Patents Assigned to The University of Washington
  • Patent number: 8664471
    Abstract: Nucleic acid compositions encoding rapidly maturing fluorescent proteins, as well as non-aggregating versions thereof (and mutants thereof) as well as the proteins encoding the same, are provided. The proteins of interest are proteins that are fluorescent, where this feature arises from the interaction of two or more residues of the protein. The subject proteins are further characterized in that, in certain embodiments, they are mutants of wild type proteins that are obtained either from non-bioluminescent Cnidarian, e.g., Anthozoan, species or are obtained from Anthozoan non-Pennatulacean (sea pen) species. In certain embodiments, the subject proteins are mutants of wild type Discosoma sp. “red” fluorescent protein. Also of interest are proteins that are substantially similar to, or mutants of, the above specific proteins. Also provided are fragments of the nucleic acids and the peptides encoded thereby, as well as antibodies to the subject proteins and transgenic cells and organisms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignees: The University of Chicago, The University of Washington
    Inventors: Brooke Bevis, Benjamin Glick
  • Publication number: 20130087609
    Abstract: Methods and systems for accurately tracking medical devices using a two-dimensional (2D) matrix code are disclosed. Scan data, location data, and status data may be received by a processor. The scan data may comprise identification information corresponding to a medical device; the location data may comprise location information corresponding to the medical device; and the status data may comprise status information corresponding to the medical device. Once the scan data, location data, and status data has been received, the scan data, the location data and the status data may be stored. Next, at least one medical-device characteristic may be determined, based on at least the scan data and the status data, and once the medical-device characteristic is determined, the medical-device characteristic may be displayed on a graphical display.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2012
    Publication date: April 11, 2013
    Applicant: The University of Washington through its Center for Commercialization, a public Institution of Hig
    Inventors: Graham NICHOL, Adrian Todd EMERSON
  • Patent number: 8372594
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of protein expression profiles of sPLA2 isoforms with clinical relevance to osteoarthritis (OA). In particular, the invention provides methods for diagnosing OA or determining risk factors for development of OA based on expression of sPLA2-IIA.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignees: Case Western Reserve University, Brigham and Womens Hospital, The University of Washington
    Inventors: David M. Lee, Eric Boilard, Michael H. Gelb, Reuben Gobezie
  • Patent number: 8293248
    Abstract: This invention relates to a method for systemic immune activation which is effective for eliciting both a systemic, non-antigen specific immune response and a strong antigen-specific immune response in a mammal. The method is particularly effective for protecting a mammal from herpes simplex virus. Also disclosed are therapeutic compositions useful in such a method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignees: Vical Incorporated, The University of Washington
    Inventors: Adrian Vilalta, Michal Margalith, Lichun Dong, David Koelle
  • Patent number: 8263087
    Abstract: This invention relates to a method for systemic immune activation which is effective for eliciting both a systemic, non-antigen specific immune response and a strong antigen-specific immune response in a mammal. The method is particularly effective for protecting a mammal from herpes simplex virus. Also disclosed are therapeutic compositions useful in such a method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignees: Vical Incorporated, The University of Washington
    Inventors: Adrian Vilalta, Michal Margalith, Lichun Dong, David M. Koelle
  • Patent number: 8247195
    Abstract: Methods for expressing recombinant polypeptides in host cells and host cells for polypeptide expression are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: The University of Washington
    Inventors: Ferric C. Fang, William Wiley Navarre, Stephen J. Libby
  • Publication number: 20110313933
    Abstract: Systems and methods for the decision-theoretic control and optimization of crowd-sources workflows utilize a computing device to map a workflow to complete a directive. The directive includes a utility function, and the workflow comprises an ordered task set. Decision points precede and follow each task in the task set, and each decision point may require (a) posting a call for workers to complete instances of tasks in the task set; (b) adjusting parameters of tasks in the task set; or (c) submitting an artifact generated by a worker as output. The computing device accesses a plurality of workers having capability parameters that describe the workers' respective abilities to complete tasks. The computing device implements the workflow by optimizing and/or selecting user-preferred choices at decision points according to the utility function and submits an artifact as output. The computing device may also implement a training phase to ascertain worker capability parameters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2011
