Patents Assigned to Whitehead Institute
  • Patent number: 9822156
    Abstract: Disclosed are yeast expression constructs encoding a polypeptide containing a signal sequence, a Golgi-directing pro sequence, and a human amyloid beta protein, and mammalian expression constructs encoding a polypeptide containing a selected signal sequence and a human amyloid beta protein. Also disclosed are methods of screening 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: June 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research
    Inventors: Aftabul Haque, Susan L. Lindquist
  • Publication number: 20170321222
    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: July 14, 2017
    Publication date: November 9, 2017
    Applicant: Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research
    Inventors: Susan L. Lindquist, Aaron D. Gitler
  • Patent number: 9790188
    Abstract: The present invention provides novel compounds of Formula (I), and pharmaceutically acceptable salts, solvates, hydrates, polymorphs, co-crystals, tautomers, stereoisomers, isotopically labeled derivatives, prodrugs, and pharmaceutical compositions thereof. The present invention also provides methods and kits using the inventive compounds and pharmaceutical compositions for treating and/or preventing diseases associated with protein aggregation, such as amyloidoses (e.g., Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease), treating and/or preventing neurodegenerative diseases, treating and/or preventing diseases associated with Tar DNA binding protein 43 kDa, reducing or preventing protein aggregation, and/or modulating E3 ubiquitin ligase in a subject in need thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignees: Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Susan L. Lindquist, Stephen L. Buchwald, Daniel Tardiff, Nathan Jui
  • Publication number: 20170285043
    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: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2015
    Publication date: October 5, 2017
    Applicant: Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research
    Inventors: David M. Sabatini, Lynne Chantranupong, Rachel L. Wolfson, Jose Orozco, Robert A. Saxton, Shomit Sengupta
  • Publication number: 20170267970
    Abstract: The presently disclosed subject matter provides hydrogel precursor compositions (e.g., solutions) for forming three-dimensional hydrogels that support growth of physiologically relevant tissue when at least one cell is cultured in the three-dimensional hydrogel, kits comprising the hydrogel precursor composition, three-dimensional hydrogels, methods of forming the three-dimensional hydrogels, methods of growing the physiologically relevant tissue using the three-dimensional hydrogels, physiologically relevant tissue grown in the three-dimensional hydrogels, methods of producing hormone-responsive tissue (e.g., milk-producing mammary tissue and related methods of producing milk), methods of screening for candidate agents useful for modulating hormonal responses (e.g., modulating milk production), method of screening for candidate therapeutic agents using the physiologically relevant tissue grown in the three-dimensional hydrogels (e.g., personalized cancer treatments), and related methods of treatment (e.g.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2017
    Publication date: September 21, 2017
    Applicant: Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research
    Inventors: Piyush GUPTA, Daniel MILLER, Ethan SOKOL
  • Patent number: 9751945
    Abstract: In some aspects, polypeptides comprising single domain antibodies and methods of identifying single domain antibodies are provided. In some embodiments polypeptides comprising a single domain antibody and a sortase recognition sequence, are provided. In some aspects, products and methods of use in modulating the immune system, e.g., modulating an immune response, are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research
    Inventors: Hidde Ploegh, Maximilian Popp, Juanjo Cragnolini
  • Patent number: 9746470
    Abstract: In some aspects, the invention provides methods of identifying, detecting, and/or measuring protein-protein interactions. In some aspects, the invention provides methods of identifying and/or characterizing modulators of protein-protein interactions. In some aspects, the invention provides methods of identifying and/or characterizing modulators of protein activity, wherein the methods are based at least in part on measuring interaction between a chaperone and client protein. In some aspects, the invention provides methods for identifying and/or characterizing compounds and/or for assessing compound specificity, wherein the methods are based at least in part on measuring interaction between a chaperone and client protein. In some embodiments, a client protein is a kinase. In some embodiments, a compound is a kinase inhibitor. In some aspects, the invention provides methods of profiling kinase inhibitor specificity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research
    Inventors: Mikko Taipale, Susan Lindquist
  • Patent number: 9738898
    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: February 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research
    Inventors: Susan L. Lindquist, Aaron D. Gitler
  • Patent number: 9738610
    Abstract: The present invention provides novel compounds (e.g., compounds of Formula (I)), and pharmaceutically acceptable salts, solvates, hydrates, 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 protozoon, or inhibiting the growth of a fungus or protozoon. The fungus may be a Candida species, Aspergillus species, or other pathogenic fungal species. The compounds of the invention may inhibit the activity of fungal or protozoan cytochrome b and/or fungal or protozoan Hsp90. The present invention also provides synthetic methods of the inventive compounds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignees: Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, The Broad Institute, Inc., Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Benjamin Vincent, Luke Whitesell, Susan L. Lindquist, Willmen Youngsaye, Stephen L. Buchwald, Jean-Baptiste Langlois, Partha P. Nag, Amal Ting, Barbara J. Morgan, Benito Munoz, Sivaraman Dandapani, Bruce Tidor, Raja R. Srinivas
  • Patent number: 9714414
    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: August 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    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
  • Patent number: 9708648
    Abstract: The disclosed Hi-C protocol can identify genomic loci that are spatially co-located in vivo. These spatial co-locations may include, but are not limited to, intrachromosomal interactions and/or interchromosomal interactions. Hi-C techniques may be applied to many different scales of interest. For example, on a large scale, Hi-C techniques can be used to identify long-range interactions between distant genomic loci.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignees: University of Massachusetts, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, President and Fellows of Harvard College, Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research
    Inventors: Job Dekker, Erez Lieberman Aiden, Nynke Van Berkum, Andreas Gnirke, Eric Lander, Chad Nusbaum, Louise Williams, Alexandre Melnikov, Georgia Giannoukos
  • Patent number: 9696313
    Abstract: In some aspects, the invention relates to Heat Shock Protein-1 (HSF1) gene and HSF1 gene products. In some aspects, the invention provides methods of tumor diagnosis, prognosis, treatment-specific prediction, or treatment selection, the methods comprising assessing the level of HSF1 expression or HSF1 activation in a sample obtained from the tumor. In some aspects, the invention relates to the discovery that increased HSF1 expression and increased HSF1 activation correlate with poor outcome in cancer, e.g., breast cancer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignees: Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, The Brigham and Women's Hospital, Inc.
