Patents Examined by Jim Ketter
  • High throughput transfection of filamentous fungi
    Patent number: 9334504
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for the transfection of filamentous fungal cells, comprising providing a multitude of containers, filling into each container an amount of polymer needed for the transfection, filling the cells to be transfected as well as an aqueous solution of transfection reagent into each of the containers, incubating the resulting mixture, removing the transfection reagent from the incubated mixture; and selecting the cells which have been transformed, characterized in that the total volume of the incubating mixture is less than 1 ml per container. Furthermore, the present invention provides the use of transformed filamentous fungal cells for the production of proteins or metabolites.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Assignee: DSM IP ASSETS B.V.
    Inventors: Marco Alexander Van Den Berg, Bianca Elisabeth Maria Gielesen, Adriana Marina Riemens
  • Method of producing a recombinant microorganism
    Patent number: 9315830
    Abstract: The invention provides a genetic tool to insert, replace, delete, or otherwise manipulate a nucleic acid sequence in a microorganism to produce a recombinant microorganism. Notably, the invention makes use of homologous recombination, a type of genetic recombination in which nucleotide sequences are exchanged between two similar or identical molecules of DNA. Since the invention involves three homologous recombination events, it is referred to as a “triple cross” method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: LanzaTech New Zealand Limited
    Inventors: David Jeffrey Fraser Walker, Michael Koepke
  • Bacterial host strain
    Patent number: 9315770
    Abstract: A recombinant gram-negative bacterial cell comprising one or more of the following mutated protease genes: a) a mutated Tsp gene, wherein the mutated Tsp gene encodes a Tsp protein having reduced protease activity or is a knockout mutated Tsp gene; b) a mutated ptr gene, wherein the mutated ptr gene encodes a Protease III protein having reduced protease activity or is a knockout mutated ptr gene; and c) a mutated DegP gene encoding a DegP protein having chaperone activity and reduced protease activity; wherein the cell is isogenic to a wild-type bacterial cell except for the mutated Tsp gene and/or mutated ptr gene and/or mutated DegP gene and optionally a polynucleotide sequence encoding a protein of interest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: UCB PHARMA, S.A.
    Inventors: Mark Ellis, David Paul Humphreys
  • Method for the production of permanent human cell lines
    Patent number: 9315773
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the production of a permanent human cell line, wherein isolated primary human cells are transfected simultaneously with a sequence allowing the expression of at least one cell transforming factor and a sequence allowing the expression of at least one recombinant polypeptide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: CEVEC PHARMACEUTICALS GMBH
    Inventors: Gudrun Schiedner, Christoph Volpers
  • Massively parallel combinatorial genetics
    Patent number: 9315806
    Abstract: The invention relates to methods and compositions that enable the rapid generation of high-order combinations of genetic elements, and that provide a barcoded basis for rapid characterization of the specific combination of genetic elements encoded within a single cell or in a pooled population.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Timothy Kuan-Ta Lu, Allen Cheng
  • Eukaryotic cells with artificial endosymbionts for multimodal detection
    Patent number: 9315780
    Abstract: The present invention is directed generally to eukaryotic cells comprising single-celled organisms that are introduced into the eukaryotic cell through human intervention and which transfer to daughter cells of the eukaryotic cell, and methods of introducing such single-celled organisms into eukaryotic cells. The invention provides single-celled organisms that introduce a phenotype to eukaryotic cells that is maintained in daughter cells. The invention additionally provides eukaryotic cells containing magnetic bacteria. The invention further provides eukaryotic cells engineered with single-celled organisms to allow for multimodal observation of the eukaryotic cells. Each imaging method (or modality) allows the visualization of different aspects of anatomy and physiology, and combining these allows the imager to learn more about the subject being imaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: Bell Biosystems, Inc.
    Inventors: Caleb B. Bell, III, Alexey Bazarov
  • Genetically modified filamentous fungi and uses thereof
    Patent number: 9309295
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a filamentous fungus comprising a genetic modification in one more hydrophobin genes and the use of the same as host cell for preparing a biosynthetic product. The present invention further pertains to a vector for and methods for generating said filamentous fungus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: Danmarks Tekniske Universitet
    Inventors: Lars Poulsen, Jette Thykær, Anna Eliasson Lantz
  • Methods and compositions for synthesis of nucleic acid molecules using multiple recognition sites
    Patent number: 9309520
    Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods for recombinational cloning. The compositions include vectors having multiple recombination sites and/or multiple topoisomerase recognition sites. The methods permit the simultaneous cloning of two or more different nucleic acid molecules. In some embodiments the molecules are fused together while in other embodiments the molecules are inserted into distinct sites in a vector. The invention also generally provides for linking or joining through recombination a number of molecules and/or compounds (e.g., chemical compounds, drugs, proteins or peptides, lipids, nucleic acids, carbohydrates, etc.) which may be the same or different.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: LIFE TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jonathan Chesnut, John Carrino, Louis Leong, Knut Madden, Martin Gleeson, James Fan, Michael Brasch, David Cheo, James Hartley, Devon Byrd, Gary Temple
  • Patient monitoring
    Patent number: 9307913
    Abstract: A hemodynamic monitor including a processor incorporating software arranged to continuously analyze and process a blood pressure or arterial volume/plethysmographic signal obtained from the subject in order to derive a plurality of complementary parameters throughout the monitoring of the subject. The monitor also incorporates a display arranged to interact with the processor to display images representing the derived plurality of complementary parameters. The images include at least one image representing graphically at least one stress related hemodynamic parameter plotted against time and at least one image representing graphically at least one fluid responsiveness parameter plotted against time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: LIDCO GROUP PLC
