Patents Assigned to Vilnius University
  • Patent number: 12272057
    Abstract: We present a system and method for analysis of image and data of ultrasound and ultrasound with contrast medium of human pancreatic tissues to automatically diagnose acute pancreatitis of the pancreas and identify pancreatic non-viable tissues at an early stage. The system consists of a diagnostic ultrasound system with specialized software for contrast studies (ultrasound) for in vivo ultrasound examinations of human internal organs, recording reflected ultrasound signals from pancreatic tissues (without contrast material and when contrast material is injected) and an image and data processing algorithm with artificial intelligence (neural network) elements providing a diagnostic estimate of a recommendatory nature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2025
    Assignees: Vilnius University, Kaunas University of Technology
    Inventors: Aiste Kielaite-Gulla, Renaldas Raisutis, Kestutis Strupas, Arturas Samuilis
  • Patent number: 12246000
    Abstract: This invention teaches a class of fluorinated benzensulfonamides of general structure I, as shown: which are useful for inhibiting protein amyloid aggregation. The compounds taught can be used in pharmaceutical compositions in effective amounts to treat illnesses that result from protein amyloid aggregation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2025
    Assignee: Vilnius University
    Inventors: Daumantas Matulis, Andrius Sakalauskas, Virginija Dudutiene, Mantas Zvirblis, Mantas Ziaunys, Vytautas Smirnovas
  • Patent number: 12188013
    Abstract: The present invention relates to catalytic biomolecule characterization and microfluidics. It is used for identification of nucleic acids encoding active catalytic molecules in the plurality of nucleic acids and for gathering information about catalytic biomolecule activity. It can also be used for exploring different properties of regulating sequences that modulate expression of catalytic biomolecules by recording that information into the DNA sequence of the same catalytic biomolecule using microfluidic techniques.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2025
    Assignees: Vilnius University, UAB Biomatter Designs
    Inventors: Laurynas Karpus, Ignas Mazelis, Irmantas Rokaitis, Vykintas Jauniskis, Rolandas Meskys
  • Patent number: 12131481
    Abstract: We present a new method to automatically sample the tumour/stroma interface zone (IZ) from microscopy image analysis data. It first delineates the tumour edge using a set of explicit rules in grid-subsampled tissue areas; then the IZ of controlled width is sampled and ranked by the distance from the edge to compute TIL density profiles across the IZ. From this data, a set of novel Immunogradient indicators are computed to reflect TIL “gravitation” towards the tumour. We applied the method on CD8 immunohistochemistry images of surgically excised breast and colorectal cancers to predict overall patient survival. In both patient cohorts, we found strong and independent prognostic value of the Immunogradient indicators, outperforming methods currently available. We conclude that data-driven, automated, human operator-independent IZ sampling enables precise spatial immune response measurement in the tumour/host interaction frontline for prediction of disease and therapy outcomes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2024
    Assignee: Vilnius University
    Inventors: Arvydas Laurinavicius, Allan Rasmusson, Ausrine Nestarenkaite, Dovile Zilenaite, Renaldas Augulis
  • Patent number: 12123031
    Abstract: A method of synthetizing cyclic oligoadenylates using a novel catalytic activity of a protein possessing the Palm domain, such as the Cas10 protein, and using such compounds for activation of proteins possessing the CARF doman, such as the Csm6 protein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2024
    Assignee: VILNIUS UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Virginijus Šikšnys, Migle Kazlauskiene, Georgij Kostiuk, Gintautas Tamulaitis
  • Patent number: 12065689
    Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided for the identification, detection, characterization, and/or utilization of double strand breaks in a target polynucleotide; the identification, detection, characterization, and/or utilization of cutting sites for double-strand-break-inducing agents; and the identification, detection, characterization, and/or utilization of double-strand-break-inducing agents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2024
    Assignees: PIONEER HI-BRED INTERNATIONAL, INC, VILNIUS UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Stephane Deschamps, Virginijus Siksnys, Joshua K Young, Mindaugas Zaremba
