Patents Examined by Lisa Cook
  • Patent number: 8227203
    Abstract: This invention provides methods for screening an inhibitor of protein synthesis by measuring the level of relocalization of an SMN complex component from the cytoplasm to the nucleus. Additionally, the invention provides a kit and a system for screening protein synthesis inhibitors in a cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: The Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania
    Inventors: Gideon Dreyfuss, Mumtaz Kasim
  • Patent number: 8211657
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to satisfying the need to detect microbial contamination of food products. The described bioseparator/bioreactor coupled with an optical/electrochemical biosensor was able to specifically detect E. coli O157:H7 from 8.8×101 to 8.8×106 CFU/ml in 2.5 hours without any enrichment. Using this invention, concentrations of S. Typhimurium ranging from 8.6×102 to 8.6×106 CFU/ml in pure culture were detected in 2 hours without any enrichment. The invention may also be used for the detection of S. Seftenberg, which has the same sensitivity as S. Typhimurium. Other pathogens such as L. monocytogenes and S. Heidleberg did not interfere with the detection. The optimum inner diameter of the 25 cm long column for the detection of E. coli O157:H7 is 250 ?m.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: The Board of Trustees of the University of Arkansas
    Inventors: Yanbin Li, Yongcheng Liu
  • Patent number: 8211656
    Abstract: Modified red blood cells are described. In an embodiment, the modified red blood cell includes a target-binding agent. Targeted delivery of imaging agents, drugs, and peptide and protein pharmaceuticals using modified red blood cells are described. Processes for preparing the modified red blood cells, pharmaceutical and diagnostic compositions containing the same and methods of diagnosis and treatment involving the modified red blood cells are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: The Invention Science Fund I, LLC
    Inventors: Roderick A. Hyde, Muriel Y. Ishikawa, Edward K. Y. Jung, William Gates, Alois A. Langer, Eric C. Leuthardt, Royce A. Levien, Clarence T. Tegreene, Thomas A. Weaver, Charles Whitmer, Lowell L. Wood, Jr., Victoria Y. H. Wood
  • Patent number: 8183002
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides immunoassays and kits for detection or quantification of an analyte of interest in a test sample that potentially contains endogenously produced autoantibodies reactive with the analyte.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: Abbott Laboratories
    Inventors: Maciej Adamczyk, Jeffrey R. Brashear, Phillip G. Mattingly
  • Patent number: 8183003
    Abstract: Provided herein are processes of detecting and quantifying the number of polymer end groups in a sample. In particular instances provided herein are processes of detecting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: Zacharon Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
    Inventors: Brett E. Crawford, Jillian R Brown, Charles A. Glass
  • Patent number: 8173380
    Abstract: A diagnostic test kit for detecting an analyte residing in a test sample is provided. The kit employs a lateral flow device that contains a membrane. A metering channel is formed in the membrane that is capable of delivering a controlled volume of the test sample to a detection zone upon initiation of the assay. Such a metering channel is particularly effective for embodiments in which the test sample has a relatively low volume, such as less than about 100 microliters, in some embodiments from about 0.5 to about 25 microliters, and in some embodiments, from about 1 to about 10 microliters. For example, whole blood drops obtained from patients with a lancet typically have a volume of less than about 3 microliters. Despite their low volume, the present inventors have discovered that the blood drops may still be accurately analyzed for the presence of an analyte using lateral flow detection techniques.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Kaiyuan Yang, Ning Wei, Shawn Ray Feaster
  • Patent number: 8173379
