Patents Examined by Jon P. Weber
  • Methods for nano-mechanoporation
    Patent number: 8785177
    Abstract: Methods for creating a transient nanoscale opening in a cell membrane and methods for transporting a desired species through the nanoscale opening are provided. A nano-sized needle-like tip can be used to mechanically slice the cell membrane to create a transient, localized nanoscale slit. The nanoscale slit may be used for transferring exogenous molecules into a living cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois, a body Corporate and Politic of the State of Illinois
    Inventors: Min-Feng Yu, Kyungsuk Yum, Ning Wang
  • Biocompatible article for the treatment of water and production of energy
    Patent number: 8785167
    Abstract: A biocompatible article including (a) a biocompatible hydrogel; (b) an adhesive coating on at least a portion of the hydrogel; and (c) one or more organisms adhered to at least a portion of the adhesive coating is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: The Johns Hopkins University
    Inventors: Richard S. Potember, Jennifer L. Breidenich, Julia B. Patrone
  • Test arrangement
    Patent number: 8785142
    Abstract: The invention relates to an arrangement, comprising a solid carrier and a matrix arranged on the solid carrier, said matrix comprising at least one enzymatically convertible or modifiable molecule and comprising at least one enzyme that can be released by the conversion or modification of the molecule, said enzyme being capable of converting at least one color-changing substrate located in the matrix and/or on the solid carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Inventors: Georg Gübitz, Eva Sigl, Andrea Hasmann, Marc Schröder, Konstantin Schneider, Alexandra Rollett, Franz Kaufmann, Andreas Hafner
  • Process for the selective production of hydrocarbon based fuels from algae utilizing water at subcritical conditions
    Patent number: 8778035
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is the production of hydrocarbon based fuel from micro-organisms and algae that comprise algaenan without requiring prior removal of water, as well as the production of hydrocarbon based fuel directly from the algaenan itself. Also disclosed herein are feed material for the processes disclosed herein comprising modified algae and algaenan that selectively produce hydrocarbon of desired chain lengths, along with the process of modifying the algae and algaenan. Also disclosed herein is the production of both hydrocarbon and organic fertilizer from algae without the need to remove the water from the algae prior to processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Old Dominion University Research Foundation
    Inventors: Patrick G. Hatcher, Elodie Salmon
  • Culture method related to differentiation of pluripotent stem cells into blood cells
    Patent number: 8778681
    Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a method for efficient differentiation into blood cells. Specifically, in the present invention, when blood cells are produced from pluripotent stem cells such as ES cells or iPS cells in vitro, the cells are cultured under a low oxygen partial pressure to increase the efficiency of differentiating the pluripotent stem cells into hematopoietic progenitor cells, erythroid progenitor cells, and the like, so as to increase the number of finally obtained, desired blood cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignees: University of Tokyo, Terumo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shinya Sano, Koji Eto, Naoya Takayama, Hiromitsu Nakauchi
  • Method for stabilization of biological cultures to allow biological treatment of brines
    Patent number: 8772014
    Abstract: A process is disclosed for the biological treatment under anaerobic/anoxic conditions for the degradation of pollutants present in brine solution used in waste water management, in industrial waste brine solutions and in waste oil field brine solutions, especially waste brine solutions contaminated with perchlorate and nitrate. A culture capable of reducing perchlorate and nitrate in spent ion-exchange regenerant brine containing at least 30 g/L NaCl under anaerobic/anoxic conditions was used to demonstrate the process. A stabilized brine solution is also disclosed in which a culture capable of degrading a given pollutant can be proliferate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: The University of Houston System
    Inventors: Deborah J. Roberts, Dennis A. Clifford, Xiaohua Lin, Thomas Gillogly, Lee Aldridge, Stewart Lehman
  • Colony-forming unit cell of human chorion and method to obtain and use thereof
    Patent number: 8771677
