Patents Examined by Andrew Wang
  • Patent number: 6692910
    Abstract: Methods of reducing gene expression, protein production and messenger RNA output in a cell are disclosed. Also disclosed is a method for delivering a selected ribozyme to a target mRNA in a cell. The methods are useful for prophylactic and therapeutic purposes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Assignee: The University of Connecticut
    Inventors: David W. Rowe, Mary Louise Stover, Akin Beckley
  • Patent number: 6686174
    Abstract: A method of inhibiting the translation of bacterial mRNA is disclosed. The method comprises overexpressing in a bacterium an mRNA which contains a sequence which is complementary to the anti-downstream box region of the 16S rRNA. RNA and DNA constructs for the overexpression of the mRNA of the invention are disclosed. Further, there are disclosed isolated DNA constructs that direct the prolonged expression of a heterologous gene in a cold-shocked bacterium at reduced temperature. The construct can comprise a promoter region of a cold-shocked inducible gene. The replication vehicle comprising such DNA constructs and a method for overexpressing a heterologous gene in a bacterium transformed with such a replication vehicle are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Assignee: The University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey
    Inventors: Li Fang, Weinning Jiang, Masanori Mitta, Masayori Inouye
  • Patent number: 6667150
    Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for the identification of nucleic acid sequences encoding members of a multimeric (poly)peptide complex by screening for polyphage particles. Furthermore, the invention relates to products and uses thereof for the identification of nucleic acid sequences in accordance with the present invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2003
    Assignee: Morphosys AG
    Inventors: Fritz Rudert, Liming Ge, Vic Ilag
  • Patent number: 6667293
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method of reducing the immunostimulatory effects of certain phosphorothioate oligonucleotides used to treat pathogen-mediated disease states and other medical conditions. Immunostimulatory effects of phosphorothioate oligonucleotides are reduced in accordance with the method of the invention by administering the phosphorothioate oligonucleotide in a therapeutic formulation which includes at least one cyclodextrin to a mammal afflicted with the disease or condition being treated. The immune response of the mammal is also monitored in the method of the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2003
    Assignee: Hybridon, Inc.
    Inventors: Qiuyan Zhao, Jamal Temsamani, Sudhir Agrawal
  • Patent number: 6656688
    Abstract: Antisense compounds, compositions and methods are provided for modulating the expression of NF-kappa-B p65 subunit. The compositions comprise antisense compounds, particularly antisense oligonucleotides, targeted to nucleic acids encoding NF-kappa-B p65 subunit. Methods of using these compounds for modulation of NF-kappa-B p65 subunit expression and for treatment of diseases associated with expression of NF-kappa-B p65 subunit are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2003
    Assignee: ISIS Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
    Inventors: C. Frank Bennett, Brett P. Monia, Lex M. Cowsert
  • Patent number: 6642014
    Abstract: A method for in vitro selection, from a library of catalyst molecules, of a catalyst molecule of interest having a relatively more efficient specific catalytic activity of interest, as compared to the rest of the catalyst molecules within said library, and wherein said in vitro selection method is characterised by that it allows multiple catalytic activity turn-overs (i.e. substrate to product catalytic activity turn-overs), by the catalyst molecule of interest, before it is finally collected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2003
    Assignee: Novozymes A/S
    Inventors: Henrik Pedersen, Swen Hölder, Jørgen Kjems, Mette Lund
  • Patent number: 6630317
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for obtaining nucleic acid sequences encoding (poly)peptides which increase the expression yields of periplasmic proteins in functional form upon co-expression of said (poly)peptides and said periplasmic proteins. The invention also provides a method for the identification of said (poly)peptides. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a method for increasing the expression yields of periplasmic proteins in functional form by co-expressing (poly)peptides, for example Skp, FkpA, or a homolog of Skp or FkpA, in bacteria.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2003
    Assignee: University of Zurich
    Inventors: Andreas Plückthun, Hendrick Bothmann
  • Patent number: 6627433
    Abstract: A side-entry excitation arrangement is provided with a multi-channel analyte-separation device. In various embodiments, a plurality of channels are disposed in an array, with a laser disposed to direct an excitation beam of light along a beam path that crosses the longitudinal axes of the channels, so as to simultaneously irradiate a region of each of the channels. Devices of the invention can be useful, for example, in the separation and analysis of bio-molecules, such as DNA, RNA, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Assignee: Applera Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffery D. Frazier, Paul D. Grossman
  • Patent number: 6620587
