Patents Examined by Channing S. Mahatan
  • Methods for diagnosing autism spectrum disorders
    Patent number: 10655178
    Abstract: The invention generally relates to methods for diagnosing autism spectrum disorders. In certain embodiments, the invention provides a method for diagnosing presence or increased risk of developing an autism spectrum disorder in a subject.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings
    Inventors: David Michael Margulies, Mark Firman Bear
  • Method, lysis solution and kit for selectively depleting animal nucleic acids in a sample
    Patent number: 10655122
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for selectively depleting animal nucleic acids from non-animal nucleic acids in a sample, which comprises animal cells and at least one further type of cells, selected from microbial cells and plant cells or a combination thereof, to a lysis solution A to be used in and to a kit to carry out said method as well as to the use of a particular silica membrane as both, a filtration matrix for separating essentially intact microbial and/or plant cells from lysed animal cells and an adsorption matrix for nucleic acids, in particular in a method according to the present invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: QIAGEN GMBH
    Inventors: Johann Kubicek, Thorsten Singer, Antje-Katrin Sander, Eva Hänssler, Dominic O'Neil
  • Endophyte compositions and the methods for improvement of plant traits
    Patent number: 10645938
    Abstract: This invention relates to methods and materials for modulating the characteristics of a plant, said plant having been heterologously disposed to an endophyte or a plurality of endophytes, or derived from a plant reproductive element heterologously disposed to an endophyte or a plurality of endophytes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: Indigo Ag, Inc.
    Inventor: Raymond Riley
  • Modified binding proteins inhibiting the VEGF-A receptor interaction
    Patent number: 10646542
    Abstract: The present invention relates to binding proteins specific for VEGF-A, in particular to recombinant binding proteins comprising a polyethylene glycol moiety and a binding domain, which inhibits VEGF-Axxx binding to VEGFR-2. Examples of such recombinant binding proteins are proteins which comprise an ankyrin repeat domain with the desired binding specificity, and a polyethylene glycol moiety. The binding proteins are useful in the treatment of cancer and other pathological conditions, e.g. eye diseases such as age-related macular degeneration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: Molecular Partners AG
    Inventors: Hans Kaspar Binz, Patrik Forrer, Michael Tobias Stumpp
  • Base sequence for protein expression and method for producing protein using same
    Patent number: 10626405
    Abstract: To provide a base sequence for protein expression that can increase the yield of protein such as diastatic enzyme by further activating a promoter of a particular gene. A base sequence 1 for protein expression includes: a gene 3 encoding protein 2; a promoter 4 of the gene 3, the promoter being linked upstream of the gene 3; and a cis element 5 whose activity is improved by an artificial transcription factor 6, the cis element being linked further upstream of the promoter 4. The cis element 5 is represented by SEQ ID NO: 1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Satoru Shinkawa, Shigenobu Mitsuzawa, Maiko Tanaka, Masayuki Machida, Hiroko Hagiwara, Hideaki Koike, Mahoko Kuninaga
  • Method for reconstructing aspergillus niger to increase citrate production
    Patent number: 10618940
    Abstract: The invention discloses a method for increasing citrate production from genome reconstructed Aspergillus niger. The method is to insert a gene of low affinity glucose transporter, LGT1, to genome of A. niger. The expression level of LGT1 is under control of promoter Pgas. The genome reconstructed A. niger is tolerant to higher fermentation temperature and lower pH than that of the parental strain. Moreover, the production, yield and purity of product from reconstructed A. niger are higher than that of parental strain, and the fermentation time is shorter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: Jiangnan University
    Inventors: Long Liu, Jian Chen, Guocheng Du, Jianghua Li, Xian Yin, Zhijie Hu, Jianwei Jiang, Fuxin Sun, Sai Jin, Cheng Zhang, Xiaodong Jiang
  • Digital counting of individual molecules by stochastic attachment of diverse labels
    Patent number: 10619203
    Abstract: Compositions, methods and kits are disclosed for high-sensitivity single molecule digital counting by the stochastic labeling of a collection of identical molecules by attachment of a diverse set of labels. Each copy of a molecule randomly chooses from a non-depleting reservoir of diverse labels. Detection may be by a variety of methods including hybridization based or sequencing. Molecules that would otherwise be identical in information content can be labeled to create a separately detectable product that is unique or approximately unique in a collection. This stochastic transformation relaxes the problem of counting molecules from one of locating and identifying identical molecules to a series of binary digital questions detecting whether preprogrammed labels are present. The methods may be used, for example, to estimate the number of separate molecules of a given type or types within a sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: BECTON, DICKINSON AND COMPANY