    Abstract: The present invention features colony-forming unit cells derived from the chorion of human placenta and describes compositions and methods for the uses of chorionic cells and their products for therapeutic purposes based upon production and release of multiple growth factors and cytokines by these cells stimulating tissue regeneration independent of engraftment, as well as differentiation into a specific cell type.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Inventors: Vladimir B Serikov, Frans A Kuypers
  • Method for producing an L-amino acid
    Patent number: 8771981
    Abstract: A method for producing an L-amino acid by preparing a processed product of a microalgae, which promotes production and accumulation of the L-amino acid by a bacterium having an ability to produce the L-amino acid, by culturing the microalgae in a medium, and processing the resulting culture at a midtemperature; culturing the bacterium in a medium containing the processed product of the microalgae to produce and accumulate the L-amino acid in culture; and collecting the L-amino acid from the culture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Ajinomoto Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Shigeo Suzuki
  • Perfusion culture method and perfusion culture device for organ or tissue
    Patent number: 8771931
    Abstract: Disclosed are a perfusion culture method and a perfusion culture device whereby a perfusate can be delivered to all parts of an organ or tissue so that the organ or tissue can be preserved while sufficiently maintaining the function thereof. Specifically disclosed is a method for perfusion culture of an organ or tissue removed from a mammal, said organ or tissue having been removed together with a second organ or tissue connected to the aforesaid organ or tissue in vivo, which comprises a step for fixing said second organ or tissue so as to hang the aforesaid organ or tissue and a step for perfusing blood vessels in the aforesaid organ or tissue with a perfusate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Organ Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Takashi Tsuji, Kazuhisa Nakao
  • Microbiological reprocessing of degumming residue formed during biodiesel production
    Patent number: 8771767
    Abstract: An industrial method of reprocessing degumming residue from the initial purification of natural fats as well as a feed additive, which may be produced using the said method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Skotan Spolka Akcyjna
    Inventors: Franciszek Baszczok, Waldemar Rymowicz
  • Systems and methods for in vivo measurement of interstitial biological activity, processes and/or compositions
    Patent number: 8771714
    Abstract: Provided are systems and methods for detecting and/or measuring in vivo interstitial biological activity, processes, and or compounds in human or animal subjects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: MUSC Foundation for Research Development
    Inventors: Francis G. Spinale, Robert Stroud, Michael Looper, Anne Deschamps
  • Biomass shock pretreatment
    Patent number: 8765429
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for treating biomass that may include introducing a biomass to a chamber; exposing the biomass in the chamber to a shock event to produce a shocked biomass; and transferring the shocked biomass from the chamber. In some aspects, the method may include pretreating the biomass with a chemical before introducing the biomass to the chamber and/or after transferring shocked biomass from the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: The Texas A & M University System
    Inventors: Mark T. Holtzapple, Maxine Jones Madison, Rocio Sierra Ramirez, Mark A Deimund, Matthew Falls, John J. Dunkleman
  • Particulate composition containing anhydrous crystalline 2-O-alpha-D-glucosyl-L-ascorbic acid, process for producing the same, and uses thereof
    Patent number: 8765416
    Abstract: The present invention aims to provide a particulate composition containing anhydrous crystalline 2-O-?-D-glucosyl-L-ascorbic acid having a significantly, hardly solidifiable property compared to conventional ones in a grade for use in quasi-drugs; a process for producing the same; and uses thereof. The present invention solves the above object by providing a particulate composition containing anhydrous crystalline 2-O-?-D-glucosyl-L-ascorbic in an amount of over 98.0% by weight but less than 99.9% by weight, on a dry solid basis; or a degree of crystallinity of 90% or higher for anhydrous crystalline 2-O-?-D-glucosyl-L-ascorbic acid; and by providing a process for producing the same and uses thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Hayashibara Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takashi Shibuya, Seisuke Izawa, Tomoyuki Nishimoto, Shigeharu Fukuda, Toshio Miyake
  • Treatment of cancer with glufosfamide in patients not receiving insulin therapy
    Patent number: 8765690
    Abstract: The co-administration of glufosfamide and a glucose lowering drug other than insulin is efficacious in cancer treatment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Threshold Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
