Patents Examined by James C. Housel
  • Method for multiple analyte detection
    Patent number: 6124138
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a method and device for simultaneously testing a sample for the presence, absence, and/or amounts of one or more a plurality of selected analytes. The invention includes, in one aspect, a device for detecting or quantitating a plurality of different analytes in a liquid sample. The device includes a substrate which defines a sample-distribution network having (i) a sample inlet, (ii) one or more detection chambers, and (iii) channel means providing a dead-end fluid connection between each of the chambers and the inlet. Each chamber may include an analyte-specific reagent effective to react with a selected analyte that may be present in the sample, and detection means for detecting the signal. Also disclosed are methods utilizing the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2000
    Assignee: The Perkin-Elmer Corporation
    Inventors: Timothy W. Woudenberg, Michael Albin, Reid B. Kowallis, Yefim Raysberg, Robert P. Ragusa, Emily S. Winn-Deen
  • Method for detecting the presence of a mycobacterium species and a kit and antibodies for use therein
    Patent number: 6124105
    Abstract: The invention relates to a diagnostic test for the detection and identification of Mycobacterium species in biological specimens of human and animal origin. The test is based on the immunological detection of one or more antigens originating from Mycobacterium. To enable the detection of an antibody-antigen reaction, the antibodies specific for these antigens can be labelled with an enzyme or fluorescent dye or attached to latex particles or any other suitable label. The diagnostic test may be in a form of ELISA and may or may not require concentration of the Mycobacterium antigens prior to the actual test.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2000
    Assignee: Adock Ingram Limited
    Inventors: Jan Andrianus Verschoor, Sandra Noel Bye
  • Protein biomarker for mustard chemical injury
    Patent number: 6124108
    Abstract: This invention relates to the discovery that toxicity to mustard may be euated by diagnostic test means disclosed herein. Upon electrophoretic separation (sodium dodocyl sulfate polyacryl-amide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE)) of buffered extract of human skin cells (normal human epidermal keratinocytes (NHEK)) which had been exposed to mustard-type chemical compounds a band at approximately 50,000 to 80,000 daltons molecular weight was found. The protein band constitutes a biomarker. The marker protein can be used either to raise protective antibodies to protect against the protease or may be used in a kit for identifying presence or absence of the marker in study of tissues taken from individuals who may have been exposed to mustard poisoning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2000
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventor: Prabhati Ray
  • Detection of antigens via oligonucleotide antibody conjugates
    Patent number: 6117631
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method of detecting antigens, which comprises immobilizing an antigen to a solid support and contacting the solid support with a means for hybridizing a labeled dendrimer to the antibody, through an oligonucleotide complexed thereto. A directly oligonucleotide labeled primary antibody or an oligonucleotide labeled secondary antibody may be employed, and a conventionally labeled dendrimer can subsequently be hybridized to the oligonucleotide through one or more of the outer arms of the dendrimer. The present invention offers the advantage over conventional methods of antigen detection by providing multiple label molecules per antigen, thereby enhancing the observed signal associated with the label.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2000
    Assignee: Polyprobe, Inc.
    Inventor: Thor W. Nilsen
  • Assays and reagents for identifying anti-fungal agents and uses related thereto
    Patent number: 6117641
    Abstract: The present invention relates to rapid, reliable and effective assays for screening and identifying pharmaceutically effective compounds that specifically inhibit the biological activity of fungal GTPase proteins, particularly GTPases involved in cell wall integrity, hyphael formation, and/or other cellular functions critical to pathogenesis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2000
    Assignees: Mitotix, Inc., The John Hopkins University
    Inventors: Vivian Berlin, David E. Levin, Yoshikazu Ohya
  • Process for quantifying glycosaminoglycans in antithrombin III-containing solutions
    Patent number: 6117647
    Abstract: A process for determining glycosaminoglycans in antithrombin III (ATIII)-containing solutions by increasing the ionic strength of the AT III-containing solution until the interaction between AT III and glycosaminoglycans is prevented, removing the AT III which has been released from the glycosaminoglycans from the solution, and desalting and determining the glycosaminoglycan which has remained in the solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2000
    Assignee: Aventis Behring GmbH
    Inventors: Jurgen Romisch, Harald Stauss
  • Method for promoting cell growth and immunosuppression using chaperonin
    Patent number: 6117421
