Patents Examined by Keith D. Hendricks
  • Patent number: 5939301
    Abstract: The invention relates to a substantially pure thermostable DNA polymerase from Thermotoga neapolitana (Tne) and mutants thereof. The Tne DNA polymerase has a molecular weight of about 100 kilodaltons and is more thermostable than Taq DNA polymerase. The mutant Tne DNA polymerase has at least one mutation selected from the group consisting of (1) a first mutation that substantially reduces or eliminates 3'.fwdarw.5' exonuclease activity of said DNA polymerase; (2) a second mutation that substantially reduces or eliminates 5'.fwdarw.3' exonuclease activity of said DNA polymerase; (3) a third mutation in the O helix of said DNA polymerase resulting in said DNA polymerase becoming non-discriminating against dideoxynucleotides. The present invention also relates to the cloning and expression of the wild type or mutant Tne DNA polymerase in E. coli, to DNA molecules containing the cloned gene, and to host cells which express said genes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1999
    Assignee: Life Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: A. John Hughes, Jr., Deb K. Chatterjee
  • Patent number: 5939297
    Abstract: An isolated and purified analog of Haemophilus influenzae Hin47 protein has a decreased protease activity which is less than about 10% of that of natural Hin47 protein and preferably substantially the same immunogenic properties as natural Hin47 protein. An isolated an purified nucleic acid molecule encoding the Hin47 analog may be provided in a recombinant plasmid which may be introduced into a cell which is grown to produce the Hin47 analog. Immunogenic compositions comprising the Hin47 analog and the encoding nucleic acid may be formulated as vaccines for in vivo administration to a host, including a human, to confer protection against diseases caused by a bacterial pathogen, including Haemophilus species, such as Haemophilus influenzae, that produces Hin47 protein or a protein capable of inducing antibodies in the host specifically reactive with Hin47 protein. The Hin47 analog and the encoding nucleic acid also may be employed in diagnostic applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1999
    Assignee: Connaught Laboratories Limited
    Inventors: Sheena M. Loosmore, Yan-Ping Yang, Pele Chong, Raymond P. Oomen, Michel H. Klein
  • Patent number: 5935573
    Abstract: An isolated and purified analog of Haemophilus influenzae Hin47 protein has a decreased protease activity which is less than about 10% of that of natural Hin47 protein and preferably substantially the same immunogenic properties as natural Hin47 protein. An isolated an purified nucleic acid molecule encoding the Hin47 analog may be provided in a recombinant plasmid which may be introduced into a cell which is grown to produce the Hin47 analog. Immunogenic compositions comprising the Hin47 analog and the encoding nucleic acid may be formulated as vaccines for in vivo administration to a host, including a human, to confer protection against diseases caused by a bacterial pathogen, including Haemophilus species, such as Haemophilus influenzae, that produces Hin47 protein or a protein capable of inducing antibodies in the host specifically reactive with Hin47 protein. The Hin47 analog and the encoding nucleic acid also may be employed in diagnostic applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1999
    Assignee: Connaught Laboratories Limited
    Inventors: Sheena M. Loosmore, Yan-Ping Yang, Pele Chong, Raymond P. Oomen, Michel H. Klein
  • Patent number: 5935840
    Abstract: This application describes methods and expression constructs for producing activatable recombinant adenovirus proteinases. Purified activatable recombinant adenovirus proteinases and methods of purification are described. Activated adenovirus proteinases and methods for obtaining activated adenovirus proteinases are further included. Isolated peptide cofactors of adenovirus proteinase activity, methods of purifying and identifying said peptide cofactors are also described. Antibodies immunoreactive with adenovirus proteinases, immunospecific antibodies, and methods for preparing them are also described. Other related methods and materials are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1999
    Assignee: Associated Universities, Inc.
