Patents by Inventor Eric A. Holwitt
Eric A. Holwitt has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 9273345Abstract: Embodiments herein relate to compositions and methods for making and using aptamers, for example, DNA aptamers (DCEs) and/or RNA aptamers. In some embodiments, methods relate to making and amplifying target DCEs. In certain embodiments, methods for making capture elements or aptamers concern using a reporter moiety and signal reducing moiety prior to amplifying a target-specific capture element. In some embodiments, methods disclosed herein may be used to rapidly generate large quantities of aptamers such as DCEs directed to a particular target agent. Some embodiments relate to systems for performing automated generation of aptamers.Type: GrantFiled: December 27, 2007Date of Patent: March 1, 2016Assignee: CONCEPTUAL MINDWORKS, INC.Inventors: Johnathan L. Kiel, Eric A. Holwitt, Michael (Maomian) Fan, Shelly D. Roper
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Patent number: 8790877Abstract: The solutions provided here use DNA aptamers and quantum dots for the detection of bacteria, viruses, proteins or other targets. An example of a method described here comprises: providing a complex of DNA complementary strands, one strand being an aptamer, having one strand covalently linked to a quantum dot, and having the other strand linked to a quencher; and contacting the complex of DNA complementary strands with a microorganism or components thereof, under conditions that permit binding of the aptamer with the microorganism or components thereof.Type: GrantFiled: July 9, 2008Date of Patent: July 29, 2014Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Air ForceInventors: Eric A. Holwitt, Jonathan L. Kiel, Veronica Franz Sorola
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Patent number: 8628955Abstract: Embodiments herein report compositions, systems and methods for making and using plasmid vectors and nanotube complexes. In certain embodiments, compositions, systems and methods herein include making plasmid vectors having aptamer inserts. In some embodiments, methods disclosed herein may be used to rapidly generate large quantities of plasmid vectors having aptamer inserts directed to a particular target agent. Other aspects concern plasmid constructs associated with organic semiconductors. Yet other aspects concern complexes of nanotubes associated with dsDNA aptamers and tracking molecules.Type: GrantFiled: June 2, 2010Date of Patent: January 14, 2014Inventors: Johnathan L. Kiel, Amanda Tijerina, Eric A. Holwitt, Jill Parker, Mark A. Sloan, Melanie Woitaske, Maomian Fan
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Patent number: 8383036Abstract: The present invention concerns methods, compositions and apparatus for neutralizing bioagents, wherein bioagents comprise biowarfare agents, biohazardous agents, biological agents and/or infectious agents. The methods comprise exposing the bioagent to an organic semiconductor and exposing the bioagent and organic semiconductor to a source of energy. Although any source of energy is contemplated, in some embodiments the energy comprises visible light, ultraviolet, infrared, radiofrequency, microwave, laser radiation, pulsed corona discharge or electron beam radiation. Exemplary organic semiconductors include DAT and DALM. In certain embodiments, the organic semiconductor may be attached to one or more binding moieties, such as an antibody, antibody fragment, or nucleic acid ligand. Preferably, the binding moiety has a binding affinity for one or more bioagents to be neutralized. Other embodiments concern an apparatus comprising an organic semiconductor and an energy source.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2010Date of Patent: February 26, 2013Assignee: Conceptual Mindworks, Inc.Inventors: Mark A. Sloan, Jeevalatha Vivekananda, Eric A. Holwitt, Johnathan L. Kiel
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Publication number: 20130040305Abstract: Embodiments herein report compositions, systems and methods for making and using plasmid vectors and nanotube complexes. In certain embodiments, compositions, systems and methods herein include making plasmid vectors having aptamer inserts. In some embodiments, methods disclosed herein may be used to rapidly generate large quantities of plasmid vectors having aptamer inserts directed to a particular target agent. Other aspects concern plasmid constructs associated with organic semiconductors. Yet other aspects concern complexes of nanotubes associated with dsDNA aptamers and tracking molecules.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 24, 2012Publication date: February 14, 2013Inventors: Johnathan L. KIEL, Amanda TIJERINA, Eric A. HOLWITT, Jill PARKER, Mark SLOAN, Melanie WOITASKE, Maomian FAN
