Patents by Inventor Jeffrey C. Rapp

Jeffrey C. Rapp 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).

  • Patent number: 7176300
    Abstract: The invention provides for lysozyme gene expression control regions which may include a 5? matrix attachment region; an intrinsically curved region of DNA; a transcription enhancer; a negative regulatory element; at least one hormone responsive element; an avian CRI repeat element; a proximal lysozyme promoter, and can be linked to a nucleotide sequence encoding a heterologous polypeptide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: AviGenics, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey C. Rapp
  • Patent number: 7129390
    Abstract: This invention provides vectors and methods for the stable introduction of exogenous nucleic acid sequences into the genome of avians in order to express the exogenous sequences to alter the phenotype of the avians or to produce desired proteins. In particular, transgenic avians are produced which express exogenous sequences in their oviducts and which deposit exogenous proteins into their eggs. Avian eggs that contain exogenous proteins are encompassed by this invention. The instant invention further provides novel forms of interferon and erythropoietin which are efficiently expressed in the oviduct of transgenic avians and deposited into avian eggs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2006
    Assignees: AviGenics, Inc, University of Georgia Research Foundation, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert D. Ivarie, Alex J. Harvey, Julie A. Morris, Guodong Liu, Jeffrey C. Rapp
  • Patent number: 7049480
    Abstract: The invention includes methods of enucleating avian eggs comprising visualizing internal structure of an avian egg utilizing TPLSM and ablating the nucleus of the egg by near-infrared light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2006
    Assignee: AviGenics, Inc.
    Inventors: Leandro Christmann, Scott L. Pratt, Jeffrey C. Rapp
  • Publication number: 20040255345
    Abstract: The invention provides methods for integrating a heterologous polynucleotide into the genome of an avian cell. The methods deliver to an avian cell a polynucleotide and a source of integrase activity that mediates recombination between the polynucleotide and the genomic DNA of the avian cell. The invention provides modified avian or artificial chromosomes as vectors to shuttle transgenes or gene clusters into an avian genome. Another aspect of the invention are avian cells genetically modified with a transgene vector. One cell line for the delivery and integration of a transgene comprises a heterologous attP site and, optionally, a region for expressing the integrase. Methods are also included for the production of a heterologous polypeptide by transgenic avian tissue involve integrating a heterologous polynucleotide into the avian genome.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2004
    Publication date: December 16, 2004
    Inventors: Jeffrey C. Rapp, Leandro Christmann, Alex J. Harvey, Markley C. Leavitt
  • Patent number: 6730822
    Abstract: This invention provides vectors and methods for the stable introduction of exogenous nucleic acid sequences into the genome of a bird and for expressing said exogenous sequences to alter the phenotype of the bird or to produce desired proteins. In particular, transgenic chickens are produced which express exogenous sequences in their oviducts. Eggs which contain exogenous proteins are also produced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Assignee: AviGenics, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert D. Ivarie, Alex J. Harvey, Julie A. Morris, Guodong Liu, Jeffrey C. Rapp
  • Publication number: 20040019922
    Abstract: This invention provides vectors and methods for the stable introduction of exogenous nucleic acid sequences into the genome of avians in order to express the exogenous sequences to alter the phenotype of the avians or to produce desired proteins. In particular, transgenic avians are produced which express exogenous sequences in their oviducts and which deposit exogenous proteins into their eggs. Avian eggs that contain exogenous proteins are encompassed by this invention. The instant invention further provides novel forms of interferon and erythropoietin which are efficiently expressed in the oviduct of transgenic avians and deposited into avian eggs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2003
    Publication date: January 29, 2004
    Applicants: AviGenics, Inc., University of Georgia Research Foundation, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert D. Ivarie, Alex J. Harvey, Julie A. Morris, Guodong Liu, Jeffrey C. Rapp
  • Publication number: 20040019923
    Abstract: This invention provides vectors and methods for the stable introduction of exogenous nucleic acid sequences into the genome of avians in order to express the exogenous sequences to alter the phenotype of the avians or to produce desired proteins. In particular, transgenic avians are produced which express exogenous sequences in their oviducts and which deposit exogenous proteins into their eggs. Avian eggs that contain exogenous proteins are encompassed by this invention. The instant invention further provides novel forms of interferon and erythropoietin which are efficiently expressed in the oviduct of transgenic avians and deposited into avian eggs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2003
    Publication date: January 29, 2004
    Inventors: Robert D. Ivarie, Alex J. Harvey, Julie A. Morris, Guodong Liu, Jeffrey C. Rapp
  • Publication number: 20030140363
    Abstract: The present invention provides novel isolated nucleic acids comprising an avian nucleic acid sequence encoding a lysozyme gene expression control region. The isolated nucleic acid of the present invention is useful for reducing the chromosomal positional effect of a transgene operably linked to the lysozyme gene expression control region and transfected into a recipient cell and allows expression of an operably linked heterologous nucleic acid insert in a transfected avian cell such as, for example, an oviduct cell. The isolated avian lysozyme of the present invention may be operably linked with a selected nucleic acid insert encoding a polypeptide desired to be expressed in a transfected cell. The recombinant DNA of the present invention may further comprise a polyadenylation signal sequence or a chicken lysozyme 3′ domain.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2002