    Inventors: Carl W. Anderson, Walter F. Mangel
  • Patent number: 5935833
    Abstract: A plasmid for expression of Moloney Murine Leukemia Virus-derived reverse transcriptase in E. coli cells deficient in the expression of indiginous RNAse activity, a method for purification of the recombinant enzyme, and a composition comprising a cloned and purified reverse transcriptase opimized for use in cDNA and nucleic acid amplification procedures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1999
    Assignee: Gen-Probe Incorporated
    Inventors: Daniel Louis Kacian, Michael Garth Riggs, James Putnam
  • Patent number: 5932471
    Abstract: A chimeric toxin comprising protein fragments joined together by peptide bonds, the chimeric toxin comprising, in sequential order, beginning at the amino terminal end of the chimeric toxin,(a) the enzymatically active Fragment A of diphtheria toxin,(b) a first fragment including the cleavage domain 1.sub.1 adjacent the Fragment A of diphtheria toxin,(c) a second fragment comprising at least a portion of the hydrophobic transmembrane region of Fragment B of diphtheria toxin, the second fragment having a deletion of at least 50 diphtheria toxin amino acid residues, the deletion being C-terminal to the portion of the transmembrane region, and the second fragment not including domain 1.sub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1999
    Assignee: Boston Medical Center Corporation
    Inventors: Diane P. Williams, John R. Murphy
  • Patent number: 5932453
    Abstract: A DNA encoding aspartokinase III derived from bacteria of the genus Escherichia and having mutation by which feedback inhibition with L-lysine is released is introduced into cells to form transformant bacteria of the genus Escherichia. These bacteria are incubated in an appropriate culture medium. An L-amino acid is produced and accumulated in the culture, and collected from this culture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1999
    Assignee: Ajinomoto Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshimi Kikuchi, Kazuo Nakanishi, Hiroyuki Kojima
  • Patent number: 5928926
    Abstract: The present invention provides DNA encoding a human ARSA-I protein selected from the group consisting of: (a) isolated DNA which encodes a human ARSA-I protein; (b) isolated DNA which hybridizes to isolated DNA of (a) above and which encodes a human ARSA-I protein; and (c) isolated DNA differing from the isolated DNAs of (a) and (b) above in codon sequence due to the degeneracy of the genetic code, and which encodes a human ARSA-I protein. Also provided are pharmaceutical compositions comprising human human ARSA-I protein and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and host cells transfected with the vector of the present invention said vector expressing a human ARSA-I protein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1999
    Assignee: Research Development Foundation
    Inventors: Buran Kurdi-Haidar, Stephen B. Howell, Robert E. Enns, Peter Naredi
  • Patent number: 5929029
    Abstract: The invention provides a human calcium-binding phosphoprotein (CBPP-1) and polynucleotides which identify and encode CBPP-1. The invention also provides expression vectors, host cells, agonists, antibodies and antagonists. The invention also provides methods for treating disorders associated with expression of CBPP-1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1999
    Assignee: Incyte Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
    Inventors: Olga Bandman, Neil C. Corley, Purvi Shah
  • Patent number: 5922585
    Abstract: An RNA polymerase II holoenzyme that contains, in addition to RNA polymerase, a subset of the general transcription factors together with nine SRB proteins is described. This holoenzyme will selectively initiate transcription in vitro when supplemented with TATA-binding protein (TBP) and factor a (TFIIE). The SRB proteins act positively and negatively to regulate transcription initiation, at least in part, via functional interactions with RNA polymerase II.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1999
    Assignee: Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research
    Inventors: Richard A. Young, Anthony J. Koleske, Craig M. Thompson
  • Patent number: 5919627
    Abstract: The invention provides a human microsomal glutathione-S-transferase (MGST) and polynucleotides which identify and encode MGST. The invention also provides expression vectors, host cells, agonists, antibodies and antagonists. The invention also provides methods for treating disorders associated with expression of MGST.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 6, 1999
    Assignee: Incyte Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
    Inventors: Preeti Lal, Neil C. Corley, Purvi Shah
  • Patent number: 5919685
    Abstract: The invention provides a human aflatoxin B1 aldehyde reductase (AFB1-hAR) and polynucleotides which identify and encode AFB1-hAR. The invention also provides expression vectors, host cells, agonists, antibodies and antagonists. The invention also provides methods for treating disorders associated with expression of AFB1-hAR.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 6, 1999
    Assignee: Incyte Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
    Inventors: Olga Bandman, Purvi Shah, Karl J. Guegler, Neil C. Corley
  • Patent number: 5916772
