Patents Represented by Attorney Gregory T. Pletta
  • Patent number: 8323888
    Abstract: The invention provides methods of detecting a nucleic acid. The methods comprise contacting the nucleic acid with one or more types of particles having oligonucleotides attached thereto. In one embodiment of the method, the oligonucleotides are attached to nanoparticles and have sequences complementary to portions of the sequence of the nucleic acid. A detectable change (preferably a color change) is brought about as a result of the hybridization of the oligonucleotides on the nanoparticles to the nucleic acid. The invention also provides compositions and kits comprising particles. The invention further provides methods of synthesizing unique nanoparticle-oligonucleotide conjugates, the conjugates produced by the methods, and methods of using the conjugates. In addition, the invention provides nanomaterials and nanostructures comprising nanoparticles and methods of nanofabrication utilizing nanoparticles. Finally, the invention provides a method of separating a selected nucleic acid from other nucleic acids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Nanosphere, Inc.
    Inventors: Chad A. Mirkin, Robert L. Letsinger, Robert C. Mucic, James J. Storhoff, Robert Elghanian, Thomas A. Taton
  • Patent number: 7985539
    Abstract: The invention encompasses reagents comprising particles with at least one Raman dye and a specific binding members bound thereto and methods of using such reagents. The invention also encompasses reagents of a specific binding member and two or more different Raman dyes and methods for using such reagents. New types of particle probes having a specific binding member bound thereto are described. These reagents are used in a novel detection strategy that utilizes the catalytic properties of the Au nanoparticles to generate a silver coating that can behave as a surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) promoter for the dye-labeled particles that have been captured by target and an underlying chip in microarray format.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2011
    Assignee: Northwestern University
    Inventors: Chad A. Mirkin, Yunwei Cao, Rongchao Jin
  • Patent number: 7888107
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for processing a nucleic acid. The apparatus includes a disposable self-contained processing module that contains the nucleic acid and substantially all of the fluids to effect a nanoparticle hybridization test, a pump coupled to the processing module, a valving system disposed between the pump and processing module and a control system coupled to the pump and valving system causing the processing fluids to interact with the nucleic acid to effect a sandwich hybridization test using nanoparticles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignee: Nanosphere, Inc.
    Inventors: Tim Patno, Tom Westberg, Mark Weber, Benjamin Rush, Christopher Khoury, David Morrow, Janusz Ruszel, Christian Kronshage, William Cork
  • Patent number: 7773790
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for imaging metallic nanoparticles is provided. Preferably, the invention provides for an apparatus and method for detection of gold colloid particles and for accurate reporting to the operator. The apparatus includes a substrate holder for holding the substrate, a processor and memory device, an imaging module, an illumination module, a power module, an input module, and an output module. The apparatus may have a stationary substrate holder and imaging module which are proximate to one another. The apparatus provided for a compact sized system without the need for complex motorized devices to move the camera across the substrate. Further, the apparatus and method provide for automatic detection of the spots/wells on the substrate, automatic quantification of the spots on the substrate, and automatic interpretation of the spots based on decision statistics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: Nanosphere, Inc.
    Inventors: William Cork, Tim Patno, Mark Weber, Dave Morrow, Wesley Buckingham
  • Patent number: 7695952
    Abstract: A disposable sample processing module is provided for processing DNA or RNA samples. The module includes a hybridization chamber adapted to receive an oligonucleotide covalently bonded to an internal surface of the hybridization chamber. The module also include a sample well adapted to hold a DNA or RNA sample, said sample well being coupled to the hybridization chamber, a moveable valve plate disposed between the sample well and hybridization chamber, said moveable valve plate having a first position that allows transfer of the DNA or RNA sample from the sample well to the hybridization chamber and a second position that blocks transfer to the hybridization chamber and a manifold adapted to exchange fluids with the hybridization chamber to hybridize the DNA or RNA sample with the oligonucleotide, to wash the hybridized sample and to amplify the hybridized sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: Nanosphere, Inc.
