Abstract: In some aspects, the disclosure provides recombinant AAV and nucleic acid constructs having novel inverted terminal repeats (ITRs), cap, and/or rep genes. In some aspects, the disclosure relates to gene transfer methods using rAAVs described herein.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
February 1, 2022
Date of Patent:
March 12, 2024
Assignee:
University of Massachusetts
Inventors:
Guangping Gao, Phillip Tai, Elisabet C. Mandon, Jianzhong Ai
Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to compositions and methods useful for treating ocular ciliopathies, for example Leber congenital amaurosis (LCA). In some embodiments, the disclosure provides isolated nucleic acids comprising a transgene encoding a CEP290 protein fragment, and methods of treating ocular ciliopathies using the same.
Abstract: The invention relates to isolated nucleic acids and rAAV-based compositions, methods and kits useful for treating genetic diseases (e.g., alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency).
Type:
Grant
Filed:
January 14, 2022
Date of Patent:
March 5, 2024
Assignee:
University of Massachusetts
Inventors:
Terence Flotte, Christian Mueller, Phillip D. Zamore
Abstract: A unique point absorber type wave energy conversion device is disclosed that includes a Power Take Off (PTO) which uses a torsion spring to return a vertical shaft to its original position after being rotated by a rope or cord that pulls a reel via a guide system. This spring return allows the PTO and housing to stay stationary under the wave energy while a buoy at the surface provides an oscillating linear movement. The oscillating rotary motion caused by the interaction of the buoy and spring is converted into a one directional motion via a one-way clutch and is transmitted to generators using a gearbox that increases rotational speed.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
April 27, 2021
Date of Patent:
March 5, 2024
Assignee:
University of Massachusetts
Inventors:
Gregory E. Browne, Christopher M. Meninno, William G Michaud, Nicholas D. White, Daniel G. MacDonald, Mehdi Raessi
Abstract: Real-time decision-making for a vehicle using belief state determination is described. Operational environment data is received while the vehicle is traversing a vehicle transportation network, where the data includes data associated with an external object. An operational environment monitor establishes an observation that relates the object to a distinct vehicle operation scenario. A belief state model of the monitor computes a belief state for the observation directly from the operational environment data. The monitor provides the computed belief state to a decision component implementing a policy that maps a respective belief state for the object within the distinct vehicle operation scenario to a respective candidate vehicle control action. A candidate vehicle control action is received from the policy of the decision component, and a vehicle control action is selected for traversing the vehicle transportation from any available candidate vehicle control actions.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
May 28, 2021
Date of Patent:
March 5, 2024
Assignees:
Nissan North America, Inc., The University of Massachusetts
Inventors:
Kyle Hollins Wray, Stefan Witwicki, Shlomo Zilberstein
Abstract: The disclosure in some aspects relates to recombinant adeno-associated viruses having nuclease grafted to one or more capsid proteins. In some aspects, the disclosure relates to isolated AA V capsid proteins having terminally grafted nucleases and isolated nucleic acids encoding the same. Recent approaches to delivering nucleases to cells for gene editing have focused on delivering of expression vectors engineered to express the nucleases in target cells. However, these approaches have proved to be problematic in many instances due to genotoxicity resulting from to prolonged expression of gene editing system in vivo. To prevent such off-target genotoxicity due to prolonged presence of a gene editing system, several studies explored delivery of mRNA or protein instead of delivering the gene coding for the nucleases in cell culture.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
January 29, 2020
Date of Patent:
March 5, 2024
Assignee:
University of Massachusetts
Inventors:
Guangping Gao, Phillip D. Zamore, Dan Wang
Abstract: Methods and compositions for treating cancer, e.g., prostate cancer, using a combination of P-Rex1 or Rac1 inhibitors and VEGF/VEGFR-targeted therapy.
Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods of the present application relate to the diagnostic measurement of condition for pressure ulcers. Preferred embodiments utilize pressure measurements at body locations to determine a diagnostic pressure ulcer value. A pressure sensor device generates patient pressure data that is processed by a data processor which utilizes a diagnostic function to determine the diagnostic value that indicates whether corrective action is needed to prevent pressure ulcer formation. One or more sensor devices can be attached to a patient to measure to transmit data for further processing.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
December 6, 2018
Date of Patent:
February 27, 2024
Assignees:
University of Massachusetts, Worcester Polytechnic Institute
Inventors:
Raymond Dunn, John McNeill, Yitzhak Mendelson
Abstract: Among other concepts, this disclosure describes a thermal/optical/electronic authentication system (covert or non-covert) for device/system implementations. The authentication system may be based on different design parameters such as i) materials composition, ii) thickness of material, iii) geometry of material, iv) external effects including use of an external DC bias and curing, etc. The authentication testbeds can be configured to include one or more inks. Using such methods as discussed herein, the authentication can be broadened to include near-IR (700-900 nm), short wave IR (1-2.6 mm), and UVA (300-400 nm) or any spectrum. Printed resistors are very difficult to duplicate without Ag-BST13 ink. If necessary, a printed resistor network on a respective substrate can be hidden using a layer of non-sintered Ag-BST13 (non-conductive).
Type:
Grant
Filed:
February 3, 2021
Date of Patent:
February 20, 2024
Assignee:
University of Massachusetts
Inventors:
Edward D. Kingsley, Oshadha K. Ranasingha, Andrew M. Luce, Alkim Akyurtlu, Craig A. Armiento, Yuri A. Piro
Abstract: An autonomous vehicle traverses a vehicle transportation network using a multi-objective policy based on a model for specific scenarios. The multi-objective policy includes a topographical map that shows a relationship between at least two objectives. The autonomous vehicle receives a candidate vehicle control action associated with each of the at least two objectives. The autonomous vehicle selects a vehicle control action based on a buffer value that is associated with the at least two objectives. The autonomous vehicle traverses a portion of the vehicle transportation network in accordance with the selected vehicle control action.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
November 26, 2019
Date of Patent:
February 13, 2024
Assignees:
Nissan North America, Inc., The University of Massachusetts, Renault S.A.S.
Inventors:
Kyle Hollins Wray, Stefan Witwicki, Shlomo Zilberstein
Abstract: Absolute blood volume in dialysis patients is a useful patient attribute to know for dialysis treatment, diagnosis, adjustments, etc. In some cases, it is difficult or impossible to directly determine absolute blood volume. Estimating absolute blood volume may be used to overcome the inability to directly determine the absolute blood volume. Estimating absolute blood volume may include obtaining a series of measurements of hemoconcentration of a patient over a time period, and estimating parameters for a physiological model based on the series of measurements. The absolute blood volume of the patient may be determined using the physiological model.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
June 1, 2018
Date of Patent:
February 13, 2024
Assignee:
University of Massachusetts
Inventors:
Yossi Chait, Joseph Horowitz, Christopher V. Hollot, Hamed Samandari, Michael J. Germain, Daniel Schneditz
Abstract: In some aspects, the disclosure relates to methods for improving titer and yield of viral vector production. In some embodiments, the methods comprise transient silencing of transgene expression during packaging of a viral vector.
