Patents Examined by Joseph T. Woitach
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Patent number: 6410314Abstract: The present invention relates to stably episomally replicating vectors, comprising at least one scaffold/matrix attached region (S/MAR) and at least one viral or eukaryotic origin of replication (ORI), cells comprising these, processes for their preparation, and their use, in particular as a medicament or diagnostic.Type: GrantFiled: October 5, 1999Date of Patent: June 25, 2002Assignee: MultiGene Biotech GmbH Biozentrum am HublandInventors: Armin Baiker, Jürgen Bode, Christian Fetzer, Hans-Joachim Lipps, Christoph Piechaczek
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Patent number: 6399758Abstract: The invention provides nucleic acids that encode a first glycosyltransferase that competes with a second enzyme for a substrate, thereby reducing the formation of a product of the second enzyme. The nucleic acids are useful in producing cells and organs with reduced antigenicity and which may be used for transplantation.Type: GrantFiled: June 11, 1999Date of Patent: June 4, 2002Assignee: The Austin Research InstituteInventors: Mauro Sergio Sandrin, Ian Campbell Farquhar McKenzie
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Patent number: 6395482Abstract: Variations in the DNA sequence of the human proline dehydrogenase gene (PRODH) which correlate to an increased susceptibility to, or presence of schizophrenia or a disease or disorder related thereto, such as obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), bipolar disorder (BP), or major depressive disorder (MDD) are provided, along with assays to diagnosing schizophrenia or a disease or disorder related thereto, and evaluating potential drugs or agents for using in treating such diseases or disorders.Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 1999Date of Patent: May 28, 2002Assignee: The Rockfeller UniversityInventors: Maria Karayiorgou, Joseph A. Gogos
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Patent number: 6388062Abstract: Modified p53 tetramerization domains which do not hetero-oligomerize with native p53 tetramerization domains are described. These modified p53 tetramerization domains have one or more of the following substitutions in the region of residues 325 to 355 of human p53: Leu330 substituted with Phe; Met340 substituted with Phe; Ala347 substituted with Ile; Leu348 substituted with Met; Ala353 substituted with Leu; Gln354 substituted with Leu; Ala355 substituted with Asp. Also described are p53 proteins containing these modified p53 tetramerization domains linked to a p53 DNA binding domain. These proteins and the nucleic acid sequences encoding them, are useful in ameliorating conditions associated with inappropriate p53 function.Type: GrantFiled: May 5, 1999Date of Patent: May 14, 2002Assignee: The Wistar Institute of Anatomy and BiologyInventors: Thanos D. Halazonetis, Elena S. Stavridi
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Patent number: 6372957Abstract: The present invention relates to cardiac hypertrophy. More particularly, the present invention defines the molecular events linking calcium stimulation to cardiac hypertrophy. More specifically, the present invention shows that Ca++ stimulation of the hypertroplic response is mediated through MEF2. Thus, the present invention provides methods of treating cardiac hypertrophy as well as transgenic constructs for preparing transgenic animals. Further provided are methods of using the transgenic animals of the present invention, or cells isolated therefrom, for the detection of compounds having therapeutic activity toward cardiac hypertrophy.Type: GrantFiled: November 10, 1999Date of Patent: April 16, 2002Assignee: Board of Regents, The University of Texas SystemInventor: Eric N. Olson
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Patent number: 6348450Abstract: Disclosed and claimed are methods of non-invasive genetic immunization in an animal and/or methods of inducing a systemic immune or therapeutic response in an animal, products therefrom and uses for the methods and products therefrom. The methods can include contacting skin of the animal with a vector in an amount effective to induce the systemic immune or therapeutic response in the animal. The vector can include and express an exogenous nucleic acid molecule encoding an epitope or gene product of interest. The systemic immune response can be to or from the epitope or gene product. The nucleic acid molecule can encode an epitope of interest and/or an antigen of interest and/or a nucleic acid molecule that stimulates and/or modulates an immunological response and/or stimulates and/or modulates expression, e.g., transcription and/or translation, such as transcription and/or translation of an endogenous and/or exogenous nucleic acid molecule; e.g.Type: GrantFiled: May 3, 2000Date of Patent: February 19, 2002Assignee: The UAB Research FoundationInventors: De-chu C. Tang, Donald H. Marks, David T. Curiel, Zhongkai Shi, Kent Rigby van Kampen