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Publication number: 20120134877Abstract: The present invention concerns methods, compositions and apparatus for neutralizing bioagents, wherein bioagents comprise biowarfare agents, biohazardous agents, biological agents and/or infectious agents. The methods comprise exposing the bioagent to an organic semiconductor and exposing the bioagent and organic semiconductor to a source of energy. Although any source of energy is contemplated, in some embodiments the energy comprises visible light, ultraviolet, infrared, radiofrequency, microwave, laser radiation, pulsed corona discharge or electron beam radiation. Exemplary organic semiconductors include DAT and DALM. In certain embodiments, the organic semiconductor may be attached to one or more binding moieties, such as an antibody, antibody fragment, or nucleic acid ligand. Preferably, the binding moiety has a binding affinity for one or more bioagents to be neutralized. Other embodiments concern an apparatus comprising an organic semiconductor and an energy source.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 20, 2010Publication date: May 31, 2012Inventors: Mark A. SLOAN, Jeevalatha Vivekananda, Eric A. Holwitt, Johnathan L. Kiel
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Patent number: 7892484Abstract: The present invention concerns methods, compositions and apparatus for neutralizing bioagents, wherein bioagents comprise biowarfare agents, biohazardous agents, biological agents and/or infectious agents. The methods comprise exposing the bioagent to an organic semiconductor and exposing the bioagent and organic semiconductor to a source of energy. Although any source of energy is contemplated, in some embodiments the energy comprises visible light, ultraviolet, infrared, radiofrequency, microwave, laser radiation, pulsed corona discharge or electron beam radiation. Exemplary organic semiconductors include DAT and DALM. In certain embodiments, the organic semiconductor may be attached to one or more binding moieties, such as an antibody, antibody fragment, or nucleic acid ligand. Preferably, the binding moiety has a binding affinity for one or more bioagents to be neutralized. Other embodiments concern an apparatus comprising an organic semiconductor and an energy source.Type: GrantFiled: November 8, 2002Date of Patent: February 22, 2011Assignee: Conceptual Mindworks, Inc.Inventors: Mark A. Sloan, Jeevalatha Vivekananda, Eric A. Holwitt, Johnathan L. Kiel
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Publication number: 20110027851Abstract: Embodiments herein report compositions, systems and methods for making and using plasmid vectors and nanotube complexes. In certain embodiments, compositions, systems and methods herein include making plasmid vectors having aptamer inserts. In some embodiments, methods disclosed herein may be used to rapidly generate large quantities of plasmid vectors having aptamer inserts directed to a particular target agent. Other aspects concern plasmid constructs associated with organic semiconductors. Yet other aspects concern complexes of nanotubes associated with dsDNA aptamers and tracking molecules.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 2, 2010Publication date: February 3, 2011Inventors: Johnathan L. KIEL, Amanda TIJERINA, Eric A. HOLWITT, Jill PARKER, Mark A. SLOAN, Melanie WOITASKE, Maomian FAN
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Publication number: 20090053725Abstract: The solutions provided here use DNA aptamers and quantum dots for the detection of bacteria, viruses, proteins or other targets. An example of a method described here comprises: providing a complex of DNA complementary strands, one strand being an aptamer, having one strand covalently linked to a quantum dot, and having the other strand linked to a quencher; and contacting said complex of DNA complementary strands with a microorganism or components thereof, under conditions that permit binding of said aptamer with said microorganism or components thereof. In some examples described here, the methods and systems are extremely simple to use and appear to have several advantages over the traditional ELISA. Since no blocking steps are required and the number of washing steps is reduced, the time required to conduct the test is greatly reduced. In some examples described here, a quantum dot aptamer complex comprises one strand of a duplex DNA molecule linked to the quantum dot by an amide bond.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 9, 2008Publication date: February 26, 2009Inventors: Eric A. Holwitt, Jonathan L. Kiel, Veronica Franz Sorola