    Publication date: December 22, 2011
    Applicant: The University of Washington through its Center for Commercialization
    Inventors: Peng Dai, Mausam, Daniel S. Weld
  • Publication number: 20110256628
    Abstract: The embodiments described herein include porous scaffolds formed from a stimuli-responsive polymer. The stimuli-responsive polymer of the scaffold creates a “smart” scaffold that changes properties in response to an effective stimulus applied to the stimuli-responsive polymer. In a preferred embodiment, an effective stimulus applied to the scaffold initiates a phase transition event in the stimuli-responsive polymer that results in a change in the volume of the pores of the scaffold. The scaffolds can be used to capture appropriately sized objects (e.g., cells) by using the volume-change properties of the pores. Relatedly, the scaffolds can be used as tissue-engineering scaffolds by capturing cells in the pores and introducing the cell-loaded scaffold into a cell-growth environment (e.g., in vivo).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2011
    Publication date: October 20, 2011
    Applicant: The University of Washington through its Center for Commercialization
    Inventors: Anna Galperin, Thomas Joseph Long, Buddy D. Ratner
  • Patent number: 7972856
    Abstract: This invention provides methods for obtaining targeted gene modification in vertebrate cells using parvoviral vectors, including adeno-associated virus (AAV). The parvoviral vectors used in the methods of the invention are capable of targeting a specific genetic modification to a preselected target locus in a cellular genome by homologous pairing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: The University of Washington
    Inventors: David W. Russell, Roli K. Hirata
  • Patent number: 7935352
    Abstract: This invention relates to a method for systemic immune activation which is effective for eliciting both a systemic, non-antigen specific immune response and a strong antigen-specific immune response in a mammal. The method is particularly effective for protecting a mammal from herpes simplex virus. Also disclosed are therapeutic compositions useful in such a method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2011
    Assignees: Vical Incorporated, The University of Washington
    Inventors: Adrian Vilalta, Michal Margalith, Lichun Dong, David Koelle
  • Patent number: 7910714
    Abstract: Disclosed are sequences encoding monomeric variants of DsRed fluorescent proteins and methods of use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignees: The University of Chicago, The University of Washington
    Inventors: Benjamin S. Glick, Brooke Bevis, Daniel E. Strongin, David Baker, Michelle Scalley-Kim
  • Patent number: 7888016
    Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and compositions for predicting drug responses. In particular, the present invention provides methods and compositions for determining individualized Warfarin dosages based on genotype of DNA polymorphisms and haplotypes derived from them in the VKORC1 gene.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignee: The University of Washington
    Inventors: Mark J. Rieder, Allan Rettie
  • Patent number: 7879339
    Abstract: This invention relates to a method for systemic immune activation which is effective for eliciting both a systemic, non-antigen specific immune response and a strong antigen-specific immune response in a mammal. The method is particularly effective for protecting a mammal from herpes simplex virus. Also disclosed are therapeutic compositions useful in such a method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignees: Vical Incorporated, The University of Washington
    Inventors: Adrian Vilalta, Michal Margalith, Lichun Dong, David Koelle
  • Patent number: 7875451
    Abstract: The survival of cells during transplantation is enhanced. Cells to be transplanted are administered in a formulation that provides two ore more survival enhancing factors. Optionally, prior to administration, the cells are cultured in the presence of factors that enhance survival, and may be heat shocked prior to transplantation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Assignee: The University of Washington
    Inventors: Charles E. Murry, Michael Alan Laflamme
  • Patent number: 7851144
    Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions involving detecting the presence of and/or assessing the risk of cancer in a subject. These methods include methods of detecting and diagnosing cancer in an individual; methods of identifying individuals at risk of developing a cancer; and methods of staging a cancer. The methods generally involve detecting a palladin gene nucleotide sequence alteration that has been found to be associated with cancer and/or detecting a level of a palladin mRNA and/or protein in a biological sample. The present invention further provides nucleic acid probes, nucleic acid primers, and antibodies, as well as kits comprising one or more of the same, for use in a subject method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignees: The University of Washington, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, The University of Pittsburgh, The Cleveland Clinic Foundation
    Inventors: Teresa A. Brentnall, Ru Chen, Katherine L. Pogue-Geile, David C. Whitcomb, Mary Patricia Bronner, Carol A. Otey
  • Patent number: 7829282
    Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and compositions for predicting drug responses. In particular, the present invention provides methods and compositions for determining individualized Warfarin dosages based on genotype of DNA polymorphisms and haplotypes derived from them in the VKORC1 gene.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Assignee: The University of Washington
    Inventors: Mark J. Rieder, Allan Rettie
  • Publication number: 20100280060
    Abstract: Identification of nucleic acids involved in life span diseases and disorders or related diseases and disorders, and the use of such methods for identifying candidate agents which modulate life span diseases and disorders or related diseases and disorders are provided. Compositions and methods for treating life span diseases and disorders or related diseases and disorders are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2007
    Publication date: November 4, 2010
    Applicant: The University of Washington
    Inventors: Ralph W. Powers, III, Matthew R. Kaeberlein, Stanley Fields
  • Patent number: 7825391
    Abstract: Various mechanisms are provided relating to plasma-based light source that may be used for lithography as well as other applications. For example, a device is disclosed for producing extreme ultraviolet (EUV) light based on a sheared plasma flow. The device can produce a plasma pinch that can last several orders of magnitude longer than what is typically sustained in a Z-pinch, thus enabling the device to provide more power output than what has been hitherto predicted in theory or attained in practice. Such power output may be used in a lithography system for manufacturing integrated circuits, enabling the use of EUV wavelengths on the order of about 13.5 nm. Lastly, the process of manufacturing such a plasma pinch is discussed, where the process includes providing a sheared flow of plasma in order to stabilize it for long periods of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2010
    Assignee: The University of Washington
    Inventors: Uri Shumlak, Raymond Golingo, Brian A. Nelson
  • Patent number: 7811819
    Abstract: Primate embryonic stem cells are cryopreserved by resuspension in a freezing medium and slow cooling at a controlled rate. In some embodiments, prior to the controlled freezing step, the suspension of cells is cooled to a temperature just below freezing, and ice crystal formation is induced. The cryopreserved cell aggregates are useful in transplantation, for experimental evaluation, and as a source of lineage and cell specific products, and as targets for the discovery of factors or molecules that can affect them.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: The University of Washington
    Inventors: Carol Ware, Angelique M. Nelson
  • Patent number: 7807260
    Abstract: The invention disclosed herein relates to relates to foamed thermoplastic material objects and articles of manufacture having an internal layered cellular structure, as well as to methods of making the same. In one embodiment, the invention is directed to a multi-layer foamed polymeric article of manufacture, comprising: a non-laminated multi-layer thermoplastic material sheet, wherein the multi-layer thermoplastic material sheet has first and second discrete outer layers sandwiching a plurality of discrete inner foamed layers, and wherein the two outer layers and plurality discrete inner foamed layers are integral with one another. The thermoplastic material may be a semi-crystalline polymer such as, for example, PET (polyethylene terephthalate), PEEK (polyetheretherketone), PEN (polyethylene napthalate), PBT (polybutylene terephthalate), PMMA (polymethyl methacrylate), PLA (polylactide), polyhydroxy acid (PHA), thermoplastic urethane (TPU), or blends thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignees: MicroGREEN Polymers, Inc., The University of Washington
    Inventors: Krishna Nadella, Gregory L. Branch, Vipin Kumar, Michael A. Waggoner