Abstract: In some aspects, the disclosure relates to compositions and methods for production of recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) particles. The disclosure is based, in part, on isolated nucleic acids and systems that include only two vectors and are suitable for production of multiple different single gene viral vectors in a multiple small-scale campaign mode (e.g., 1013 to 1016 viral particles.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
February 1, 2019
Date of Patent:
January 30, 2024
Assignee:
University of Massachusetts
Inventors:
Terence Flotte, Qiushi Tang, Allison Keeler-Klunk, Qin Su
Abstract: The disclosure, in some aspects, relates to methods and compositions for recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV)-mediated delivery of genome editing molecules to a pre-implantation embryo.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
June 15, 2017
Date of Patent:
January 30, 2024
Assignee:
University of Massachusetts
Inventors:
Jaime Antonio Rivera-Perez, Guangping Gao
Abstract: Methods of preparing protein films in the presence of organofluorine compounds are provided that can produce protein films that retain the solution phase characteristics of the proteins. The protein films can be coatings for medical devices.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
November 5, 2018
Date of Patent:
January 30, 2024
Assignee:
University of Massachusetts
Inventors:
Li-Sheng Wang, Sanjana Gopalakrishnan, Vincent M. Rotello
Abstract: Techniques for generating a stylized drawing of three-dimensional (3D) shapes using neural networks are disclosed. A processing device generates a set of vector curve paths from a viewpoint of a 3D shape; extracts, using a first neural network of a plurality of neural networks of a machine learning model, surface geometry features of the 3D shape based on geometric properties of surface points of the 3D shape; determines, using a second neural network of the plurality of neural networks of the machine learning model, a set of at least one predicted stroke attribute based on the surface geometry features and a predetermined drawing style; generates, based on the at least one predicted stroke attribute, a set of vector stroke paths corresponding to the set of vector curve paths; and outputs a two-dimensional (2D) stylized stroke drawing of the 3D shape based at least on the set of vector stroke paths.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
October 27, 2021
Date of Patent:
January 23, 2024
Assignees:
Adobe Inc., University of Massachusetts
Inventors:
Aaron Hertzmann, Matthew Fisher, Difan Liu, Evangelos Kalogerakis
Abstract: Methods of treating subjects having disorders associated with mutations in the FXN gene and/or having reduced expression of frataxin protein, e.g., Friedreich ataxia (FA). Generally, the methods include administering a therapeutically effective amount of an agent that increases expression of frataxin protein as described herein, e.g., an inhibitor of a FXN Repressing Factor (FXN-RF).
Abstract: Traversing, by an autonomous vehicle, a vehicle transportation network, may include identifying a distinct vehicle operational scenario, wherein traversing the vehicle transportation network includes traversing a portion of the vehicle transportation network that includes the distinct vehicle operational scenario, communicating shared scenario-specific operational control management data associated with the distinct vehicle operational scenario with an external shared scenario-specific operational control management system, operating a scenario-specific operational control evaluation module instance including an instance of a scenario-specific operational control evaluation model of the distinct vehicle operational scenario, and wherein operating the scenario-specific operational control evaluation module instance includes identifying a policy for the scenario-specific operational control evaluation model, receiving a candidate vehicle control action from the policy for the scenario-specific operational contr
Type:
Grant
Filed:
December 22, 2017
Date of Patent:
January 16, 2024
Assignees:
Nissan North America, Inc., The University of Massachusetts
Inventors:
Kyle Hollins Wray, Stefan Witwicki, Shlomo Zilberstein
Abstract: The invention provides a novel, versatile degradable hydrogel composition, and methods thereof, with precisely tunable stiffness, plasticity (e.g., degree of covalent vs. physical crosslinks) and predictive disintegration rates degradation, allowing controlled disintegration and release of therapeutic cells or pharmaceuticals and/or in vitro 3D cell expansion.
Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and compositions for treating neutrophil-mediated inflammation by targeting, in any combination, the pro-inflammatory MRP2/HXA3 pathway and/or the anti-inflammatory P-gp/endocannabinoid pathway and/or the anti-inflammatory MRP 1/L-AMEND pathway, comprising administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of (a) one or more first compound that inhibits the activity and/or level of one or more of multidrug resistance protein 2 (MRP2) and hepoxilin A3 (HXA3) synthase, and/or (b) one or more second compound that increases the level and/or activity of one or more N-acylethanolamines (NAEs), and/or (c) one or more third compound that increases the level and/or activity of multidrug resistance protein 1 (MRP1), wherein the therapeutic amount of the first, second, and third compounds reduces migration of neutrophils into the target tissue.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
July 13, 2018
Date of Patent:
January 9, 2024
Assignees:
University of Massachusetts, University of Bath
Inventors:
Randall Mrsny, Beth McCormick, Roland Ellwood Dolle