Patents by Inventor Yann Astier

Yann Astier 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: 20220404347
    Abstract: The present invention relates to diagnostic test and technology. In particular, it relates to a method for determining an analyte suspected to be present in a sample comprising contacting said sample with at least one sensor element comprising at least one binding agent which is capable of specifically binding to the analyte and which comprises at least one magnetic label; and in functional proximity thereto a magnetic tunnel junction generating a signal which is altered upon binding of the analyte to the binding agent for a time and under conditions which allow for specific binding of the analyte suspected to be present in the sample to the at least one binding agent, measuring an altered signal generated by the magnetic tunnel junction upon analyte binding to the at least one binding agent comprising the at least one magnetic label, and determining the analyte based on the altered signal which is generated by the magnetic tunnel junction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2021
    Publication date: December 22, 2022
    Inventors: Yann ASTIER, Dieter HEINDL, Hannes KUCHELMEISTER, Nikolaus-Peter STENGELE
  • Publication number: 20220380930
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for making nanopores in thin layers or monolayers of transition metal dichalcogenides that enables accurate and controllable formation of pore within those thin layer(s) with sub-nanometer precision.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2022
    Publication date: December 1, 2022
    Inventors: Jiandong FENG, Ke LIU, Aleksandra RADENOVIC, Yann ASTIER
  • Publication number: 20220325268
    Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to devices and methods for effecting epitachophoresis. Epitachophoresis may be used to effect sample analysis, such as by selective separation, detection, extraction, and/or pre-concentration of target analytes such as, for example, DNA, RNA, and/or other biological molecules. Said target analytes may be collected following epitachophoresis and used for desired downstream applications and further analysis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2020
    Publication date: October 13, 2022
    Inventors: Yann Astier, Vladimira Datinska, Frantisek Foret, Pantea Gheibi, Brian Christopher Godwin, Keynttisha Jefferson, Jaeyoung Yang
  • Publication number: 20220251645
    Abstract: Embodiments may include a nucleic acid molecule system. The system may include a nucleic acid polymerase attached to a tether compound. The polymerase may be configured to elongate a nascent strand. The system may also include a nucleotide attached to a label compound. The label compound may include a moiety. The system may further include a transistor in electrical communication with a power supply. The polymer may be attached to the transistor. In addition, the system may include a meter device configured to measure an electrical characteristic of the transistor from the moiety after the label compound is cleaved from the nucleotide by the nucleic acid polymerase.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2022
    Publication date: August 11, 2022
    Inventor: Yann ASTIER
  • Patent number: 11401625
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for making nanopores in thin layers or monolayers of transition metal dichalcogenides that enables accurate and controllable formation of pore within those thin layer(s) with sub-nanometer precision.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignees: Ecole Polytechnique Federale De Lausanne (EPFL), Roche Sequencing Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Jiandong Feng, Ke Liu, Aleksandra Radenovic, Yann Astier
  • Publication number: 20220193670
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are apparatuses for nucleic acid sequencing, and methods of making and using such apparatuses. In some embodiments, the apparatus comprises a magnetic sensor array comprising a plurality of magnetic sensors, each of the plurality of magnetic sensors coupled to at least one address line, and a fluid chamber adjacent to the magnetic sensor array, the fluid chamber having a proximal wall adjacent to the magnetic sensor array.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2020
    Publication date: June 23, 2022
    Applicants: Roche Sequencing Solutions, Inc., Western Digital Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Yann ASTIER, Patrick BRAGANCA, Juraj TOPOLANCIK
  • Patent number: 11345961
    Abstract: Embodiments may include a method of determining a nucleic acid sequence. The nucleic acid may be DNA. The method may include forming, by a polymerase, a double-stranded nucleic acid molecule from a first nucleic acid strand and a second nucleic acid strand. Forming the double-stranded nucleic acid molecule may include adding a first compound to the second nucleic acid strand. The first compound may include a nucleotide attached to a third nucleic acid strand. The third nucleic acid strand may be attached to a moiety. The method may also include detaching the nucleotide from the third nucleic acid strand and the moiety. The method may further include measuring a change in an electrical characteristic of a transistor resulting from the moiety. Additionally, the method may include identifying the nucleotide based on the measured change in the electrical characteristic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: Roche Sequencing Solutions, Inc.
