Patents by Inventor Keunho Ahn
Keunho Ahn 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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Publication number: 20180272294Abstract: The invention describes a method for isolating one or more genetic elements encoding a gene product having a desired activity, comprising the steps of: (a) compartmentalising genetic elements into microcapsules; and (b) sorting the genetic elements which express the gene product having the desired activity; wherein at least one step is under microfluidic control. The invention enables the in vitro evolution of nucleic acids and proteins by repeated mutagenesis and iterative applications of the method of the invention.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 5, 2018Publication date: September 27, 2018Inventors: Andrew David Griffiths, David A. Weitz, Darren Roy Link, Keunho Ahn, Jerome Bibette
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Publication number: 20180272299Abstract: The invention describes a method for the synthesis of compounds comprising the steps of: (a) compartmentalising two or more sets of primary compounds into microcapsules; such that a proportion of the microcapsules contains two or more compounds; and (b) forming secondary compounds in the microcapsules by chemical reactions between primary compounds from different sets; wherein one or both of steps (a) and (b) is performed under microfluidic control; preferably electronic microfluidic control The invention further allows for the identification of compounds which bind to a target component of a biochemical system or modulate the activity of the target, and which is co-compartmentalised into the microcapsules.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 15, 2018Publication date: September 27, 2018Applicants: President and Fellows of Harvard College, Medical Research CouncilInventors: Andrew David Griffiths, David A. Weitz, Darren Roy Link, Keunho Ahn, Jerome Bibette
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Publication number: 20180208983Abstract: Method and composition for identifying cognate nucleotides in a Sequencing By Binding™ procedure, wherein one or more labeled nucleotides are detected in ternary complexes but never incorporated. Labeled nucleotides can be incorporable nucleotides that contact preformed blocked primed template nucleic acids. Alternatively, labeled nucleotides are labeled non-incorporable nucleotides. Labeled nucleotides, including labeled non-incorporable nucleotides, can be detected in ternary complexes in the same reaction mixture that incorporates a reversible terminator nucleotide to create a blocked primed template nucleic acid. Detection of ternary complexes can take place in the presence of a catalytic metal ion.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 17, 2018Publication date: July 26, 2018Applicant: Omniome, Inc.Inventors: Corey M. DAMBACHER, Joseph ROKICKI, Keunho AHN, Brittany Ann ROHRMAN, Michael NGUYEN, Kandaswamy VIJAYAN
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Publication number: 20180117585Abstract: Various aspects of the present invention relate to the control and manipulation of fluidic species, for example, in microfluidic systems. In one aspect, the invention relates to systems and methods for making droplets of fluid surrounded by a liquid, using, for example, electric fields, mechanical alterations, the addition of an intervening fluid, etc. In some cases, the droplets may each have a substantially uniform number of entities therein. For example, 95% or more of the droplets may each contain the same number of entities of a particular species. In another aspect, the invention relates to systems and methods for dividing a fluidic droplet into two droplets, for example, through charge and/or dipole interactions with an electric field. The invention also relates to systems and methods for fusing droplets according to another aspect of the invention, for example, through charge and/or dipole interactions. In some cases, the fusion of the droplets may initiate or determine a reaction.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 1, 2017Publication date: May 3, 2018Inventors: David A. Weitz, Darren Roy Link, Galder Cristobal-Azkarate, Zhengdong Cheng, Keunho Ahn
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Patent number: 9925504Abstract: The invention describes a method for the synthesis of compounds comprising the steps of: (a) compartmentalizing two or more sets of primary compounds into microcapsules; such that a proportion of the microcapsules contains two or more compounds; and (b) forming secondary compounds in the microcapsules by chemical reactions between primary compounds from different sets; wherein one or both of steps (a) and (b) is performed under microfluidic control; preferably electronic microfluidic control The invention further allows for the identification of compounds which bind to a target component of a biochemical system or modulate the activity of the target, and which is co-compartmentalized into the microcapsules.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2006Date of Patent: March 27, 2018Assignees: President and Fellows of Harvard College, Medical Research CouncilInventors: Andrew Griffiths, David Weitz, Keunho Ahn, Darren Link, Jerome Bibette
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Patent number: 9925501Abstract: The invention describes a method for isolating one or more genetic elements encoding a gene product having a desired activity, comprising the steps of: (a) compartmentalising genetic elements into microcapsules; and (b) sorting the genetic elements which express the gene product having the desired activity; wherein at least one step is under microfluidic control. The invention enables the in vitro evolution of nucleic acids and proteins by repeated mutagenesis and iterative applications of the method of the invention.Type: GrantFiled: February 1, 2016Date of Patent: March 27, 2018Assignees: Medical Research Council, President and Fellows of Harvard CollegeInventors: Andrew David Griffiths, David A. Weitz, Darren R. Link, Keunho Ahn, Jerome Bibette
