Patents Examined by Jasemine C. Chambers
  • Patent number: 5866553
    Abstract: DNA constructs encoding papilloma virus gene products, capable of being expressed upon direct introduction into animal tissues, are novel prophylactic pharmaceuticals which can provide immune protection against infection by papilloma virus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1999
    Assignee: Merck & Co., Inc.
    Inventors: John J. Donnelly, Margaret A. Liu, Douglas Martinez, Donna L. Montgomery
  • Patent number: 5866756
    Abstract: A recombinant rodent comprises cells containing a pair of genomic dopamine transporter protein alleles, wherein at least one of said alleles is incapable of expressing endogenous dopamine transporter protein. The rodent may be a homozygote, where both of said alleles are incapable of expressing endogenous dopamine transporter protein, or the rodent may be a heterozygote, and one of said alleles expresses endogenous dopamine transporter protein. The rodent is preferably a mouse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1999
    Assignee: Duke University
    Inventors: Bruno Giros, Mohamed Jaber, Marc G. Caron
  • Patent number: 5866382
    Abstract: This invention relates to recombinant-DNA-technology. Specifically, this invention relates to new recombinant yeast strains transformed with xylose reductase and/or xylitol dehydrogenase enzyme genes. A yeast strain transformed with the xylose reductase gene is capable of reducing xylose to xylitol and consequently of producing xylitol in vivo. If both of these genes are transformed into a yeast strain, the resultant strain is capable of producing ethanol on xylose containing medium during fermentation. Further, the said new yeast strains are capable of expressing the said two enzymes. Xylose reductase produced by these strains can be used in an enzymatic process for the production of xylitol in vitro.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1999
    Assignee: Xyrofin Oy
    Inventors: Johan Hallborn, Merja Penttila, Heikki Ojamo, Mats Walfridsson, Ulla Airaksinen, Sirkka Keranen, Barbel Hahn-Hagerdal
  • Patent number: 5863904
    Abstract: The p21 gene encodes a cyclin dependent kinase inhibitor which affects cell cycle progression, but the role of this gene product in altering tumor growth has not been established. The present inventors have now discovered that the growth of malignant cells in vivo is inhibited by expression of p21. Expression of p21 resulted in an accumulation of cells in G.sub.0 /G.sub.1, alteration in morphology, and cell differentiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 26, 1999
    Assignee: The University of Michigan
    Inventors: Gary J. Nabel, Zhi-yong Yang, Elizabeth G. Nabel
  • Patent number: 5864029
    Abstract: Disclosed are anti-sickling human hemoglobins for use as sickle cell anemia therapeutics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 26, 1999
    Assignee: The UAB Research Foundation
    Inventors: Tim M. Townes, Steven L. McCune
  • Patent number: 5863722
    Abstract: The invention provides a method and materials for sorting polynucleotides with oligonucleotide tags. Oligonucleotide tags of the invention are capable of hybridizing to complementary oligomeric compounds consisting of subunits having enhanced binding strength and specificity as compared to natural oligonucleotides. Such complementary oligomeric compounds are referred to herein as "tag complements." Subunits of tag complements may consist of monomers of non-natural nucleotide analogs, referred to herein as "antisense monomers" or they may comprise oligomers having lengths in the range of 3 to 6 nucleotides or analogs thereof, including antisense monomers, the oligomers being selected from a minimally cross-hybridizing set. In such a set, a duplex made up of an oligomer of the set and the complement of any other oligomer of the set contains at least two mismatches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 26, 1999
    Assignee: Lynx Therapeutics, Inc.
    Inventor: Sydney Brenner
  • Patent number: 5861310
    Abstract: Tumor cells modified to express one or more T cell costimulatory molecules are disclosed. Preferred costimulatory molecules are B7-2 and B7-3. The tumor cells of the invention can be modified by transfection with nucleic acid encoding B7-2 and/or B7-3, by using an agent which induces or increases expression of B7-2 and/or B7-3 on the tumor cell or by coupling B7-2 and/or B7-3 to the tumor cell. Tumor cells modified to express B7-2 and/or B7-3 can be further modified to express B7. Tumor cells further modified to express MHC class I and/or class II molecules or in which expression of an MHC associated protein, the invariant chain, is inhibited are also disclosed. The modified tumor cells of the invention can be used in methods for treating a patient with a tumor, preventing or inhibiting metastatic spread of a tumor or preventing or inhibiting recurrence of a tumor. A method for specifically inducing a CD4.sup.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 19, 1999
    Assignee: Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
    Inventors: Gordon J. Freeman, Lee M. Nadler, Gary S. Gray
  • Patent number: 5861478
    Abstract: Novel synthetic lytic and proliferative peptides were designed and constructed to encompass the structural features associated with lytic and proliferative activity. These compounds, along with the human .beta. fibrin signal peptide share structural and functional properties of the known lytic peptides. These peptides are effective agents in the treatment of microbial infections including gram negative and gram positive bacteria, fungus, virus, yeast, and protozoa, in the lysis of cancer cells, and in the proliferation of fibroblasts and lymphocytes. Additional functions include synergy and use as general adjuvants and in the enhancement of wound healing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 19, 1999
    Assignee: Helix Biomedix, Inc.