    Inventor: Yann Astier
  • Publication number: 20220018809
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present technology may allow for the analysis of molecules by tunneling recognition at a tunneling junction. A tunneling junction of the present technology can include an insulating layer between two electrodes. A voltage may be applied to the electrodes. When a molecule makes contact with both electrodes, the molecule allows current to tunnel through the molecule. The characteristics of the current may aid in identifying a portion of the molecule, for example, a particular nucleotide or base present in a nucleic acid molecule. Methods and systems for analysis of molecules are described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2021
    Publication date: January 20, 2022
    Inventors: Yann ASTIER, Juraj TOPOLANCIK
  • Publication number: 20210381997
    Abstract: Molecules may be analyzed (e.g., sequencing of nucleic acid molecules) by tunneling recognition at a tunneling junction. Embodiments of the present invention may allow detecting individual nucleotides and the sequencing of a nucleic acid molecule using a tunneling junction. By labeling a specific 5 nucleotide with a moiety, tunneling junctions may generate a signal with a suitable signal-to-noise ratio. An electric field may be applied to move the nucleic acid molecule and the moiety close to the tunneling junction so that a current may travel through the moiety. Because a single nucleotide can be detected with a signal with a suitable signal-to-noise ratio resulting from the tunneling current passing through 10 the moiety, embodiments of the present invention may allow for fast detection of nucleotides using a tunneling current.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2019
    Publication date: December 9, 2021
    Inventors: Yann ASTIER, Zsolt MAJZIK, Flint MITCHELL, Juraj TOPOLANCIK
  • Patent number: 11162948
    Abstract: Techniques for detection of virus-antibody nanocomplexes using a chip-based pillar array are provided. In one aspect, a method for virus detection is provided. The method includes the steps of: collecting a fluid sample from a virus-bearing source; contacting the fluid sample with an antibody that binds to viruses to form a sample-antibody mixture, wherein the antibody is labeled with a fluorescent tag; separating particles including any antibody-virus complexes, if present, from the sample-antibody mixture using an assay nanopillar array; and detecting the antibody-virus complexes, if present, in the particles from the separating step using fluorescence. A virus detection chip device and a chip-based immunoassay method are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Yann Astier, Stacey M. Gifford, Benjamin H. Wunsch
  • Patent number: 11150168
    Abstract: A device for isolating a microbe or a virion includes a semiconductor substrate; and a trench formed in the semiconductor substrate and extending from a surface of the semiconductor substrate to a region within the semiconductor substrate; wherein the trench has dimensions such that the microbe or the virion is trapped within the trench.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yann Astier, David Esteban, Judson R. Holt, Henry K. Utomo
  • Patent number: 11137371
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present technology may allow for the analysis of molecules by tunneling recognition at a tunneling junction. A tunneling junction of the present technology can include an insulating layer between two electrodes. A voltage may be applied to the electrodes. When a molecule makes contact with both electrodes, the molecule allows current to tunnel through the molecule. The characteristics of the current may aid in identifying a portion of the molecule, for example, a particular nucleotide or base present in a nucleic acid molecule. Methods and systems for analysis of molecules are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignee: Roche Sequencing Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Yann Astier, Juraj Topolancik
  • Patent number: 11060960
    Abstract: A device for isolating a microbe or a virion includes a semiconductor substrate; and a trench formed in the semiconductor substrate and extending from a surface of the semiconductor substrate to a region within the semiconductor substrate; wherein the trench has dimensions such that the microbe or the virion is trapped within the trench.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yann Astier, David Esteban, Judson R. Holt, Henry K. Utomo
  • Publication number: 20210189585
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for making nanopores in thin layers or monolayers of transition metal dichalcogenides that enables accurate and controllable formation of pore within those thin layer(s) with sub-nanometer precision.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2021
    Publication date: June 24, 2021
    Inventors: Jiandong FENG, Ke LIU, Aleksandra RADENOVIC, Yann ASTIER
  • Patent number: 11009464