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Patent number: 9919277Abstract: The invention describes a method for isolating one or more genetic elements encoding a gene product having a desired activity, comprising the steps of: (a) compartmentalising genetic elements into microcapsules; and (b) sorting the genetic elements which express the gene product having the desired activity; wherein at least one step is under microfluidic control. The invention enables the in vitro evolution of nucleic acids and proteins by repeated mutagenesis and iterative applications of the method of the invention.Type: GrantFiled: May 5, 2017Date of Patent: March 20, 2018Assignees: Medical Research Council, President and Fellows of Harvard CollegeInventors: Andrew David Griffiths, David A. Weitz, Darren Roy Link, Keunho Ahn, Jerome Bibette
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Patent number: 9878325Abstract: Various aspects of the present invention relate to the control and manipulation of fluidic species, for example, in microfluidic systems. In one aspect, the invention relates to systems and methods for making droplets of fluid surrounded by a liquid, using, for example, electric fields, mechanical alterations, the addition of an intervening fluid, etc. In some cases, the droplets may each have a substantially uniform number of entities therein. For example, 95% or more of the droplets may each contain the same number of entities of a particular species. In another aspect, the invention relates to systems and methods for dividing a fluidic droplet into two droplets, for example, through charge and/or dipole interactions with an electric field. The invention also relates to systems and methods for fusing droplets according to another aspect of the invention, for example, through charge and/or dipole interactions. In some cases, the fusion of the droplets may initiate or determine a reaction.Type: GrantFiled: September 5, 2017Date of Patent: January 30, 2018Assignee: President and Fellows of Harvard CollegeInventors: David A. Weitz, Darren Roy Link, Galder Cristobal-Azkarate, Zhengdong Cheng, Keunho Ahn
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Publication number: 20170361318Abstract: Various aspects of the present invention relate to the control and manipulation of fluidic species, for example, in microfluidic systems. In one aspect, the invention relates to systems and methods for making droplets of fluid surrounded by a liquid, using, for example, electric fields, mechanical alterations, the addition of an intervening fluid, etc. In some cases, the droplets may each have a substantially uniform number of entities therein. For example, 95% or more of the droplets may each contain the same number of entities of a particular species. In another aspect, the invention relates to systems and methods for dividing a fluidic droplet into two droplets, for example, through charge and/or dipole interactions with an electric field. The invention also relates to systems and methods for fusing droplets according to another aspect of the invention, for example, through charge and/or dipole interactions. In some cases, the fusion of the droplets may initiate or determine a reaction.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 5, 2017Publication date: December 21, 2017Inventors: David A. Weitz, Darren Roy Link, Galder Cristobal-Azkarate, Zhengdong Cheng, Keunho Ahn
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Patent number: 9839890Abstract: The invention describes a method for the synthesis of compounds comprising the steps of: (a) compartmentalising two or more sets of primary compounds into microcapsules; such that a proportion of the microcapsules contains two or more compounds; and (b) forming secondary compounds in the microcapsules by chemical reactions between primary compounds from different sets; wherein one or both of steps (a) and (b) is performed under microfluidic control; preferably electronic microfluidic control, The invention further allows for the identification of compounds which bind to a target component of a biochemical system or modulate the activity of the target, and which is co-compartmentalised into the microcapsules.Type: GrantFiled: October 12, 2005Date of Patent: December 12, 2017Assignees: National Science Foundation, Medical Research Council, President and Fellows of Harvard CollegeInventors: Andrew Griffiths, David Weitz, Darren Link, Keunho Ahn, Jerome Bibette
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Patent number: 9789482Abstract: Various aspects of the present invention relate to the control and manipulation of fluidic species, for example, in microfluidic systems. In one aspect, the invention relates to systems and methods for making droplets of fluid surrounded by a liquid, using, for example, electric fields, mechanical alterations, the addition of an intervening fluid, etc. In another aspect, the invention relates to systems and methods for dividing a fluidic droplet into two droplets, for example, through charge and/or dipole interactions with an electric field. The invention also relates to systems and methods for fusing droplets, according to another aspect of the invention, for example, through charge and/or dipole interactions. Another aspect of the invention provides the ability to determine droplets, or a component thereof, for example, using fluorescence and/or other optical techniques (e.g., microscopy), or electric sensing techniques such as dielectric sensing.Type: GrantFiled: April 17, 2014Date of Patent: October 17, 2017Assignee: President and Fellows of Harvard CollegeInventors: Darren Roy Link, David A. Weitz, Galder Cristobal-Azkarate, Zhengdong Cheng, Keunho Ahn
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Publication number: 20170282133Abstract: The invention describes a method for isolating one or more genetic elements encoding a gene product having a desired activity, comprising the steps of: (a) compartmentalising genetic elements into microcapsules; and (b) sorting the genetic elements which express the gene product having the desired activity; wherein at least one step is under microfluidic control. The invention enables the in vitro evolution of nucleic acids and proteins by repeated mutagenesis and iterative applications of the method of the invention.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 5, 2017Publication date: October 5, 2017Inventors: Andrew David Griffiths, David A. Weitz, Darren R. Link, Keunho Ahn, Jerome Bibette
