Patents Examined by Kenneth Horlick
  • Patent number: 9145587
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for identifying a DNA breakpoint and agents for use therein. More particularly, the present invention provides a method for identifying a gene translocation breakpoint based on the application of a novel multiplex DNA amplification technique. The method of the present invention facilitates not only the identification of the breakpoint position but, further, enables the isolation of the DNA segment across which the breakpoint occurs. This provides a valuable opportunity to conduct further analysis of the breakpoint region, such as to sequence across this region. The method of the present invention is useful in a range of applications including, but not limited to, providing a routine means to characterize the gene breakpoint associated with disease onset in a patient and thereby enable the design of patient specific probes and primers for ongoing monitoring of the subject disease condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2015
    Assignee: MONOQUANT PTY LTD
    Inventor: Alexander Alan Morley
  • Patent number: 9139874
    Abstract: In some embodiments, methods for obtaining sequence information from a nucleic acid template linked to a support include hybridizing a first primer to a template strand linked to a support, sequencing a portion of the nucleic acid template, thereby forming an extended first primer product that is complementary to a portion of the nucleic acid template. In some embodiments, the method further includes introducing a nick into a portion of the template strand that is hybridized to the extended first primer product, degrading a portion of the template strand from the nick using a degrading agent, where a portion of the extended first primer remains hybridized to an undegraded portion of the template strand, and sequencing at least some of the single-stranded portion of the extended first primer by synthesis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: Life Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Jason Myers, Zhoutao Chen, Devin Dressman, Theo Nikiforov
  • Patent number: 9121054
    Abstract: Compositions and methods useful in nucleic acid assays are provided. The invention permits detection of test and control nucleic acids. Test nucleic acids can be immobilized at multiple locations, such that amplification of either a test nucleic acid or a control nucleic acid provides a captured nucleic acid in a control capture zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: BioHelix Corporation
    Inventors: Huimin Kong, Yanhong Tong, Wen Tang
  • Patent number: 9121071
    Abstract: A method of sample analysis is provided. In certain embodiments, the method involves: a) amplifying a product from a sample that comprises both wild type copies of a genomic locus and mutant copies of the genomic locus that have a point mutation relative to said wild type copies of the genomic locus, to produce an amplified sample, where: i. the amplifying is done using a first primer and a second primer; and ii. the first primer comprises a 3? terminal nucleotide that base pairs with the point mutation and also comprises a nucleotide sequence that is fully complementary to a sequence in the locus with the exception of a single base mismatch within 6 bases of the 3? terminal nucleotide; and b) detecting the presence of said product in said amplified sample using a flap assay that employs an invasive oligonucleotide. A kit for performing the method is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: Exact Sciences Corporation
    Inventors: Hongzhi Zou, Graham P. Lidgard, Michael J. Domanico, Hatim Allawi
  • Patent number: 9115391
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for detecting a mutation capable of detecting a mutation with high sensitivity and high reliability in one reaction system. Using primers (Xmt) and (Xwt), a target nucleic acid sequence whose objective base to be detected is a mutant-type is amplified with amplification efficiency higher than a target nucleic acid sequence whose objective base to be detected is a normal-type. The (Xmt) is a primer that is complementary to a region including a mutant-type base in the template nucleic acid and has a base complementary to a mutant-type base at a 3? region, and the (Xwt) is a primer that is complementary to a region including a normal-type base in the template nucleic acid and has a base complementary to a normal-type base at a 3? region. It is preferable that amplification efficiency by the (Xmt) with reference to a mutant-type template nucleic acid is higher than that by the (Xwt) with reference to a normal-type template nucleic acid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Assignee: ARKRAY, Inc.