    Abstract: The invention provides a method of displaying nascent proteins or peptides as complexes with eukaryotic ribosomes and the mRNA encoding the protein or peptide following transcription and translation in vitro, of further selecting complexes carrying a particular nascent protein or peptide by means of binding to a ligand, antigen or antibody, and of subsequently recovering the genetic information encoding the protein or peptide from the selected ribosome complex by reverse transcription and polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The RT-PCR recovery step is carried out directly on the intact ribosome complex, without prior dissociation to release the mRNA, thus contributing to maximal efficiency and sensitivity. The steps of display, selection and recovery can be repeated in consecutive cycles. The method is exemplified using single-chain antibody constructs as antibody-ribosome-mRNA complexes (ARMs).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: Discerna Limited
    Inventors: Michael John Taussig, Mingyue He
  • Patent number: 6613567
    Abstract: Antisense compounds, compositions and methods are provided for modulating the expression of Her-2. The compositions comprise antisense compounds, particularly antisense oligonucleotides, targeted to nucleic acids encoding Her-2. Methods of using these compounds for modulation of Her-2 expression and for treatment of diseases associated with expression of Her-2 are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2003
    Assignee: ISIS Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
    Inventors: C. Frank Bennett, Lex M. Cowsert
  • Patent number: 6610547
    Abstract: The invention provides a method of contrast agent drug candidate selection which involves: (i) obtaining a combinatorial library comprising an admixture of potential contrast agent drug candidates each incorporating a reporter moiety which is detectable in the animate human or non-human animal body (e.g. mammalian, avian or reptilian body), said library comprising a plurality of said reporter moieties which are interdistinguishably detectable in said body; (ii) administering said library to an animate human or non-human animal body; (iii) identifying in vivo one or more of said reporter moieties which has a desired distribution and/or elimination pattern in said body and thereby identifying a member of said library which has said pattern site or a sub-set of said library which contains a member of said library which has said pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2003
    Assignee: Amersham Health AS
    Inventors: Jo Klaveness, Harald Dugstad, Julian Cockbain
  • Patent number: 6610495
    Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a method of identifying modulators of biological interactions and agents useful for same. More particularly, the present invention contemplates a method of detecting inhibitors of biological interactions involving proteinaceous and/or nucleic acid molecules and more particularly a method of identifying peptide inhibitors of biological interactions having adverse effects on living cells, tissue or organisms. The present invention provides the means by which a wide range of peptide-based therapeutic, prophylactic and diagnostic reagents may be developed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2003
    Assignee: TVW Telethon Intstitute for Child Health Research
    Inventors: Paul M. Watt, Ursula R. Kees
  • Patent number: 6610472
    Abstract: Compositions, methods, and kits are provided for efficiently generating and screening a library of highly diverse protein complexes for their ability to bind to other proteins or oligonucleotide sequences. In one aspect of the invention, a library of expression vectors is provided for expressing the library of protein complexes. The library comprises a first nucleotide sequence encoding a first polypeptide subunit; and a second nucleotide sequence encoding a second polypeptide subunit. The first and second nucleotide sequences each independently varies within the library of expression vectors. In addition, the first and second polypeptide subunit are expressed as separate proteins which self-assemble to form a protein complex, such as a double-chain antibody fragment (dcFv or Fab) and a fully assembled antibody, in cells into which the library of expression vectors are introduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2003
    Assignee: Genetastix Corporation
    Inventors: Li Zhu, Shaobing Benjamin Hua, James Sheridan, Yu-Huei Lin
  • Patent number: 6602671
    Abstract: A novel encoding system, compositions for use therein and methods for determining the source, location and/or identity of a particular item or component of interest is provided. In particular, the present invention utilizes a collection of one or more sizes of populations of semiconductor nanocrystals having characteristic spectral emissions, to “track” the source or location of an item of interest or to identify a particular item of interest. The semiconductor nanocrystals used in the inventive compositions can be selected to emit a desired wavelength to produce a characteristic spectral emission in narrow spectral widths, and with a symmetric, nearly Gaussian line shape, by changing the composition and size of the semiconductor nanocrystal. Additionally, the intensity of the emission at a particular characteristic wavelength can also be varied, thus enabling the use of binary or higher order encoding schemes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2003
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Moungi G. Bawendi, Klavs F. Jensen
  • Patent number: 6602858
    Abstract: A nucleic acid catalyst comprising at least one L-nucleotide substitution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2003
    Assignee: Ribozyme Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
    Inventor: Leonid Beigelman
  • Patent number: 6599693
    Abstract: A method of fabricating an array with multiple sets of neighboring features. In the method, for each of multiple sets of neighboring features, at least one set of drops is deposited from a corresponding same pulse jet dispenser onto a substrate so as to form the array with the sets formed from drops deposited by respective different dispensers. Apparatus and computer program products which can execute a method of the invention, are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2003
    Assignee: Agilent Technologies Inc.