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Publication number: 20170102381Abstract: The invention describes a method for the identification of compounds which bind to a target component of a biochemical system or modulate the activity of the target, comprising the steps of: a) compartmentalising the compounds into microcapsules together with the target, such that only a subset of the repertoire is represented in multiple copies in any one microcapsule; and b) identifying the compound which binds to or modulates the activity of the target; wherein at least one step is performed under microfluidic control. The invention enables the screening of large repertoires of molecules which can serve as leads for drug development.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 21, 2016Publication date: April 13, 2017Inventors: Andrew David Griffiths, David A. Weitz, Darren Roy Link, Keunho Ahn, Jerome Bibette
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Patent number: 9498759Abstract: The invention describes a method for the identification of compounds which bind to a target component of a biochemical system or modulate the activity of the target, comprising the steps of: a) compartmentalizing the compounds into microcapsules together with the target, such that only a subset of the repertoire is represented in multiple copies in any one microcapsule; and b) identifying the compound which binds to or modulates the activity of the target; wherein at least one step is performed under microfluidic control. The invention enables the screening of large repertoires of molecules which can serve as leads for drug development.Type: GrantFiled: October 12, 2005Date of Patent: November 22, 2016Assignees: President and Fellows of Harvard College, Medical Research CouncilInventors: Andrew Griffiths, David Weitz, Keunho Ahn, Darren R. Link, Jerome Bibette
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Publication number: 20160186256Abstract: The invention describes a method for isolating one or more genetic elements encoding a gene product having a desired activity, comprising the steps of: (a) compartmentalising genetic elements into microcapsules; and (b) sorting the genetic elements which express the gene product having the desired activity; wherein at least one step is under microfluidic control. The invention enables the in vitro evolution of nucleic acids and proteins by repeated mutagenesis and iterative applications of the method of the invention.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 1, 2016Publication date: June 30, 2016Inventors: Andrew David Griffiths, David A. Weitz, Darren R. Link, Keunho Ahn, Jerome Bibette
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Patent number: 9186643Abstract: The invention describes a method for isolating one or more genetic elements encoding a gene product having a desired activity, comprising the steps of: (a) compartmentalizing genetic elements into microcapsules; and (b) sorting the genetic elements which express the gene product having the desired activity; wherein at least one step is under microfluidic control. The invention enables the in vitro evolution of nucleic acids and proteins by repeated mutagenesis and iterative applications of the method of the invention.Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 2012Date of Patent: November 17, 2015Assignees: Medical Research Council, President and Fellows of Harvard CollegeInventors: Andrew David Griffiths, David A. Weitz, Darren R. Link, Keunho Ahn, Jerome Bibette
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Patent number: 9029083Abstract: The invention describes a method for isolating one or more genetic elements encoding a gene product having a desired activity, comprising the steps of: (a) compartmentalising genetic elements into microcapsules; and (b) sorting the genetic elements which express the gene product having the desired activity; wherein at least one step is under microfluidic control. The invention enables the in vitro evolution of nucleic acids and proteins by repeated mutagenesis and iterative applications of the method of the invention.Type: GrantFiled: October 10, 2005Date of Patent: May 12, 2015Assignees: Medical Research Council, President and Fellows of Harvard CollegeInventors: Andrew David Griffiths, David Weitz, Darren Link, Keunho Ahn, Jerome Bibette
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Publication number: 20150024476Abstract: Apparatus and Methods are provided for a microfabricated fluorescence activated cell sorter based on a switch for rapid, active control of cell routing through a microfluidic channel network. This sorter enables low-stress, highly efficient sorting of populations of small numbers of cells (i.e., 1000-100,000 cells). The invention includes packaging of the microfluidic channel network in a self-contained plastic cartridge that enables microfluidic channel network to macro-scale instrument interconnect, in a sterile, disposable format. Optical and/or fluidic switching forces are used alone or in combination to effect switching.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 14, 2014Publication date: January 22, 2015Inventors: William F. Butler, Haichuan Zhang, Philippe Marchand, Keunho Ahn, Yi Zhang, John Francis, Benjamin Lai, Eugene Tu
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Publication number: 20140371083Abstract: Systems, apparatus and methods are provided for biochemical analysis of a sample (e.g., a cell or nucleic acids). Samples are analyzed for molecular information and remain accessible for subsequent analysis or testing. The systems, apparatus and methods and systems provided are useful for performing quantitative and highly parallel biochemical reactions on biological samples in a high-throughput manner.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 13, 2012Publication date: December 18, 2014Applicant: CELULA, INC.Inventors: Keunho Ahn, Benjamin Lai, Andree J. Pyfer, Yi Zhang, Haichuan Zhang
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Patent number: 8871444Abstract: The invention describes a method for isolating one or more genetic elements encoding a gene product having a desired activity, comprising the steps of: (a) compartmentalizing genetic elements into microcapsules; and (b) sorting the genetic elements which express the gene product having the desired activity; wherein at least one step is under microfluidic control. The invention enables the in vitro evolution of nucleic acids and proteins by repeated mutagenesis and iterative applications of the method of the invention.Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 2012Date of Patent: October 28, 2014Assignees: Medical Research Council, President and Fellows of Harvard CollegeInventors: Andrew David Griffiths, David A. Weitz, Darren R. Link, Keunho Ahn, Jerome Bibette