Patents Assigned to Molecular Probes, Inc.
  • Patent number: 7671214
    Abstract: Chemically reactive carbocyanine dyes incorporating an indolium ring moiety that is substituted at the 3-position by a reactive group or by a conjugated substance, and their uses, are described. Conjugation through this position results in spectral properties that are uniformly superior to those of conjugates of spectrally similar dyes wherein attachment is at a different position. The invention includes derivative compounds having one or more benzo nitrogens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Assignee: Molecular Probes, Inc.
    Inventors: Wai-Yee Leung, Ching-Ying Cheung, Stephen Yue
  • Patent number: 7521577
    Abstract: The present invention provides a metal chelator and methods that facilitate binding, detecting, monitoring and quantitating of heavy metal ions in a sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2009
    Assignee: Molecular Probes, Inc.
    Inventors: Kyle R. Gee, Jolene Bradford, Vladimir V. Martin
  • Patent number: 7446202
    Abstract: Cyanine dye compounds having a negatively charged substituent that are nucleic acid stains, particularly for fluorescent staining of DNA, including compounds having the formula wherein W forms one or two fused 5- or 6-membered aromatic rings, a has a value of 0 or 1, n has a value of 0, or 1, X is O, S, or Se, and D is a pyridinium, or quinolinium moiety, provided that the compound has at least one negatively charged substituent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2008
    Assignee: Molecular Probes, Inc.
    Inventors: Jason Alfred Dallwig, David Carl Hagen, Shih-Jung Huang, Gerald Alan Thomas, Stephen Yue
  • Patent number: 7445894
    Abstract: The present invention relates to phosphate-binding compounds that find use in binding, detecting and isolating phosphorylated target molecules including the subsequent identification of target molecules that interact with phosphorylated target molecules or molecules capable of being phosphorylated. A binding solution is provide that comprises a phosphate-binding compound, an acid and a metal ion wherein the metal ion simultaneously interacts with an exposed phosphate group on a target molecule and the metal chelating moiety of the phosphate-binding compound forming a bridge between the phosphate-binding compound and a phosphorylated target molecule resulting in a ternary complex. The binding solution of the present invention finds use in binding and detecting immobilized and solubilized phosphorylated target molecules, isolation of phosphorylated target molecules from a complex mixture and aiding in proteomic analysis wherein kinase and phosphatase substrates and enzymes can be identified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2008
    Assignee: Molecular Probes, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Agnew, Kyle R. Gee, Vladimir V. Martin
  • Publication number: 20070043212
    Abstract: The invention describes crown ether chelaters including crown ethers having the formula:
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2006
    Publication date: February 22, 2007
    Applicant: MOLECULAR PROBES, INC.
    Inventors: Kyle GEE, Vladimir MARTIN
  • Patent number: 7129346
    Abstract: The invention describes crown ether chelators, including crown ethers having the formula and aza-substituted and thia-substituted analogs thereof. These crown ethers may be substituted by a dye moiety, a chemically reactive group, a conjugated substance, or a combination thereof. Chelators that are substituted by fluorescent dyes are particularly useful as indicators for metal cations, particularly Na+ and K+ ions, and particularly where binding of the target ion results in a change in the fluorescence properties of the indicator that can be correlated with the ion concentration. Methods are provided for utilizing reactive groups on the chelators for conjugation to dyes, lipids and polymers and methods for enhancing entry of the indicators into living cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2006
    Assignee: Molecular Probes, Inc.
    Inventors: Kyle R. Gee, Vladimir V. Martin
  • Patent number: 7102005
    Abstract: The present invention relates to phosphate-binding compounds that find use in binding, detecting and isolating phosphorylated target molecules including the subsequent identification of target molecules that interact with phosphorylated target molecules or molecules capable of being phosphorylated. A binding solution is provide that comprises a phosphate-binding compound, an acid and a metal ion wherein the metal ion simultaneously interacts with an exposed phosphate group on a target molecule and the metal chelating moiety of the phosphate-binding compound forming a bridge between the phosphate-binding compound and a phosphorylated target molecule resulting in a ternary complex. The binding solution of the present invention finds use in binding and detecting immobilized and solubilized phosphorylated target molecules, isolation of phosphorylated target molecules from a complex mixture and aiding in proteomic analysis wherein kinase and phosphatase substrates and enzymes can be identified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2006
    Assignee: Molecular Probes, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Agnew, Joseph Beechem, Kyle Gee, Richard Haugland, Jixiang Liu, Vladimir Martin, Wayne Patton, Thomas Steinberg
  • Patent number: 6977305
    Abstract: Chemically reactive carbocyanine dyes incorporating an indolium ring moiety that is substituted at the 3-position by a reactive group or by a conjugated substance, and their uses, are described. Conjugation through this position results in spectral properties that are uniformly superior to those of conjugates of spectrally similar dyes wherein attachment is at a different position. The invention includes derivative compounds having one or more benzo nitrogens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2005
    Assignee: Molecular Probes, Inc.