    Abstract: A process for the detection of cpn10 in serum or other biological fluids including the steps of (i) raising antibody to cpn10; (ii) reacting said antibody with a sample of biological fluid suspected of containing cpn10; and (iii) detecting the presence of cpn10 in said sample by a signal amplification resulting from production of a cpn10-antibody complex. There is also provided a process for promotion of cell growth or immunosuppression including the step of administration of cpn10 to a mammalian subject. There is also provided recombinant cpn10.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2000
    Assignee: The University of Queensland
    Inventors: Halle Morton, Alice Christina Cavanagh
  • Manufacture and use of polypeptides tagged using binding molecules
    Patent number: 6117976
    Abstract: Molecules comprise (i) a polypeptide (such as calmodulin) which has calcium-dependent binding affinity for ligand and (ii) another polypeptide, the polypeptides preferably being joined by a peptide bond and produced by recombinant expression from a gene fusion. The molecules are useful in detection, immobilization, targeting and purification, cell-labelling, and band-shift assays for determining binding of a member of a specific binding pair (sbp) for complementary sbp member. For purposes of band-shift assays, polypeptide (i) need not have calcium-dependent binding affinity for a ligand, but should have a dissociation constant for a ligand of 10 nM or less, measured at a pH of between 6 and 9 at 20.degree. C. In an alternative embodiment, a calmodulin-binding polypeptide which is, or is derived from, mastoparan is joined, as polypeptide (i) instead of a binding polypeptide, to the other polypeptide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2000
    Assignee: Medical Research Council
    Inventors: Dario Neri, Gregory Paul Winter, Claudia De Lalla
  • Osp A proteins of Borrelia burgdorferi subgroups, encoding genes and vaccines
    Patent number: 6113914
    Abstract: The invention relates to novel Borrelia, and OspA antigens derived therefrom. These antigens show little homology with known OspA's and are therefore useful as vaccine and diagnostic reagents. Multicomponent vaccines based on OspA's from different Borrelia groups are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Assignee: Smithkline Beecham Biologicals (S.A.)
    Inventors: Yves Lobet, Markus Simon, Ulrich Schaible, Reinhard Wallich, Michael Kramer
  • Modified polypeptides for enhanced immunogenicity
    Patent number: 6113917
    Abstract: A recombinant polypeptide comprising a polypeptide which has added thereto a glycoxyl-phosphatidylinositol anchor structure, said polypeptide demonstrating a greater immune response than the corresponding polypeptide without the anchor. The polypeptide may be a parasite antigen such as a Plasmodium falciparum polypeptide. Recombinant vectors comprising the DNA sequence encoding the polypeptide with a glycolipid anchor addition sequence and host cells based thereon are also disclosed as well as vaccines and methods of inducing an immune response based on the polypeptides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Assignee: RMF Dictagene S.A.
    Inventors: Nicolas Joseph Fasel, Christophe Dominique Reymond
  • Synthetic calibrators for use in immunoassays, comprising the analytes or partial sequences thereof which are conjugated to inert carrier molecules
    Patent number: 6114180
    Abstract: The invention relates to synthetic calibrators for immunological tests, analyte-specific epitopes being coupled to other proteins or to synthetic carriers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Assignee: Bayer Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Margit Doth, Christoph Petry
  • Monoclonal antibodies
    Patent number: 6111080
    Abstract: A monoclonal antibody which specifically reconizes a receptor that binds to proteins that contain the amino acid sequence Arg-Gly-Asp which on binding said proteins causes the cells to become substantially more phagocytic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2000
    Assignee: Washington University
    Inventor: Eric J. Brown
  • Apparatus and method for nucleic acid isolation using supercritical fluids
    Patent number: 6110674
    Abstract: A method for detecting the presence of a microorganism in an environmental sample involves contacting the sample with a supercritical fluid to isolate nucleic acid from the microorganism, then detecting the presence of a particular sequence within the isolated nucleic acid. The nucleic acid may optionally be subjected to further purification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2000
    Assignees: National Water Research Institute, Critical Point Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: David E. Nivens, Bruce M. Applegate
  • Recombinant Chlamydia trachomatis pgp3 fusion protein
    Patent number: 6110705
    Abstract: A plasmid isolated from Chlamydia trachomatis is described, which comprises 8 genes encoding proteins useful in the formation of vaccines or diagnostic test for determining the bacterium or specific antibodies generated during C. trachomatis infections. In particular, the recombinant fusion protein MS2-pgp3D is described, which comprises polypeptide sequences encoded by pCT and is immunogenic in the course of infections in man. A method for preparing the recombinant fusion protein MS2-pgp3D in E. coli is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2000
    Assignee: Chiron S.p.A.
