Abstract: The disclosure relates to methods and compositions for regulating expression of DUX4. Specifically, the disclosure provides a recombinant gene editing complex comprising: a recombinant gene editing protein; and, a nucleic acid encoding a guide RNA (gRNA) that specifically hybridizes to a target nucleic acid sequence encoding a D4Z4 macrosatellite repeat region, wherein binding of the complex to the target nucleic acid sequence results in inhibition of DUX4 gene expression. In some aspects, methods described by the disclosure are useful for treating a disease associated with aberrant DUX4 expression (e.g., facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy, FSHD).
Type:
Grant
Filed:
September 22, 2017
Date of Patent:
January 31, 2023
Assignee:
University of Massachusetts
Inventors:
Peter L. Jones, Charis L. Himeda, Takako Jones
Abstract: The present invention relates to a negative pressure wound closure system and methods for using such a system. Preferred embodiments of the invention facilitate closure of the wound by preferentially contracting to provide for movement of the tissue. Preferred embodiments can utilize tissue grasping elements to apply a wound closing force to the tissue.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
May 7, 2018
Date of Patent:
January 31, 2023
Assignees:
University of Massachusetts, Smith & Nephew, Inc.
Inventors:
Raymond M. Dunn, Victoria Jody Hammond, Edward Yerbury Hartwell, John Kenneth Hicks, Elizabeth Mary Huddleston, Andrew Kelly, Andrew Linton, Mark Richardson, Carl Saxby, Tim Stern
Abstract: This disclosure relates to genetically engineered microorganisms for treating or reducing the risk of bacterial infections or dysbiosis, and further discloses methods of making and using such microorganisms.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
September 14, 2018
Date of Patent:
January 24, 2023
Assignee:
University of Massachusetts
Inventors:
Vanni Bucci, Jacob Palmer, Christopher Brigham, Mark Silby
Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to compositions and methods of treating certain genetic disease (e.g., Neurofibromatosis type I) by delivering functional neurofibromin 1(NF1) protein (e.g., mini-NF1 protein and/or full-length NF1 protein) to target cell (e.g., cells and/or tissue of a subject). The disclosure is based, in part, on isolated nucleic acids (e.g., rAAV vectors) and rAAVs engineered to express a functional NF1 protein (e.g., mini-NF1 protein and/or full-length NF1 protein) or variants thereof.
Abstract: The disclosure in some aspects relates to recombinant adeno-associated viruses having distinct tissue targeting capabilities. In some aspects, the disclosure relates to gene transfer methods using the recombinant adeno-associated viruses. In some aspects, the disclosure relates to isolated AAV capsid proteins and isolated nucleic acids encoding the same.
Abstract: Methods for automated segmentation system for retinal blood vessels from optical coherence tomography angiography images include a preprocessing stage, an initial segmentation stage, and a refining stage. Application of machine-learning techniques to segmented images allow for automated diagnosis of retinovascular diseases, such as diabetic retinopathy.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
June 20, 2018
Date of Patent:
December 27, 2022
Assignees:
University of Louisville Research Foundation, Inc., University of Massachusetts
Inventors:
Ayman El-Baz, Nabila Eldawi, Shlomit Schaal, Mohammed Elmogy, Harpal Sandhu, Robert S. Keynton, Ahmed Soliman
Abstract: In some aspects the disclosure provides compositions and methods for promoting expression of functional Thymine Kinase 2 (TK2) protein in a subject. In some embodiments, the disclosure provides methods of treating a subject having TK2 deficiency, for example a subject having mitochondrial DNA depletion syndrome.
Abstract: An AUV/UUV docking station is provided that is tethered to a wave energy converter that is in turn tethered to a flotation buoy. The AUV/UUV docking station has a cone for directing an AUV/UUV into a charging dock that is rotatable between a horizontal docking position and a vertical charging position such that in the vertical position the docking station and docked AUV/UUV have a reduced profile so as not to interfere with the operation of the wave energy converter. Energy from the wave energy converter is directed to the dock to charge the AUV/UUV.
Type:
Application
Filed:
June 21, 2022
Publication date:
December 22, 2022
Applicant:
University of Massachusetts
Inventors:
Gregory E Browne, Christopher M Meninno, Daniel G MacDonald, Mehdi Raessi
Abstract: In some aspects, the disclosure relates to compositions of peptide mimics useful in the treatment of Neisseria gonorrhoeae (N. gonorrhoeae). In some embodiments, the peptide mimics are multi-antigenic molecules of a conserved gonococcal lipoohgosaccharaide (LOS) epitope. In some aspects, the disclosure relates to methods of making peptide mimics for the treatment of N. gonorrhoeae. In some aspects, the disclosure relates to methods of using peptide mimics for the treatment of N. gonorrhoeae.
Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems and methods for modeling controversy as a combination of at least contention and importance with respect to a given population. An example system for modeling controversy within a population includes an interface, memory, and processor. The interface is configured to obtain information regarding stances of individuals in the population on a topic. The processor is configured to determine, and store in the memory, a representation of contention on the topic among individuals of the population. The representation of contention is based on the stances of individuals in the population. The processor is further configured to determine, and store in the memory, a representation of importance of the topic within the population. The processor is configured to create, and store in the memory, a model of controversy for the topic based on the representations of contention and importance.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
March 28, 2019
Date of Patent:
December 6, 2022
Assignee:
University of Massachusetts
Inventors:
Myungha Jang, Shiri Dori-Hacohen, James Allan
Abstract: Described herein are compounds of the formula (I), as well as pharmaceutical compositions comprising such compounds, and methods for using such compounds/pharmaceutical compositions for treating neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, and multiple sclerosis (MS).
Type:
Grant
Filed:
January 11, 2019
Date of Patent:
November 29, 2022
Assignee:
University of Massachusetts
Inventors:
Jeanne A. Hardy, Penchala Narasimharao Meka
Abstract: The invention provides a novel class of MRI contrast agents based on biogenic hemin and compositions and methods of preparation and use thereof.
Abstract: In one aspect, the invention relates to a method of loading exosomes with oligonucleotide cargo, by incubating an oligonucleotide comprising one or more hydrophobic modifications with a population of exosomes for a period of time sufficient to allow loading of the exosomes with the oligonucleotide. Exosomes loaded with hydrophobically modified oligonucleotide cargo, and uses thereof, are also provided.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
December 13, 2019
Date of Patent:
November 22, 2022
Assignee:
University of Massachusetts
Inventors:
Anastasia Khvorova, Neil Aronin, Marie Cecile Didiot, Reka Haraszti
Abstract: Various embodiments disclosed relate to a substrate. The present disclosure provides a substrate for use in both surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy and surface enhanced infrared spectroscopy. The substrate includes a flexible polymeric membrane, a plurality of metal oxide nanoparticles disposed on the polymeric membrane, and a plurality of metallic nanoparticles directly disposed on a portion of the plurality of metal oxide nanoparticles. The plurality of metal oxide nanoparticles are configured to work synergistically with metal nanoparticles upon exposure of the substrate surface to at least one of visible light or infrared radiation.
Abstract: Autonomous vehicle operational management may include traversing, by an autonomous vehicle, a vehicle transportation network. Traversing the vehicle transportation network may include operating a scenario-specific operational control evaluation module instance, wherein the scenario-specific operational control evaluation module instance is an instance of a scenario-specific operational control evaluation module, wherein the scenario-specific operational control evaluation module implements a partially observable Markov decision process. Traversing the vehicle transportation network may include receiving a candidate vehicle control action from the scenario-specific operational control evaluation module instance, and traversing a portion of the vehicle transportation network based on the candidate vehicle control action.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
February 10, 2017
Date of Patent:
November 15, 2022
Assignees:
Nissan North America, Inc., The University of Massachusetts
Inventors:
Kyle Wray, Stefan Witwicki, Shlomo Zilberstein, Liam Pedersen
Abstract: Methods and phosphorus-containing solid catalysts for catalyzing dehydration of cyclic ethers (e.g., furans, such as 2,5-dimethylfuran) and alcohols (e.g., ethanol and isopropanol). The alcohols and cyclic ethers may be derived from biomass. One example includes a tandem Diels-Alder cycloaddition and dehydration of biomass-derived 2,5-dimethyl-furan and ethylene to renewable p-xylene. The phosphorus-containing solid catalysts are also active and selective for dehydration of alcohols to alkenes.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
September 29, 2017
Date of Patent:
November 15, 2022
Assignees:
Regents of the University of Minnesota, University of Massachusetts Amherst, University of Delaware
Inventors:
Hong Je Cho, Wei Fan, Michael Tsapatsis, Paul J. Dauenhauer, Limin Ren, Raul Lobo
Abstract: Methods for treating or reducing the risk of a cytomegalovirus infection in a subject that include administering one or more of an inhibitor of Deleted in Malignant Brain Tumors 1 (DMBT1), an inhibitor of OR14I1, or an inhibitor of adenylyl cyclases.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
April 13, 2018
Date of Patent:
November 1, 2022
Assignee:
University of Massachusetts
Inventors:
Timothy F. Kowalik, Xiaofei E, Abraham L. Brass
Abstract: Methods of treating a tumor in a subject include identifying a subject having, at risk for, or suspected of having a tumor, and administering to the subject an effective amount of an SRPX.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
March 11, 2020
Date of Patent:
October 25, 2022
Assignee:
University of Massachusetts
Inventors:
Michael R. Green, Guangping Gao, Manas Kumar Santra, Sanchita Bhatnagar
Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to compositions and methods for expressing one or more anti-Vascular endothelial cell growth factor (VEGF) agents in a cell or subject. In some embodiments, the disclosure provides isolated nucleic acids and rAAVs comprising a transgene encoding an anti-VEGF agent (e.g., KH902) and one or more regulatory sequences. In some embodiments, compositions described herein are useful for treating subjects having diseases associated with angiogenesis or aberrant VEGF activity/signaling.
Type:
Application
Filed:
September 3, 2020
Publication date:
October 20, 2022
Applicant:
University of Massachusetts
Inventors:
Guangping Gao, Phillip Tai, Claudio Punzo