Patents Examined by Celine Qian
  • Method and means for producing high titer, safe recombinant lentivirus vectors
    Patent number: 8846385
    Abstract: Lentiviral vectors modified at the 5? LTR or both the 5? and 3? LTR's are useful in the production of recombinant lentivirus vectors. Such vectors can be produced in the absence of a functional tat gene. Multiple transformation of the host cell with the vector carrying the transgene enhances virus production.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: GBP IP, LLC
    Inventors: Luigi Naldini, Thomas Dull, Deborah A. Farson, Rochelle Witt
  • sVEGFR-2 and its role in lymphangiogenesis modulation
    Patent number: 8846386
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are nucleic acid molecules comprising a nucleotide sequence of sVEGF-2, proteins encoded by those sequences and antibodies that bind to the protein. Also disclosed are methods for inhibiting or enhancing expression or activity of sVEGFR-2 and methods for inhibiting graft rejection, particularly cornea graph rejection. Also described are methods for inhibiting lymphangiogenesis and lymphatic endothelial cell proliferation by administering an effective amount of sVEGFR-2 and methods for treating lymphedema by inhibiting the activity of sVEGFR-2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: University of Kentucky Research Foundation
    Inventors: Jayakrishna Ambati, Rumulo J. C. Albuquerque
  • Promoters exhibiting endothelial cell specificity and methods of using same
    Patent number: 8846401
    Abstract: An isolated polynucleotide functional as a promoter in eukaryotic cells is disclosed. The isolated polynucleotide includes an endothelial specific enhancer element as detailed herein. Further disclosed is a method of expressing a nucleic acid sequence of interest in endothelial cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Vascular Biogenics Ltd.
    Inventors: Dror Harats, Eyal Breitbart, Nira Bloom
  • Method for gene transfer
    Patent number: 8841126
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for introducing a gene into a target cell using a retrovirus vector, which is simple and highly efficient. Specifically disclosed is a method for introducing a gene into a target cell using a retrovirus vector, which comprises the steps of (a) placing a liquor containing a retrovirus vector having a foreign gene carried thereon into a culture vessel on which a retrovirus-binding substance has been immobilized, and incubating the liquor at a temperature lower than 25° C. for 4 hours or longer, thereby producing a culture vessel having the retrovirus vector bound thereto, and (b) adding a target cell to the culture vessel that has been produced in step (a) and incubating the culture vessel. The gene introduction method is simple and highly efficient, and is useful particularly in the fields of medicine, cell technology, gene technology, embryologic technology and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Takara Bio Inc.
    Inventors: Katsuyuki Dodo, Naoki Saito, Hideto Chono, Junichi Mineno
  • Puro-DHFR quadrifunctional marker and its use in protein production
    Patent number: 8841106
    Abstract: This invention relates to industrial production of proteins. More specifically, the invention relates to the res-DHFR surrogate marker, which corresponds to a fusion between DHFR and a protein conferring resistance to a toxic compound or conferring a metabolic advantage. The invention further relates to the use of res-DHFR for screening cells for high expression of a protein of interest. The invention is illustrated by the Puro-DHFR surrogate marker, which corresponds to a fusion between the puromycin N-acetyltransferase and dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Merck Serono SA
    Inventors: Michel Kobr, Philippe Dupraz
  • Polynucleotides for enhancing expression of a polynucleotide of interest
    Patent number: 8841089
    Abstract: The present invention relates to polynucleotides comprising a first nucleic acid sequence for a chromatin element, which is capable of enhancing expression, and at least one second nucleic acid sequence comprising a curved origin motif. Furthermore, the invention relates to a host cell, a non-human transgenic organism, a vector and a kit comprising the aforementioned polynucleotide. Moreover, the invention relates to methods for expressing a polynucleotide of interest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Hochschule Mannheim
    Inventors: Manfred Frey, Heiko Flammann, Mathias Hafner
  • Process and genes for expression and overexpression of active [FeFe] hydrogenases
    Patent number: 8835153