  • Patent number: 11860076
    Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and systems for isolation of species in semi-permeable capsules and processing of encapsulated species through series of steps and/or reactions. To produce capsules, first aqueous two-phase system (ATPS) droplets are generated using microfluidics system and then the hydrogel shell layer is hardened by inducing polymerization. As exemplified in this invention to achieve concentric ATPS droplet formation density-matched PEGDA and Dextran polymer solutions can be used. Once a capsule is formed, its composition can be changed by adding new reagents or replacing out old ones (e.g. by resuspending capsules in desired aqueous solution). The hydrogel shell of semi-permeable capsules can be dissolved at selected step during multi-step procedures in order to release the encapsulated species. The present invention exemplifies the isolation of individual cells within capsules and using the encapsulated cells for genotypic and phenotypic analysis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignees: Vilnius University, Droplet Genomics
    Inventors: Linas Mazutis, Greta Stonyte, Karolis Leonavicius, Ausra Zelvyte
  • Patent number: 11850589
    Abstract: A system and method are provided for harvesting target biological substances. The system includes a substrate and a first and second channel formed in the substrate. The channels longitudinally extending substantially parallel to each other. A series of gaps extend from the first channel to the second channel to create a fluid communication path passing between a series of columns with the columns being longitudinally separated by a predetermined separation distance. The system also includes a first source configured to selectively introduce into the first channel a first biological composition at a first channel flow rate and a second source configured to selectively introduce into the second channel a second biological composition at a second channel flow rate. The sources are configured to create a differential between the first and second channel flow rates to generate physiological shear rates along the second channel that are bounded within a predetermined range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignees: The Brigham and Women's Hospital, Inc., Boston, MA;, President and Fellows of Harvard College, Vilnius University
    Inventors: Joseph Italiano, Linas Mazutis, Jonathan N. Thon, David A. Weitz
  • Publication number: 20230272394
    Abstract: Isolation or in vitro assembly of the Cas9-crRNA complex of the Streptococcus thermophilus CRISPR3/Cas system and use for cleavage of DNA bearing a nucleotide sequence complementary to the crRNA and a proto-spacer adjacent motif. Methods for site-specific modification of a target DNA molecule in vitro or in vivo using an RNA-guided DNA endonuclease comprising RNA sequences and at least one of an RuvC active site motif and an HNH active site motif; for conversion of Cas9 polypeptide into a nickase cleaving one strand of double-stranded DNA by inactivating one of the active sites (RuvC or HNH) in the polypeptide by at least one point mutation; for assembly of active polypeptide-polyribonucleotides complex in vivo or in vitro; and for re-programming a Cas9-crRNA complex specificity in vitro and using a cassette containing a single repeat-spacer-repeat unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2022
    Publication date: August 31, 2023
    Applicant: VILNIUS UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Virginijus SIKSNYS, Giedrius GASIUNAS, Tautvydas KARVELIS, Arvydas LUBYS, Lolita ZALIAUSKIENE, Monika GASIUNIENE, Anja SMITH
  • Publication number: 20230123754
    Abstract: Isolation or in vitro assembly of the Cas9-crRNA complex of the Streptococcus thermophilus CRISPR3/Cas system and use for cleavage of DNA bearing a nucleotide sequence complementary to the crRNA and a proto-spacer adjacent motif. Methods for site-specific modification of a target DNA molecule using an RNA-guided DNA endonuclease comprising at least one RNA sequence and at least one of an RuvC active site motif and an HNH active site motif; for conversion of Cas9 polypeptide into a nickase cleaving one strand of double-stranded DNA by inactivating one of the active sites (RuvC or HNH) in the polypeptide by at least one point mutation; for assembly of active polypeptide-polyribonucleotides complex in vivo or in vitro; and for re-programming a Cas9-crRNA complex specificity in vitro or using a cassette containing a single repeat-spacer-repeat unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 5, 2022
    Publication date: April 20, 2023