    Inventors: Stephen P. A. Fodor, Glenn K. Fu
  • Method for increasing citric acid production by fermentation
    Patent number: 10612007
    Abstract: The invention discloses a method for improving citric acid production by Aspergillus niger fermentation, which integrates Aspergillus niger GABA pathway succinate semialdehyde dehydrogenase SSD gene into Aspergillus niger genome to obtain recombinant Aspergillus niger strain, and uses recombinant black The Aspergillus strain ferments to produce citric acid; the expression of the succinate semialdehyde dehydrogenase SSD gene is regulated by the Pgas promoter. The method of the invention realizes the expression of succinate semialdehyde dehydrogenase SSD in Aspergillus niger to enhance the GABA pathway so as to strengthen the TCA cycle and promote the synthesis of citric acid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: JIANGNAN UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Long Liu, Jian Chen, Guocheng Du, Jianghua Li, Xian Yin, Zhijie Hu, Jianwei Jiang, Fuxin Sun, Sai Jin, Cheng Zhang, Xiaodong Jiang
  • Methods for determining fraction of fetal nucleic acids in maternal samples
    Patent number: 10612096
    Abstract: The invention provides compositions and methods for determining the fraction of fetal nucleic acids in a maternal sample comprising a mixture of fetal and maternal nucleic acids. The fraction of fetal nucleic acids can be used in determining the presence or absence of fetal aneuploidy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: VERINATA HEALTH, INC.
    Inventors: Richard P. Rava, Yue-Jen Chuu, Manjula Chinnappa, David A. Comstock, Gabrielle Heilek, Michael Hunkapiller
  • Promoters suitable for heterologous gene expression in yeast
    Patent number: 10611807
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of novel promoters for heterologous gene expression, preferably for expression of genes in organisms of the genus Yarrowia, to the genetically modified organisms of the genus Yarrowia, and to a process for producing biosynthetic products by cultivating the genetically modified organisms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: DSM IP ASSETS B.V.
    Inventors: Jessica Leigh McGrath, Bastien Chevreux, Peter Scott Yorgey
  • Method for fragmenting genomic DNA using CAS9
    Patent number: 10577644
    Abstract: A method for fragmenting a genome is provided. In certain embodiments, the method comprises: (a) combining a genomic sample containing genomic DNA with a plurality of Cas9-gRNA complexes, wherein the Cas9-gRNA complexes comprise a Cas9 protein and a set of at least 10 Cas9-associated guide RNAs that are complementary to different, pre-defined, sites in a genome, to produce a reaction mixture; and (b) incubating the reaction mixture to produce at least 5 fragments of the genomic DNA. Also provided is a composition comprising at least 100 Cas9-associated guide RNAs that are each complementary to a different, pre-defined, site in a genome. Kits for performing the method are also provided. In addition, other methods, compositions and kits for manipulating nucleic acids are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: AGILENT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Brian Jon Peter, Robert A. Ach, Michael Walter, Bram Herman
  • Compositions and methods relating to genomic modifications in avian primordial germ cells
    Patent number: 10577612
    Abstract: Methods of producing an exogenous protein in a bird egg are provided according to aspects of the present invention which include: providing transfected avian primordial germ cells by forming a complex of Cas protein and a guide nucleotide sequence in the avian primordial germ cells, whereby a donor DNA sequence is inserted into genomic DNA of the avian primordial germ cells under transcriptional control of a regulatory element that directs tissue-specific expression of the exogenous protein; introducing the transfected avian primordial germ cells into a population of recipient bird embryos and incubating the recipient bird embryos, generating germline chimera birds; obtaining a heterozygote and/or homozygote transgenic bird by breeding the germline chimera bird; and isolating the exogenous protein from an egg laid by a female transgenic bird.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
    Inventors: Hao-Ming Chang, Markley C. Leavitt
  • Synthetic translation-sensing riboswitches and uses thereof
    Patent number: 10550440
    Abstract: Provided herein is a RNA-based riboregulator that detects protein translation and uses this stimulus to regulate expression of an unrelated protein. In one embodiment, provided herein is a synthetic nucleic acid molecule configured as a translation-sensing riboregulator, where the synthetic nucleic acid molecule comprises a first nucleotide sequence encoding a polypeptide, a translation-sensing riboswitch (TSR), and a second nucleotide sequence encoding a polypeptide, wherein the translation-sensing riboswitch comprises a stop codon of the first nucleotide sequence, a fully or partially double-stranded stem-forming domain, and translation initiation elements of the second nucleotide sequence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: ARIZONA BOARD OF REGENTS ON BEHALF OF ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Alexander A. Green, Anli Tang
