Patents Assigned to Whitehead Institute
  • Patent number: 10240160
    Abstract: Disclosed are yeast cells expressing a polypeptide comprising a signal sequence and a human amyloid beta protein. Also disclosed are methods of screening yeast cells to identify compounds that prevent or suppress amyloid beta-induced toxicity and genetic suppressors or enhancers of amyloid beta-induced toxicity. Compounds identified by such screens can be used to treat or prevent neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research
    Inventors: Kent E. S. Matlack, Susan L. Lindquist, Sebastian Treusch
  • Publication number: 20190010507
    Abstract: Disclosed are yeast cells expressing TAR DNA-binding protein 43 (TDP-43) and methods of screening yeast cells to identify compounds that prevent or suppress TDP-43-induced toxicity, compounds that inhibit the formation or maintenance of cytoplasmic inclusions of TDP-43, genetic suppressors or enhancers of TDP-43-induced toxicity, and genetic suppressors or enhancers of the formation or maintenance of cytoplasmic inclusions of TDP-43. Compounds identified by such screens can be used to treat or prevent TDP-43 proteinopathies such as frontotemporal lobar degeneration or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2018
    Publication date: January 10, 2019
    Applicant: Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research
    Inventors: Susan L. Lindquist, Aaron D. Gitler
  • Patent number: 10168338
    Abstract: The present invention provides methods of identifying modulators of mTORC1 based upon their effect on GATOR2-Sestrin binding or Sestrin-leucine binding; and the use of such modulators to alter mTORC1 activity in a cell and to treat disease and conditions that are effected by mTORC1 activity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Assignee: Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research
    Inventors: David M. Sabatini, Lynne Chantranupong, Rachel L. Wolfson, Jose Orozco, Robert A. Saxton, Shomit Sengupta
  • Patent number: 10160977
    Abstract: The present invention relates in some aspects to super-enhancers and related compositions, methods, and agents that are useful for modulating expression of cell type-specific genes that are required for maintenance of cell identity (e.g., embryonic stem cell identity) or maintenance of a disease state (e.g., cancer).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research
    Inventors: Denes Hnisz, Brian Abraham, Tong Ihn Lee, Richard A. Young
  • Publication number: 20180346899
    Abstract: An sortase-mediated intercellular labeling method allowing for tracking ligand-receptor interaction both in vitro and in vivo; and uses thereof for tracking molecule interactions both in vitro and in vivo, identifying modulators of ligand-receptor interaction, identifying potential binding partners of a protein of interest, identifying B cells expressing high affinity B cell receptors to antigens, and identifying the antigen to which a T cell of interest binds.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2018
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Applicant: Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research
    Inventors: Giulia Pasqual, Gabriel Victora
  • Patent number: 10123985
    Abstract: Provided herein are methods, compositions, and systems for treating mitochondrial disorders (e.g., MERRF, MELAS, Kearns-Sayre syndrome, chronic progressive external ophthalmoplegia, diabetes mellitus and deafness, lactic acidosis, Leber's hereditary optic neuropathy, Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome, Leigh syndrome, NARP, myoneurogenic gastrointestinal encephalopathy, mitochondrial DNA depletion syndrome) or neurodegenerative diseases (e.g., Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease) by administering aspartate, or an analog or prodrug thereof, or an agent that increases intracellular levels of aspartate. Pharmaceutical compositions and kits for use in treating mitochondrial disorders and neurodegenerative diseases are also described herein. Also provided are methods for treating disease by modulating the redox state of a cell, and methods of treating a proliferative disease by administering a cytosolic aspartate aminotransferase (GOT1) inhibitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignees: Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Howard Hughes Medical Institute
    Inventors: David M. Sabatini, Kivanc Birsoy, Matthew George Vander Heiden, Lucas Bryan Sullivan, Dan Yi Gui
  • Patent number: 10126303
    Abstract: The invention relates to methods of identifying compounds that modulate mTORC1 activity in a cell by modulating the activity of SLC38A9 (NCBI Gene ID: 153129), as well as to the use of such identified compounds in the modulation of mTORC1 and the treatment of diseases and conditions characterized by aberrant mTORC1 activity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research
    Inventors: David M. Sabatini, Shuyu Wang, Zhi Tsun
  • Patent number: 10106803