    Inventors: Wai-Yee Leung, Ching-Ying Cheung, Stephen Yue
  • Patent number: 6974873
    Abstract: Chemically reactive carbocyanine dyes incorporating an indolium ring moiety that is substituted at the 3-position by a reactive group or by a conjugated substance, and their uses, are described. Conjugation through this position results in spectral properties that are uniformly superior to those of conjugates of spectrally similar dyes wherein attachment is at a different position. The invention includes derivative compounds having one or more benzo nitrogens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2005
    Assignee: Molecular Probes, Inc.
    Inventors: Wai-Yee Leung, Ching-Ying Cheung, Stephen Yue
  • Patent number: 6972326
    Abstract: The invention describes methods for labeling or detecting of immobilized poly(amino acids), including peptides, polypeptides and proteins, on membranes and other solid supports, using fluorescent dipyrrometheneboron difluoride dyes. Such immobilized poly(amino acids) are labeled or detected on blots or on arrays of poly(amino acids), or are attached to immobilized aptamers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2005
    Assignee: Molecular Probes, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard P. Haugland, Karen J. Martin, Wayne F. Patton
  • Patent number: 6967251
    Abstract: Novel fluorescent derivitization reagents are described that are suitable for coupling to biomolecules that contain aldehyde or ketone functional groups. In one embodiment is provided reagents that have the following formula: wherein Q is carbonyl, thiocarbonyl, or sulfonyl, and R5 is -L-Z; L is arylene, or a C1-6 perfluoroalkylene, or a single covalent bond; Z is a carbonyl hydrazide, hydrazide, sulfonyl hydrazide, or a thiocarbonyl hydrazide; R11-R14 are independently H, C1-6 alkyl, C1-6 alkoxy, C1-6 perfluoroalkyl, C1-6 alklyamino, di(C2-12alkyl)amino, amino, carboxy, cyano, halogen, hydroxy, nitro, phenyl, or sulfo; and R21-R24 are independently H, C1-6 alkyl, C1-6 alkoxy, C1-6 perfluoroalkyl, C1-6 alklyamino, di(C2-12-alkyl)amino, amino, carboxy, cyano, halogen, hydroxy, nitro, phenyl, sulfo, or -L-Z. The method of treating a sample with the derivativization reagents is described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2005
    Assignee: Molecular Probes, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard P. Haugland, Thomas H. Steinberg, Wayne F. Patton, Zhenjun Diwu
  • Publication number: 20050186641
    Abstract: The invention describes methods for labeling or detecting of immobilized poly(amino acids), including peptides, polypeptides and proteins, on membranes and other solid supports, using fluorescent dipyrrometheneboron difluoride dyes. Such immobilized poly(amino acids) are labeled or detected on blots or on arrays of poly(amino acids), or are attached to immobilized aptamers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2001
    Publication date: August 25, 2005
    Applicant: Molecular Probes, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Haugland, Karen Martin, Wayne Patton
  • Publication number: 20040147747
    Abstract: The present invention describes novel dyes, including coumarins, rhodamines, and rhodols that incorporate additional fused aromatic rings. The dyes of the invention absorb at a longer wavelength than structurally similar dyes that do not possess the fused aromatic rings. Many of the dyes of the invention are useful fluorescent dyes. The invention includes chemically reactive dyes, dye-conjugates, and the use of such dyes in staining samples and detecting ligands or other analytes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2003
    Publication date: July 29, 2004
    Applicant: Molecular Probes, Inc.
    Inventors: Zhenjun Diwu, Jixiang Liu, Kyle Gee
  • Patent number: 6716979
    Abstract: The present invention describes novel dyes, including coumarins, rhodamines, and rhodols that incorporate additional fused aromatic rings. The dyes of the invention absorb at a longer wavelength than structurally similar dyes that do not possess the fused aromatic rings. Many of the dyes of the invention are useful fluorescent dyes. The invention includes chemically reactive dyes, dye-conjugates, and the use of such dyes in staining samples and detecting ligands or other analytes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2004
    Assignee: Molecular Probes, Inc.