  • Two-cassette reporter system for assessing target gene translation and target gene product inclusion body formation
    Patent number: 10544414
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a dual cassette reporter system capable of assessing target gene translation and target gene product folding. The present invention further relates to vectors and host cells comprising the dual cassette reporter system. In addition the invention relates to the use of the dual cassette reporter system for assessing target gene translation and target gene product folding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2020
    Assignee: Danmarks Tekniske Universitet
    Inventors: Alex Toftgaard Nielsen, Ariane Zutz, Rebecca Lennen
  • DNA vaccine containing VEGF-specific epitope and/or angiopoietin-2-specific epitope
    Patent number: 10543261
    Abstract: The present invention provides a therapeutic or prophylactic agent for cancer, containing an expression vector encoding a chimeric Hepatitis B virus core antigen polypeptide inserted with an amino acid sequence containing a specific epitope of VEGF and/or a specific epitope of angiopoietin-2, wherein the amino acid sequence containing the specific epitope is inserted between the amino acid residues 80 and 81 of the hepatitis B virus core antigen polypeptide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2020
    Assignees: Osaka University, AnGes, Inc.
    Inventors: Hironori Nakagami, Mariko Kyutoku, Ryuichi Morishita, Hideki Tomioka
  • Methods and compositions for blocking off-target nucleic acids from cleavage by CRISPR proteins
    Patent number: 10538750
    Abstract: This invention relates to reagents and methods for increasing specificity and efficiency of genome editing by CRISPR associated (Cas) protein systems, more particularly by Cas:guide RNA complexes, by blocking off-target nucleic acids from cleavage by Cas:guide RNA complexes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Assignee: AGILENT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Chong Wing Yung, Andrew Kennedy
  • Compounds and methods for CRISPR/Cas-based genome editing by homologous recombination
    Patent number: 10526590
    Abstract: The present invention relates to guide RNAs comprising adaptor segments having one or more modifications, and their use in homologous recombination by CRISPR:Cas systems. The modified adaptor segments are resistant to degradation by RNaseH. The present invention also relates to a dual guide RNA strategy in which a first guide RNA directs a Cas enzyme to make a double-strand break at a first target sequence, and a second guide RNA comprises an adaptor segment attached to a donor polynucleotide, and binds a second target sequence that is offset from the first target sequence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: AGILENT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Andrew Kennedy, Gusti Zeiner, Subhadeep Roy, Chong Wing Yung
  • Disruption and field enabled delivery of compounds and compositions into cells
    Patent number: 10526573
    Abstract: A microfluidic system for causing perturbations in a cell membrane includes (a) a microfluidic channel defining a lumen and configured such that a cell suspended in a buffer can pass there through, and (b) source or emitter of an energy field. The microfluidic channel may include a cell-deforming constriction. A diameter of the constriction may be a function of the diameter of the cell. Related apparatus, systems, techniques, and articles are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Xiaoyun Ding, Armon R. Sharei, Robert S. Langer, Klavs F. Jensen
  • Multiplex guide RNAs
    Patent number: 10526589
    Abstract: Methods and constructs for the multiplex expression of highly active CRISPR guide RNAs (gRNAs) from RNA Polymerase II and III promoters, optionally in mammalian cells. The present invention is based, at least in part, on the discovery that Csy4, an endoribonuclease that recognizes a short RNA hairpin sequence, can be used to cleave out multiple functional gRNAs encoded on a single longer RNA transcript (produced from an RNA pol II or III promoter) in which the individual gRNAs are separated by Csy4 cleavage sites.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: The General Hospital Corporation
    Inventors: Shengdar Tsai, J. Keith Joung
  • Protein expression enhancer sequences and use thereof
    Patent number: 10526609
    Abstract: The present invention provides nucleic acid and protein sequences that enhance the expression of fusion proteins by host cells, and in particular bacterial species, together with methods use thereof. While described hereinafter in terms of expression of fusion proteins by Listeria monocytogenes, the present invention is applicable to expression of fusion proteins generally.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: ADURO BIOTECH, INC.
    Inventors: Peter M. Lauer, William G. Hanson