Patents Examined by James S. Ketter
  • Patent number: 10016514
    Abstract: Embodiments herein include polynucleotides, vectors and methods for the insertion and expression of transgenes. In an embodiment, a polynucleotide is included. The polynucleotide can include a JeT promoter or variant thereof, an intron sequence less than 400 bases in length, and a polynucleotide sequence encoding a polypeptide or protein operatively linked to the promoter. In an embodiment, a recombinant vector is included. The recombinant vector can include a JeT promoter or variant thereof, an intron sequence less than 400 bases in length, and a polynucleotide sequence encoding a polypeptide or protein operatively linked to the promoter. Other embodiments are also included herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: New Hope Research Foundation
    Inventors: John G. Keimel, Michael David Kaytor
  • Patent number: 10006051
    Abstract: Provided are compositions and methods for use in assembling and expressing a plurality of transcription units using, in one aspect, homologous recombination in yeast. Yeast containing the plurality of transcription units, and isolated transcription units, are also provided. Kits for use in making the yeast and the transcript units are further included.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignees: New York University, Johns Hopkins University
    Inventors: Jef Boeke, Leslie Mitchell, Yizhi Cai, Neta Agmon
  • Patent number: 10005005
    Abstract: A condenser bag includes a body bounding a channel that extends between an inlet opening at a first end and an outlet opening and an opposing second end, the body being comprised of a polymeric film. An intake port is secured to the body at the inlet opening and bounds an port opening that extends therethrough and communicates with the channel. A tubular transfer line has a first end coupled with the body so as to communicate with the channel at a first location located between the inlet opening and the outlet opening and an opposing second end coupled with either the intake port so as to communicate with the port opening therein or with the body so as to communicate with the channel at a second location located between the intake port and the first location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: Life Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Jason D. Brown, Clinton C. Staheli, Anthony D. Meeks
  • Patent number: 10006077
    Abstract: The invention is directed to compositions, e.g., cell-based and multiplexed platforms, to screen for small molecule drugs that inhibit enzymes such as proteases, e.g., viral proteases, e.g., HIV proteases; and methods for making and using these compositions. The invention provides compositions and methods for identifying compositions, e.g., drug molecules, that can inhibit proteases, e.g., viral proteases such as HIV proteases. In alternative embodiments, the invention provides cell-based platforms or assays to screen for compositions, e.g., small molecules or drugs, that inhibit or modify the activity of enzymes such as calcium-dependent protein convertases involved in HIV envelope protein processing, including cleavage of the HIV gp160 envelope precursor, resulting in gp120 and gp41 envelope products. In one embodiment, the invention provides a cell-based or multiplexed platform for monitoring the activity of enzymes, e.g., proteases such as viral proteases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: San Diego State University (SDSU) Foundation
    Inventor: Roland Wolkowicz
  • Patent number: 10000810
    Abstract: The present invention provides novel methods for diagnosing diseases based on the determination of specific miRNAs that have altered expression levels in disease states compared to healthy controls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Assignee: Hummingbird Diagnostics GmbH
    Inventors: Andreas Keller, Eckart Meese, Anne Borries, Peer Friedrich Staehler, Markus Beier
  • Patent number: 10000551
    Abstract: A plant produced chimeric polypeptide is provided. The plant produced chimeric polypeptide comprising: (i) a first domain which comprises a TNF Alpha binding domain of a TNF receptor, and (ii) a second domain which comprises an Fc domain of an immunoglobulin, wherein the first domain and the second domain are N-terminally to C-terminally respectively sequentially translationally fused and wherein the chimeric polypeptide specifically binds TNF Alpha.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Assignee: Protalix Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoseph Shaaltiel, Uri Hanania, Tali Kizhner, Tami Ariel, Svetlana Gingis-Velitski, Myriam Golembo
  • Patent number: 9999684
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to adeno-associated viral vector monoclonal antibody constructs and compositions thereof, methods of improving locomotor function after spinal cord injury, methods of treating neurodegenerative diseases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Assignee: The Research Foundation for The State University of New York
    Inventors: Victor L. Arvanian, Joel M. Levine
  • Patent number: 10000803
    Abstract: The present invention provides methods of obtaining structural information about a biopolymer sample. The methods include labeling portions of a biopolymer, such as DNA or RNA, linearizing the biopolymer in some cases, and determining the distance between the labels. The user can then compare different samples' between-label distances to qualitatively compare different samples and to assay a given sample for additions or deletions of nucleotides in the regions flanked by the labels. The methods also permit sequencing of biopolymers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Assignee: BioNano Genomics, Inc.
    Inventors: Ming Xiao, Han Cao, Parikshit A. Deshpande, Michael Boyce-Jacino
  • Patent number: 9988624
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a HTP microbial genomic engineering platform that is computationally driven and integrates molecular biology, automation, and advanced machine learning protocols. This integrative platform utilizes a suite of HTP molecular tool sets to create HTP genetic design libraries, which are derived from, inter alia, scientific insight and iterative pattern recognition. The HTP genomic engineering platform described herein is microbial strain host agnostic and therefore can be implemented across taxa. Furthermore, the disclosed platform can be implemented to modulate or improve any microbial host parameter of interest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: Zymergen Inc.