    Inventors: Zhenjun Diwu, Jiaxing Liu, Richard P. Haugland, Kyle R. Gee
  • Patent number: 6664047
    Abstract: Unsymmetrical cyanine dyes that incorporate an aza-benzazolium ring moiety are described, including cyanine dyes substituted by a cationic side chain, monomeric and dimeric cyanine dyes, chemically reactive cyanine dyes, and conjugates of cyanine dyes. The subject dyes are virtually non-fluorescent when diluted in aqueous solution, but exhibit bright fluorescence when associated with nucleic acid polymers such as DNA or RNA, or when associated with detergent-complexed proteins. A variety of applications are described for detection and quantitation of nucleic acids and detergent-complexed proteins in a variety of samples, including solutions, electrophoretic gels, cells, and microorganisms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2003
    Assignee: Molecular Probes, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard P. Haugland, Stephen T. Yue
  • Patent number: 6579718
    Abstract: The present invention describes a variety of substituted and unsubstituted carbazolylvinyl dyes and their use for detecting and quantifying poly(amino acids), including peptides, polypeptides and proteins. The labeled proteins or peptides are highly colored, but are also detected by their strong fluorescence enhancement. Poly(amino acids) are detected in solution, in electrophoretic gels, and on solid supports, including blots and dipsticks. The present method of staining is highly sensitive, extremely facile, and relatively non-selective and can be accomplished without the use of organic solvent additives.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2003
    Assignee: Molecular Probes, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen T. Yue, Thomas H. Steinberg, Wayne F. Patton, Ching-Ying Cheung, Richard P. Haugland
  • Patent number: 6562632
    Abstract: The invention describes reactive dyes having an alkyl spacer attached via a sulfonamide bond to a sulforhodamine 101 fluorophore, and a variety of useful conjugates prepared therefrom. The increased length of the covalent linkage due to the alkyl spacer results in dye-conjugates having a number of surprisingly advantageous properties relative to previous sulforhodamine 101-labeled conjugates, including enhanced solubility and increased fluorescence. The reactive dyes of the present invention are more stable than the known compound sulforhodamine 101 sulfonyl chloride. Novel reactive dyes are described for selective modification of groups other than amines, including thiols and photoreactive derivatives.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2003
    Assignee: Molecular Probes, Inc.
    Inventors: Wojciech Szalecki, Richard P. Haugland
  • Publication number: 20020164616
    Abstract: The invention describes crown ether chelators, including crown ethers having the formula 1
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2001
    Publication date: November 7, 2002
    Applicant: Molecular Probes, Inc.
    Inventors: Vladimir V. Martin, Kyle R. Gee, Richard P. Haugland, Zhenjun Diwu
  • Publication number: 20020077487
    Abstract: Chemically reactive carbocyanine dyes incorporating an indolium ring moiety that is substituted at the 3-position by a reactive group or by a conjugated substance, and their uses, are described. Conjugation through this position results in spectral properties that are uniformly superior to those of conjugates of spectrally similar dyes wherein attachment is at a different position. The invention includes derivative compounds having one or more benzo nitrogens.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2001
    Publication date: June 20, 2002
    Applicant: MOLECULAR PROBES, INC.
    Inventors: Wai-Yee Leung, Ching-Ying Cheung, Stephen Yue
  • Patent number: RE38723
    Abstract: The subject invention provides substrates useful for analyzing the metabolic activity in cells by improving the retention of a detectable reporter molecule only in intact cells where a particular enzyme is present. In particular, improved retention results from a two part process involving conjugation of haloalkyl-substituted derivatives of a reporter molecule with intracellular cysteine-containing peptides while unblocking the reporter molecule. The substrates have the form XR-SPACER-REPORTER-BLOCK wherein -BLOCK is a group selected to be removable by action of a specific analyte, to give REPORTER spectral properties different from those of the substrate, -REPORTER- is a molecule that, when no longer bound to BLOCK by a BLOCK-REPORTER bond, has spectral properties different from those of the substrate, -SPACER- is a covalent linkage, and XR- is a haloalkyl moiety that can covalently react with an intracellular thiol (Z-S-H) to form a thioether conjugate (Z-S-R).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2005
    Assignee: Molecular Probes, Inc.
    Inventors: Fei Mao, Ram Sabnis, John Naleway, Nels Olson, Richard P. Haugland