Patents Examined by Mindy B. Fleisher
  • Patent number: 5491060
    Abstract: E. coli bacterial strains encoding a restriction gene that degrades methylated DNA, and prevents cloning of genes expressing the methyltransferase responsible for methylation, are mutated by a chemical or physical mutagen, so as to make the restriction enzyme temperature sensitive. Mutant cells are rendered competent, and plasmids expected or known to contain genes encoding methyltransferase enzymes are introduced. The transformants grow at the permissive temperature, where the restriction enzyme system is inactivated due to the mutated gene. Successful clones, expressing a methyltransferase, can be quickly identified by those which grow at the permissive temperature, but not at the non-permissive temperature. The valuable methyltransferases, as well as restriction enzymes associated therewith, can accordingly be recovered in large quantity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 13, 1996
    Assignee: The University of Maryland
    Inventors: Daniel C. Stein, Andrejez S. Piekarowicz, Robert T. Yuan
  • Patent number: 5486471
    Abstract: Tissue plasminogen activator analogs containing the growth factor domain of native t-PA, the domain having at least one cysteine residue replaced with another amino acid. The t-PA analogs may further contain a variety of substitutions and/or modifications. Pharmaceutical compositions containing one or more of the t-PA analogs along With a physiologically acceptable carrier or diluent are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 23, 1996
    Assignee: ZymoGenetics, Inc.
    Inventors: Eileen R. Mulvihill, Shinji Yoshitake, Yasunori Ikeda, Suguru Suzuki, Akira Hashimoto, Teruaki Yuzuriha, Bjorn A. Nexo
  • Patent number: 5486602
    Abstract: The present invention relates to serine protease mutants of the chymotrypsin superfamily that are resistant to inhibition by their cognate inhibitors, and genes that encode the same. The present invention also relates to serine protease inhibitor mutants that inhibit the serine protease mutants of the present invention, and genes that encode the same. The serine protease mutants and serine protease inhibitor mutants are useful as, e.g., pharmacological agents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 23, 1996
    Assignee: The Board of Regents of the University of Texas System
    Inventors: Joseph F. Sambrook, Edwin L. Madison, Elizabeth J. Goldsmith, Maryjane H. Gething
  • Patent number: 5486603
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an oligonucleotide or analog thereof conjugated to a molecule comprising a structure, which structure (a) is of substantially fixed conformation; (b) contains, is directly attached to, or is attached to a carbon atom that is directly attached to, an first amine; and (c) contains, is directly attached to, or is attached to an atom that is directly attached to a phosphate, a second amine, or a cationic sulfur. In a preferred embodiment, the structure consists of at least a nonaromatic cyclic portion or substituted derivative thereof. In a specific embodiment, the structure is a nonaromatic cyclic compound. In another embodiment, the molecule is a steroid. In yet another particular aspect, the structure is an aromatic compound. In another embodiment, the structure can bind to a nucleic acid sequence in a nonintercalative manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 23, 1996
    Assignee: Gilead Sciences, Inc.
    Inventor: Chris A. Buhr
  • Patent number: 5484720
    Abstract: A method is provided for calcium phosphate transfection of a eukaryotic host cell wherein particles comprising calcium phosphate and a desired nucleic acid are grown to an optimal size and then contacted with the host cell under conditions providing a substantially slower particle growth rate, thereby increasing the host cell's exposure to optimally-sized particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 16, 1996
    Assignee: Genentech, Inc.
    Inventors: Florian M. Wurm, Martin Jordan
  • Patent number: 5482850
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of these cyclophilins, hereinafter referred to as "cyclophilin-like proteins (CLP)", in a method for identifying compounds capable of binding to and/or inhibiting the enzymatic activity of these proteins. Such compounds may be further screened for their ability to inhibit parasites which are not susceptible to the anti-parasitic effects of CsA.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 9, 1996
    Assignee: New England Biolabs, Inc.