    Abstract: A method of determining a concentration of analytes of interest in a sample reaction mixture is disclosed. The method can include measuring intensities of the polarized fluorescence of at least one comparative reaction mixture containing different, known amounts of the analytes of interest, and measuring the intensities of the polarized fluorescence of a sample reaction mixture. The method can also include determining the preliminary concentrations of the analytes of interest in the sample reaction mixture by comparing the measured intensities of the sample reaction mixtures at various time points. The margin of error for the preliminary concentration of the analytes of interest in the sample can be determined at the various time points. Finally, the concentration of the analytes of interest in the sample reaction mixture can be determined by comparing the preliminary concentrations and the respective margin of error at the given time points.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Aokin AG
    Inventors: Frank Mallwitz, Ursula Dahmen-Levison, Derek Levison, Stuart Levison
  • Patent number: 8163508
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method of predicting pregnancy outcome in a subject by determining the amount of an early pregnancy associated molecular isoform of hCG in a sample. The present invention further provides a method for determining the amount of early pregnancy associated molecular isoforms of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) in a sample. The present invention also provides a diagnostic kit for determining the amount of early pregnancy associated hCG in a sample. The present invention additionally provides an antibody which specifically binds to an early pregnancy associated molecular isoform of human chorionic gonadotropin. Finally, the present invention provides methods for detecting trophoblast or non-trophoblast malignancy in a sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: The Trustees of Columbia University in the City of New York
    Inventors: John O'Connor, Steven Birken, Galina Kovalevskaya
  • Patent number: 8163502
    Abstract: Provided are methods, test devices, and diagnostic kits for predicting, assessing, and diagnosing the risk of a disease using salivary analysis. The methods comprise providing a whole (unfractionated) saliva sample from a subject; contacting an aliquot of the saliva with two or more lectins under conditions that allow the two or more lectins to bind to a lectin-binding component of the saliva; detecting the amount of bound lectin; and comparing the amount of bound lectin to the amount known to bind a saliva sample from a control patient, to predict the risk of a disease in the subject. Also provided are methods for reducing the risk of a disease and a method for assessing the risk of the disease at a defined level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignees: Proactive Oral Solutions, Inc., University of Southern California
    Inventors: Patricia Denny, Paul C. Denny, Mahvash Navazesh
  • Patent number: 8153387
    Abstract: A method for immobilizing glycoprotein is disclosed. A surface is provided. Next, a boronic acid is contacted to the surface. The boronic acid is represented as Y—R—B—(OH)2 and includes a boronic acid group (B—(OH)2), a linker R, and a functional group Y, in which the boronic acid is bonded to the surface via the functional group Y. A glycoprotein is contacted to the boronic acid, wherein two spatially adjacent hydroxyl groups of a carbohydrate chain form a boronate ester with the boronic acid group of the boronic acid to immobilize the glycoprotein. The goal of site-specific and covalent protein immobilization without interfering the binding affinity of an antibody to antigen may be thus achieved with the reaction of boronic acid and the carbohydrate chain of Fc region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: National Tsing Hua University
    Inventors: Chun-Cheng Lin, Mu-Lin Chen, Po-Chiao Lin, Yu-Ju Chen, Shu-Hua Chen
  • Patent number: 8124362
    Abstract: Assay methods are disclosed involving specific binding reactions which are simplified compared to known methods. A compound capable of producing chemiluminescence is immobilized on a solid support as is a member of a specific binding pair for capturing an analyte from a sample. An activator compound that activates the chemiluminescent compound and is conjugated to a specific binding pair member is added in excess along with the sample to the solid support. Addition of a trigger solution causes a chemiluminescent reaction at the sites where the activator conjugate has been specifically bound. The assay methods are termed non-separation assays because they do not require removal or separation of excess detection label (activator conjugate) prior to the detection step. The methods are applicable to various types of assays including immunoassays, receptor-ligand assays and nucleic acid hybridization assays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: Beckman Coulter, Inc.
