Patents Assigned to Howard Hughes Medical Institute
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Patent number: 11177110Abstract: A microscopy system includes a gas cluster beam system configured for generating a beam of gas clusters directed toward a sample to irradiate a sample and mill away successive surface layers from the sample, a scanning electron microscope system configured for irradiating the successive surface layers of the sample with an electron beam and for imaging the successive surface layers of the sample in response to the irradiation of the surface layer, and a processor configured for generating a three dimensional image of the sample based on the imaging of the successive layers of the sample.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 2019Date of Patent: November 16, 2021Assignee: Howard Hughes Medical InstituteInventors: Kenneth J. Hayworth, Harald F. Hess, C. Shan Xu, David Peale
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Patent number: 11174507Abstract: Labeled probes, and methods of use thereof, comprise a Cas polypeptide conjugated to gRNA that is specific for target nucleic acid sequences, including genomic DNA sequences. The probes and methods can be used to label nucleic acid sequences without global DNA denaturation.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 2019Date of Patent: November 16, 2021Assignee: HOWARD HUGHES MEDICAL INSTITUTEInventors: Robert Singer, Timothee Lionnet, Wulan Deng
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Patent number: 11174506Abstract: Labeled probes, and methods of use thereof, comprise a Cas polypeptide conjugated to gRNA that is specific for target nucleic acid sequences, including genomic DNA sequences. The probes and methods can be used to label nucleic acid sequences without global DNA denaturation. The presently-disclosed subject matter meets some or all of the above identified needs, as will become evident to those of ordinary skill in the art after a study of information provided in this document.Type: GrantFiled: October 16, 2015Date of Patent: November 16, 2021Assignee: HOWARD HUGHES MEDICAL INSTITUTEInventors: Robert Singer, Wulan Deng, Timothee Lionnet
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Publication number: 20210347994Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to the synthesis and use of fluorophores. It is more specifically directed to the synthesis and use of deuterated fluorophores. In one case, the present invention provides a compound of the structure shown in FIG. 44.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 6, 2021Publication date: November 11, 2021Applicant: HOWARD HUGHES MEDICAL INSTITUTEInventors: Luke LAVIS, Jonathan B. Grimm
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Patent number: 11162942Abstract: The present disclosure provides, inter alia, genetically encoded recombinant peptide biosensors comprising analyte-binding framework portions and signaling portions, wherein the signaling portions are present within the framework portions at sites or amino acid positions that undergo a conformational change upon interaction of the framework portion with an analyte.Type: GrantFiled: June 15, 2020Date of Patent: November 2, 2021Assignee: Howard Hughes Medical InstituteInventors: Jonathan S. Marvin, Loren Looger
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Publication number: 20210318293Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to novel fluorophores and their use in imaging methods. In one case, the present invention provides a compound according to the structure shown in FIG. 20A. In another case, the present invention provides a method of imaging one or more cellular structures within one or more cells using a compound of the structure shown in FIG. 20A.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 16, 2021Publication date: October 14, 2021Applicant: HOWARD HUGHES MEDICAL INSTITUTEInventors: Luke Lavis, Fadi M. Jradi
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Patent number: 11124554Abstract: This document relates to materials and methods for controlling ligand gated ion channel (LGIC) activity. For example, modified LGICs including at least one LGIC subunit having a modified ligand binding domain (LBD) and/or a modified ion pore domain (IPD) are provided. Also provided are exogenous LGIC ligands that can bind to and activate the modified LGIC, as well as methods of modulating ion transport across the membrane of a cell of a mammal, methods of modulating the excitability of a cell in a mammal, and methods of treating a mammal having a channelopathy.Type: GrantFiled: May 6, 2020Date of Patent: September 21, 2021Assignee: Howard Hughes Medical InstituteInventors: Scott Sternson, Peter Lee, Christopher Magnus
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Patent number: 11091643Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to the synthesis and use of fluorophores. It is more specifically directed to the synthesis and use of deuterated fluorophores. In one case, the present invention provides a compound of the structure shown in FIG. 44.Type: GrantFiled: May 28, 2019Date of Patent: August 17, 2021Assignee: Howard Hughes Medical InstituteInventors: Luke Lavis, Jonathan B. Grimm