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Patent number: 6331416Abstract: A process of expressing a recombinant protein in a plant and of isolating the recombinant protein from the plant, the process is effected by (a) providing a plant, a plant derived tissue or cultured plant cells expressing a fusion protein including the recombinant protein and a cellulose binding peptide being fused thereto, the fusion protein being compartmentalized within cells of the plant, plant derived tissue or cultured plant cells, so as to be sequestered from cell walls of the cells of the plant, plant derived tissue or cultured plant cells; (b) homogenizing the plant, plant derived tissue or cultured plant cells, so as to bring into contact the fusion protein with a cellulosic matter of the plant, plant derived tissue or cultured plant cells, to thereby effect affinity binding of the fusion protein via the cellulose binding peptide to the cellulosic matter, thereby obtaining a fusion protein cellulosic matter complex; and (c) isolating the fusion protein cellulosic matter complex.Type: GrantFiled: June 10, 1999Date of Patent: December 18, 2001Assignees: CBD Technologies Ltd., Yissum Research and Development Company of the Hebrew University of JerusalemInventors: Ziv Shani, Oded Shoseyov
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Patent number: 6329171Abstract: The present invention relates to a newly identified human ubiquitin protease belonging to the family of mammalian deubiquitinating enzymes. The invention also relates to polynucleotides encoding the ubiquitin protease. The invention further relates to methods using the ubiquitin protease polypeptides and polynucleotides as a target for diagnosis and treatment in ubiquitin-mediated or -related disorders. The invention further relates to drug-screening methods using the ubiquitin protease polypeptides and polynucleotides to identify agonists and antagonists for diagnosis and treatment. The invention further encompasses agonists and antagonists based on the ubiquitin protease polypeptides and polynucleotides. The invention further relates to procedures for producing the ubiquitin protease polypeptides and polynucleotides.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 1999Date of Patent: December 11, 2001Assignee: Millennium Pharmaceuticals, Inc.Inventor: Rosana Kapeller-Libermann
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Patent number: 6326526Abstract: Disclosed are mice containing a targeted disruption of various melatonin receptor subtypes, and methods of using the mice to identify agonists and antagonists of melatonin.Type: GrantFiled: January 7, 2000Date of Patent: December 4, 2001Assignees: Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, The General Hospital CorporationInventors: Steven M. Reppert, Valentin K. Gribkoff
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Patent number: 6300539Abstract: A method of producing a non-human mammalian model of chronic cerebral inflammation is disclosed. The method comprises introducing into the mammal's brain a polynucleotide that does not encode amyloid precursor protein (APP). Applicants have discovered that APP expression is not necessary to mimic the symptoms of human neurodegenerative diseases. The mammalian models mimic in an in vivo system some of the physical manifestations of diseases of the central nervous system, such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, and encephalopathies. The models are useful in screening putative prophylactic and therapeutic compositions for addressing symptoms of chronic cerebral inflammation.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 1999Date of Patent: October 9, 2001Assignee: Medical Research CouncilInventor: Christopher Miles Morris
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Patent number: 6265562Abstract: The present application discloses nucleic acid constructs comprising nucleic acids which encode a protein which inhibits the cellular protein p27 and thereby relieves the inhibition of the proliferation of the cell which is brought about by p27, fragments and variants thereof, some of which possess a dominant interfering character.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 1998Date of Patent: July 24, 2001Assignee: Aventis Pharma Deutschland GmbHInventors: Martin Eilers, Andrea Buergin, Hans-Harald Sedlacek
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Patent number: 6251663Abstract: The present invention relates to recombinant eukaryotic plasmids comprising an eukaryotic expression vector and an allergen gene for the prevention and/or treatment of allergic diseases. When the recombinant vector containing allergen-gene administrate to an individual in need of such prevention and/or treatment by intramuscular injection, intranasal delivery or intratracheal delivery, the production of allergen-specific IgE synthesis can be inhibited. The invention also relates to the pharmaceutical compositions comprising the the recombinant vector for use in the the prevention and/or treatment of allergic diseases and the production of allergen-specific IgE synthesis. A method for the prevention and/or treatment of allergic diseases is also provided.Type: GrantFiled: October 6, 1998Date of Patent: June 26, 2001Assignee: Jen Wen Co., Ltd.Inventors: Ching-Hsiang Hsu, Kaw-Yan Chua, Mi-Hua Tao, Kue-Hsiung Hsieh