    Inventors: Clotilde K. S. Carlow, Antony Page
  • Patent number: 5482847
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a DNA fragment containing a nucleotide sequence that encodes an amino acid sequence of esterase, said esterase asymmetrically hydrolyzing carboxylic acid esters represented by the formula (I); ##STR1## (wherein R.sub.1 is alkyl, aralkyl or aryl, R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 are alkyl, and n is 1 or 2) an esterase encoded by the DNA fragment, a recombinant plasmid containing the DNA fragment, a microorganism transformed with the recombinant plasmid and methods of producing optically active carboxylic acids and their enantiomeric esters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 9, 1996
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Rayon Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Eiji Ozaki, Akihiro Sakimae, Ryozo Numazawa
  • Patent number: 5480972
    Abstract: The present invention provides a nucleic acid having a nucleotide sequence coding for Sor h I, a major allergen of Sorghum halepense, and fragments thereof. The present invention also provides purified Sor h I or at least one fragment thereof, produced in a host cell transformed with a nucleic acid sequence coding for Sor h I, or at least one fragment thereof and fragments of Sor h prepared synthetically. Sor h I and fragments thereof are useful for diagnosing, treating, and preventing allergy to Johnson grass pollen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 2, 1996
    Assignees: The University of Melbourne, ImmuLogic Pharmaceutical Corporation
    Inventors: Asil Avjioglu, Mohan B. Singh, Robert B. Knox
  • Patent number: 5480801
    Abstract: The present invention relates to isolated nucleic acid fragments containing a sequence encoding a Rhizoctonia solani laccase having optimum activity at a neutral or basic pH. and the laccase proteins encoded thereby.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 2, 1996
    Assignee: Novo Nordisk A/S
    Inventors: Jill A. Wahleithner, Bjoern E. Christensen, Palle Schneider
  • Patent number: 5478893
    Abstract: Methods for covalent attachment of oligonucleotides to solid supports such that substantially all of the oligonucleotides are attached via their 5'-ends are provided. The solid supports with attached oligonucleotides are produced. Thiol-oligonucleotides are attached to bromoacetyl-derivatized polyacrylamide supports, or conversely, bromoacetyl-oligonucleotides are immobilized on thiol-polyacrylamide supports. In a further aspect, bromoacetyl-derivatized oligonucleotides, and polyacrylamide supports with linked oligonucleotides produced by coupling bromoacetyl-derivatized oligonucleotides with thiol-derivatized polyacrylamide solid supports or by coupling thiol-derivatized oligonucleotides with bromoacetyl-derivatized polyacrylamide supports as well as methods for capture of nucleic acids by oligonucleotides attached to polyacrylamide solid supports, either by direct capture or in sandwich hybridization formats are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 26, 1995
    Assignee: Siska Diagnostics Inc.
    Inventors: Soumitra S. Ghosh, Eoin D. Fahy
  • Patent number: 5478731
    Abstract: A bacteriophage packaging site-based vector system is describe that involves cloning vectors and methods for their use in preparing multiple copy number bacteriophage libraries of cloned DNA. The vector is based on a DNA segment that comprises a nucleotide sequence defining a bacteriophage packaging site located between two termini having ligation means used to concatamerize fragments of DNA having compatible ligation means. Methods for preparing a concatameric DNA for packaging cloned DNA segments, and for packaging the concatamers to produce a library are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 26, 1995
    Assignee: Stratagene
    Inventor: Jay M. Short
  • Patent number: 5476774
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for determining the amount of a target acid segment in a sample by polymerase chain reaction. The method involves the simultaneous amplification or the target nucleic acid segment and an internal standard nucleic acid segment. The amount of amplified DNA from each segment is determined and compared to standard curves to determine the amount of the target nucleic acid segment present in the sample prior to amplification. The method is especially preferred for determining the quantity of a specific mRNA species in a biological sample. Additionally, an internal standard is provided useful for quantitation of multiple mRNA species.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 19, 1995
    Assignee: Hoffmann-La Roche Inc.
    Inventors: Alice M. Wang, Michael V. Doyle, David F. Mark
  • Patent number: 5476769
    Abstract: The present invention provides a rapid and sensitive method for assaying nucleic acids by means of hybridization techniques, wherein the detector probes are modified primers being incorporated into copies of the target nucleic acid before the hybridization reaction and a reagent combination as well as a kit therefor. The invention also provides a method for assaying nucleic acids by means of hybridization techniques, wherein the capturing probes are modified primers being incorporated into copies of the target nucleic acids before the hybridization reaction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 19, 1995
    Assignee: Orion-Yahtyma Oy
    Inventors: Hans E. Soderlund, Arja M. Weckman
  • Patent number: 5474895
    Abstract: Methods for the detection of nucleic acid using sandwich hybridization are provided. The target nucleic acids are captured by hybridization with oligonucleotides covalently attached to polystyrene solid supports to form complexes which are then hybridized to detection oligonucleotides to facilitate the analysis of the target nucleic acid sequences.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 12, 1995
    Assignee: Siska Diagnostics Inc.
