proteins that bind mRNA. Ribosomes, which are riboprotein complexes, bind mRNA that is being actively translated in cells. According to the methods of the invention, cells are engineered to express a molecularly tagged ribosomal protein or protein that binds mRNA by introducing into the cell a nucleic acid comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding a ribosomal protein or protein that binds mRNA fused to a nucleotide sequence encoding a peptide tag. The tagged ribosome or mRNA binding protein can then be isolated, along with the mRNA bound to the tagged ribosome or mRNA binding protein, and the mRNA isolated and further used for gene expression analysis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Envoy Therapeutics, Inc.
    Inventors: Nathaniel Heintz, Tito A. Serafini, Andrew W. Shyjan
  • DNA immunogenic composition comprising a full-length modified poxvirus L1R gene fused to a tPA leader sequence
    Patent number: 8513005
    Abstract: The invention described here encompasses DNA and protein vaccines against poxviruses, and relevant immunogenic compositions, comprising at a minimum a nucleic acid encoding a modified full-length poxvirus L1R gene or its ortholog. The L1R gene is modified so that an endoplasmic reticulum-targeting sequence is operably linked on the 5? end. Preferably the nucleic acid sequences for other poxviruses antigens are also included, such as A33R, B5R and/or A27L. These vaccines and compositions provide improved neutralizing antibody response elicited by molecular poxvirus vaccines, over known vaccines using unmodified L1R.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: The United States of America as Represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: Jay W. Hooper, Joseph W. Golden
  • Vaccinia virus expression vector for selective replication in a tumor cell and introduction of exogenous nucleotide sequence into a tumor cell
    Patent number: 8506947
    Abstract: A composition of matter comprising a vaccinia virus expression vector with a negative thymidine kinase phenotype and a negative vaccinia virus growth factor phenotype.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: The United States of America as Represented by the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services
    Inventors: J. Andrea McCart, David L. Bartlett, Bernard Moss
  • UCB-MSCs comprising a tumor suppressor gene reduce the size of an IL-8 or GRO-?expressing tumor
    Patent number: 8506948
    Abstract: Provided is a gene therapy composition for transferring one of a therapeutic gene, a maker gene, or a mixture thereof to a cell that expresses interleukin-8 (IL-8) or GRO-? and induces tropism of mesenchymal stem cells isolated from umbilical cord blood and/or the mesenchymal stem cells expanded from said mesenchymal stem cells (UCB-MSCs), wherein the cell-treating composition includes UCB-MSCs. Provided is a composition for treating disease related to a cell expressing IL-8 or GRO-?, that is, a brain tumor in gene therapy, by using UCB-MSCs. Provided is a composition or kit for diagnosing brain tumors, preventing brain tumors, treating brain tumors, or monitoring brain tumor treatment progression by using UCB-MSCs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Medipost Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jong Wook Chang, Dal Soo Kim, Yoon-Sun Yang, Won Il Oh