    Inventor: Peter G. Webb
  • Patent number: 6586180
    Abstract: A method for making a directed antisense library against a target transcript is described. A cDNA of the target transcript is cloned in an appropriate cloning vector. Next, a plurality of deletion derivatives of the cloned cDNA is prepared such that the deletions serially extend into the cDNA from one end thereof. The resulting deletion library is then treated such that cDNA is removed from the other end of each cDNA insert, thus obtaining a fragment library having fragments of a selected size. A catalytic core is then inserted into each fragment of the fragment library, resulting in the directed antisense library. An illustrative antisense gene in the hammerhead ribozyme catalytic core. Plasmids for making the antisense library, plasmids and methods for making the fragment library, and a method for identifying target sites for antisense-mediated gene inhibition are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Assignee: University of Utah
    Inventors: Duane E. Ruffner, Michael L. Pierce, Zhidong Chen
  • Patent number: 6582905
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method of cloning a protein coding for a membrane protein without the need of using anyantibody or ligand. The method of cloning a membrane protein comprises selecting a protein having a signal sequence, using a DNA coding for the signal sequence and N-terminal sequence of the protein as the reporter gene, and screening for a gene for a protein having a transmembrane domain(s). The present invention is concerned also with the CDNA obtained by using such method, a vector containing the DNA, a transformant as transformed with the vector, and the transcription product of the DNA as produced by the transformant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2003
    Inventors: Hiromitsu Nakauchi, Yukio Nakamura, Sousuke Miyoshi, Dong ku Kim
  • Patent number: 6582965
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for generating a library of peptides based on a peptide of a predetermined molecular mass and to a method of determining the amino acid sequence of the peptide from the library. A set of amino acids that can be present in the peptide are defined, and an allowed library of all possible sequences of the amino acids in the set having a total mass equal to the predetermined molecular mass, allowing for water lost in forming peptide bonds and for protonation, is generated. The allowed library may be generated by first generating a set of all combinations of amino acids having a total mass equal to the predetermined molecular mass of the peptide and then calculating all linear permutations of all amino acids in each such combination. Generally, the molecular mass is determined using a mass spectrometer. A theoretical fragmentation spectrum for every amino acid sequence in the allowed set may also be calculated for use in determining the amino acid sequence of the peptide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2003
    Assignee: Oxford GlycoSciences (UK) Ltd
    Inventors: Robert Reid Townsend, Raj Bhikhu Parekh, Sally Barbara Prime, Nick Sinclair Wedd
  • Patent number: 6562569
    Abstract: The present invention provides arrays having associated modified oligonucleotides that selectively bind to DNA or RNA, methods of making such arrays, assays for using such arrays, and the like. In one embodiment, the arrays of the invention exhibit an increased binding affinity with complementary nucleic acids, and in particular with complementary RNA. In another embodiment, the associated nucleic acids of the array of the invention exhibit substantial acid resistance, allowing the arrays to be treated with low pH solutions. In another embodiment, the modified associated nucleic acids of the array of the invention exhibit substantial resistance to nuclease degradation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2003
    Assignee: Oligos Etc. Inc.
    Inventor: Roderic M. K. Dale