    Inventors: Zach Serber, Erik Jedediah Dean, Shawn Manchester, Katherine Gora, Michael Flashman, Erin Shellman, Aaron Kimball, Shawn Szyjka, Barbara Frewen, Thomas Treynor, Kenneth S. Bruno
  • Patent number: 9989528
    Abstract: Synthetic oligonucleotides that comprise a nucleic acid binding protein binding site, PCR primer sequences, and tag sequences that do not bind to nucleic acid binding proteins, with a total length of 85-130 nucleotides are disclosed herein. Also disclosed are libraries and kits comprising the synthetic oligonucleotides as well as methods of detecting nucleic acid binding proteins in a sample using the synthetic oligonucleotides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: Oregon Health & Science University
    Inventors: William Mathers, Zheng Ye
  • Patent number: 9976150
    Abstract: Provided are a vector replicable in E. coli and a cell of the genus Komagataeibacter, a cell including the same, a method of producing a target protein using the cell, or a method of evaluating a candidate promoter using the cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jieun Kim, Jiae Yun, Hongsoon Rhee, Soonchun Chung
  • Patent number: 9970056
    Abstract: Network-based meta-analysis of four independent microarray studies identified the hepatocyte nuclear factor (HNF4A), a transcription factor associated with gluconeogenesis and diabetes, as a central regulatory hub gene upregulated in blood of PD patients. In parallel, the polypyrimidine tract binding protein 1 (PTBP1), involved in the stabilization and mRNA translation of insulin, was identified as the most downregulated gene. Using both markers, PD patients were classified with 90% sensitivity and 80% specificity. Longitudinal performance analysis demonstrated that relative abundance of HNF4A and PTBP1 mRNAs significantly decreased and increased, respectively, in PD patients during 3 years follow up period. The inverse regulation of HNF4A and PTBP1 provides a molecular rationale for the altered insulin signaling observed in PD patients. The longitudinally dynamic biomarkers identified in this study may be useful for monitoring disease-modifying therapies for PD.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science
    Inventors: Judith Ann Potashkin, Jose Alfredo Santiago
  • Patent number: 9970029
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides engineered polynucleotide sequences that form scaffolds and nucleoprotein complexes comprising such engineered polynucleotide sequences that form scaffolds and nucleic acid binding proteins. Nucleic acid sequences encoding the engineered polynucleotide sequences that form scaffolds, as well as expression cassettes, vectors and cells comprising such polynucleotide sequences, are described. A variety of methods for making and using the engineered polynucleotide sequences that form scaffolds are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: Caribou Biosciences, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Daniel Donohoue, Andrew Paul May
  • Patent number: 9969995
    Abstract: Provided is a method for recombinant expression of ?-glucosidase gene. Also provided is a recombinant expression vector comprising: (a) a coding sequence of an aspartic protease or active fragment thereof, (b) a coding sequence of ?-glucosidase or active fragment thereof, and optionally (c) a linker sequence between (a) and (b). Further provided are the recombinant host cell and the recombinant cellulose-degrading microorganism comprising the recombinant expression vector, the preparation method and uses thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: Wilmar (Shanghai) Biotechnology Research & Development Center Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ana Zeng, Gang Wang, Qi Feng, Jun Xu
  • Patent number: 9963672
    Abstract: Compositions and methods are provided for storing prokaryotic cells including competent prokaryotic cells at ?20° C. in a buffer so that the cells are suitable for transformation at 0° C. with a foreign molecule.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: New England Biolabs, Inc.
    Inventor: Lixin An
  • Patent number: 9957496
    Abstract: Provided are a method for regulating acid resistance of a microorganism by suppressing the expression of the fadD gene therein and a screening method for a microorganism having acid resistance by using the expression level of the fadD gene as an index. A method for regulating acid resistance of a microorganism, including suppressing the expression of fadD gene present in the microorganism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA YAKULT HONSHA
    Inventors: Hoshitaka Matsumoto, Mika Miura, Mayumi Kiwaki, Tohru Iino
  • Patent number: 9951343
    Abstract: A process for efficient expression of a foreign gene in a Bacillus host was developed by varying the length and nucleotide sequence in the spacer region between ribosomal binding sequence (RBS) and initiation codon (ATG) of the gene. Bacillus thuringiensis cry2Ac gene was selected as a model gene because it requires an upstream open reading frame designated as orf2 for its efficient expression and crystallization in a Bacillus host.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Inventors: Faiza Saleem, Hyun-Woo Park, Shagufta Naz, Abdul Rauf Shakoori
  • Patent number: 9951326
    Abstract: Provided herein are recombinant microorganisms having two or more copies of a nucleic acid sequence encoding xylose isomerase, wherein the nucleic acid encoding the xylose isomerase is an exogenous nucleic acid. Optionally, the recombinant microorganisms include at least one nucleic acid sequence encoding a xylulose kinase and/or at least one nucleic acid sequence encoding a xylose transporter. The provided recombinant microorganisms are capable of growing on xylose as a carbon source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Inventors: Alexandra Merkx-Jacques, David Woodhall, Mark Scaife, Roberto E. Armenta, Denise Muise, Holly Rasmussen, Jeremy Benjamin
  • Patent number: 9951344
    Abstract: Provided herein are exogenous terminator sequences for use in fungi cell transcriptional termination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: Board of Regents, The University of Texas System
    Inventors: Hal Alper, Kathleen Curran
  • Patent number: 9944994
    Abstract: Described herein are DNA primer sequences designed for the determination of gene or transcript information from Anuran species, and which may be used in studies for developmental and/or toxicity testing and for environmental toxicology or ecological assessment. Also described herein is a rapid, sensitive, high-throughput assay useful for supporting potential risk assessment across vertebrate clades, and that is also useful for evaluation of complex contaminant mixtures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: Arizona Board of Regents on Behalf of Northern Arizona University
    Inventors: Catherine R. Propper, Stephen M. Beckstrom-Sternberg, Caren C. Helbing, Nicholas J. Veldhoen