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Patent number: 11084853Abstract: This document relates to materials and methods for controlling ligand gated ion channel (LGIC) activity. For example, modified LGICs including at least one LGIC subunit having a modified ligand binding domain (LBD) and/or a modified ion pore domain (IPD) are provided. Also provided are exogenous LGIC ligands that can bind to and activate the modified LGIC, as well as methods of modulating ion transport across the membrane of a cell of a mammal, methods of modulating the excitability of a cell in a mammal, and methods of treating a mammal having a channelopathy.Type: GrantFiled: July 7, 2017Date of Patent: August 10, 2021Assignee: Howard Hughes Medical InstituteInventors: Scott Sternson, Peter Lee, Christopher Magnus
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Patent number: 11067566Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to novel fluorophores and their use in imaging methods. In one case, the present invention provides a compound according to the structure shown in FIG. 20A. In another case, the present invention provides a method of imaging one or more cellular structures within one or more cells using a compound of the structure shown in FIG. 20A.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2018Date of Patent: July 20, 2021Assignee: Howard Hughes Medical InstituteInventors: Luke Lavis, Fadi M. Jradi
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Patent number: 10981962Abstract: This document relates to materials and methods for controlling ligand gated ion channel (LGIC) activity. For example, modified LGICs including at least one LGIC subunit having a modified ligand binding domain (LBD) and/or a modified ion pore domain (IPD) are provided. Also provided are exogenous LGIC ligands that can bind to and activate the modified LGIC, as well as methods of modulating ion transport across the membrane of a cell of a mammal, methods of modulating the excitability of a cell in a mammal, and methods of treating a mammal having a channelopathy.Type: GrantFiled: August 19, 2019Date of Patent: April 20, 2021Assignee: Howard Hughes Medical InstituteInventors: Scott Sternson, Peter Lee, Christopher Magnus
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Patent number: 10961296Abstract: This document relates to materials and methods for modulating ligand gated ion channel (LGIC) activity. For example, modified LGICs including at least one LGIC subunit having a modified ligand binding domain (LBD) and/or a modified ion pore domain (IPD) are provided. Also provided are exogenous LGIC ligands that can bind to and activate the modified LGIC, as well as methods of modulating ion transport across the membrane of a cell of a mammal, methods of modulating the excitability of a cell in a mammal, and methods of treating a mammal having a channelopathy.Type: GrantFiled: November 9, 2018Date of Patent: March 30, 2021Assignee: Howard Hughes Medical InstituteInventors: Scott Sternson, Peter Lee, Christopher Magnus
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Patent number: 10961282Abstract: The present disclosure provides AAV variants that exhibit a preference for retrograde movement in neurons and methods of using such variants.Type: GrantFiled: June 15, 2017Date of Patent: March 30, 2021Assignees: Howard Hughes Medical Institute, The Regents of the University of CaliforniaInventors: Joshua Dudman, Adam Hantman, Bum-Yeol Hwang, Alla Karpova, Loren Looger, Kimberly Ritola, David Schaffer, Dougal Gowanlock Robinson Tervo, Sarada Viswanathan
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Patent number: 10908237Abstract: An apparatus includes a magnetic apparatus that defines an actuation volume that is large enough to accommodate a sample, the magnetic apparatus including a magnet that is configured to create a magnetic field having a magnitude B in the sample when supplied with a DC current; at least one biological construct within the sample, the biological construct configured to change its status in response to a change in a property; and at least one magnetocaloric actuator coupled with the biological construct. A change in a characteristic in the actuation volume causes the property of the magnetocaloric actuator to change, which causes a change in the status of the biological construct.Type: GrantFiled: April 4, 2018Date of Patent: February 2, 2021Assignee: Howard Hughes Medical InstituteInventor: Mladen Barbic
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Patent number: 10901194Abstract: A microscope system including: a source of light; a sample objective configured for focusing the light at a focal plane within a sample; a remote focus unit configured for changing a position of the focal plane along an axis perpendicular to the focal plane; one or more optical element configured for directing the focused light to a location within the focal plane; and a detector configured for detecting light emitted from the focal plane within the sample; wherein the one or more optical element is located after the remote focus unit along a beam path of the light from the source to the sample objective, such that the changing the position of the focal plane along the axis is performed before the directing the focused light to the location within the focal plane.Type: GrantFiled: November 15, 2018Date of Patent: January 26, 2021Assignee: Howard Hughes Medical InstituteInventors: Karel Svoboda, Daniel Flickinger, Nicholas Sofroniew
