Patents Examined by Alexander H. Spiegler
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Patent number: 6677505Abstract: The invention concerns a set of plant promoters inductible by biotic or abiotic stresses, in particular by pathogens, their use, expression vectors comprising said promoters and a gene of interest, cells and/or plants transformed by said vectors. The invention also concerns methods for obtaining said cells and plants, said transformed plants with improved resistance to said pathogens.Type: GrantFiled: November 6, 2000Date of Patent: January 13, 2004Assignee: Champagne Moer and ChandonInventors: Robert Esnault, Dominique Buffard, Colette Breda, Pierre Coutos-Thevenot, Michel Boulay
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Patent number: 6677119Abstract: Nucleic acids and polypeptides correlated with cancer are disclosed. Also disclosed are methods of detecting cancer in a biological sample by determining expression of a colon carcinoma related gene (CCRG) or protein in that sample.Type: GrantFiled: December 5, 2000Date of Patent: January 13, 2004Assignee: Florida Atlantic UniversityInventor: Ramaswamy Narayanan
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Patent number: 6653527Abstract: This invention relates to seedlings which demonstrate improved phenotypic characteristics when grown at low light levels. More specifically, the present invention relates to producing plants which contain a nucleic acid sequence coding for the N282 protein as well as the wildtype COP1 gene.Type: GrantFiled: September 3, 1998Date of Patent: November 25, 2003Assignee: Yale UniversityInventors: Xing Wang Deng, Timothy McNellis, Keiko Torii
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Patent number: 6649746Abstract: The invention provides a bioproduction of glutamine rich peptides. These peptides are used for rehydration and nutrition therapy in patients and for enhanced nutrition in animals. The peptides may be used as individual peptides or combined with other peptides in oligopeptides or proteins. Compositions of glutamine rich peptides and nucleic acid sequences for producing such peptides, as well as methods of production and use, are described.Type: GrantFiled: May 2, 2000Date of Patent: November 18, 2003Assignee: University of Virginia Patent FoundationInventors: Michael P. Timko, Richard L. Guerrant
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Patent number: 6645718Abstract: A process of collecting a sample of DNA from an individual for short-term or long term storage in the event that the DNA is required to identify the individual in the event of a cataclysmic accident. The collection of DNA sample from the individual begins with the completion of an application, for example for flight insurance, which is conveniently located at the airport, through a travel agent, etc. Upon completion of the application, a method of payment is determined and the DNA sample is collected. Preferably, the individual collects his or her DNA sample using a non-invasive approach such as swabbing the inside of his/her cheek and gum line. The DNA sample is then placed in a container and held in storage for a duration appropriate for the anticipated span of the activity or for a predetermined fixed term. At the conclusion of the activity, the DNA sample is either disposed of or returned to the individual for future use.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2000Date of Patent: November 11, 2003Assignee: Biocal Technology, Inc.Inventors: Ming-Sun Liu, Varouj Amirkhanian, Sing-Tien Chiang
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Patent number: 6638719Abstract: A method is described for determining the genotype of one or more individuals at a biallelic marker. The method employs amplification of a region of genomic DNA using color tagged, allele-specific primers and hybridization of the products to an array of allele-specific probes. The genotype is identified from the pattern of hybridization.Type: GrantFiled: June 26, 2000Date of Patent: October 28, 2003Assignee: Affymetrix, Inc.Inventors: Kevin Gunderson, David J. Lockhart
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Patent number: 6620798Abstract: Methods for the repair, reconstruction and protection of tissue using compositions containing flavonoids and/or flavonols, including simultaneous administration of agents in order to obtain synergistic effects from the combinations taught and claimed herein. The administration of the flavonols and /or flavonoids in conjuction with compositions containing vitamin C and/or salts and esters of vitamin C provides advantageous sparing of autocoids (internal steroids). The simultaneous administration of flavonols and /or flavonoids to compositions containing glucosamine and or glucosamine sulfate and chondroitin stimulates rapid improvement in joint function. The addition to the flavonoids and/or flavonols to previously administered compositions is a most convenient method of achieving enhanced benefits. The use of combinations of flavonoids and flavonols for use in relieving pain is also a part of the invention.Type: GrantFiled: June 6, 2000Date of Patent: September 16, 2003Inventor: Russell Jaffe