    Inventor: Hashem Akhavan-Tafti
  • Patent number: 8124359
    Abstract: A method for reducing non-specific binding in an assay is provided herein. The method includes (a) providing a reaction mixture, which includes or is suspected to include a first component and a second component capable of binding to each other in a specific binding reaction, and (b) adding non-physiological amounts of at least one additive to the reaction mixture before, during or after binding in a sufficient amount to reduce non-specific binding in the reaction mixture. The method further includes (c) monitoring or measuring the presence and/or concentration of at least one of the first and second components after step (b).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: Aokin AG
    Inventors: Stuart Levison, Paul Nix, Derek Levison
  • Patent number: 8119358
    Abstract: The invention describes biomarkers which can be used to predict the likelihood that an individual will develop Diabetes. The biomarkers can also be used to screen large groups in order to identify individuals at risk of developing Diabetes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: Tethys Bioscience, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael S. Urdea, Michael P. McKenna, Patrick A. Arensdorf
  • Patent number: 8114617
    Abstract: The invention involves a method for measuring phosphorylation of proteins at specific sites and, as such, is an indicator of the protein kinase activity of enzymes capable of phosphorylating those sites. The method involves the in vitro or in vivo phosphorylation of a target protein at a specific serine, threonine or tyrosine residue, subjecting that protein (non-phosphorylated) to reaction mixture containing all reagents, including phosphokinase which allow the creation of a phosphorylated form of protein. The phosphorylated protein is measured by contacting it with an antibody specific for the phosphorylation site(s). The invention includes antibodies useful in practicing the methods of the invention. The invention particularly relates to all proteins modified by phosphorylation and dephosphorylation as illustrated by Tau, Rb and EGFR proteins and antibodies specific for the site of phosphorylation of the Tau, Rb or EGFR proteins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Life Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Kevin J. Reagan, Erik Schaefer, Jimin Wang
  • Patent number: 8114661
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to the detection of target analytes using electronic techniques, particularly AC techniques.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Osmetech Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen D. O'Connor, Jon Faiz Kayyem, Thomas J. Meade
  • Patent number: 8114615
    Abstract: The invention provides an improved method for identifying and interpreting tissue specimens and/or cells derived from tissue specimens. A panel of cell-based reagents provides a number of readouts of cellular states or biomarkers that together define a profile of a diversity of cellular states or biomarkers in a tissue specimen representing the “systems” nature of biology. This cellular profile is interpreted using informatics tools, to identify similarities between specimens, in vivo medical conditions, and suggest options for treating medical conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Cernostics, Inc.
    Inventors: Albert H. Gough, Kenneth A. Giuliano, D. Lansing Taylor
  • Patent number: 8114618
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of immunology and hyperproliferative diseases. More specifically, the present invention relates to a method of detecting and monitoring therapeutic antibody:antigen complex, soluble antigen and soluble therapeutic antibody, wherein a patient has undergone at least one course of immunotherapy. Yet further, levels of therapeutic antibody:antigen complexes, soluble antigens or soluble therapeutic antibodies may be measured and used to stage or monitor a hyperproliferative disease.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Board of Regents of the University of Texas System
    Inventors: Maher Albitar, Michael J. Keating, Taghi Manshouri
  • Patent number: 8114616
    Abstract: The invention provides an ELISA assay for the determination of serum mast cell ?-tryptase levels using rabbit anti-tryptase as the capture antibody and alkaline phosphatase conjugated G3 as the detecting antibody. Luminescent substrate CPSD was used to enhance the assay sensitivity. Also provided are methods for aiding in the diagnosis of irritable bowel syndrome by detecting the serum level of ?-tryptase, histamine and/or prostaglandin E2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Prometheus Laboratories Inc.
    Inventors: Hua Gong, Shui Long Wang, Sharat Singh
  • Patent number: 8110366
    Abstract: The invention describes specific sialylated structures present on human stem cells and cell populations derived thereof. The invention is especially directed to methods to control the status of stem cells by observing changes in sialylation of the cells; and control of potential contaminations of biological materials; and reagents and methods used in connection with the cells in order to avoid alterations of the cell glycosylation by contaminating materials. The invention is further directed to novel stem cells, the glycosylation of which has been specifically altered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignees: Suomen Punainen Risti, Veripalvelu, Glykos Finland Oy
    Inventors: Jarmo Laine, Taina Jaatinen, Heidi Anderson, Johanna Nystedt, Sarl Tiitinen, Anita Laitinen, Ulla Impola, Tero Satomaa, Jari Natunen, Annamari Heiskanen, Maria Blomqvist, Anne Olonen
  • Patent number: 8110365
    Abstract: Renal injury and inflammation is diagnosed by detecting an elevation in GSK3b level or activity. Inflammation of bodily tissues such as renal tissue is inhibited by administration of GSK3b inhibitory compositions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: Rhode Island Hospital
    Inventors: Lance Dworkin, Rujun Gong