    Applicant: Vilnius University
    Inventors: Virginijus {hacek over (S)}iksnys, Giedrius Gasiunas, Tautvydas Karvelis
  • Patent number: 11584772
    Abstract: Disclosed are W-position modified cytidine nucleotides of formula (I). Provided herein are methods of chemical synthesis of AP-modified cytidine nucleoside triphosphates and their applications as well as uses of the cytidine analogues for the synthesis of modified nucleic acids. The nucleic acid molecule includes DNA, RNA or a combination of DNA/RNA. One of many applications of modified cytidine nucleotides described herein is enzyme selection, when an enzyme of interest bears an activity of an esterase, amidase, oxidoreductase, lyase, ligase or other enzymatic activity, formula (I) wherein the substituants are as defined in the appended claims.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: VILNIUS UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Rolandas Meskys, Jevgenija Jakubovska, Daiva Tauraite
  • Patent number: 11566214
    Abstract: Systems and methods generating physiologic models that can produce functional biological substances are provided. In some aspects, a system includes a substrate and a first and second channel formed therein. The channels extend longitudinally and are substantially parallel to each other. A series of apertures extend between the first channel and second channel to create a fluid communication path passing through columns separating the channels that extends further along the longitudinal dimension than other dimensions. The system also includes a first source configured to selectively introduce into the first channel a first biological composition at a first channel flow rate and a second source configured to selectively introduce into the second channel a second biological composition at a second channel flow rate, wherein the first channel flow rate and the second channel flow rate create a differential configured to generate physiological shear rates within a predetermined range in the channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignees: BRIGHAM AND WOMEN'S HOSPITAL, INC., PRESIDENT AND FELLOWS OF HARVARD COLLEGE, VILNIUS UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Jonathan N. Thon, Joseph E. Italiano, Linas Mazutis, David A. Weitz
  • Patent number: 11555187
    Abstract: Isolation or in vitro assembly of the Cas9-crRNA complex of the Streptococcus thermophilus CRISPR3/Cas system and use for cleavage of DNA bearing a nucleotide sequence complementary to the crRNA and a proto-spacer adjacent motif. Methods for site-specific modification of a target DNA molecule in vitro or in vivo using an RNA-guided DNA endonuclease comprising RNA sequences and at least one of an RuvC active site motif and an HNH active site motif; for conversion of Cas9 polypeptide into a nickase cleaving one strand of double-stranded DNA by inactivating one of the active sites (RuvC or HNH) in the polypeptide by at least one point mutation; for assembly of active polypeptide-polyribonucleotides complex in vivo or in vitro; and for re-programming a Cas9-crRNA complex specificity in vitro and using a cassette containing a single repeat-spacer-repeat unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Assignee: Vilnius University
    Inventors: Virginijus {hacek over (S)}ik{hacek over (s)}nys, Giedrius Gasiunas, Tautvydas Karvelis, Arvydas Lubys, Lolita Zaliauskiene, Monika Gasiuniene, Anja Smith
  • Patent number: 11396016
    Abstract: A system and method are provided for harvesting target biological substances. The system includes a substrate and a first and second channel formed in the substrate. The channels longitudinally extending substantially parallel to each other. A series of gaps extend from the first channel to the second channel to create a fluid communication path passing between a series of columns with the columns being longitudinally separated by a predetermined separation distance. The system also includes a first source configured to selectively introduce into the first channel a first biological composition at a first channel flow rate and a second source configured to selectively introduce into the second channel a second biological composition at a second channel flow rate. The sources are configured to create a differential between the first and second channel flow rates to generate physiological shear rates along the second channel that are bounded within a predetermined range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2022
    Assignees: The Brigham and Women's Hospital, Inc., President and Fellows of Harvard College, Vilnius University
    Inventors: Joseph Italiano, Linas Mazutis, Jonathan Thon, David A. Weitz
  • Patent number: 11326196
