Patents by Inventor Helen E. Blackwell

Helen E. Blackwell 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).

  • Publication number: 20220411390
    Abstract: The present invention provides compounds and methods for modulation of the quorum sensing of bacteria. In an embodiment, the compounds of the present invention are able to act as replacements for naturally occurring bacterial quorum sensing ligands in a ligand-protein binding system; that is, they imitate the effect of natural ligands and produce an agonistic effect. In another embodiment, the compounds of the present invention are able to act in a manner which disturbs or inhibits the naturally occurring ligand-protein binding system in quorum sensing bacteria; that is, they produce an antagonistic effect. The compounds of the present invention comprise N-acylated-homoserine lactones (AHLs) comprised of a wide range of acyl groups.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2022
    Publication date: December 29, 2022
    Inventors: Helen E. BLACKWELL, Grant D. GESKE, Jennifer C. CAMPBELL BUTLER
  • Patent number: 10807943
    Abstract: Non-lactone carbocyclic modulators of bacterial quorum sensing. Pharmaceutical composition containing such modulators. Methods employing such modulators for modulation of quorum sensing. Compounds are exemplified by those of formula: A-[Z]n-L1-[Y]—NH-L2-HG, where A is an optionally substituted aryl or heteroaryl group having one or two 5- or 6-member rings with up to 1-3 heteroatoms in a ring, or a substituted or unsubstituted C1-C12 acyclic aliphatic group and HG is an optionally substituted cyclopentyl group. Compounds include those where n is 1 or 0, Z is —CO—, —O—CO—, —CO—O—, —NH—CO—, —CO—NH—, —NH—CO—NH—, —O—, —S—, or —NH2, Y is —NH—CO—, —CO—CH2—C(Y1)-, or —SO2—, where Y1 is —OH, —SH, —NH2 or —F; and L1 and L2 independently are —[CH2]p1- and —[CH2]p2-, where p1 and p2, independently, are 0 or integers ranging from 1-3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation
    Inventors: Helen E. Blackwell, Christine E. McInnis
  • Publication number: 20200308230
    Abstract: Synthetic cyclic peptide modulators of the AgrC quorum sensing system of S. epidermidis. Synthetic agonists and antagonist of AgrC-I are described. Compounds capable of either pan-group or group-selective AgrC receptor inhibition in S. epidermidis were identified. Additionally, compounds that are species selective, and could be applied to selectively modulate either S. epidermidis or S. aureus AgrC receptors were identified. An AgrC-I agonist was found which strongly inhibits S. epidermidis biofilm growth, with a higher potency and efficacy than that of native AIP-I. Methods of modulating virulence in S. epidermidis and related Staphylococcus by contacting a bacterium or a bacterial environment, such as a biofilm, with a modulator of the disclosure are provided. Methods are provided for treating infections of S. epidermidis and related Staphylococcus by administering a therapeutically effective amount of one or more compounds herein to an individual in need thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2017
    Publication date: October 1, 2020
    Inventors: Helen E. BLACKWELL, Tian YANG
  • Publication number: 20200115356
    Abstract: The present invention provides compounds and methods for modulation of the quorum sensing of bacteria. In an embodiment, the compounds of the present invention are able to act as replacements for naturally occurring bacterial quorum sensing ligands in a ligand-protein binding system; that is, they imitate the effect of natural ligands and produce an agonistic effect. In another embodiment, the compounds of the present invention are able to act in a manner which disturbs or inhibits the naturally occurring ligand-protein binding system in quorum sensing bacteria; that is, they produce an antagonistic effect. The compounds of the present invention comprise N-acylated-homoserine lactones (AHLs) comprised of a wide range of acyl groups.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2019
    Publication date: April 16, 2020
    Inventors: Helen E. BLACKWELL, Grant D. GESKE, Jennifer C. CAMPBELL BUTLER
  • Publication number: 20170369462
    Abstract: The present invention provides compounds and methods for modulation of the quorum sensing of bacteria. In an embodiment, the compounds of the present invention are able to act as replacements for naturally occurring bacterial quorum sensing ligands in a ligand-protein binding system; that is, they imitate the effect of natural ligands and produce an agonistic effect. In another embodiment, the compounds of the present invention are able to act in a manner which disturbs or inhibits the naturally occurring ligand-protein binding system in quorum sensing bacteria; that is, they produce an antagonistic effect. The compounds of the present invention comprise N-acylated-homoserine lactones (AHLs) comprised of a wide range of acyl groups.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2017
    Publication date: December 28, 2017
    Inventors: Helen E. BLACKWELL, Grant D. GESKE, Jennifer C. CAMPBELL BUTLER
  • Publication number: 20170334835
    Abstract: Non-lactone carbocyclic and heterocyclic antagonists and agonists of bacterial quorum sensing. Pharmaceutical composition containing antagonists. Methods employing antagonists and agonists for modulation of quorum sensing. Compounds are exemplified by those of formula: A-[Z]n-L1-[Y]q-W-[V]m-L2-HG, where A is an acyclic aliphatic group, and HG is an optionally substituted phenyl group. Compounds include those where m and n are both 0, W is —NH—, Y is present and is —CO—CH2—CO—, and L1 and L2 independently are —[CH2]p1— and —[CH2]p2—, where p1 and p2, independently, are 0 or integers ranging from 1-10.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2017