    Publication date: July 24, 2003
    Inventor: Jeffrey C. Rapp
  • Publication number: 20030126629
    Abstract: This invention provides methods for the stable introduction of heterologous coding sequences into the genome of a bird and expressing the coding sequences to produce desired proteins or to alter the phenotype of the bird. The present invention provides preferred methods for introducing a transgene into the cytoplasm of avian embryonic cells by cytoplasmic microinjection. The embryo then develops into a transgenic adult capable of expressing a heterologous protein and/or capable of generating a line of transgenic birds through breeding. Synthetic vectors and gene promoters useful in the methods are also provided by the present invention, as are transgenic birds that express heterologous protein and avian eggs containing heterologous protein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2002
    Publication date: July 3, 2003
    Inventors: Jeffrey C. Rapp, Leandro Christmann
  • Publication number: 20020199214
    Abstract: The present invention provides novel isolated nucleic acids comprising an avian nucleic acid sequence encoding a lysozyme gene expression control region. The isolated nucleic acid of the present invention is useful for reducing the chromosomal positional effect of a transgene operably linked to the lysozyme gene expression control region and transfected into a recipient cell and allows expression of an operably linked heterologous nucleic acid insert in a transfected avian cell such as, for example, an oviduct cell. The isolated avian lysozyme of the present invention may be operably linked with a selected nucleic acid insert, wherein the nucleic acid insert encodes a polypeptide desired to be expressed in a transfected cell. The nucleic acid insert may be placed in frame with a signal peptide sequence, whereby translation initiation may start with the signal peptide and continue through the nucleic acid insert, thereby producing an expressed polypeptide having the desired amino acid sequence.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2001
    Publication date: December 26, 2002
    Inventor: Jeffrey C. Rapp
  • Publication number: 20020108132
    Abstract: The present invention relates generally to novel methods of producing transgenic chickens that generate antibodies or immunoglobulin polypeptides in whites of eggs. More specifically, one embodiment of the present invention relates to methods of inserting immunoglobulin-encoding transgenes into avian sperm cells for transfer to ova to generate transgenic zygotes. The transgenes may include at least two immunoglobulin-encoding nucleic acid sequences and an internal ribosome entry site (IRES) that allow the immunoglobulin polypeptides to be expressed by chicken cells and hence in egg whites.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2001
    Publication date: August 8, 2002
    Applicant: AviGenics inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey C. Rapp
  • Patent number: 5601712
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for removing liquids from biological waste by the employment of centrifugal force to separate the liquid from the biological waste particulate and into a container separate from a biological waste container, permitting the dried biological waste and removed liquid to be separately and conveniently disposed of. Preferably, a rotatable drum can be rotatably supported within an outer liquid-tight drum, and a disposable porous container, such as a bag made of porous material, can be placed within the rotatable foraminous drum. Biological waste can be placed within the porous, disposable container within the rotatable drum, and the rotatable drum can be rotated at a rate of rotation sufficient to substantially transfer unabsorbed liquid from the biological waste through the disposable porous container and the openings in the foraminous inner drum to the outer liquid-tight collection drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 11, 1997
    Assignee: Ecomed, Inc.
    Inventors: Mathew J. Adams, Kenneth R. Lamaster, David B. Mennel, Jeffrey C. Rapp, Lewis I. Schwartz, Norman L. Siegel, Joseph H. Wilson
  • Patent number: 5595711
    Abstract: A processing chamber for the treatment and decontamination of biological or medical waste includes a rotating waste treatment system carried within an open-top processing chamber, a cap for closing the chamber opening, a gas-pervious liner carried within the chamber for preventing waste from adhering to the underside of the cap as a result of waste-treatment operations, a sealing member disposed at and for sealing the interface of the cap and the processing chamber, and a chemical indicator carried within the interior of the processing chamber for confirming the presence of decontaminant during a waste treatment cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 21, 1997
    Assignees: Ecomed, Inc., Steris Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph H. Wilson, David C. Haeberle, Raymond C. Kralovic, Kenneth R. Lamaster, David B. Mennel, Jeffrey C. Rapp, Lewis I. Schwartz, Kathleen M. Antloga
  • Patent number: 5590840
    Abstract: An apparatus for the treatment of medical waste, including solid and non-solid materials, permits the collection of such medical waste at the point and at the time of its generation in a solid container. The contained medical waste can be subsequently transported for pulverization, decontamination and safe disposal. A separate portable processing chamber, with an integral means to treat medical waste, can be used at locations remote from its power unit for the collection of medical waste and then moved to the location of the power unit to drive the waste-treatment means within the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 7, 1997
    Assignee: Ecomed, Inc.