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Patent number: 10830701Abstract: Techniques are described for imaging a sample where the techniques include acquiring a raster scan image of the sample, providing light from a light source, directing the light into a plurality of different light beam paths at different times, providing light in each of the plurality of light beam paths through an objective lens to the sample, and providing light in each of the plurality of beams to different locations within the sample. Fluorescence emission light from the sample is detected in response to excitation by light in each of the plurality of light beam paths, where the detected fluorescence emission light corresponds to fluorescence intensity projections of the sample with low mutual coherence, and an image of the sample is generated based on the detected fluorescence emission light and based on the raster scan image.Type: GrantFiled: May 7, 2018Date of Patent: November 10, 2020Assignee: Howard Hughes Medical InstituteInventors: Kaspar Podgorski, Daniel Flickinger, Abbas Kazemipour
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Patent number: 10809510Abstract: A scanning microscope includes a light source for generating a light beam having a wavelength, ?, and beam-forming optics configured for receiving the light beam and generating a quasi-Bessel excitation beam that is directed into a sample. The quasi-Bessel beam has a lateral FWHM and an axial FWHM that is greater than ten times the lateral FWHM, and the beam-forming optics include an excitation objective having an axis oriented in a first direction. The microscope includes beam scanning optics configured for scanning the quasi-Bessel beam in one or more directions that are substantially perpendicular to the first direction, and a detector configured for detecting signal light received from positions within the sample that are illuminated by the quasi-Bessel beam. The signal light is generated in response to an interaction of the excitation beam with the sample, and the signal light is imaged, at least in part, by the excitation objective, onto the detector.Type: GrantFiled: February 5, 2020Date of Patent: October 20, 2020Assignee: Howard Hughes Medical InstituteInventors: Na Ji, Rongwen Lu
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Patent number: 10792332Abstract: As microbial drug-resistance increases, there is a critical need for new classes of compounds to combat infectious diseases. The Ixodes scapularis tick antifreeze glycoprotein, IAFGP, functions as an anti-infective agent against diverse bacteria including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Recombinant IAFGP and a peptide, P1, described herein and derived from this protein, bind to microbes and alter biofilm formation. Transgenic iafgp-expressing flies and mice challenged with bacteria, as well as wild-type animals administered IAFGP or P1, were resistant to infection, septic shock, or biofilm development on implanted biomaterials. Antifreeze protein controls bacterial infection and present new therapeutic strategies to counter pathogens.Type: GrantFiled: September 6, 2018Date of Patent: October 6, 2020Assignees: Yale University, Howard Hughes Medical InstituteInventors: Erol Fikrig, Martin Heisig, Nabil Abraham, Girish Neelakanta
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Patent number: 10795144Abstract: A sample is bathed in a solution that includes labels having a binding affinity for a structure on the sample and that emit light in response to excitation light. A sheet of excitation light having a FWHM thickness is provided to the sample. Light emitted from labels in response to the excitation light is imaged onto a detector, where the light is imaged with a detection objective having a depth of focus comparable to or greater than the FWHM thickness. The bathing of the sample and the imaging of the light emitted from the bound labels is controlled, such that the imaged light from different individual labels bound to the structure is resolved on the detector. The providing, imaging, and controlling are repeated to image, at different times, light from labels bound to the structure at different locations on or within the sample.Type: GrantFiled: December 7, 2015Date of Patent: October 6, 2020Assignee: Howard Hughes Medical InstituteInventors: Robert Eric Betzig, Wesley Legant
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Patent number: 10739266Abstract: A live biological specimen is imaged by generating a plurality of light sheets; directing the plurality of light sheets along an illumination axis through the biological specimen such that the light sheets spatially and temporally overlap within the biological specimen along an image plane, and optically interact with the biological specimen within the image plane; and recording, at each of a plurality of views, images of the fluorescence emitted along a detection axis from the biological specimen due to the optical interaction between the light sheets and the biological specimen. The temporal overlap is within a time shift that is less than a resolution time that corresponds to a spatial resolution limit of the microscope.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2018Date of Patent: August 11, 2020Assignee: Howard Hughes Medical InstituteInventor: Philipp Johannes Keller