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Publication number: 20090004644Abstract: Embodiments herein relate to compositions and methods for making and using aptamers, for example, DNA aptamers (DCEs) and/or RNA aptamers. In some embodiments, methods relate to making and amplifying target DCEs. In certain embodiments, methods for making capture elements or aptamers concern using a reporter moiety and signal reducing moiety prior to amplifying a target-specific capture element. In some embodiments, methods disclosed herein may be used to rapidly generate large quantities of aptamers such as DCEs directed to a particular target agent. Some embodiments relate to systems for performing automated generation of aptamers.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 27, 2007Publication date: January 1, 2009Applicant: Conceptual MindWorks, IncInventors: Johnathan L. Kiel, Eric A. Holwitt, Michael (Maomian) Fan, Shelly D. Roper
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Patent number: 6797822Abstract: Novel methods for the synthesis of 8-nitroguanine are provided. Compositions comprising 8-nitroguanine, made by the novel synthetic methods are also provided herein. Methods of use of 8-nitroguanine, made by the novel synthetic methods, as a standard for detection of 8-nitroguanine in samples are also encompassed within the scope of the present invention. The present invention further concerns methods of predicting organ transplant rejection and detecting exposure to environmental stressors, such as ionizing radiation, toxic chemicals or infectious agents, by detecting 8-nitroguanine in one or more samples from a transplant recipient or an organism exposed to stress.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 2001Date of Patent: September 28, 2004Assignee: Conceptual Mindworks, Inc.Inventor: Eric A. Holwitt
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Publication number: 20030211005Abstract: The present invention concerns methods, compositions and apparatus for neutralizing bioagents, wherein bioagents comprise biowarfare agents, biohazardous agents, biological agents and/or infectious agents. The methods comprise exposing the bioagent to an organic semiconductor and exposing the bioagent and organic semiconductor to a source of energy. Although any source of energy is contemplated, in some embodiments the energy comprises visible light, ultraviolet, infrared, radiofrequency, microwave, laser radiation, pulsed corona discharge or electron beam radiation. Exemplary organic semiconductors include DAT and DALM. In certain embodiments, the organic semiconductor may be attached to one or more binding moieties, such as an antibody, antibody fragment, or nucleic acid ligand. Preferably, the binding moiety has a binding affinity for one or more bioagents to be neutralized. Other embodiments concern an apparatus comprising an organic semiconductor and an energy source.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 8, 2002Publication date: November 13, 2003Inventors: Mark A. Sloan, Jeevalatha Vivekananda, Eric A. Holwitt, Johnathan L. Kiel
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Publication number: 20030207271Abstract: The present invention concerns compositions, apparatus and methods of use of recognition complexes, comprising biological sensors operably linked to an organic semiconductor. Multiple recognition complexes can be associated into a recognition complex system. The recognition complex system is of use to identify analytes, to separate biological sensors that bind to a target analyte from those that do not, to separate analytes that bind to a specific biological sensor from those that do not, and to prepare biological sensors with a high affinity for a particular analyte. The recognition complex system may be attached to a variety of surfaces, such as a chip, a flow cell, magnetic beads or non-magnetic beads. The biological sensor may be used for screening of, for example, a phage library, combinatorial chemistry library, plant tissue extract or animal tissue extract for inhibitors, activators or binding factors of bioactive molecules.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 27, 2001Publication date: November 6, 2003Inventors: Eric A. Holwitt, Johnathan L. Kiel