    Inventor: Jesse M. Jaynes
  • Patent number: 5861246
    Abstract: Methods are provided for isolating binding sites of DNA-binding proteins. An extract, such as a nuclear extract, containing DNA-binding proteins is mixed with oligonucleotide duplexes comprising a random sequence. Bound duplexes are isolated and amplified. Methods are also provided for identifying DNA-binding proteins using isolated binding sites.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 19, 1999
    Assignee: Yale University
    Inventors: Sherman M. Weissman, Girish N. Nallur, Prakash Kulkarni
  • Patent number: 5859314
    Abstract: A non-human animal carrying a disruption of a gene encoding a lyn protein tyrosine kinase provides a convenient system for the study of diseases associated with or caused by lyn deficiency, and for the testing of therapeutic agents for the treatment or prevention of diseases which include autoimmune diseases, allergy, asthma and malignant disease.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1999
    Assignee: Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research
    Inventors: Margaret L. Hibbs, Ashley R. Dunn, Dianne Graill, George Hodgson, David M. Tarlington, Jane Armes
  • Patent number: 5858771
    Abstract: A method for gene therapy for cancers wherein chromosomal location of an inactive or defective cancer suppressing gene is established, a replacement gene which is preferably cloned is then used to replace the inactive or defective cancer suppressing gene in the chromosome. In addition to its uses in therapy, the present invention provides a means for prophylactically treating individuals having a genetic predisposition to cancer and provides an animal model for testing for carcinogenicity of environmental substances.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1999
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Wen-Hwa Lee, Huei-Jen Su Huang, Eva Y. H. P. Lee
  • Patent number: 5858963
    Abstract: A method of enhancing tolerance of a porcine transplant in a xenogeneic recipient by administering porcine bone marrow cells to the recipient and of enhancing proliferation and engraftment of the porcine bone marrow cells by exposing said cells to at least one substantially pure porcine cytokine and porcine cytokines that are substantially free of other porcine proteins and preferentially enhance the proliferation and engraftment of porcine bone marrow cells in the presence of bone marrow cells of other species. Protein and DNA sequence(s) for such porcine cytokines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1999
    Assignee: BioTransplant, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. Hawley, Rodney L. Monroy, Margaret D. Rosa, Bernice Z. Schacter, Paul D. Ronath
  • Patent number: 5858776
    Abstract: Tumor cells modified to express a T cell costimulatory molecule are disclosed. In one embodiment, the costimulatory molecule is a CD28/CTLA4 ligand, preferably a B lymphocyte antigen B7. The tumor cells of the invention can be modified by transfection with nucleic acid encoding a T cell costimulatory molecule, by using an agent which induces or increases expression of a T cell costimulatory molecule on the tumor cell surface or by coupling a T cell costimulatory molecule to the tumor cell surface. Tumor cells further modified to express MHC class I and/or class II molecules or in which expression of an MHC associated protein, the invariant chain, is inhibited are also disclosed. The modified tumor cells of the invention can be used in methods for treating a patient with a tumor, preventing or inhibiting metastatic spread of a tumor or preventing or inhibiting recurrence of a tumor. A method for specifically inducing a CD4.sup.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1999
    Assignees: Repligen Corporation, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, President and Fellows of Harvard College
    Inventors: Suzanne Ostrand-Rosenberg, Sivasubramanian Baskar, Laurie H. Glimcher, Gordon J. Freeman, Lee M. Nadler
  • Patent number: 5859310
    Abstract: Transgenic mice carrying two transgenes, the first coding for a transactivator fusion protein comprising a tet repressor and a polypeptide which directly or indirectly activates transcription of a tet operator-linked gene in eucaryotic cells, and the second comprising a gene operably linked to a minimal promotor operably linked to at least one tet operator sequence, are disclosed. Isolated DNA molecules (e.g., targeting vectors) for integrating a polynucleotide sequence encoding a transactivator of the invention at a predetermined location within a second target DNA molecule by homologous recombination are also disclosed. Transgenic mice having the DNA molecules of the invention integrated at a predetermined location in a chromosome by homologous recombination are also encompassed by the invention. Methods to regulate the expression of a tet operator linked-gene of interest by administering tetracycline or a tetracycline analogue to a mouse of the invention are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1999