    Inventors: Mitsuharu Hirai, Toshiya Hosomi, Aki Iguchi
  • Patent number: 9109262
    Abstract: Compositions are disclosed as nucleic acid sequences that may be used as amplification oligomers, including primers, capture probes for sample preparation, and detection probes specific for Candida albicans 26S rRNA sequences or DNA encoding 26S rRNA. Methods are disclosed for detecting the presence of C. albicans in samples by using the disclosed compositions in methods that include in vitro nucleic acid amplification of a 26S rRNA sequence or DNA encoding the 26S rRNA sequence to produce a detectable amplification product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: Gen-Probe Incorporated
    Inventors: James J. Hogan, Irene Andruszkiewicz, Jennifer J. Bungo, Shannon K. Kaplan
  • Patent number: 9109263
    Abstract: Compositions are disclosed as nucleic acid sequences that may be used as amplification oligomers, including primers, capture probes for sample preparation, and detection probes specific for Candida albicans 26S rRNA sequences or DNA encoding 26S rRNA. Methods are disclosed for detecting the presence of C. albicans in samples by using the disclosed compositions in methods that include in vitro nucleic acid amplification of a 26S rRNA sequence or DNA encoding the 26S rRNA sequence to produce a detectable amplification product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: Gen-Probe Incorporated
    Inventors: James J. Hogan, Irene Andruszkiewicz, Jennifer J. Bungo, Shannon K. Kaplan
  • Patent number: 9096897
    Abstract: The present invention features compositions and methods for quantifying detection of a target oligonucleotide in a sample in real time comprising one or more primer oligonucleotides comprising a 5? nicking enzyme recognition site and a 3?-terminal region comprising a 2?-modified nucleotide. These methods are compatible with target oligonucleotides amplified using a nicking amplification reaction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignee: EnviroLogix Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Shaffer, Stephen A. Judice
  • Patent number: 9090935
    Abstract: A method for the characterization of chromosomal inversions using anti-parallel probes is described. Reporter species are attached to oligonucleotide strands designed such that they may hybridize to portions of only one of a pair of single-stranded sister chromatids which may be prepared by the CO-FISH procedure. If an inversion has occurred, these marker probes will be detected on the second sister chromatid at the same location as the inversion on the first chromatid. Further, one or more reporter species are replaced with anti-parallel probes that hybridize at known locations along the second sister chromatid such that the position and size of the inversion may be identified/estimated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignees: KROMATID, INC., COLORADO STATE UNIVERSITY RESEARCH FOUNDATION
    Inventor: F. Andrew Ray
  • Patent number: 9079148
    Abstract: The present invention provides methods for creating an array of features on a surface based on content transferred from a plurality of beads to the surface. Nucleic acid content can be transferred using a method including the steps of (a) providing a surface having one or more primer oligonucleotides attached to the surface; (b) providing a pool of beads, wherein beads in the pool have a plurality of templates attached thereto, the plurality comprising multiple copies of a single nucleic acid template sequence; (c) arraying the beads onto the surface by hybridizing the templates to the primer oligonucleotides; and (d) extending the primers to produce copies of the templates attached to the surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignee: Illumina Cambridge Limited
    Inventors: Roberto Rigatti, Geoffrey Paul Smith, Jonathan Mark Boutell
  • Patent number: 9068209
    Abstract: The invention provides a system and method for synthesizing polynucleotides by solid phase assembly oligonucleotide precursors, in accordance with the method, a polynucleotide is partitioned into an ordered set of subunits, wherein each subunit is assembled in a single reaction from a subset of oligonucleotide precursors that uniquely anneal together to produce the subunit. The subunits are then assembled to form the desired polynucleotide. An important feature of the invention is the selection of subunits that are free of undesired sequence elements, such as palindromes, repetitive sequences, and the like, which would result in more than one subunit product alter ligating a pool of oligonucleotide precursors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: British Columbia Cancer Agency Branch
    Inventors: Robin Coope, Daniel Horspool, Robert A. Holt
  • Patent number: 9024006
    Abstract: A method of sample analysis is provided. In certain embodiments, the method involves: a) amplifying a product from a sample that comprises both wild type copies of a genomic locus and mutant copies of the genomic locus that have a point mutation relative to said wild type copies of the genomic locus, to produce an amplified sample, where: i. the amplifying is done using a first primer and a second primer; and ii. the first primer comprises a 3? terminal nucleotide that base pairs with the point mutation and also comprises a nucleotide sequence that is fully complementary to a sequence in the locus with the exception of a single base mismatch within 6 bases of the 3? terminal nucleotide; and b) detecting the presence of said product in said amplified sample using a flap assay that employs an invasive oligonucleotide. A kit for performing the method is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Exact Sciences Corporation
    Inventors: Hongzhi Zou, Graham P. Lidgard, Michael J. Domanico, Hatim Allawi
  • Patent number: 9005929
    Abstract: A method for obtaining nucleic acid sequence information that can include steps of (a) providing a first sequencing reagent to a target nucleic acid, wherein the first sequencing reagent comprises at least two different nucleotide monomers, (b) detecting the incorporation of a nucleotide monomer present in the first sequencing reagent into a polynucleotide strand complementary to at least a portion of the target nucleic acid, (c) providing a second sequencing reagent to said target nucleic acid, wherein the second sequencing reagent comprises one or more nucleotide monomers, at least one of the one or more nucleotide monomers being different from the nucleotide monomers present in the first sequencing reagent, and wherein the second sequencing reagent is provided subsequent to providing the first sequencing reagent, and (d) detecting the incorporation of a nucleotide monomer present in the second sequencing reagent into the polynucleotide strand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Illumina, Inc.