    Inventors: Tim Patno, Tom Westberg
  • Patent number: 7687437
    Abstract: A method for immobilizing amino-group containing molecules onto surfaces and devices having immobilized isocyanate-group containing molecules prepared by the method are disclosed. The method comprises reacting a surface (i.e., glass surface) having free hydroxyl groups with a silyl isocyanate derivatizing agent to provide immobilized reactive moieties, the agent having a formula: (R1O)(R2O)(R3O)Si—X—NCO wherein R1, R2 and R3 are independently represents C1-C6 alkyl, phenyl, or aryl substituted with one or more groups selected from the group consisting of C1-C6 alkyl and C1-C6 alkoxy; X represents linear or branched C1-C20 alkyl or aryl substituted with one or more groups selected from the group consisting of C1-C6 alkyl and C1-C6 alkoxy, optionally substituted with one or more heteroatoms comprising oxygen, nitrogen, and sulfur and reacting the immobilized reactive moieties with the amino group-containing molecule so as to immobilize said molecule on the surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Assignee: Nanosphere, Inc.
    Inventor: Viswanadham Garimella
  • Patent number: 7625746
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for processing a DNA or RNA sample within a sample processing module. The method includes the steps of providing a sample well within the sample processing module that contains the DNA or RNA sample, coupling ultrasonic energy from an external source into the sampling well and denaturing and fragmenting the DNA or RNA sample using the ultrasonic energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: Nanosphere, Inc.
    Inventors: Tim Patno, Tom Westberg, Michael F. Halblander, Emily R. Beeson, Benjamin L. Rush
  • Patent number: 7485469
    Abstract: A method for the efficient immobilization of silylated molecules such as silylated oligonucleotides or proteins onto unmodified surfaces such as a glass surface is provided. Also provided are compounds, devices, and kits for modifying surfaces such as glass surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2009
    Assignee: Nanosphere. Inc.
    Inventors: Viswanadham Garimella, Yasmith Bernal
  • Patent number: 7485470
    Abstract: A method for the efficient immobilization of silylated molecules such as silylated oligonucleotides or proteins onto unmodified surfaces such as a glass surface is provided. Also provided are compounds, devices, and kits for modifying surfaces such as glass surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2009
    Assignee: Nanosphere, Inc.
    Inventors: Viswanadham Garimella, Yasmith Bernal
  • Patent number: 7482173
    Abstract: A method for the efficient immobilization of silylated molecules such as silylated oligonucleotides or proteins onto unmodified surfaces such as a glass surface is provided. Also provided are compounds, devices, and kits for modifying surfaces such as glass surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2009
    Assignee: Nanosphere, Inc.
    Inventors: Viswanadham Garimella, Yasmith Bernal
  • Patent number: 7476550
    Abstract: A method for the efficient immobilization of silylated molecules such as silylated oligonucleotides or proteins onto unmodified surfaces such as a glass surface is provided. Also provided are compounds, devices, and kits for modifying surfaces such as glass surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2009
    Assignee: Nanosphere, Inc.
    Inventors: Viswanadham Garimella, Yasmith Bernal
  • Patent number: 7396677
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for preparing a test sample for detecting a predetermined target nucleic acid. The method includes the steps of providing a test probe comprising an oligonucleotide attached to a nanoparticle and providing a hybridization unit containing the test sample and the test probe, wherein said hybridization unit further includes a target sample substrate and a distribution manifold coupled to a first side of the substrate. The method further includes the steps of clamping a processing fluids manifold to the distribution manifold of the hybridization unit, denaturing the test sample and preparing the test sample for detecting the predetermined target nucleic acid by pumping a plurality of processing fluids between the processing fluids source manifold and distribution manifold to hybridize the test probe and predetermined target nucleic acid to the target sample substrate, to wash the hybridized sample and to amplify a detectable parameter of the hybridized sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: Nanosphere, Inc.