    Abstract: Methods, apparatuses, and computer program products are provided where fluid, such as a blood sample, is entered into a microfluidic channel in a microchip where the microfluidic channel possesses a micro/nanopillar array for sorting molecules by size. When the fluid passes through the micro/nanopillar array it is separated into particles of interest or particles not of interest or both. When particles of interest are lit by a light source via a first waveguide in the microchip connecting the light source to the microfluidic channel, then lighted particles of interest can be detected by an optical detector via a second waveguide in the microchip connecting the optical detector to the microfluidic channel. The information from the optical detector can be analyzed further by connecting the microchip to a mobile computing device with its own processing abilities or abilities via the internet or cloud.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Huan Hu, Oki Gunawan, Ning Li, Devendra K. Sadana, Joshua T. Smith, William T. Spratt, Yann Astier
  • Patent number: 10947637
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for making nanopores in thin layers or monolayers of transition metal dichalcogenides that enables accurate and controllable formation of pore within those thin layer(s) with sub-nanometer precision.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignees: Ecole Polytechnique Federale De Lausanne (EPFL), Roche Sequencing Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Jiandong Feng, Ke Liu, Aleksandra Radenovic, Yann Astier
  • Publication number: 20200282392
    Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to devices for effecting epitachophoresis. Epitachophoresis may be used to effect sample analysis, such as by selective separation, detection, extraction, and/or pre-concentration of target analytes such as, for example, DNA, RNA, and/or other biological molecules. Said target analytes may be collected following epitachophoresis and used for desired downstream applications and further analysis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2018
    Publication date: September 10, 2020
    Inventors: Yann ASTIER, Jan BERKA, Ulrich SCHLECHT, Frantisek FORET, Vladimira DATINSKA, Ivona VORACOVA
  • Publication number: 20200239951
    Abstract: Nucleic acid molecule analysis systems are described. The system may include a nucleic acid molecule attached to a particle with a characteristic dimension. The system may also include an aperture defined by a first electrode, a first insulator, and a second electrode. The aperture may have a characteristic dimension less than the characteristic dimension of the particle. The system may further include a first power supply in electrical communication with the first electrode and the second electrode. In addition, the system may include a second power supply configured to apply an electric field through the aperture. In some embodiments, the aperture may be defined by a first insulator. A portion of the first electrode may extend into the aperture. A portion of the second electrode may extend into the aperture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2020
    Publication date: July 30, 2020
    Inventor: Yann ASTIER
  • Publication number: 20200158687
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present technology may allow for the analysis of molecules by tunneling recognition at a tunneling junction. A tunneling junction of the present technology can include an insulating layer between two electrodes. A voltage may be applied to the electrodes. When a molecule makes contact with both electrodes, the molecule allows current to tunnel through the molecule. The characteristics of the current may aid in identifying a portion of the molecule, for example, a particular nucleotide or base present in a nucleic acid molecule. Methods and systems for analysis of molecules are described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2020
    Publication date: May 21, 2020
    Inventors: Yann ASTIER, Juraj TOPOLANCIK
  • Patent number: 10648029
    Abstract: Embodiments may include a method of analyzing a nucleic acid molecule. The method may include attaching the nucleic acid molecule to a protein. The protein may be attached to a particle with a first diameter. The method may also include applying an electric field to move a first portion of the nucleic acid molecule into an aperture. The aperture may be defined by a first electrode, an insulator, and a second electrode. The aperture may have a second diameter less than the first diameter. The method may further include contacting the first portion of the nucleic acid molecule to both the first electrode and the second electrode. The method may include applying a voltage across the first electrode and the second electrode. The current through the electrodes and the portion of the nucleic acid molecule may be measured, and a nucleotide of the nucleic acid molecule may be identified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: Roche Sequencing Solutions, Inc.
    Inventor: Yann Astier