Patents Assigned to University of Massachusettes
  • Patent number: 11566237
    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
  • Patent number: 11564843
    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
  • Patent number: 11560543
    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
  • Publication number: 20230002787
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2022
    Publication date: January 5, 2023
    Applicant: University of Massachusetts
    Inventor: Miguel Sena Esteves
  • Patent number: 11542525
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: University of Massachusetts
    Inventors: Guangping Gao, Jun Xie, Terence Flotte
  • Patent number: 11542288
    Abstract: The present application provides compounds and methods of treating viral infections, including viral infections caused by HIV or HTLV.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: University of Massachusetts
    Inventors: Celia A. Schiffer, Akbar Ali, Nese Kurt-Yilmaz, Linah N. Rusere, Gordon J. Lockbaum, Mina Henes
  • Patent number: 11534064
    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
  • Publication number: 20220403417
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2020
    Publication date: December 22, 2022
    Applicant: University of Massachusetts
    Inventors: Jun Xie, Guangping Gao
  • Publication number: 20220403812
    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
  • Publication number: 20220395567
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2020
    Publication date: December 15, 2022
    Applicant: University of Massachusetts
    Inventors: Peter A. Rice, Michael W. Pennington
  • Patent number: 11521098
    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
  • Patent number: 11512094
    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
  • Patent number: 11504436
    Abstract: The invention provides a novel class of MRI contrast agents based on biogenic hemin and compositions and methods of preparation and use thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: University of Massachusetts
    Inventors: Gang Han, Yang Zhao, Jing Peng
  • Patent number: 11505807
    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
  • Patent number: 11506610
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: University of Massachusetts
    Inventors: Lili He, Chen Tan
  • Patent number: 11500380
    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
  • Patent number: 11498062
    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
  • Patent number: 11484570
    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
  • Patent number: 11478529
    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
  • Publication number: 20220332792
    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