Patents by Inventor Mary E. Napier

Mary E. Napier 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: 20130177598
    Abstract: A pharmaceutical composition comprising protein micro and/or nanoparticles are provided. The particles have a predetermined geometric shape and a broadest dimension less than about 10 micrometers. The particles may further comprise active agents.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2008
    Publication date: July 11, 2013
    Applicant: The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
    Inventors: Joseph M. Desimone, Stephanie Gratton, Ji Guo, Jennifer Yvonne Kelly, Andrew James Murphy, Mary E Napier
  • Patent number: 7049068
    Abstract: A method of detecting a nucleic acid (e.g., DNA, RNA) that contains at least one preselected base (e.g., adenine, guanine, 6-mercaptoguanine, 8-oxo-guanine, and 8-oxo-adenine) comprises (a) reacting the nucleic acid with a transition metal complex capable of oxidizing the preselected base in an oxidation-reduction reaction; (b) detecting the oxidation-reduction reaction; and (c) determining the presence or absence of the nucleic acid from the detected oxidation-reduction reaction at the preselected base. The method may be used in a variety of applications, including DNA sequencing, diagnostic assays, and quantitative analysis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2006
    Assignee: The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
    Inventors: H. Holden Thorp, Dean H. Johnston, Mary E. Napier, Carson R. Loomis, Mark F. Sistare, Jinheung Kim
  • Publication number: 20020106683
    Abstract: A method of detecting a nucleic acid (e.g., DNA, RNA) that contains at least one preselected base (e.g., adenine, guanine, 6-mercaptoguanine, 8-oxo-guanine, and 8-oxo-adenine) comprises (a) reacting the nucleic acid with a transition metal complex capable of oxidizing the preselected base in an oxidation-reduction reaction; (b) detecting the oxidation-reduction reaction; and (c) determining the presence or absence of the nucleic acid from the detected oxidation-reduction reaction at the preselected base. The method may be used in a variety of applications, including DNA sequencing, diagnostic assays, and quantitative analysis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2001
    Publication date: August 8, 2002
    Inventors: H. Holden Thorp, Dean H. Johnston, Mary E. Napier, Carson R. Loomis, Mark F. Sistare, Jinheung Kim
  • Patent number: 6387625
    Abstract: An electrode for detecting interactions between members of a binding pair, which electrode has been modified by formation of a non-conductive self-assembled monolayer, and a method of detecting biomolecules, such as nucleic acids or other targets, including receptors, ligands, antigens or antibodies, utilizing such an electrode. When contacted with a target nucleic acid, an oligonucleotide probe coupled to the self-assembled monolayer reacts with the target nucleic acid form a hybridized nucleic acid on the modified electrode surface. The hybridized nucleic acid is reacted with a transition metal complex capable of oxidizing a preselected base in the hybridized nucleic acid in an oxidation-reduction reaction, the oxidation-reduction reaction is detected, and the presence or absence of the nucleic acid is determined from the detected oxidation-reduction reaction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2002
    Assignees: The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Xanthon, Inc.
    Inventors: Allen E. Eckhardt, Jill C. Mikulecky, Mary E. Napier, Robert S. Thomas, H. Holden Thorp
  • Patent number: 6361951
    Abstract: A method of detecting a nucleic acid (e.g., DNA, RNA) that contains at least one preselected base (e.g., adenine, guanine, 6-mercaptoguanine, 8-oxo-guanine, and 8-oxo-adenine) comprises (a) reacting the nucleic acid with a transition metal complex capable of oxidizing the preselected base in an oxidation-reduction reaction; (b) detecting the oxidation-reduction reaction; and (c) determining the presence or absence of the nucleic acid from the detected oxidation-reduction reaction at the preselected base. The method may be used in a variety of applications, including DNA sequencing, diagnostic assays, and quantitative analysis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2002
    Assignee: The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
    Inventors: H. Holden Thorp, Dean H. Johnston, Mary E. Napier, Carson R. Loomis, Mark F. Sistare, Jinheung Kim
  • Patent number: 6132971
    Abstract: A method of detecting a nucleic acid (e.g., DNA, RNA) that contains at least one preselected base (e.g., adenine, guanine, 6-mercaptoguanine, 8-oxo-guanine, and 8-oxo-adenine) comprises (a) reacting the nucleic acid with a transition metal complex capable of oxidizing the preselected base in an oxidation-reduction reaction; (b) detecting the oxidation-reduction reaction; and (c) determining the presence or absence of the nucleic acid from the detected oxidation-reduction reaction at the preselected base. The method may be used in a variety of applications, including DNA sequencing, diagnostic assays, and quantitative analysis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2000
    Assignee: The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
    Inventors: H. Holden Thorp, Dean H. Johnston, Mary E. Napier, Carson R. Loomis, Mark F. Sistare, Jinheung Kim
  • Patent number: 6127127
    Abstract: An electrode for detecting interactions between members of a binding pair, which electrode has been modified by formation of a non-conductive self-assembled monolayer, and a method of detecting biomolecules, such as nucleic acids or other targets, including receptors, ligands, antigens or antibodies, utilizing such an electrode. When contacted with a target nucleic acid, an oligonucleotide probe coupled to the self-assembled monolayer reacts with the target nucleic acid to form a hybridized nucleic acid on the modified electrode surface. The hybridized nucleic acid is reacted with a transition metal complex capable of oxidizing a preselected base in the hybridized nucleic acid in an oxidation-reduction reaction, the oxidation-reduction reaction is detected, and the presence or absence of the nucleic acid is determined from the detected oxidation-reduction reaction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2000
    Assignees: The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Xanthon, Inc.
    Inventors: Allen E. Eckhardt, Jill C. Mikulecky, Mary E. Napier, Robert S. Thomas, H. Holden Thorp
  • Patent number: 5968745
    Abstract: A polymer-electrode including (a) a substrate having a conductive working surface; and (b) a polymer layer on the conductive working surface. The polymer layer has a plurality of microfluidic reaction openings distributed throughout the layer. An oligonucleotide probe can be attached to the polymer layer and is available to capture target nucleic acid. A soluble mediator can diffuse freely and transfer electrons from the preselected base in the hybridized nucleic acid to the conductive working surface of the substrate. An electronic signal generated from the electron transfer reaction is detected and quantitated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1999
    Assignees: The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Xanthon, Inc.
    Inventors: H. Holden Thorp, Carson R. Loomis, Mary E. Napier
  • Patent number: 5871918
    Abstract: A method of detecting a nucleic acid (e.g., DNA, RNA) that contains at least one preselected base (e.g., adenine, guanine, 6-mercaptoguanine, 8-oxo-guanine, and 8-oxo-adenine) comprises (a) reacting the nucleic acid with a transition metal complex capable of oxidizing the preselected base in an oxidation-reduction reaction; (b) detecting the oxidation-reduction reaction; and (c) determining the presence or absence of the nucleic acid from the detected oxidation-reduction reaction at the preselected base. The method may be used in a variety of applications, including DNA sequencing, diagnostic assays, and quantitative analysis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 16, 1999
    Assignee: The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
    Inventors: H. Holden Thorp, Dean H. Johnston, Mary E. Napier, Carson R. Loomis, Mark F. Sistare, Jinheung Kim