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Patent number: 6620922Abstract: Compositions and methods for the therapy and diagnosis of cancer, such as prostate cancer, are disclosed. Compositions may comprise one or more prostate-specific proteins, immunogenic portions thereof, or polynucleotides that encode such portions. Alternatively, a therapeutic composition may comprise an antigen presenting cell that expresses a prostate-specific protein, or a T cell that is specific for cells expressing such a protein. Such compositions may be used, for example, for the prevention and treatment of diseases such as prostate cancer. Diagnostic methods based on detecting a prostate-specific protein, or mRNA encoding such a protein, in a sample are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: August 9, 2000Date of Patent: September 16, 2003Assignee: Corixa CorporationInventors: Jiangchun Xu, Davin C. Dillon, Jennifer L. Mitcham, Susan L. Harlocker, Yuqiu Jiang, Michael D. Kalos, Gary R. Fanger, Marc W. Retter, John A. Stolk, Craig H. Day, Thomas S. Vedvick, Darrick Carter, Samuel X. Li, Aijun Wang, Yasir A. W. Skeiky, William T. Hepler, Robert A. Henderson
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Patent number: 6602670Abstract: The present invention relates to prognostic methods which are useful in medicine, particularly cancer chemotherapy. The object of the invention to provide a method for assessing ERCC1 expression levels in fixed or fixed and paraffin embedded tissues and determine a platinum-based chemotherapy by examination of the amount of ERCC1 mRNA in a patient's tumor cells and comparing it to a predetermined threshold expression level. More specifically, the invention provides to oligonucleotide primer pair ERCC1 and methods comprising their use for detecting levels of ERCC1 mRNA.Type: GrantFiled: November 20, 2001Date of Patent: August 5, 2003Assignee: Response Genetics, Inc.Inventor: Kathleen D. Danenberg
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Patent number: 6593087Abstract: This invention describes novel purified and isolated nucleic acid molecules or the fragments thereof, extracted from nematode or arthropod pests or recombinant, which encode P-glycoprotein homologs and regulate resistance to the macrocyclic lactone compounds. The invention further relates to the new P-glycoprotein homolog expression product of these nucleic acids. Also described herein are methods for detecting the gene encoding for resistance to the macrocyclic lactone compounds in nematode or arthropod pests which comprise comparing the nucleic acids extracted from a pest specimen to the nucleic acids encoding for resistance and the nucleic acids encoding for susceptibility to the macrocyclic lactone compounds.Type: GrantFiled: December 27, 2000Date of Patent: July 15, 2003Assignee: McGill UniversityInventors: Roger K. Prichard, Ming Xu, Ana Paula Ribeiro, William J. Blackhall, Robin N. Beech, Marcelo Molento, Hao Yuan Liu
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Patent number: 6589726Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for fabricating solid supports. More specifically, the present invention features methods for fabricating solid supports for in situ synthesis and for carrying out large numbers of reactions. The present invention also features solid supports with in situ synthesized long polynucleotides.Type: GrantFiled: August 23, 2000Date of Patent: July 8, 2003Assignee: Metrigen, Inc.Inventors: John H. Butler, Thomas M. Brennan
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Patent number: 6582919Abstract: The present invention relates to prognostic methods which are useful in medicine, particularly cancer chemotherapy. The object of the invention to provide a method for assessing HER2-neu and/or EGFR expression levels in fixed or fixed and paraffin embedded tissues and prognosticate the probable sensitivity of a patient's tumor to treatment with receptor tyrosine kinase targeted chemotherapy by examination of the amount of HER2-neu and/or EGFR mRNA in a patient's tumor cells and comparing it to a predetermined threshold expression level for those genes. More specifically, the invention provides to oligonucleotide primer pairs EGFR and HER2-neu and methods comprising their use for detecting levels of EGFR and HER2-neu mRNA, respectively.Type: GrantFiled: June 11, 2001Date of Patent: June 24, 2003Assignee: Response Genetics, Inc.Inventor: Kathleen D. Danenberg
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Patent number: 6579703Abstract: Small heat shock proteins, e.g., Pyrococcus fuiosus (Pfu-sHSP), confer thermotolerance on cellular cultures and on proteins in cellular extracts during prolonged incubation at elevated temperature, demonstrating the ability to protect cellular proteins and maintain cellular viability under heat stress conditions. Such heat shock proteins are effective to combat enzymatic aggregation and intracellular precipitation during heat stress, and thereby enable enhancement of the utility and stability of enzymes in various applications, e.g., Taq polymerase in PCR applications, digestive enzymes in microbial degradative applications, etc.Type: GrantFiled: April 16, 2001Date of Patent: June 17, 2003Assignee: University of Maryland Biotechnology InstituteInventors: Frank T. Robb, Pongpan Laksanalamai