    Abstract: Methods for the recombinant production of saporin-containing proteins, including cell surface binding protein-saporin fusion proteins, are provided. The resulting fusion proteins are cytotoxic to targeted cells. In preferred embodiments, methods are provided for the production of basic fibroblast factor (bFGF)-saporin fusion proteins by culturing Escherichia coli that has been transformed with a vector containing DNA encoding bFGF linked via a spacer peptide to the amino terminus of a cytotoxic portion of a saporin polypeptide to obtain expression of the DNA, and isolating the resulting FGF-saporin fusion protein. FGF-saporin fusion proteins and saporin proteins containing from about 5 to 12 amino acid N-terminal extensions are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 29, 1999
    Assignee: Whittier Institute for Diabetes and Endocrinology
    Inventors: Douglas A. Lappi, Isabel Barthelemy, J. Andrew Baird, Barbara A. Sosnowski
  • Patent number: 5914257
    Abstract: This invention relates to the structural gene for the membrane-bound aldehyde dehydrogenase derived from microorganisms belonging to the genus Acetobacter, said structural gene having a molecular size of about 3.6 Kb and having a restriction enzyme cleavage map as shown in FIG. 1; to a plasmid containing said structural gene; to an acetic acid bacterium transformed by said plasmid; and to an acetic acid fermentation process using said transformant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 22, 1999
    Assignee: Nakano Vinegar Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masahiro Fukaya, Kenji Tayama, Toshimi Tamaki, Haruko Izumo, Hajime Okumura, Yoshiya Kawamura
  • Patent number: 5912155
    Abstract: The invention relates to a substantially pure thermostable DNA polymerase from Thermotoga neapolitana (Tne). The Tne DNA polymerase has a molecular weight of about 100 kilodaltons and is more thermostable than Taq DNA polymerase. The present invention also relates to the cloning and expression of the Tne DNA polymerase in E. coli, to DNA molecules containing the cloned gene, and to host cells which express said genes. The Tne DNA polymerase of the invention may be used in well-known DNA sequencing and amplification reactions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 15, 1999
    Assignee: Life Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Deb K. Chatterjee, A. John Hughes, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5910425
    Abstract: Microbial strains capable of producing enhanced levels of sphingosine, dihydrosphingosine, phytosphingosine and/or derivatives thereof are disclosed. Additionally, there are disclosed methods based on mutagenesis, or other selection techniques, whereby such strains can be produced. As a preferred example thereof, mutant strains of Pichia are provided that are capable of producing about 50% more of such compounds than wild type strains.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 8, 1999
    Assignee: Gist-Brocades, N.V.
    Inventors: Lex De Boer, Ingrid Francisca Caroline Van Der Wildt
  • Patent number: 5906854
    Abstract: An enclosed food processing device is provided having one or more conveyor belts and vertical agitators positioned above the belt. The agitators have forward and backward prongs that stir the food being processed without causing physical damage to it. The food enters the device through an inlet and is evenly distributed across a draining screen by an inlet deflector plate, which is adjustable to account for the different rates at which the food may flow into the device. Ramps are positioned under the device to collect liquid drained from the food, and the ramps have independent segments that separate the liquid based on the stage of the process at which it is drained from the food. A salting apparatus is provided for conveying salt to the food to be processed. The salt is dispensed in proportion to the amount of food to be salted. Salt is moved from a salt hopper into a chamber by a rotating dispensing wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 25, 1999
    Assignee: Walker Stainless Equipment Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Virgil J. Scherping, George H. Schwinghammer, Gary L. Starkson
  • Patent number: 5902622
    Abstract: A process is described for producing natural, heat stable flavorings suitable for bakery applications. The flavorings are produced by low-temperature extraction of at least one herb, spice, fruit, nut or other plant material or part thereof with a mixture or an emulsion of an edible oil, water and an emulsifier, followed by separation of the solids matter from the liquid. The liquid flavorings fraction which is itself heat stable is rendered more convenient to use by encapsulation and drying into powder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 11, 1999
    Assignee: Konstantinos Poulgouras
    Inventors: Yaw J. Owusu-Ansah, Richard Green
  • Patent number: 5891685
    Abstract: Microbial cells and/or a preparation thereof of a microorganism is allowed to act on ester of .gamma.-halogenated-acetoacetic acid, and its carbonyl group at .beta.-position is stereospecifically reduced to produce ester of (S)-.gamma.-halogenated-.beta.-hydroxybutyric acid in a short period of time at a highly accumulated degree and at a high yield, the microorganism being selected from the group consisting of those belonging to the genera Phoma, Nectria, Pseudonectria, Spondylocladium, Melanospora, Metarhizium, Gliocladium, Pestalotia, Pestalotiopsis, Curvularia, Hormonema, Sydowia, Sarcinomyces, Dothiora, Xanthothecium, Dothidea, Pringsheimia, and Selenophoma.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 6, 1999
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation
    Inventors: Masahiro Yamagishi, Yukie Takai, Takashi Mikawa, Mari Hara, Makoto Ueda, Akiko Ohara
  • Patent number: 5891430
    Abstract: Purified DNA including a sequence encoding Diabetogene rad.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 6, 1999
    Assignee: Joslin Diabetes Center, Inc.
    Inventors: C. Ronald Kahn, Christine Reynet