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Publication number: 20030143629Abstract: The present invention concerns compositions, methods of production and methods of use of polydiazoaminotyrosine (DAT), a novel organic semiconductor. In preferred embodiments, the DAT is oxidized (O-DAT). In certain embodiments, recognition complexes comprising DAT operably coupled to a binding moiety are provided. The recognition complexes are of use for detection, identification and/or neutralization of various analytes. In alternative embodiments, DAT in combination with a source of activating radiation may be used to neutralize various analytes, such as anthrax spores.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 4, 2002Publication date: July 31, 2003Inventor: Eric A. Holwitt
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Patent number: 6379900Abstract: Novel methods for the synthesis of 8-nitroguanine are provided. Compositions comprising 8-nitroguanine, made by the novel synthetic methods are also provided herein. Methods of use of 8-nitroguanine, made by the novel synthetic methods, as a standard for detection of 8-nitroguanine in samples are also encompassed within the scope of the present invention. The present invention further concerns methods of predicting organ transplant rejection and detecting exposure to environmental stressors, such as ionizing radiation, toxic chemicals or infectious agents, by detecting 8-nitroguanine in one or more samples from a transplant recipient or an organism exposed to stress.Type: GrantFiled: May 7, 2001Date of Patent: April 30, 2002Assignee: Conceptual Mindworks, Inc.Inventor: Eric A. Holwitt
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Patent number: 6303316Abstract: In a recognition complex system, nucleic acid ligands comprising random DNA sequences are operatively coupled to an organic semiconductor and distributed so as to form an array of recognition complexes. When an unknown chemical or biological analyte is applied to the array, the electrical and/or photochemical properties of one or more of the recognition complexes are altered upon binding of the nucleic acid ligand to the analyte. The degree to which the electrical and/or photochemical properties change is a function of the affinity of the nucleic acid ligand sequence for the analyte. The electrical and photochemical changes associated with the array, as a whole, can be used as a unique signature to identify the analyte.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2000Date of Patent: October 16, 2001Assignee: Conceptual Mind Works, Inc.Inventors: Johnathan L. Kiel, John G. Bruno, Jill E. Parker, John L. Alls, Charles R. Batishko, Eric A. Holwitt
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Patent number: 5856108Abstract: There is provided a method for producing diazoluminomelanin (DALM) which comprises culturing in a medium containing nitrate, 3-amino-L-tyrosine (3-AT) and luminol under suitable metabolic conditions, a microorganism containing nitrate reductase.Also provided is a method for directly detecting microorganisms containing nitrate reductase or those into which nitrate reductase can be introduced by recombinant DNA technology, which comprises culturing the microorganism in a medium containing nitrate, 3-amino-L-tyrosine (3-AT) and luminol under suitable metabolic conditions, transferring the medium to a microtiter plate or tube coated with antibody or an antiligand to which the microorganism would specifically bind, washing the plate or tube and activating luminescence.Further, there is provided a method for producing diazomelanin (DM) which comprises culturing in a medium containing nitrate and 3-amino-L-tyrosine (3-AT) under suitable metabolic conditions, a microorganism containing nitrate reductase.Type: GrantFiled: October 21, 1991Date of Patent: January 5, 1999Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Air ForceInventors: Johnathan L. Kiel, Jill E. Parker, Eric A. Holwitt, Harvey A. Schwertner
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Patent number: 5658673Abstract: An article which is sensitive to non-ionizing electromagnetic radiation in the radiofrequency radiation range, consisting essentially of a substrate, a layer of a binder material and a layer of activated diazoluminomelanin. This article is prepared by coating at least one surface of a substrate with a binder, immersing the binder-coated substrate into a solution comprising luminol, 3AT and a soluble nitrite for a period of about 2 to 12 days to provide a layer of diazoluminomelanin (DALM) on the binder layer, removing the DALM-coated film from the solution and rinsing the same, activating the DALM with sodium bicarbonate and hydrogen peroxide for a period of about 2 to 12 days.Type: GrantFiled: July 20, 1995Date of Patent: August 19, 1997Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Air ForceInventors: Eric A. Holwitt, Johnathan L. Kiel, David N. Erwin