Patents Assigned to Ambion, Inc.
  • Publication number: 20070238118
    Abstract: Methods for obtaining nucleic acid from nucleated cells are disclosed, wherein RNA and fragmented genomic DNA can be sequentially obtained from the same starting material are disclosed. In some embodiments, protein can also be obtained from the same starting material as the RNA and DNA are obtained. According to certain methods, whole blood or a blood fraction comprising nucleated cells is combined with a capture surface and at least some of the leukocytes are retained on the surface. The RNA is released from the retained leukocytes, then the capture surface is treated with a suitable nuclease or other DNA fragmenting agent to release DNA fragments. In certain embodiments, either the released RNA, the released DNA, or both the released RNA and the released DNA are employed in one or more molecular biology application.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2007
    Publication date: October 11, 2007
    Applicant: Ambion, Inc.
    Inventor: Marianna M. Goldrick
  • Patent number: 7250270
    Abstract: The present invention concerns the methods and compositions for preparing a tissue section or biological sample, particularly to preserve RNA in the section or sample, by not exposing or contacting the sample or section to a solution that is composed of mostly water. Tissue sections can be fixed, stained, and dehydrated for subsequent manipulation, including laser capture microdissection (LCM) for further analysis using methods and/or compositions of the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2007
    Assignee: Ambion, Inc.
    Inventors: Marianna Goldrick, Juanita C. Gonzales
  • Publication number: 20070148174
    Abstract: Methods and compositions for inhibiting and/or inactivating nucleases by employing nuclease inhibitors are provided. The nuclease inhibitors comprise anti-nuclease antibodies and non-antibody nuclease inhibitors. The anti-nuclease antibodies of the present invention may be a polyclonal or monoclonal antibodies, and may be anti-ribonuclease antibodies, anti-deoxyribonuclease antibodies, or antibodies to non-specific nucleases. A preferred embodiment comprises at least two nuclease inhibitors, and is referred to as a nuclease inhibitor cocktail. In some specific embodiments, the invention concerns methods of performing in vitro translation comprising obtaining a first nuclease inhibitor, which inhibitor is further defined as an anti-nuclease antibody, and placing the anti-nuclease antibody in an in vitro translation reaction. In many cases, the in vitro translation reaction comprises at least one nuclease, which may be a ribonuclease, a deoxyribonuclease, or a nonspecific nuclease.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2006
    Publication date: June 28, 2007
    Applicant: AMBION, INC.
    Inventors: W. Kudlicki, Matthew Winkler, Brittan Pasloske
  • Publication number: 20070032418
    Abstract: Lead compounds were obtained in a high throughput screen (HTS) of angiogenin (ANG; a potent inducer of angiogenesis) enzyme activity, an RNase. One lead was shown to delay appearance of tumors in an animal tumor system, and to reduce the number of animals having tumors. Several lead compound analogs were found to be even more potent inhibitors of ANG activity compared to the original leads, and two were also found to have greater affinity for ANG than for pancreatic RNase. Other embodiments disclose a method comprising obtaining a ribonuclease inhibitor and a composition; and admixing the ribonuclease inhibitor and the composition to form an admixture, wherein a ribonuclease that may be present in the admixture is inhibited.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2004
    Publication date: February 8, 2007
    Applicant: Ambion, Inc
    Inventors: Robert Shapiro, Jeremy Jenkins, Richard Kao, Gary Latham
  • Patent number: 7163793
    Abstract: Methods and compositions for inhibiting and/or inactivating nucleases by employing nuclease inhibitors are provided. The nuclease inhibitors comprise anti-nuclease antibodies and non-antibody nuclease inhibitors. The anti-nuclease antibodies of the present invention may be a polyclonal or monoclonal antibodies, and may be anti-ribonuclease antibodies, anti-deoxyribonuclease antibodies, or antibodies to non-specific nucleases. A preferred embodiment comprises at least two nuclease inhibitors, and is referred to as a nuclease inhibitor cocktail. In some specific embodiments, the invention concerns methods of performing in vitro translation comprising obtaining a first nuclease inhibitor, which inhibitor is further defined as an anti-nuclease antibody, and placing the anti-nuclease antibody in an in vitro translation reaction. In many cases, the in vitro translation reaction comprises at least one nuclease, which may be a ribonuclease, a deoxyribonuclease, or a nonspecific nuclease.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2007
    Assignee: Ambion, Inc.