    Assignee: BASF Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Hermann Bujard, Manfred Gossen, Jochen G. Salfeld, Jeffrey W. Voss
  • Patent number: 5858782
    Abstract: The present invention provides compositions of purified cells that are selectively enriched for proliferating hematopoietic progenitor cells. These cells are both CD34 positive and express a galactose-binding surface structure. Methods for the purification and use of these cells, for example, in improving transplantations and reducing graft-versus-host disease also are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1999
    Assignee: Regents of the University of Michigan
    Inventors: Michael W. Long, George G. Pipia
  • Patent number: 5858326
    Abstract: In vivo and in vitro methods of increasing amyloid deposition using amyloid-enhancing compounds are described. Methods of forming amyloid fibrils and screening for agents useful in treating amyloidosis are also described. Animals having non-naturally occurring amyloid deposits produced using the amyloid-enhancing compounds even further are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1999
    Assignees: Neurochem, Inc., Queen's University at Kingston
    Inventors: Robert Kisilevsky, Walter Szarek, Donald Weaver, Paul Fraser, Xianqi Kong
  • Patent number: 5859196
    Abstract: Genetic material encoding p30 and B1 peptides of Toxoplasma gondii has been isolated and characterized. This genetic material allows the production of peptides for use in diagnosis or immunization or can itself be directly used in hybridization assays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1999
    Assignees: Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University, Trustees of Dartmouth College
    Inventors: John Charles Boothroyd, James Lawrence Burg, Lloyd H. Kasper
  • Patent number: 5856178
    Abstract: Expression cassettes for expression of amphipathic (lytic) peptides in mammalian unicellular (e.g., cultured cells) and multicellular organisms are described, as well as transgenic unicellular and multicellular mammalian organisms having such a cassette stably integrated in their genetic material. In one embodiment, the expression cassette comprises a milk-specific promoter, which for example may be the beta casein promoter, linked in reading frame to control the expression of an amphipathic peptide encoding gene. This expression cassette is useful for production of amphipathic peptides in milk-producing cells and tissues. In another embodiment, the expression cassette comprises an interleukin regulatory sequence adjacently linked to control the expression of an amphipathic peptide encoding gene. The interleukin-regulated cassette is useful to produce disease-resistant animals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 5, 1999
    Assignee: Utah State University
    Inventors: Kenneth L. White, John Morrey, William A. Reed
  • Patent number: 5856090
    Abstract: The activity of sequence-specific DNA binder proteins, such as DNA methylases, provides a method of obtaining a covalent linkage between a nucleic acid segment and a polypeptide determinant encoded by the nucleic acid segment. The polypeptide determinant is expressed as a fusion protein together with the DNA methylase, which binds in vivo to a cytidine suicide analog when present in a nucleotide sequence. A plasmid suitable for use in this linkage reaction can comprise: (1) a gene fusion construct including a gene encoding a DNA methylase and a gene encoding a polypeptide determinant; (2) a promoter for transcription of the gene fusion construct as messenger RNA; and (3) a methylase conjugation element linked to the gene fusion sequence, the methylase conjugation element including a methylase binding site having at least one copy of a nucleotide sequence including a cytidine suicide analog capable of irreversibly binding the DNA methylase. The plasmid can form a plasmid-polypeptide determinant conjugate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 5, 1999
    Assignee: The Scripps Research Institute
    Inventor: David M. Epstein
  • Patent number: 5856180
    Abstract: The present invention refers to immortalized dendritic cells, to a process for their production from primary cultures and to their use for the activation, in vivo or in vitro, of T lymphocytes in antigen specific way.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 5, 1999
    Assignee: BIOTOP s.a.s. di Rita Cassarin
    Inventor: Francesca Granucci