    Inventors: Terence Kevin O'Brien, Eric Stephen Mills
  • Compositions for detecting foodstuff spoilage microorganisms
    Patent number: 9303281
    Abstract: The invention provides nucleic acids, collections of nucleic acids, assay kits, and methods for the sensitive and specific detection of microorganisms in a foodstuff. The nucleic acid consists of a nucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 1-45.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: Pall Corporation
    Inventor: Caifu Chen
  • Multilayered cell culture apparatus
    Patent number: 9290730
    Abstract: A multilayered cell culture apparatus for the culturing of cells is disclosed. The cell culture apparatus is defined as an integral structure having a plurality of cell culture chambers in combination with tracheal space(s). The body of the apparatus has imparted therein gas permeable membranes in combination with tracheal spaces that will allow the free flow of gases between the cell culture chambers and the external environment. The flask body also includes an aperture that will allow access to the cell growth chambers by means of a needle or cannula. The size of the apparatus, and location of an optional neck and cap section, allows for its manipulation by standard automated assay equipment, further making the apparatus ideal for high throughput applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventors: Gregory Roger Martin, Allison Jean Tanner
  • Methods and compositions for separating rare cells from fluid samples
    Patent number: 9290812
    Abstract: The present invention includes methods of enriching rare cells, such as cancer cells, from biological samples, such as blood samples. The methods include performing at least one debulking step on a blood sample and selectively removing at least one type undesirable component from the blood sample to obtain a blood sample that is enriched in a rare cell of interest. In some embodiments magnetic beads coupled to specific binding members are used to selectively removed components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: Aviva Biosciences Corporation
    Inventors: Douglas T. Yamanishi, Paul G. Hujsak, Sara F. Snyder, George Walker, Junquan Xu, Mingxian Huang, Guoliang Tao, Lei Wu, Xiaobo Wang, Joe Ouyang, Charina Schmitigal, Jing Cheng, Jia Xu
  • Luciferase biosensor
    Patent number: 9290745
    Abstract: A modified beetle luciferase protein which is an environmentally sensitive reporter protein is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: PROMEGA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Frank Fan, Martin Ken Lewis, John W. Shultz, Keith V. Wood, Braeden Butler
  • Methods for making and using molecular switches involving circular permutation
    Patent number: 9290544
    Abstract: The invention provides molecular switches which couple external signals to functionality, and combinatorial methods of making and using the same involving circular permutation of nucleic acid and amino acid sequences. The switches according to the invention can be used, for example, to regulate gene transcription, target drug delivery to specific cells, transport drugs intracellularly, control drug release, provide conditionally active proteins, perform metabolic engineering, and modulate cell signaling pathways. Libraries comprising the switches, expression vectors and host cells for expressing the switches are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: The Johns Hopkins University
    Inventors: Marc Alan Ostermeier, Gurkan Guntas
  • Heat exchanger system with flexible bag
    Patent number: 9284524
    Abstract: A heat exchanger system includes a heat exchanger having a body plate with a first side face and an opposing second side face, the body plate bounding a fluid channel disposed between the opposing side faces and extending between an inlet port and an outlet port, and a first side plate having an inside face. A flexible first bag includes of one or more sheets of polymeric material, the first bag bounding a fluid pathway that extends between a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet, the first bag being removably retained between the body plate and the first side plate so that at least a portion of the first bag rests against the first side face of the body plate when the fluid pathway of the first bag is filled with a fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: Life Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Clinton C. Staheli, Nephi D. Jones, Michael E. Goodwin
  • Methods for detecting modification resistant nucleic acids
    Patent number: 9284547
    Abstract: Methods are provided for, inter alia, detecting nucleic acid molecules resistant to degradation, such as a plurality of RNA molecules bound to a ribosome, using various technologies including deep sequencing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Jonathan Weissman, Nicholas Ingolia, Sina Ghaemmaghami, John Newman
  • Global transcription machinery engineering
    Patent number: 9273307
    Abstract: The invention relates to global transcription machinery engineering to produce altered cells having improved phenotypes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Hal S. Alper, Gregory Stephanopoulos
  • Serum-free stable transfection and production of recombinant human proteins in human cell lines
    Patent number: 9273325
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved method for the serum-free production of an immortalized human cell line stably transfected under serum-free conditions with a specific vector carrying the gene coding for the protein of interest. Furthermore the invention relates to a production cell line obtained by said method, a production method for said protein of interest utilizing said production cell line, and the specific vector carrying the gene of interest itself.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Inventors: Carola Schroeder, Haiyan Ding, Cathleen Wegmann
  • Tissue regenerative composition, method of making, and method of use thereof
    Patent number: 9265860
    Abstract: A matrix, including epithelial basement membrane, for inducing repair of mammalian tissue defects and in vitro cell propagation derived from epithelial tissues of a warm-blooded vertebrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: ACell, Inc.
    Inventor: Alan R. Spievack
  • System and method for electroporating a sample
    Patent number: 9260690
    Abstract: A system and method are described for electroporating a sample that utilizes one or more sets of electrodes that are spaced apart in order to hold a surface tension constrained sample between the electrodes. The first electrode is connected to the lower body of the system while the second electrode is connected to the upper body. Both electrodes are connected to a pulse generator. Each electrode has a sample contact surface such that the first electrode and the second electrode may be positioned to hold a surface tension constrained sample between the two sample contact surfaces and the sample may receive a selected electric pulse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: Applied Biosystems, LLC
    Inventors: Richard Jarvis, Mike Byrom, Dmitriy Ovcharenko