    Inventors: W. Antoni Kudlicki, Matthew M. Winkler, Brittan L. Pasloske
  • Publication number: 20060228731
    Abstract: Compositions and method for making and using a synthetic bovine DNase I are disclosed. More particularly, the sbDNase I of the present invention is a versatile enzyme that cleaves DNA nonspecifically to release 5?-phosphorylated nucleotides. The sbDNase I molecules of the present invention find particular use in a wide range of molecular biology applications, including: degradation of contaminating DNA after RNA isolation; RNA clean-up prior to, or in conjunction with, RT-PCR after in vitro transcription; identification of protein binding sequences on DNA (DNase I footprinting); prevention of clumping when handling cultured cells; tissue dissociation and creation of fragmented DNA for in vitro recombination reactions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2006
    Publication date: October 12, 2006
    Applicant: Ambion, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary Latham, Jon Kemppainen
  • Patent number: 7067298
    Abstract: Compositions and method for making and using a synthetic bovine DNase I are disclosed. More particularly, the sbDNase I of the present invention is a versatile enzyme that cleaves DNA nonspecifically to release 5?-phosphorylated nucleotides. The sbDNase I molecules of the present invention find particular use in a wide range of molecular biology applications, including: degradation of contaminating DNA after RNA isolation; RNA clean-up prior to, or in conjunction with, RT-PCR after in vitro transcription; identification of protein binding sequences on DNA (DNase I footprinting); prevention of clumping when handling cultured cells; tissue dissociation and creation of fragmented DNA for in vitro recombination reactions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2006
    Assignee: Ambion, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary Latham, Jon Kemppainen
  • Patent number: 7033749
    Abstract: The present invention relates to nuclease resistant nucleic acids in general and ribonuclease resistant RNAs in particular. Methods of making and using such nucleic acids are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2006
    Assignees: Ambion, Inc., Cenetron Diagnostics LLC
    Inventors: Brittan L. Pasloske, Dwight B. DuBois, David M. Brown, Matthew M. Winkler
  • Patent number: 6994963
    Abstract: This invention pertains to a method for generating a pool of nucleic acid fragments useful for in vitro recombination and the creation of novel DNA sequences that encode desirable proteins or enzymes. The invention provides a defined mixture of nucleic acids and methods for use in the synthesis, mutagenesis, and recombination of nucleic acids. Nucleic acids may be synthesized by creating a nucleic acid extension ladder, annealing the extension ladder to template nucleic acids, and further extending the ladder of nucleic acids. The invention also relates to methods for performing repeated cycles of synthesis for the purpose of mutagenesis or recombination, methods for producing mutant peptides and proteins from the mutagenized or recombined nucleic acids, and methods for selecting a peptide, polypeptide or protein having altered biological activities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2006
    Assignee: Ambion, Inc.
    Inventors: George L. Murphy, Robert A. Setterquist, Andrew D. Ellington
  • Publication number: 20050232934
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a gene that encodes a hyperactive reverse transcriptase having DNA polymerase activity and substantially reduced RNase H activity, vectors containing the gene and host cells transformed with the invention. The present invention also includes a method of producing the hyperactive reverse transcriptase, producing cDNA from mRNA using the reverse transcriptase of the invention, kits and assay templates made using the hyperactive reverse transcriptase.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2004
    Publication date: October 20, 2005
    Applicant: Ambion, Inc.
    Inventors: Liangjing Chen, Robert Setterquist, Gary Latham
  • Patent number: 6897069
    Abstract: A system and method are described for electroporating a sample that utilizes one or more sets of electrodes that are spaced apart in order to hold a surface tension constrained sample between the electrodes. The first electrode is connected to the lower body of the system while the second electrode is connected to the upper body. Both electrodes are connected to a pulse generator. Each electrode has a sample contact surface such that the first electrode and the second electrode may be positioned to hold a surface tension constrained sample between the two sample contact surfaces and the sample may receive a selected electric pulse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2005
    Assignee: Ambion, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard A. Jarvis, Mike W. Byrom, Dmitriy Ovcharenko
  • Patent number: 6891032
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to compositions and methods for removal of nucleic acid probes from sample nucleic acids, particularly when the sample nucleic acids are attached to a solid support. The invention also concerns methods of stripping and reusing nucleic acid blots.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2005
    Assignee: Ambion, Inc.
    Inventors: David Brown, Matthew Winkler
  • Patent number: 6825340
    Abstract: The present invention is a general method for inactivating or inhibiting ribonucleases. Ribonucleases are treated with a reducing agent and heat. RNA samples contaminated with ribonuclease may be treated with this method to protect them from degradation. The RNA may then be used directly in a variety of enzymatic reactions and molecular biology techniques. This method may also be applied to a variety of molecular biology reagents which may be contaminated with ribonuclease to protect an RNA from being degraded when incubated with the reagent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2004
    Assignee: Ambion, Inc.