    Abstract: Disclosed is a system and method for production of DNA particles and use thereof. The DNA particles can be produced by amplification of nucleic acid molecule(s). Alternatively, DNA particles can be prepared by condensing multiple DNA molecules. The DNA condensation into a particle is mainly triggered by pyrophosphate and positively charged cations (e.g. magnesium). DNA particles can be applied for numerous biological applications but not limited to directed evolution, proteomics, drug delivery and imaging. DNA particles can be used to synthesize proteins using in vitro transcription/translation reaction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignees: VILNIUS UNIVERSITY, ETH 7LIRICH
    Inventors: Linas Mazutis, Greta Stonyte, Vaidotas Kiseliovas, Rapolas Zilionis, Arvydas Janulaitis, Robertas Galinis, Sabine Studer, Donald Hilvert
  • Patent number: 11312682
    Abstract: Disclosed are novel compounds—benzenesulfonamides of general formulas (I) and (II) The compounds can be used in biomedicine as active ingredients in pharmaceutical formulations, because they inhibit enzymes which participate in disease progression. Also disclosed are method of treatment using such compounds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: VILNIUS UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Daumantas Matulis, Edita Capkauskaite, Andrius Zaksauskas, Vaida Morkunaite
  • Patent number: 11274317
    Abstract: Methods and compositions using a CRISPR-Cas Type IIIA resulting in RNA gene knockdown and knockout in an animal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignee: VILNIUS UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Thomas Fricke, Matthias Bochtler, Gintautas Tamulaitis, Miglé Kazlauskiene, Virginijus {hacek over (S)}ik{hacek over (s)}nys
  • Publication number: 20210379555
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to microfluidics and labeled nucleic acids. For example, certain aspects are generally directed to systems and methods for labeling nucleic acids within microfluidic droplets. In one set of embodiments, the nucleic acids may include “barcodes” or unique sequences that can be used to distinguish nucleic acids in a droplet from those in another droplet, for instance, even after the nucleic acids are pooled together. In some cases, the unique sequences may be incorporated into individual droplets using particles and attached to nucleic acids contained within the droplets (for example, released from lysed cells). In some cases, the barcodes may be used to distinguish tens, hundreds, or even thousands of nucleic acids, e.g., arising from different cells or other sources.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2021
    Publication date: December 9, 2021
    Applicants: President and Fellows of Harvard College, Vilnius University
    Inventors: David A. Weitz, Allon Moshe Klein, Ilke Akartuna, Linas Mazutis, Marc W. Kirschner
  • Patent number: 11052368
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to microfluidics and labeled nucleic acids. For example, certain aspects are generally directed to systems and methods for labeling nucleic acids within microfluidic droplets. In one set of embodiments, the nucleic acids may include “barcodes” or unique sequences that can be used to distinguish nucleic acids in a droplet from those in another droplet, for instance, even after the nucleic acids are pooled together. In some cases, the unique sequences may be incorporated into individual droplets using particles and attached to nucleic acids contained within the droplets (for example, released from lysed cells). In some cases, the barcodes may be used to distinguish tens, hundreds, or even thousands of nucleic acids, e.g., arising from different cells or other sources.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Assignees: Vilnius University, President and Fellows of Harvard College
    Inventors: David A. Weitz, Allon Moshe Klein, Ilke Akartuna, Linas Mazutis, Marc W. Kirschner
  • Publication number: 20210147909
    Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided for the identification, detection, characterization, and/or utilization of double strand breaks in a target polynucleotide; the identification, detection, characterization, and/or utilization of cutting sites for double-strand-break-inducing agents; and the identification, detection, characterization, and/or utilization of double-strand-break-inducing agents.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2019
    Publication date: May 20, 2021
    Applicants: PIONEER HI-BRED INTERNATIONAL, INC., VILNIUS UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: STEPHANE DESCHAMPS, VIRGINIJUS SIKSNYS, JOSHUA K YOUNG, MINDAUGAS ZAREMBA