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Patent number: 6251669Abstract: The present invention provides an isolated cellular composition comprising greater than about 90% mammalian, non tumor-derived, neuronal progenitor cells which express a neuron-specific marker and which can give rise to progeny which can differentiate into neuronal cells. Also provided are methods of treating neuronal disorders utilizing this cellular composition.Type: GrantFiled: January 5, 1998Date of Patent: June 26, 2001Assignee: Emory UniversityInventor: Marla B. Luskin
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Patent number: 6242666Abstract: The invention provides animal models, where the ectopic expression of KGF, EGF, or both is under the control of a pancreas-specific promoter, e.g., the insulin promoter. The expression of KGF in the ins-KGF pancreatic islets of Langerhans results in enlarged islets, with substantial proliferation of duct cells within the islet mass, and the presence of albumin and alpha-fetoprotein-producing hepatocytes in the islets of the ins-KGF pancreata. The compositions and methods disclosed are useful for identifying and isolating pancreatic stem/progenitor cells, including a common stem/progenitor to liver cells and pancreatic cells.Type: GrantFiled: December 16, 1998Date of Patent: June 5, 2001Assignee: The Scripps Research InstituteInventors: Nora Sarvetnick, Michelle L. Krakowski, Marcie R. Kritzik
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Patent number: 6225119Abstract: The present invention is directed to hematopoietic progenitor cells isolated from a tissue specimen, such as marrow cells or peripheral blood, and to the method of co-culturing isolated hematopoietic progenitor cells with human mesenchymal stem cells to induce megakaryocyte differentiation and platelet production. In addition, hematopoietic stem cells can be genetically engineered to carry genes of interest particularly for the expression of physiologically active proteins. In the presence of mesenchymal stem cells, the transduced cells carry the new genetic material and express gene products that can be used to modulate blood disorders.Type: GrantFiled: May 21, 1999Date of Patent: May 1, 2001Assignee: Osiris Therapeutics, Inc.Inventors: Pankaj Qasba, Mark A. Thiede
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Patent number: 6222097Abstract: Novel DNA constructs are provided which may be used as molecular probes or inserted into a plant host to provide for modification of transcription of a DNA sequence of interest in ovary tissue, particularly in very early fruit development. The DNA constructs comprise a transcriptional initiation regulatory region associated with gene expression in ovary tissue from immediately prior to anthesis through flower senescence.Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 1997Date of Patent: April 24, 2001Assignee: Calgene, LLCInventors: Kevin E. McBride, David M. Stalker
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Patent number: 6215039Abstract: An animal harboring a non-native germ cell, its corresponding line, and the corresponding germ cells, are obtained by colonizing the testis (or testes) of a host animal with primitive cells followed by raising and/or breeding the host.Type: GrantFiled: August 26, 1998Date of Patent: April 10, 2001Assignee: The Trustees of the University of PennsylvaniaInventor: Ralph L. Brinster
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Patent number: 6207877Abstract: The invention provides a transgenic mouse which is heterozygous or homozygous for an at least partially defective coagulation factor XIII gene.Type: GrantFiled: September 23, 1999Date of Patent: March 27, 2001Assignee: Aventis Behring GmbHInventors: Gerhard Dickneite, Hubert Metzner, Gerd Zettlmeissl, Ulrich Grundmann, Richard Lathe, Austin Smith, Meng Li
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Patent number: 6207454Abstract: Novel stem cell factors, oligonucleotides encoding the same, and methods of production, are disclosed. Pharmaceutical compositions and methods of treating disorders involving blood cells are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: December 31, 1998Date of Patent: March 27, 2001Assignee: Amgen Inc.Inventors: Krisztina M. Zsebo, Robert A. Bosselman, Sidney V. Suggs, Francis H. Martin
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Patent number: 6204250Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and compositions which may be used to immunize infant mammals against a target antigen, wherein an immunogeniclly effective amount of a nuclic acid encoding a relevant epitope of a desired target antigen is administered to the infant. It is based, at least in part, on the discovery that such genetic immunization of infant mammals could give rise to effective cellular and humoral immune responses against target antigens.Type: GrantFiled: November 22, 1996Date of Patent: March 20, 2001Assignee: The Mount Sinai Medical Center of the City of New YorkInventors: Adrian Bot, Constantin Bona