    Abstract: A process for expression of active [FeFe]-hydrogenase in a host organism that does not contain either the structural gene(s) for [FeFe]-hydrogenases and/or homologues for the maturation genes HydE, HydF and HyG, comprising: cloning the structural hydrogenase gene(s) and/or the maturation genes HydE, HydF and HydG from an organisms that contains these genes into expression plasmids; transferring the plasmids into an organism that lacks a native [FeFe]-hydrogenase or that has a disrupted [FeFe]-hydrogenase and culturing it aerobically; and inducing anaerobiosis to provide [FeFe] hydrogenase biosynthesis and H?2#191 production.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Alliance for Sustainable Energy, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Seibert, Paul W. King, Maria Lucia Ghirardi, Matthew C. Posewitz, Sharon L. Smolinski
  • Altering metabolism in biological processes
    Patent number: 8835152
    Abstract: Compositions of peptides and surface-active agents are described, as are methods of making and using such compositions. The compositions are capable of affecting metabolic rates in biological systems, and to accelerate nutrient uptake without a concomitant increase in biofilm production.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Advanced Biocatalytics Corporation
    Inventor: Carl W. Podella
  • ANF-RGC in-gene knock-out animal
    Patent number: 8835711
    Abstract: The present invention relates to transgenic animals comprising a mutation or deletion to the ANF-RGC protein, particularly to its ARM and/or its ATS-ST region. Such animals may be used to study the effects on pathways associated with ANF-RGC activation, including, but not limited to, hypertension. Such animals may also be used in drug screen assays, to establish toxicity profiles, or other similar methods discussed herein known in the art.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Salus University
    Inventors: Rameshwar K. Sharma, Teresa Duda
  • Method for producing protein
    Patent number: 8828719
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a recombinant host cell, wherein the cell is modified to increase the expression levels of Ero1 and XBP1 relative to the expression levels of Ero1 and XBP1 in an unmodified cell. The present invention also relates to a method of producing a recombinant protein of interest comprising expressing the recombinant protein of interest in the recombinant host cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: UCB Pharma, S.A.
    Inventors: Katharine Lacy Cain, Shirley Jane Peters, Paul Edward Stephens
  • Fermentation process using specific oxygen uptake rates as a process control
    Patent number: 8828707
    Abstract: Specific oxygen uptake (OUR) is used as a process control parameter in fermentation processes. OUR is determined during at least the production phase of a fermentation process, and process parameters are adjusted to maintain the OUR within desired ranges. The invention is particularly applicable when the fermentation is conducted using a microorganism having a natural PDC pathway that has been disrupted so that it no longer functions. Microorganisms of this sort often produce poorly under strictly anaerobic conditions. Microaeration controlled by monitoring OUR allows the performance of the microorganism to be optimized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Cargill, Incorporated
    Inventors: Pim Van Hoek, Aristos Aristidou, Brian Rush
  • Targeted integration into the PPP1R12C locus
    Patent number: 8822221
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and compositions for targeted integration of an exogenous sequence into the human PPP1R12C locus, for example, for expression of a polypeptide of interest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Sangamo BioSciences, Inc.
    Inventors: Russell DeKelver, Philip D. Gregory, David Paschon, Phillip Tam, Fyodor Urnov
  • Apparatus and methods for cell isolation
    Patent number: 8822202
    Abstract: A unitary apparatus for isolating cells from adipose tissue including a lipid separation processor with a dispersing head equipped with a plurality of ports and a digestion chamber for dissociation of the constituent cells disposed in adipose tissue. The lipid separating apparatus is useful for the separation of lipids and adipocytes from a mixed cell population. A cell seeding chamber may be attached to the cell isolation apparatus. The components of the apparatus may be packaged in modular kit form.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Ingeneron Incorporated
    Inventors: Ron Stubbers, Michael Coleman
  • Baglike container for centrifugation and method of gene transfer using the same
    Patent number: 8815597
    Abstract: The present invention provides a baglike container for centrifugation that is mounted in a centrifuge to thereby allow centrifugation of a dispersion liquid accommodated therein. The baglike container for centrifugation is less likely to tear or break as a result of centrifugation by disposing a container wall surface of the baglike container so as to apply centrifugal force perpendicular to the container wall surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Takara Bio Inc.