    Inventors: Mostafa Ronaghi, Helmy A. Eltoukhy
  • Patent number: 9006419
    Abstract: A method for isolating nucleic acids is provided. The method includes providing a biological sample containing at least one nucleic acid, and mixing the biological sample with an isolating agent under a suitable condition to isolate the nucleic acids from the biological sample in single step, wherein the isolating agent contains 1-40 wt % of PEG and/or more than 30 wt % of low molecular weight alcohol, a salt, and a detergent. Isolated nucleic acids are bound to a solid support by changes in the solubility of nucleic acids. Additionally, the present invention further provides an isolating agent and kit for isolating nucleic acids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: Pei-Shin Jiang, Kun-Chan Wu, Yu-Ting Su, Chia-Yun Lin, Siou-Cing Su, Yuh-Jiuan Lin
  • Patent number: 8993242
    Abstract: Methods and kits are provided for testing the functional effect of methylating different cytosine residues, for testing patterns of DNA methylation on gene expression, and for site-specific methylation, as well as methylated DNA constructs. Methods are provided that include steps of denaturing a circular double-stranded DNA construct; hybridizing primers to separate strands of the denatured circular DNA construct; contacting the hybridized primers with a DNA polymerase, deoxynucleoside triphosphates, and copies of the primers; contacting nicked copies with a DNA ligase so as to form a copy of the circular DNA construct; contacting the copy of the circular DNA construct with a methyltransferase enzyme; transfecting a cell with C-5 methylated circular DNA construct; and quantifying expression of a gene of interest, thereby determining the effect of C-5 methylating cytosine nucleotide residues of DNA on expression of the gene of interest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University
    Inventors: Weiguo Han, Simon D. Spivack, Miao Kevin Shi
  • Patent number: 8981068
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods and compositions for evaluating nucleic acids, methods of preparing such compositions, and applications and business methods employing such compositions and methods. In particular, the present invention provides business methods for operating a gene expression measurement service.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignees: Gene Express, Inc., University of Toledo
    Inventors: James C. Willey, Brad Austermiller, Erin L. Crawford, Charles Knight, Terry Osborn, Robert Zahorchak
  • Patent number: 8975025
    Abstract: A method for electrochemically or electrically detecting nucleic acids, utilizes electrochemically active or electrically conductive reporter materials. An electric voltage is applied and electric signals are measured to the electrodes that are suitable for detecting or quantifying the nucleic acid(s) in a sample. This technique is suitable for point-of-use applications, e.g. detecting bioanalytes in remote locations. A microchip, device, kit used adapted to be used for this method is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
    Inventors: I Ming Hsing, Ming Hung Thomas Lee, Xiaoteng Luo
  • Patent number: 8975028
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a high throughput method for the identification and detection of molecular markers wherein restriction fragments are generated and suitable adaptors comprising (sample-specific) identifiers are ligated. The adapter-ligated restriction fragments may be selectively amplified with adaptor compatible primers carrying selective nucleotides at their 3? end. The amplified adapter-ligated restriction fragments are, at least partly, sequenced using high throughput sequencing methods and the sequence parts of the restriction fragments together with the sample-specific identifiers serve as molecular markers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Keygene N.V.
    Inventors: Michael Josephus Theresia Van Eijk, Taco Peter Jesse
  • Patent number: 8956817
    Abstract: A simple, rapid, inexpensive, and promising commercial biomarker assay method for multiple diseases is described herein. The present invention detects miRNA-based biomarkers in human stool specimens. The method of the present invention amplifies miRNA directly from stool specimens without any prior miRNA extraction. Differential expression of specific microRNAs in stool of colorectal cancer CRC and adenoma patients suggest fecal microRNAs as a novel potential biomarker for colorectal neoplasia detection. The method of the present invention has diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic relevance for gastroenterological cancers/colorectal cancer and as well as further acquired or hereditary GI diseases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Baylor Research Institute
    Inventors: Ajay Goel, C. Richard Boland, Alexander Link, Francesc Balaguer
  • Patent number: RE45539
    Abstract: A system for nucleic acid amplification of a sample comprises partitioning the sample into partitioned sections and performing PCR on the partitioned sections of the sample. Another embodiment of the invention provides a system for nucleic acid amplification and detection of a sample comprising partitioning the sample into partitioned sections, performing PCR on the partitioned sections of the sample, and detecting and analyzing the partitioned sections of the sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC
    Inventors: Brian L. Anderson, Bill W. Colston, Christopher J. Elkin