    Inventors: Mathew J. Adams, Kenneth R. Lamaster, David B. Mennel, Jeffrey C. Rapp, Joseph H. Wilson
  • Patent number: 5534162
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for removing liquids from biological waste by the employment of centrifugal force to separate the liquid from the biological waste particulate and into a container separate from a biological waste container, permitting the dried biological waste and removed liquid to be separately and conveniently disposed of. Preferably, a rotatable drum can be rotatably supported within an outer liquid-tight drum, and a disposable porous container, such as a bag made of porous material, can be placed within the rotatable foraminous drum. Biological waste can be placed within the porous, disposable container within the rotatable drum, and the rotatable drum can be rotated at a rate of rotation sufficient to substantially transfer unabsorbed liquid from the biological waste through the disposable porous container and the openings in the foraminous inner drum to the outer liquid-tight collection drum. The collected liquids may be disposed of by pumping them into a sanitary sewer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 9, 1996
    Assignees: Ecomed, Inc., Steris Corp.
    Inventors: Mathew J. Adams, Kenneth R. Lamaster, David B. Mennel, Jeffrey C. Rapp, Lewis I. Schwartz, Norman L. Siegel, Joseph H. Wilson
  • Patent number: 5516052
    Abstract: An apparatus for the treatment of medical waste, including solid and non-solid materials, permits the collection of such medical waste at the point and at the time of its generation in a solid container. The contained medical waste can be subsequently transported for pulverization, decontamination and safe disposal. A separate portable processing chamber, with an integral means to treat medical waste, can be used at locations remote from its power unit for the collection of medical waste and then moved to the location of the power unit to drive the waste-treatment means within the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 14, 1996
    Assignee: Ecomed, Inc.
    Inventors: Mathew J. Adams, Kenneth R. Lamaster, David B. Mennel, Jeffrey C. Rapp, Joseph H. Wilson
  • Patent number: 5465841
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for the collection and treatment of contaminated medical waste, including solid and non-solid, potentially infectious materials, permits the collection of such medical waste at the point and at the time of its generation in a solid container. The contained medical waste can be subsequently transported for pulverization, disinfection and safe disposal. A separate portable processing chamber to treat medical waste, can be used at locations remote from its power unit for the collection of medical waste and then moved to the location of the power unit to drive the waste-treatment apparatus within the chamber. In addition, a medical waste collection station can provide single and multiple containers, which may be sequentially used, for the collection of medical waste and whose use may be combined with a processing chamber to treat collected medical waste before its disposal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 14, 1995
    Assignee: Ecomed, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph H. Wilson, David B. Mennel, Jeffrey C. Rapp
  • Patent number: 5236135
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for the treatment of contaminated medical waste, including solid and non-solid, potentially infectious materials, permits the collection of such medical waste at the point and at the time of its generation in a solid container, which is subsequently transported for pulverization, disinfection and safe disposal. A separate portable processing chamber, with an integral means to treat medical waste, is used at locations remote from its power unit for the collection of medical waste and then moved to the location of the power unit to drive the waste-treatment means within the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1993
    Assignee: ECOMED, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph H. Wilson, David B. Mennel, Jeffrey C. Rapp
  • Patent number: 4578185
    Abstract: A waste disposal system for treating and disposing of infectious waste articles in a substantially controlled, closed, aseptic environment and for converting such infectious waste articles into a safely disposable, non-infectious non-toxic residue of solid waste independent from disinfecting liquid waste. A waste delivery conveyor transfers waste articles from an input region to preliminary waste processing apparata for preliminarily fragmenting the waste for further treatment by the system. Disinfectant spray is deposited on the waste as it enters the preliminary waste processing apparatus with the fragments resulting therefrom, together with the disinfectant liquid, being transferred to rotary hammermill elements to convert the fragment disinfectant solution to a solution of fine waste particles and disinfectant solution. Liquid solid particle separator apparata then separates the solid waste particles from the liquid disinfectant for independent evacuation of same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 1985
    Date of Patent: March 25, 1986
    Assignee: Medical Safetec, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph H. Wilson, Jeffrey C. Rapp, Brian K. Southern, Martin E. Elliott