    Inventors: Hideto Chono, Junichi Mineno, Kazutoh Takesako, Takao Yoshida, Takashi Morimura, Kenji Sakai, Shin-ichi Yamada, Noritsugu Yabe, Yuko Taguchi
  • Methods of evaluating gene expression levels
    Patent number: 8809057
    Abstract: Described herein are methods of evaluating the expression levels of DNA parts encoding proteins in test circuits. In particular, the methods disclosed herein are useful to evaluate the expression of an output protein regulated by a regulatory protein-genetic element pair.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Raytheon BBN Technologies Corp.
    Inventors: Aaron Daniel Adler, Jacob Stuart Michael Beal, Fusun Yaman-Sirin, Ron Weiss, Noah Justin Davidsohn
  • Expression vectors based on modified ribosomal protein promoters and uses thereof in post-transcriptional assessment
    Patent number: 8795962
    Abstract: The present invention relates to expression vector comprising (a) a promoter region comprising a non-inducible constitutively active ribosomal protein gene promoter, (b) an operably linked reporter or gene sequence, and (c) a 3? untranslated region (3? UTR), which are suitable means for an selective assessment of post-transcriptional regulation, post-transcriptional control elements and factors as well as for identifying compounds that effect post-transcription. The present invention furthermore relates to arrays, expression vector libraries and cell lines containing the expression vector(s). The present invention furthermore relates to a method and kit for identifying compounds that affect post-transcriptional regulation of reporter(s) or gene(s), that utilize the expression vector(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center
    Inventor: Khalid S. Abu Khabar
  • Multimodular assembly useful for intracellular delivery
    Patent number: 8790664
    Abstract: A stabilized multimodular assembly for intracellular delivery comprising a complex of at least one cationic transfection agent and of at least one negatively charged macromolecule, wherein the complex has a theoretical charge ratio ranging from about 0 to about 4, and an efficient amount of at least one amphiphilic block co-polymer acting as a steric colloidal stabilizer with respect to the complex, the block co-polymer having hydrophilic and hydrophobic blocks wherein at least one hydrophilic block is conjugated with at least one targeting ligand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: Institut National de la Sante et de la Recherche Medicale (INSERM)
    Inventors: Bruno Pitard, Charles Tellier, Corinne Miral, Emilie Letrou-Bonneval
  • Compositions and methods related to mRNA translational enhancer elements
    Patent number: 8785611
    Abstract: Provided are mRNA translational enhancer elements (TEEs), e.g., SEQ ID NOs:1-35. Also provided are translational enhancer polynucleotides that comprise one or more of the specific TEEs exemplified herein or their variants, homologs or functional derivatives. Further provided are expression vectors comprising such TEEs or translational enhancer polynucleotides, as well as host cells and expression systems that harbor such vectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: The Scripps Research Institute
    Inventors: Vincent P. Mauro, Gerald M. Edelman, Wei Zhou
  • SCDs as modifiers of the p53 pathway and methods of use
    Patent number: 8771942
    Abstract: Human SCD genes are identified as modulators of the p53 pathway, and thus are therapeutic targets for disorders associated with defective p53 function. Methods for identifying modulators of p53, comprising screening for agents that modulate the activity of SCD are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Exelixis, Inc.
    Inventors: Marcia Belvin, Helen Francis-Lang, Lori Friedman, Gregory D. Plowman, Timothy S. Heuer
  • Biomarkers of cancer metastasis
    Patent number: 8735061
    Abstract: There is provided a method for determining tumour metastatic potential using biomarkers of tumour metastasis comprising any two of carbonic anhydrase-9 (CAIX), vascular endothelial growth factor C (VEGF-C), ephrin A5 (EFNA5), eph receptor B2 (EPHB2), transforming growth factor beta 3 (TGF-?3), pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase isoenzyme-3 (PDK3), carbonic anhydrase-12 (CAXII), keratin 14 (KRT14), hypoxia inducible factor 1 alpha subunit (HIF-1?), and tenascin C (TNC). CAIX, VEGF-C, EFNA5, EPHB2, TGF-?3 or PDK3 may be indicators of moderate metastatic potential, while CAXII, KRT14, HIF-1?, or TNC may be indicators of high metastatic potential. The biomarkers may be used to assess malignancies or cancers having hypoxic regions, such as breast cancer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: British Columbia Cancer Agency Branch
    Inventors: Yuanmei Lou, Paul Christopher McDonald, Arusha Oloumi, Shoukat Dedhar