    Inventors: Givlio Ratti, Maurizio Comanducci, Mario F. Tecce, Marzia M. Giuliani
  • Pasteurella multocida toxin derivatives
    Patent number: 6110470
    Abstract: A vaccine for immunizing animals against diseases caused by microorganisms producing an osteolytic toxin comprising an immunologically effective amount of a recombinant, immunogenic, detoxified Pasteurella multocida toxin or toxin analog, the vaccine being encoded by a nucleotide sequence coding for a Pasteurella multocida toxin or toxin analog which is inserted in an expression vector capable of replicating in a suitable host microorganism in which the said sequence may be expressed. Optionally, the produced toxin or toxin analog is subjected to posttranscriptional modifications to provide the detoxified toxin or toxin analog. Alternatively, the nucleotide sequence may be modified prior to insertion into the expression vector so as to provide the toxin or toxin analog in a detoxified form.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2000
    Assignee: Akzo Nobel N.V.
    Inventors: Niels Taekker Foged, Svend Petersen
  • iceA gene and related methods
    Patent number: 6107464
    Abstract: A purified IceA protein of Helicobacter pylori is provided. The protein is expressed as either an IceA 1 or an IceA 2 variant. A purified polypeptide fragment of the IceA protein is also provided. An antigenic fragment of IceA is provided. An isolated nucleic acid that encodes an IceA protein of H. pylori is provided. A nucleic acid that encodes an IceA 1 variant and a nucleic acid that encodes an IceA 2 variant is also provided. Fragments of the iceA gene are provided. A method of detecting the presence of an antibody against H. pylori in a sample is provided. The method comprises the following steps: a) contacting the sample with a purified IceA protein of H. pylori or a H. pylori-specific fragment thereof; and b) detecting the binding of the antibody in the sample to the protein or fragment, the detection of binding indicating the presence in the sample of antibodies against H. pylori.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2000
    Assignee: Vanderbilt University
    Inventors: Geraldine G. Miller, Richard M. Peek, Jr., Stuart A. Thompson, Martin J. Blaser
  • Extraction of cell-bound protein from bordetella
    Patent number: 6106842
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a process for extracting a cell-bound protein of bacterial origin, useful in acellular vaccines, comprising contacting a suspension of the cell-bound protein with a flocculating agent prior to heat treatment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2000
    Assignee: SmithKline Beecham Biologicals
    Inventors: Carine Capiau, Martin Comberbach, Piet Roelants, Jean Petre
  • Therapeutic microdevices and methods of making and using same
    Patent number: 6107102
    Abstract: A suspension of microfabricated microdevices for use in therapeutic applications is disclosed. The microdevices have a selected shape, and uniform dimensions preferably in the 100 nm to 10 Am range. Also disclosed are microfabrication methods for making such microdevices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2000
    Assignee: Regents of the University of California
    Inventor: Mauro Ferrari
  • Modulators of anchoring protein function
    Patent number: 6107104
    Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods useful for isolating calcineurin as well as inhibiting calcineurin activity. The compositions are peptides that contain regions that are homologous to calcineurin-binding regions of AKAP 79. Also provided are methods for determining if a cell contains a calcineurin-binding and PKA-binding anchoring protein that are useful for identifying additional proteins that bind both calcineurin and PKA. Another aspect of the present invention is methods for enhancing expression of interleukin 2 by T cells. Further provided are methods to identify proteins which interact with AKAP 79, and methods to identify inhibitors of AKAP 79 interaction with other proteins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2000
    Assignee: ICOS Corporation
    Inventors: Robert Owen Lockerbie, Monique L. Howard, W. Michael Gallatin, Yvonne Lai
  • Miniaturized cell array methods and apparatus for cell-based screening
    Patent number: 6103479
    Abstract: The present invention discloses devices and methods of performing high throughput screening of the physiological response of cells to biologically active compounds and methods of combining high-throughput with high-content spatial information at the cellular and subcellular level as well as temporal information about changes in physiological, biochemical and molecular activities. The present invention allows multiple types of cell interactions to be studied simultaneously by combining multicolor luminescence reading, microfluidic delivery, and environmental control of living cells in non-uniform micro-patterned arrays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2000
    Assignee: Cellomics, Inc.
    Inventor: D. Lansing Taylor