    Inventors: Brittan L. Pasloske, William Wu
  • Publication number: 20040230048
    Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions, including kits, for the isolation and purification of mRNA, particularly poly(A) RNA. It concerns the use of isostabilizing salts such as TMAC and TEAC to reduce rRNA carryover during the purification process, thus facilitating the isolation of poly(A) RNA.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2001
    Publication date: November 18, 2004
    Applicant: AMBION, INC.
    Inventor: Richard C. Conrad
  • Publication number: 20040219529
    Abstract: Compositions and method for making and using a synthetic bovine DNase I are disclosed. More particularly, the sbDNase I of the present invention is a versatile enzyme that cleaves DNA nonspecifically to release 5′-phosphorylated nucleotides. The sbDNase I molecules of the present invention find particular use in a wide range of molecular biology applications, including: degradation of contaminating DNA after RNA isolation; RNA clean-up prior to, or in conjunction with, RT-PCR after in vitro transcription; identification of protein binding sequences on DNA (DNase I footprinting); prevention of clumping when handling cultured cells; tissue dissociation and creation of fragmented DNA for in vitro recombination reactions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2003
    Publication date: November 4, 2004
    Applicant: Ambion, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary Latham, Jon Kemppainen
  • Patent number: 6812341
    Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions, including kits, for the isolation and purification of mRNA, particularly poly(A) RNA. It concerns the use of isostabilizing salts such as TMAC and TEAC to reduce rRNA carryover during the purification process, thus facilitating the isolation of poly(A) RNA.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: Ambion, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard C. Conrad
  • Patent number: 6777210
    Abstract: The present invention is a general method for irreversibly inactivating ribonucleases. Ribonucleases are completely inactivated by treating them with a reducing agent and heat. RNA samples contaminated with ribonuclease may be treated with this method to protect them from degradation. The RNA may then be used directly in a variety of enzymatic reactions and molecular biology techniques. This method may also be applied to a variety of molecular biology reagents which may be contaminated with ribonuclease to protect an RNA from being degraded when incubated with the reagent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Assignee: Ambion, Inc.
    Inventors: Brittan L. Pasloske, William Wu
  • Publication number: 20040033602
    Abstract: The present invention concerns methods and compositions involving RNase III and polypeptides containing RNase III domains to generate RNA capable of triggering RNA-mediated interference (RNAi) in a cell. In some embodiments, the RNase III is from a prokaryote. RNase III activity will cleave a double-stranded RNA molecule into short RNA molecules that may trigger or mediate RNAi (siRNA). Compositions of the invention include kits that include an RNase III domain-containing polypeptide. The present invention further concerns methods using polypeptides with RNase III activity for generating RNA molecules that effect RNAi, including the generation of a number of RNA molecules to the same target.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2003
    Publication date: February 19, 2004
    Applicant: Ambion, Inc.
    Inventors: Lance P. Ford, David Brown
  • Patent number: 6664379
    Abstract: Methods and compositions for inhibiting and/or inactivating nucleases by employing nuclease inhibitors are provided. The nuclease inhibitors comprise anti-nuclease antibodies and non-antibody nuclease inhibitors. The anti-nuclease antibodies of the present invention may be a polyclonal or monoclonal antibodies, and may be anti-ribonuclease antibodies, anti-deoxyribonuclease antibodies, or antibodies to non-specific nucleases. A preferred embodiment comprises at least two nuclease inhibitors, and is referred to as a nuclease inhibitor cocktail. In some specific embodiments, the invention concerns methods of performing in vitro translation comprising obtaining a first nuclease inhibitor, which inhibitor is further defined as an anti-nuclease antibody, and placing the anti-nuclease antibody in an in vitro translation reaction. In many cases, the in vitro translation reaction comprises at least one nuclease, which may be a ribonuclease, a deoxyribonuclease, or a nonspecific nuclease.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2003
    Assignee: Ambion, Inc.
    Inventors: W. Antoni Kudlicki, Matthew M. Winkler, Brittan L. Pastoske
  • Patent number: 6586218
    Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods for increasing the yields of polynucleotide synthetic reactions. In particular, it relates to an improved reaction mixture for use in in vitro RNA trancription and in various other enzymatic reactions in which a polynucleotide is synthesised. The reaction mixture uses high concentrations of total nucleotides, in the order of 12 mM to 40 mM, i.e. levels that were previously thought to be inhibitory. Other useful modifications are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Assignee: Ambion, Inc.
    Inventors: Susan C. Milburn, Marianna Goldrick, Matthew Winkler