    Inventors: Sandro Santagata, Susan Lindquist, Luke J. Whitesell, Tan A. Ince
  • Publication number: 20170114323
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides compounds of any one of Formulae (A) to (L). The present disclosure also provides compositions, uses, and methods that include or involve a compound described herein, a serine/threonine-protein kinase B-Raf (BRAF) inhibitor, an epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitor, a vascular endothelial growth factor 1 (VEGFR1) inhibitor, a fibroblast growth factor receptor 1 (FGFR1) inhibitor, or a combination thereof. The compounds, compositions, uses, and methods are useful in changing the pluripotency state of a vertebrate cell to a more naive state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2015
    Publication date: April 27, 2017
    Applicants: Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Inc.
    Inventors: Thorold W. Theunissen, Nathanael S. Gray, Rudolf Jaenisch
  • Patent number: 9631187
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and compositions for correction and/or mutation of genes associated with Parkinson's Disease as well as clones and animals derived therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignees: Sangamo BioSciences, Inc., Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research
    Inventors: Rudolf Jaenisch, Josee Laganiere, Frank Soldner, Lei Zhang
  • Patent number: 9593311
    Abstract: The invention provides compositions and methods of use in reprogramming somatic cells. Compositions and methods of the invention are of use, e.g., for generating or modulating (e.g., enhancing) generation of induced pluripotent stem cells by reprogramming somatic cells. The reprogrammed somatic cells are useful for a number of purposes, including treating or preventing a medical condition in an individual. The invention further provides methods for identifying an agent that reprograms somatic cells to a pluripotent state and/or enhances the speed and/or efficiency of reprogramming. Certain of the compositions and methods relate to modulating the Wnt pathway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research
    Inventors: Brett Chevalier, Alexander Marson, Richard A. Young, Ruth Foreman, Rudolf Jaenisch
  • Publication number: 20170066797
    Abstract: The present invention provides a novel class of withanolides that have been isolated from W. somnifera under aeroponic conditions or produced semi-synthetically from withanolide natural products. The invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions thereof and methods for using the same in proliferative diseases, neurodegenerative diseases, autoimmune, and inflammatory diseases.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2016
    Publication date: March 9, 2017
    Applicants: Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, Arizona Board of Regents on behalf of the University of Arizona
    Inventors: Leslie Gunatilaka, Ekanayake Mudiyanselage Kithsiri Wijeratne, Ya-Ming Xu, Luke Whitesell, Susan L. Lindquist
  • Publication number: 20170049745
    Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to methods that involve activating the Protein Kinase A (PKA) pathway to induce cancer stem cells (CSCs) to undergo a mesenchymal to epithelial transition. Methods provided herein are useful, in some embodiments, because they render CSCs amenable to treatment with conventional cancer therapies. In some embodiments, methods are provided that involve assaying PKA pathway activity to identify compounds that selectively target CSCs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2015
    Publication date: February 23, 2017
    Applicant: Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research
    Inventors: Diwakar Pattabiraman, Brian Bierie, Wai Leong Tam, Robert A. Weinberg
  • Patent number: 9567301
    Abstract: The present invention provides compounds of Formula (I-A), (I-B), and (I-C), pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, and pharmaceutical compositions thereof. Compounds of the present invention are useful for inhibiting Myc (e.g., c-Myc) activity. The present invention further provides methods of using the compounds described herein for treating Myc-mediated disorders (e.g., cancer and other proliferative diseases). The present invention also provides assays for identifying Myc inhibitors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignees: Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Inc., Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research
    Inventors: James E. Bradner, Michael R. McKeown, Peter B. Rahl, Richard A. Young, Jason J. Marineau
  • Patent number: 9551036
    Abstract: Aspects of the invention relate to methods and compositions for characterizing or modulating the expression of metabolic mesenchymal genes. In some embodiments, methods for assessing the expression of metabolic mesenchymal genes and related gene signatures are provided that are useful for cancer classification, prognosis, diagnosis, or treatment selection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research
    Inventors: Yoav D. Shaul, David M. Sabatini
  • Patent number: 9540320
    Abstract: The present invention provides compounds of Formula (I-A), (I-B), and (I-C), pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, and pharmaceutical compositions thereof. Compounds of the present invention are useful for inhibiting Myc (e.g., c-Myc) activity. The present invention further provides methods of using the compounds described herein for treating Myc-mediated disorders (e.g., cancer and other proliferative diseases). The present invention also provides assays for identifying Myc inhibitors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignees: Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Inc., Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research
    Inventors: James E. Bradner, Michael R. McKeown, Peter B. Rahl, Richard A. Young, Jason J. Marineau