Patents by Inventor Mark Ptashne

Mark Ptashne 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).

  • Transcriptional activator comprising a short hydrophobic activation peptide
    Patent number: 7087711
    Abstract: The present invention describes novel transcriptional activators and activation systems. The activators of the present invention comprise a DNA binding moiety linked to a short peptide of novel sequence. Preferably, the peptide is substantially hydrophobic. Preferred peptides include at least one aromatic amino acid. The present invention also provides improved transcriptional activation systems, useful for the identification and characterization of protein—protein interactions. The invention also describes the production and use of certain TBP mutants that enhance transcriptional activation by some activators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2006
    Assignee: President and Fellows of Harvard College
    Inventors: Mark Ptashne, Xiangyang Lu, Yibing Wu
  • Transcriptional activation system, activators, and uses therefor
    Publication number: 20040014036
    Abstract: The present invention describes novel transcriptional activators and activation systems. The activators of the present invention comprise a DNA binding moiety linked to a short peptide of novel sequence. Preferably, the peptide is substantially hydrophobic. Preferred peptides include at least one aromatic amino acid. The present invention also provides improved transcriptional activation systems, useful for the identification and characterization of protein-protein interactions. The invention also describes the production and use of certain TBP mutants that enhance transcriptional activation by some activators.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2001
    Publication date: January 22, 2004
    Inventors: Mark Ptashne, Xiangyang Lu, Yibing Wu
  • Chimeric antibodies
    Patent number: 5169939
    Abstract: Chimeric antibodies comprised of the variable region of an antibody chain contiguous with a polypeptide other than the constant region of that antibody chain are disclosed. Such chimeric antibodies can be comprised of the variable region of a chain of an immunoglobulin of selected specificity and an extrinsic polypeptide. In addition to the variable region of a chain of an immunoglobulin of selected specifity and an extrinsic polypeptide, the chimeric antibodies can include at least a portion of the constant region of an immunoglobFUNDING SOURCESThe work described herein was supported by grants from the National Institutes of Health, the American Cancer Society and the Damon Runyon--Walter Winchell Cancer Fund.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 1989
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1992
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology & Pres. & Fellows of Harvard College
    Inventors: Malcolm L. Gefter, Mark Ptashne, Jacqueline Sharon
  • Fused hybrid gene
    Patent number: 4418149
    Abstract: This invention is a process to produce specific proteins coded for by eukaryotic (or prokaryotic) DNA in bacteria. The invention, which uses recombinant DNA techniques, produces proteins in their natural, functional state unencumbered by extraneous peptides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1982
    Date of Patent: November 29, 1983
    Assignee: President and Fellows of Harvard College
    Inventors: Mark Ptashne, Gail D. Lauer, Thomas M. Roberts, Keith C. Backman
  • Protein synthesis
    Patent number: 4332892
    Abstract: This invention is a process to produce specific proteins coded for by eukaryotic (or prokaryotic) DNA in bacteria. The invention, which uses recombinant DNA techniques, produces proteins in their natural, functional state unencumbered by extraneous peptides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 1980
    Date of Patent: June 1, 1982
    Assignee: President and Fellows of Harvard College
    Inventors: Mark Ptashne, Gail D. Lauer, Thomas M. Roberts, Keith C. Backman