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Patent number: 6573432Abstract: A method for determining gene expression in transgenic plants is disclosed. This method includes providing expression vectors having the PAP1 or PAP2 gene linked to an expressed gene of interest. If the expression vector is activated, the PAP1 or PAP2 genes confer a purple pigmentation to the transgenic plant. Thus, plants that have been successfully transformed are easily identifiable by visual inspection.Type: GrantFiled: July 5, 2000Date of Patent: June 3, 2003Assignees: The Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation, Inc., The Salk Institute For Biological StudiesInventors: Justin Borevitz, Yiji Xia, Richard A. Dixon, Christopher J. Lamb
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Patent number: 6573047Abstract: The present invention provides methods and kits for identifying nucleotides at a variant site in a target molecule by forming fluorescence resonance energy transfer labeled product. The location and type of fluorescent labels in the labeled product provide strong signals and relatively high spectral purity that facilitate detection. Utilizing various secondary labels and different combinations of acceptor and donor labels, certain methods permit multiple analyses to be conducted simultaneously and at high throughput. The methods can be used in a variety of applications such as analyzing point mutations and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). In addition, the methods have utility in other applications in which specific sequence information is of value, including detection of pathogens, paternity disputes, prenatal testing and forensic analysis.Type: GrantFiled: April 11, 2000Date of Patent: June 3, 2003Assignee: DNA Sciences, Inc.Inventors: Su-Chun Hung, Alexander N. Glazer, Richard A. Mathies
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Patent number: 6573052Abstract: The present invention relates to prognostic methods which are useful in medicine, particularly cancer chemotherapy. The object of the invention to provide a method for assessing ERCC1 expression levels in fixed or fixed and paraffin embedded tissues and prognosticate the probable resistance of a patient's tumor to treatment with platinum-based therapies by examination of the amount of ERCC1 mRNA in a patient's tumor cells and comparing it to a predetermined threshold expression level. More specifically, the invention provides to oligonucleotide primer pair ERCC1 and methods comprising their use for detecting levels of ERCC1 mRNA.Type: GrantFiled: June 11, 2001Date of Patent: June 3, 2003Assignee: Response Genetics, Inc.Inventor: Kathleen D. Danenberg
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Patent number: 6566103Abstract: The present invention provides an alternative PCR amplification which does not draw upon the use of thermostable DNA polymerases. It provides means for the controlled manipulation of denaturing conditions which do not demand the use of high denaturing temperature. More particularly, it provides means for the controlled oscillation of divalent metal ions, preferably of divalent metal ions such as Cu2+, Zn2+, Mn2+ and Cd2+, which are known to destabilize the DNA helix and thereby decrease the melting temperature of the DNA helix. The invention also provides methods for the automatization of this process. For instance, by means of cathodic reduction of the divalent metal species the concentration can be decreased to levels that allows for reannealing of separated strands with the primers; while oxidation of deposited metals or oxidation of monovalent metal ions, can restore the initially high concentration that allows for separation of both strands that make up the DNA helix.Type: GrantFiled: November 1, 2001Date of Patent: May 20, 2003Assignee: Innogenetics N.V.Inventors: Michael Wijnhoven, Rudi Rossau
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Patent number: 6562955Abstract: An oligonucleotide for detection or amplification of a gene selected from the group consisting of Vibrio parahaemolyticus thermostable direct hemolysin-related hemolysin genes (trh1 and trh2) and Vibrio parahaemolyticus thermostable direct hemolysin gene (tdh2) or RNA derived therefrom is provided. Further, method for detecting trh1, trh2 or tdh2 using said oligonucleotide is provided.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2001Date of Patent: May 13, 2003Assignee: Tosoh CorporationInventors: Tetsuya Ishizuka, Takahiko Ishiguro, Juichi Saitoh
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Patent number: 6534645Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods for performing an amplification reaction of nucleic acids with internal controls that test the integrity of all aspects of the amplification reaction.Type: GrantFiled: August 8, 2001Date of Patent: March 18, 2003Assignee: CepheidInventor: William A. McMillan
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Patent number: 6528268Abstract: The invention provides novel reagents, kits, and methods for diagnosis of predisposition to left ventricular heart failure, based on analysis of polymorphic variants of the genomic nucleic acid set forth in SEQ ID NO:1Type: GrantFiled: August 3, 2001Date of Patent: March 4, 2003Assignee: Sequenom-Gemini LimtedInventors: Maria Kristina Andersson, Lars Gunnar Ture Berglund, Rikard Henry Reneland, Gail Isabel Reid Adam