    Abstract: Disclosed are yeast cells expressing TAR DNA-binding protein 43 (TDP-43) and methods of screening yeast cells to identify compounds that prevent or suppress TDP-43-induced toxicity, compounds that inhibit the formation or maintenance of cytoplasmic inclusions of TDP-43, genetic suppressors or enhancers of TDP-43-induced toxicity, and genetic suppressors or enhancers of the formation or maintenance of cytoplasmic inclusions of TDP-43. Compounds identified by such screens can be used to treat or prevent TDP-43 proteinopathies such as frontotemporal lobar degeneration or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research
    Inventors: Susan L. Lindquist, Aaron D. Gitler
  • Patent number: 10106778
    Abstract: Aspects of the invention relate to methods and related compositions for preferentially targeting cancer stem cells. In some embodiments, the methods utilize PKC-?/FRA1 pathway inhibitors to target carcinoma cells. Also provided are methods for identifying a candidate compound for selectively inhibiting growth of cancer stem cell, and methods for obtaining cells that have undergone an epithelial to mesenchymal transition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research
    Inventors: Wai Leong Tam, Robert A. Weinberg
  • Patent number: 10093904
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method of reprogramming one or more somatic cells, e.g., partially differentiated or fully/terminally differentiated somatic cells, to a less differentiated state, e.g., a pluripotent or multipotent state. In further embodiments the invention also relates to reprogrammed somatic cells produced by methods of the invention, to uses of said cells, and to methods for identifying agents useful for reprogramming somatic cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research
    Inventors: Rudolf Jaenisch, Yaqub Hanna, Marius Wernig, Christopher J. Lengner, Alexander Meissner, Oliver Tobias Brambrink, G. Grant Welstead, Ruth Foreman
  • Publication number: 20180280551
    Abstract: Provided herein are methods for producing site specific PEG modifications to single domain antibodies (e.g., VHHs). Methods for producing site-specific ally conjugated bivalent single domain antibodies (e.g., VHHs) are also provided. Methods for labeling (e.g., with a fluorophore or radionuclide) site-specifically PEGylated single domain antibodies and site-specifically conjugated bivalent single domain antibodies are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2016
    Publication date: October 4, 2018
    Applicants: Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, The General Hospital Corporation d/b/a Massachusetts General Hospital
    Inventors: Mohammad Rashidian, Hidde L. Ploegh, Neil Vasdev, Huan Steven Liang
  • Publication number: 20180280440
    Abstract: Methods for the in vitro production of enucleated red blood cells and the enucleated red blood cells thus prepared are provided. Such enucleated red blood cells may express a sortaggable surface protein, which allows for surface modification in the presence of a sortase. Also described herein are surface modified enucleated red blood cells, e.g., conjugated with an agent of interest such as a peptide, a detectable label, or a chemotherapeutic agent, and uses thereof in delivering the agent to a subject.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2018
    Publication date: October 4, 2018
    Applicant: Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research
    Inventors: Harvey Lodish, Hidde L. Ploegh, Hsiang-Ying Sherry Lee, Jiahai Shi, Lenka Hoffman, Novalia Pishesha
  • Patent number: 10081684
    Abstract: Methods and reagents for the installation of click chemistry handles on target proteins are provided, as well as modified proteins comprising click chemistry handles. Further, chimeric proteins, for example, bi-specific antibodies, that comprise two proteins conjugated via click chemistry, as well as methods for their generation and use are disclosed herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2018
    Assignee: Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research
    Inventors: Hidde L. Ploegh, Martin D. Witte, Nicholas C. Yoder
  • Patent number: 10053683
    Abstract: An sortase-mediated intercellular labeling method allowing for tracking ligand-receptor interaction both in vitro and in vivo; and uses thereof for tracking molecule interactions both in vitro and in vivo, identifying modulators of ligand-receptor interaction, identifying potential binding partners of a protein of interest, identifying B cells expressing high affinity B cell receptors to antigens, and identifying the antigen to which a T cell of interest binds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research
    Inventors: Giulia Pasqual, Gabriel Victora
  • Patent number: 10023922