    Inventors: Jennifer K. Ishii, Soumitra Ghosh
  • Patent number: 5472843
    Abstract: This invention discloses hybridization assay probes for Haemophilus influenzae comprised of an oligonucleotide of about 14 to 18 nucleotides. These probes hybridize to variable regions of the 16S rRNA gene of Haemophilus influenzae. The oligonucleotide probes are complementary to the rRNA variable region of the rRNA gene. Such probe specificity offers a rapid, non-subjective method of identification and quantitation of a bacterial colony for the presence of selected rRNA sequences capable of distinguishing all strains of Haemophilus influenzae.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 5, 1995
    Assignee: Gen-Probe Incorporated
    Inventor: Curt L. Milliman
  • Patent number: 5472842
    Abstract: The present invention relates to in situ hybridization methods for the identification of new chromosomal abnormalities associated with various diseases. In particular, it provides probes which are specific to a region of amplification in chromosome 20.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 5, 1995
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Trond Stokke, Daniel Pinkel, Joe W. Gray
  • Patent number: 5473056
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a novel protein with E2F-like properties and the cDNA that encodes for that protein. The purified protein exhibits biological activity which is deemed important to medical science in the study of cell cycle regulation in general and the specific study of the Rb rumor suppressor protein and certain viral oncogenes. The protein may be employed in a complex with pRb or other cellular proteins to study inhibitors of biochemical transformations of those proteins, such as for example the phosphorylation of the pRb portion of the complex, therefore aiding in the study of potential pharmaceutical agents useful against certain oncoproteins encoded by DNA tumor viruses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 5, 1995
    Assignee: Merck & Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Mona Ivey-Hoyle, Allen I. Oliff, David C. Heimbrook
  • Patent number: 5470708
    Abstract: A method of genetically transforming mammalian unattached cells is disclosed. The method begins by preparing copies of a nucleic acid construct and coating these copies onto biologically inert carrier particles. Mammalian unattached cells are isolated in a liquid suspension. The cell suspension is placed on a target surface, wherein the liquid is spread to a thin film on the target surface. In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the liquid is spread onto a porous surface. The cells are bombarded with the construct-coated particles in such a fashion that some particles lodge in the interior of at least some of the cells. The existence and expression of the construct within the cell is verified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 28, 1995
    Inventors: Ning-Sun Yang, William F. Swain, Joseph K. Burkholder, Deborah L. Fuller
  • Patent number: 5470727
    Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods for inserting a copy of a heterologous gene into the chromosome of a host cell such as E. coli through the use of a chromosomal transfer DNA, a circular, non-self-replicating DNA carrying a site-specific recombination site such as lambda att P. The host cell chromosome contains a second site-specific recombination site. When the chromosomal transfer DNA is introduced into the host cell, expression of an integration enzyme such as integrase causes the integration of the chromosomal transfer DNA into the host cell chromosome at the second recombination site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 28, 1995
    Assignee: Celtrix Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
    Inventors: Desmond Mascarenhas, Pamela S. Olson
  • Patent number: 5470710
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for automated multiplex sequencing of DNA with an integrated automated imaging hybridization chamber system. This system comprises an hybridization chamber device for mounting a membrane containing size-fractionated multiplex sequencing reaction products, apparatus for fluid delivery to the chamber device, imaging apparatus for light delivery to the membrane and image recording of fluorescence emanating from the membrane while in the chamber device, and programmable controller apparatus for controlling operation of the system. The multiplex reaction products are hybridized with a probe, then an enzyme (such as alkaline phosphatase) is bound to a binding moiety on the probe, and a fluorogenic substrate (such as a benzothiazole derivative) is introduced into the chamber device by the fluid delivery apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 28, 1995
    Assignee: University of Utah
    Inventors: Robert B. Weiss, Alvin W. Kimball, Raymond F. Gesteland, F. Mark Ferguson, Diane M. Dunn, Leonard J. Di Sera, Joshua L. Cherry