    Publication date: November 23, 2017
    Inventors: Helen E. BLACKWELL, Christine E. McINNIS
  • Patent number: 9796694
    Abstract: The present invention provides compounds and methods for modulation of the quorum sensing of bacteria. In an embodiment, the compounds of the present invention are able to act as replacements for naturally occurring bacterial quorum sensing ligands in a ligand-protein binding system; that is, they imitate the effect of natural ligands and produce an agonistic effect. In another embodiment, the compounds of the present invention are able to act in a manner which disturbs or inhibits the naturally occurring ligand-protein binding system in quorum sensing bacteria; that is, they produce an antagonistic effect. The compounds of the present invention comprise N-acylated-homoserine lactones (AHLs) comprised of a wide range of acyl groups.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation
    Inventors: Helen E. Blackwell, Grant D. Geske, Jennifer C. Campbell Butler
  • Patent number: 9758472
    Abstract: Non-lactone carbocyclic and heterocyclic antagonists and agonists of bacterial quorum sensing. Pharmaceutical composition containing antagonists. Methods employing antagonists and agonists for modulation of quorum sensing. Compounds are exemplified by those of formula: A-[Z]n-L1-[Y]q-W-[V]m-L2-HG, where A is an acyclic aliphatic group, and HG is an optionally substituted phenyl group. Compounds include those where m and n are both 0, W is —NH—, Y is present and is —CO—CH2—CO—, and L1 and L2 independently are —[CH2]p1— and —[CH2]p2—, where p1 and p2, independently, are 0 or integers ranging from 1-10.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation
    Inventors: Helen E. Blackwell, Christine E. McInnis
  • Publication number: 20150080349
    Abstract: The present invention provides compounds and methods for modulation of the quorum sensing of bacteria. In an embodiment, the compounds of the present invention are able to act as replacements for naturally occurring bacterial quorum sensing ligands in a ligand-protein binding system; that is, they imitate the effect of natural ligands and produce an agonistic effect. In another embodiment, the compounds of the present invention are able to act in a manner which disturbs or inhibits the naturally occurring ligand-protein binding system in quorum sensing bacteria; that is, they produce an antagonistic effect. The compounds of the present invention comprise N-acylated-homoserine lactones (AHLs) comprised of a wide range of acyl groups.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2014
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Inventors: Helen E. BLACKWELL, Grant D. GESKE, Jennifer C. CAMPBELL
  • Patent number: 8815943
    Abstract: The present invention provides compounds and methods for modulation of the quorum sensing of bacteria. In an embodiment, the compounds of the present invention are able to act as replacements for naturally occurring bacterial quorum sensing ligands in a ligand-protein binding system; that is, they imitate the effect of natural ligands and produce an agonistic effect. In another embodiment, the compounds of the present invention are able to act in a manner which disturbs or inhibits the naturally occurring ligand-protein binding system in quorum sensing bacteria; that is, they produce an antagonistic effect. The compounds of the present invention comprise N-acylated-homoserine lactones (AHLs) comprised of a wide range of acyl groups.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation
    Inventors: Helen E. Blackwell, Grant D. Geske, Jennifer C. O'Neill
  • Publication number: 20140142156
    Abstract: Compounds which modulate quorum sensing in quorum sensing bacteria. Compounds of the invention inhibit quorum sensing and/or activate quorum sensing in various bacteria. Compounds that inhibit quorum sensing are particularly useful for inhibition of detrimental bacterial biofilm formation. Compounds that activate quorum sensing are particularly useful for promoting growth and biofilm formation of beneficial bacterial.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2013
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Applicant: WISCONSIN ALUMNI RESEARCH FOUNDATION
    Inventors: Helen E. BLACKWELL, Christine E. McINNIS
  • Patent number: 8624063
    Abstract: Compounds which modulate quorum sensing in quorum sensing bacteria. Compounds of the invention inhibit quorum sensing and/or activate quorum sensing in various bacteria. Compounds that inhibit quorum sensing are particularly useful for inhibition of detrimental bacterial biofilm formation. Compounds that activate quorum sensing are particularly useful for promoting growth and biofilm formation of beneficial bacterial.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation
    Inventors: Helen E. Blackwell, Christine E. McInnis
  • Patent number: 8618327
    Abstract: The present invention relates generally to compounds providing antibacterial therapeutic agents and preparations, and related methods of using and making antibacterial compounds. Antibacterial compounds of the present invention include chalcone, alkylpyrimidine, aminopyrimidine and cyanopyridine compounds and derivatives thereof exhibiting minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) similar to or less than conventional antibacterial compounds in wide use. For example, the present invention provides chalcone and cyanopyridine compounds, and derivatives thereof, exhibiting high antibacterial activities having multiple electron withdrawing group substituents, such as halogens and fluorinated alkyl groups, and optionally having hydroxyl and/or alkoxyl groups substituents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation
    Inventors: Helen E. Blackwell, Matthew D. Bowman, Jennifer C. O'Neill, Joseph R. Stringer
  • Patent number: 8367680
    Abstract: The present invention relates generally to compounds providing antibacterial therapeutic agents and preparations, and related methods of using and making antibacterial compounds. Antibacterial compounds of the present invention include chalcone, alkylpyrimidine, aminopyrimidine and cyanopyridine compounds and derivatives thereof exhibiting minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) similar to or less than conventional antibacterial compounds in wide use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation
    Inventors: Helen E. Blackwell, Matthew D. Bowman, Joseph R. Stringer
  • Publication number: 20120277252
    Abstract: The present invention relates generally to compounds providing antibacterial therapeutic agents and preparations, and related methods of using and making antibacterial compounds. Antibacterial compounds of the present invention include chalcone, alkylpyrimidine, aminopyrimidine and cyanopyridine compounds and derivatives thereof exhibiting minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) similar to or less than conventional antibacterial compounds in wide use. For example, the present invention provides chalcone and cyanopyridine compounds, and derivatives thereof, exhibiting high antibacterial activities having multiple electron withdrawing group substituents, such as halogens and fluorinated alkyl groups, and optionally having hydroxyl and/or alkoxyl groups substituents.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2012
    Publication date: November 1, 2012
    Inventors: Helen E. Blackwell, Matthew D. Bowman, Jennifer C. O'Neill, Joseph R. Stringer
  • Patent number: 8269024
    Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods for modulating the communication and virulence of quorum sensing bacteria. In various exemplary embodiments, the invention provides a combinatorial library of quorum sensing compounds including synthetic analogs of naturally occurring and non-naturally occurring acyl-homoserine lactone (AHL) analogs, and methods of synthesizing and using these compounds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation
    Inventors: Helen E. Blackwell, Grant D. Geske, Rachel Wezeman
  • Patent number: 8227616
    Abstract: The present invention relates generally to compounds providing antibacterial therapeutic agents and preparations, and related methods of using and making antibacterial compounds. Antibacterial compounds of the present invention include chalcone, alkylpyrimidine, aminopyrimidine and cyanopyridine compounds and derivatives thereof exhibiting minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) similar to or less than conventional antibacterial compounds in wide use. For example, the present invention provides chalcone and cyanopyridine compounds, and derivatives thereof, exhibiting high antibacterial activities having multiple electron withdrawing group substituents, such as halogens and fluorinated alky groups, and optionally having hydroxyl and/or alkoxyl groups substituents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation
    Inventors: Helen E. Blackwell, Matthew D. Bowman, Jennifer C. O'Neill, Joseph R. Stringer
  • Publication number: 20110212860
    Abstract: The present invention provides compounds and methods for modulation of the quorum sensing of bacteria. In an embodiment, the compounds of the present invention are able to act as replacements for naturally occurring bacterial quorum sensing ligands in a ligand-protein binding system; that is, they imitate the effect of natural ligands and produce an agonistic effect. In another embodiment, the compounds of the present invention are able to act in a manner which disturbs or inhibits the naturally occurring ligand-protein binding system in quorum sensing bacteria; that is, they produce an antagonistic effect. The compounds of the present invention comprise N-acylated-homoserine lactones (AHLs) comprised of a wide range of acyl groups.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2011
    Publication date: September 1, 2011
    Inventors: Helen E. Blackwell, Grant D. Geske, Jennifer C. Campbell
  • Patent number: 7910622
    Abstract: The present invention provides compounds and methods for modulation of the quorum sensing of bacteria. In an embodiment, the compounds of the present invention are able to act as replacements for naturally occurring bacterial quorum sensing ligands in a ligand-protein binding system; that is, they imitate the effect of natural ligands and produce an agonistic effect. In another embodiment, the compounds of the present invention are able to act in a manner which disturbs or inhibits the naturally occurring ligand-protein binding system in quorum sensing bacteria; that is, they produce an antagonistic effect. The compounds of the present invention comprise N-acylated-homoserine lactones (AHLs) comprised of a wide range of acyl groups.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation
    Inventors: Helen E. Blackwell, Grant D. Geske, Jennifer C. O'Neill
  • Publication number: 20110046195
    Abstract: Compounds which modulate quorum sensing in quorum sensing bacteria. Compounds of the invention inhibit quorum sensing and/or activate quorum sensing in various bacteria. Compounds that inhibit quorum sensing are particularly useful for inhibition of detrimental bacterial biofilm formation. Compounds that activate quorum sensing are particularly useful for promoting growth and biofilm formation of beneficial bacterial.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2010
    Publication date: February 24, 2011
    Inventors: Helen E. BLACKWELL, Christine E. McInnis