    Inventors: Damian Handisides, Stewart Kroll, Jian-Xin Duan, Harold E. Selick
  • Enhancing fermentation of starch- and sugar-based feedstocks
    Patent number: 8765430
    Abstract: Provided are methods, systems, and compositions for increasing the rate and/or yield of fermentation processes using blended feedstocks. Also provided are methods, systems, and compositions for decreasing the yield of one or more undesirable products during fermentation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Sweetwater Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Sarad Parekh, Carl P. Felice, Benjamin Stauber
  • Method for effectively controlling harmful organisms in large-scale culture of microalgae
    Patent number: 8759073
    Abstract: A method for effectively controlling harmful organisms in the large-scale culture of microalgae comprises the following steps: (1) determining the harmful organism species causing contamination to the microalgae in culture, and the acid and alkali tolerance levels of said harmful organism species; and (2) adjusting the pH value of the microalgae culture system according to the different acid and alkali tolerance levels of the harmful organisms; when the harmful organisms are determined to be killed or inhibited effectively, adjusting the pH value back to be suitable for the normal growth of the microalgae. After the treatment, common harmful protozoa in the culturing processes of most microalgae (green algae, blue algae and variegated algae) can be controlled effectively, and the method is also effective on certain miscellaneous algae contamination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: ENN Science & Technology Development Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Huiling Wang, Weijing Ma, Xinxin Ma, Minsheng Liu
  • Methods for natural product optimization
    Patent number: 8759020
    Abstract: Methods and compositions for natural product optimization are provided. In particular, methods and compositions for selecting bacterial strains (e.g., predatory bacteria such as myxobacteria) which produce a desired compound (e.g., antibiotic, antifungal, or anticancer agent) are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: The University of Wyoming
    Inventor: Daniel Wall
  • Production of beta-glucans and mannans
    Patent number: 8753668
    Abstract: Disclosed are methods for producing yeast ?-glucan and mannan preparations. The methods employ an autolysis process, followed by enzymatic treatment with one or more of a protease, glucanase or lipase. The preparations produced may be used in food supplements, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, animal feeds, and neutraceuticals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: Sensient Flavors LLC
    Inventor: Joseph James Sedmak
  • Reagents and processes for stabilizing alkaline phosphatase or conjugates thereof
    Patent number: 8753858
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to stabilizers for alkaline phosphatase or conjugates thereof, a process for preparing a stabilizer, and a method for stabilizing alkaline phosphatase or conjugates thereof with a stabilizer. The present disclosure also relates to a reagent of alkaline phosphatase or conjugates thereof as well as to a process for preparing the same. In another aspect, the present disclosure relates to a kit comprising the stabilizers disclosed herein and alkaline phosphatase or conjugates thereof. The stabilizer disclosed herein can stabilize alkaline phosphatase or conjugates thereof for a prolonged period of time, extending their shelf-life.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: Shenzhen Mindray Bio-Medical Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chungen Qian, Yuping Zhang
  • Method of evaluating the biodegradation of hydrocarbons trapped in a basin
    Patent number: 8753867
    Abstract: Method of evaluating the biodegradation, through the action of a bacterial population, of hydrocarbons trapped in a geologic structure. The mass of hydrocarbons present in said structure is determined without taking account of the biodegradation, from data relative to the physical and geometrical characteristics of the structure studied. Then the mass of hydrocarbons consumed by biodegradation is calculated after evaluating the number of bacteria, their hydrocarbon consumption and the structure filling time. The mass percentage of oil disappeared through the bacterial action is deduced from these two masses. Application: determination of the composition of oils in a reservoir and notably location of heavy oils. The method can notably be applied to the evaluation of the economic risk linked with the presence of biodegraded petroleum reservoirs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: Institut Francais du Petrole
    Inventor: Bernard Carpentier