    Abstract: In some aspects, described herein is a DNA methylation reporter. In some aspects, the DNA methylation reporter comprises a promoter whose activity can be affected by exogenous methylation changes without being independently regulated by the DNA methylation machinery, operably linked to a DNA sequence that encodes a reporter molecule. In some embodiments the DNA methylation reporter comprises (i) a promoter derived from a mammalian imprinted gene promoter; and (ii) a sequence that encodes a reporter molecule that is detectable in individual mammalian cells, wherein the promoter is operably linked to the sequence that encodes the reporter molecule. Also described are nucleic acids that comprise the DNA methylation reporter, cells that have the DNA methylation reporter integrated into their genome, and non-human mammals comprising cells that have the DNA methylation reporter integrated into their genome.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research
    Inventors: Yonatan Stelzer, Rudolf Jaenisch
  • Publication number: 20180105508
    Abstract: The present invention provides compounds pounds of Formula (II), and pharmaceutically acceptable salts, solvates, hydrates, polymorphs, co-crystals, tautomers, stereoisomers, isotopically labeled derivatives, pro-drugs, and compositions thereof. Also provided are methods and kits involving the compounds of Formula (I), (II) or (III) for treating diseases associated with the over-expression of phosphoglycerate dehydrogenase (PHGDH) in a subject, such as proliferative diseases (e.g., cancers (e.g., breast cancer, ER negative breast cancer, melanoma, cervical cancer), benign neoplasms, diseases associated with angiogenesis, inflammatory diseases, autoinflammatory diseases, and autoimmune diseases). Treatment of a subject with a proliferative disease using a compound or composition of the invention may inhibit the activity of PHGDH or inhibit the serine biosynthetic pathway, or both.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2016
    Publication date: April 19, 2018
    Applicants: Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Inc.
    Inventors: David M. Sabatini, Michael Pacold, Matthew B. Boxer, Jason M. Rohde, Kyle R. Brimacombe, Min Shen
  • Patent number: 9944607
    Abstract: The present invention provides novel compounds (e.g., compounds of Formula (I)), and pharmaceutically acceptable salts, solvates, hydrate, polymorphs, co-crystals, tautomers, stereoisomers, isotopically labeled derivatives, prodrugs, and compositions thereof. Also provided are methods and kits comprising the inventive Compounds, or compositions thereof, for treating and/or preventing a fungal or protozoan infection, inhibiting the activity of a fungal or protozoan enzyme, killing a fungus or protozoan, or inhibiting the growth of a fungus or protozoan. The fungus may be a Candida species, Sacchawmyces species, or other pathogenic fungal species. The compounds of the invention may inhibit the activity of fungal or protozoan mitochondrial phosphate carrier protein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignees: Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, The Broad Institute, Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin Vincent, Luke Whitesell, Susan L. Lindquist, Willmen Youngsaye, Stephen L. Buchwald, Jean-Baptiste Langlois, Jun Pu, Benito Munoz, Sivaraman Dandapani
  • Patent number: 9909160
    Abstract: Disclosed are genes that, when overexpressed in cells expressing alpha-synuclein, either suppress or enhance alpha-synuclein mediated cellular toxicity. Compounds that modulate expression of these genes or activity of the encoded proteins can be used to inhibit alpha-synuclein mediated toxicity and used to treat or prevent synucleinopathies such as Parkinson's disease. Also disclosed are methods of identifying inhibitors of alpha-synuclein mediated toxicity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research
    Inventors: Susan L. Lindquist, Aaron D. Gitler
  • Patent number: 9879257
    Abstract: Disclosed are genes that, when overexpressed in cells expressing alpha-synuclein, either suppress or enhance alpha-synuclein mediated cellular toxicity. Compounds that modulate expression of these genes or activity of the encoded proteins can be used to inhibit alpha-synuclein mediated toxicity and used to treat or prevent synucleinopathies such as Parkinson's disease. Also disclosed are methods of identifying inhibitors of alpha-synuclein mediated toxicity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research
    Inventors: Susan L. Lindquist, Aaron D. Gitler, Anil Cashikar
  • Publication number: 20180016588
    Abstract: Disclosed are yeast cells expressing a polypeptide comprising a signal sequence and a human amyloid beta protein. Also disclosed are methods of screening yeast cells to identify compounds that prevent or suppress amyloid beta-induced toxicity and genetic suppressors or enhancers of amyloid beta-induced toxicity. Compounds identified by such screens can be used to treat or prevent neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2017
    Publication date: January 18, 2018
    Applicant: Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research
    Inventors: Kent E.S. Matlack, Susan L. Lindquist, Sebastian Treusch