    Inventors: Tim Patno, Jennifer Hollenstein, Christian Kronshage, Christopher Khoury, Mark Weber, Tom Westberg, William Cork
  • Patent number: 7323309
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a screening methods, compositions, and kits for detecting for the presence or absence of one or more target analytes, e.g. proteins such as antibodies, in a sample. In particular, the present invention relates to a method that utilizes reporter oligonucleotides as biochemical barcodes for detecting multiple protein structures or other target analytes in one solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: Northwestern University
    Inventors: Chad A. Mirkin, So-Jung Park, Jwa-Min Nam
  • Patent number: 7297553
    Abstract: A method for the efficient immobilization of silylated molecules such as silylated oligonucleotides or proteins onto unmodified surfaces such as a glass surface is provided. Also provided are compounds, devices, and kits for modifying surfaces such as glass surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: Nanosphere, Inc.
    Inventors: Viswanadham Garimella, Yasmith Bernal
  • Patent number: 7253277
    Abstract: This invention provides polyanionic polymer conjugates containing non-nucleotide polyanionic polymers that are useful in detecting target analytes such as proteins or small molecules. The invention also provides nanoparticles bound to polyanionic polymer conjugates and methods of preparation and use thereof. The polyanionic polymer conjugates have the formula: L-O—[PO2—O-Z-O]n—PO2—O—X wherein n ranges from 1 to 200; L represents a moiety comprising a functional group for attaching the polyanion polymer to the nanoparticle surface; Z represents a bridging group, and X represents Q, X? or -Q-X?, wherein Q represents a functional group for attaching a recognition probe to the polyanion polymer, and X? represents a recognition probe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Nanosphere, Inc.
    Inventors: James J. Storhoff, Robert L. Letsinger, Susan R. Hagenow
  • Patent number: 6977161
    Abstract: Solid support assays using non-standard bases are described. A capture oligonucleotide comprising a molecular recognition sequence is attached to a solid support and hybridized with a target oligonucleotide. In some instances, the molecular recognition sequence includes one or more non-standard bases and hybridizes to a complementary tagging sequence of the target oligonucleotide. In other instances, incorporation of a non-standard base (e.g., via PCR or ligation) is used in the assay.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2005
    Assignee: Eragen Biosciences, Inc.
    Inventors: Jennifer K. Grenier, David J. Marshall, James R. Prudent, Craig S. Richmond, Eric B. Roesch, Christopher W. Scherrer, Christopher B. Sherrill, Jerod L. Ptacin
  • Patent number: 6941317
    Abstract: A computer research tool is provided for searching and displaying biological data. Specifically, the invention provides a computer research tool for performing computerized research of biological data from various databases and for providing a novel graphical user interface that significantly enhances biological data representation, progressive querying and cross-navigation of windows and databases. The invention can be implemented in numerous ways, including as a system, a device, a method, or a computer readable medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2005
    Assignee: Eragen Biosciences, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen Chamberlin, Steven A. Benner, Lukas Knecht
  • Patent number: 6617106
    Abstract: The disclosure describes building blocks for preparing oligonucleotides carrying non-standard nucleobases that can pair with complementary non-standard nucleobases so as to fit the Watson-Crick geometry, in that the resulting base pair joins a monocyclic six membered ring pairing with a fused bicyclic heterocyclic ring system composed of a five member ring fused with a six membered ring, with the orientation of the heterocycles with respect to each other and with respect to the backbone chain analogous to that found in DNA and RNA, but with a pattern of hydrogen bonds holding the base pair together different from that found in the AT and GC base pairs (a “non-standard base pair”).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Inventor: Steven Albert Benner
  • Patent number: 6270962
    Abstract: The present invention relates to improvements in methods of DNA sequencing. In particular, the invention relates to the elimination of stops or pauses in chain termination methods of DNA sequencing by the addition of nitrogen-containing organic compounds such as betaine, trimethylamine N-oxide and dimethylglycine. The invention also provides for DNA sequencing kits containing these compounds. The invention also provides for improvements in other laboratory procedures using DNA polymerases, such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2001
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Michael Chamberlin, Daniel Mytelka
  • Patent number: D587110
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2009
    Assignee: Nanosphere, Inc.
    Inventors: Christian Kronshage, Timothy Patno, William Cork, Scott A. Campbell