Patents Examined by Q. Janice Li
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Patent number: 8685730Abstract: Methods and devices for culturing human pluripotent stem cells to produce cells of the pancreatic lineage are disclosed. The methods include steps of culturing the stem cells under conditions that induce the expression of mesendoderm/primitive streak and definitive endoderm markers in a chemically defined medium including an effective amount of i) fibroblast growth factor, ii) Activin A, and iii) bone morphogenetic protein. The methods further include the steps of culturing cells under conditions favoring the formation of at least one of intact embryoid bodies and pancreatic progenitor PDX1+Ins? cells.Type: GrantFiled: June 8, 2012Date of Patent: April 1, 2014Assignee: Wisconsin Alumni Research FoundationInventors: Jon Odorico, Xiaofang Xu
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Patent number: 8617885Abstract: Hematopoietic stem cells and methods for ex vivo expansion of hematopoietic stem cells are provided. The methods comprise culturing the cells in a media containing an effective amount insulin-like growth factor(IGF), fibroblast growth factor (FGF), thrombopoietin (TPO), and stem cell factor (SCF), under conditions sufficient for expansion of said cells. Methods for identifying expanded hematopoeitc stem cells and kits for ex vivo expansion of hematopoietic stem cells are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: July 6, 2010Date of Patent: December 31, 2013Assignee: Whitehead Institute for Biomedical ResearchInventors: Chengcheng Zhang, Harvey Lodish
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Patent number: 8546643Abstract: The present invention relates to a genetically modified pig as a model for studying atherosclerosis. The modified pig model displays one or more phenotypes associated with atherosclerosis. Disclosed is also a modified pig comprising a mutation in the endogenous ApoE gene or part thereof, LDL gene or part thereof, LDL receptor gene, or transcriptional or translational product or part thereof. The invention further relates to methods for producing the modified pig; and methods for evaluating the effect of a therapeutical treatment of atherosclerosis; methods for screening the efficacy of a pharmaceutical composition; and a method for treatment of a human being suffering from atherosclerosis are disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: March 6, 2008Date of Patent: October 1, 2013Assignee: Aarhus UniversitetInventors: Jacob Fog Bentzon, Charlotte Brandt Sørensen, Peter Michael Kragh, Jacob Giehm Mikkelsen, Erling Falk, Lars Axel Bolund, Thomas Juhl Corydon
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Patent number: 8541645Abstract: Provided herein are non-human animal models and related methods useful for the identification, characterization, and analysis of the effects of environmental stimuli on the development and progression of pathological conditions. The environmental stimuli can include, but are not limited to, exposure to tobacco (e.g., cigarette, etc.) smoke. Exemplary pathological conditions include, but are not limited to, atherosclerosis, other cardiovascular disease (CVD), and the like. Also provided herein are non-human animal models and related methods useful for the identification, characterization, and analysis of pharmaceutical compounds, compositions, and/or formulations that can be used to prevent or treat a given pathological condition brought on by exposure to a given environmental condition.Type: GrantFiled: December 8, 2009Date of Patent: September 24, 2013Assignee: University of CalcuttaInventors: Alok Kumar Sil, Tanusree Ray, Palash Chandra Maity
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Patent number: 8524221Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and compositions for inactivating CCR-5 genes, using zinc finger nucleases (ZFNs) comprising a zinc finger protein and a cleavage domain or cleavage half-domain. Polynucleotides encoding ZFNs, vectors comprising polynucleotides encoding ZFNs, such as adenovirus (Ad) vectors, and cells comprising polynucleotides encoding ZFNs and/or cells comprising ZFNs are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: May 5, 2011Date of Patent: September 3, 2013Assignee: Sangamo BioSciences, Inc.Inventors: Dale Ando, Michael C. Holmes, Yann Jouvenot, Gary Ka Leong Lee
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Patent number: 8470790Abstract: Nucleic acid vectors encoding light-gated cation-selective membrane channels, in particular channelrhodopsin-2 (Chop2), converted inner retinal neurons to photosensitive cells in photoreceptor-degenerated retina in an animal model. Such treatment restored visual perception and various aspects of vision. A method of restoring light sensitivity to a retina of a subject suffering from vision loss due to photoreceptor degeneration, as in retinitis pigmentosa or macular degeneration, is provided. The method comprises delivering to the subject by intravitreal or subretinal injection, the above nucleic acid vector which comprises an open reading frame encoding a rhodopsin, to which is operatively linked a promoter and transcriptional regulatory sequences, so that the nucleic acid is expressed in inner retinal neurons.Type: GrantFiled: May 4, 2007Date of Patent: June 25, 2013Assignees: Wayne State University, Salus UniversityInventors: Zhuo-Hua Pan, Alexander M. Dizhoor
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Patent number: 8410259Abstract: Compositions and methods comprising recombinant expression vector elements (rEVEs) to enhance the level of expression of recombinant proteins are described. Other compositions and methods for lowering, substantially suppressing, or essentially silencing expression of a recombinant protein are also described.Type: GrantFiled: April 29, 2011Date of Patent: April 2, 2013Assignee: AbbVie Inc.Inventors: Wendy R. Gion, Gerald R. Carson, Hong Gao, Yune Z. Kunes
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Patent number: 8383589Abstract: The present invention relates to the discovery of the Aegyptin gene and Aegyptin protein, a molecule that interacts with collagen and inhibits platelet adhesion, activation and aggregation. Novel biological tools, prophylactics, therapeutics, diagnostics, and methods of use of the foregoing are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: July 7, 2008Date of Patent: February 26, 2013Assignees: The United States of America, as Represented by the Secretary, Department of Health and Human Services, Regents of the University of CaliforniaInventors: Eric Calvo, Osvaldo Marinotti, Jose M. C. Ribeiro, Ivo M. Francischetti
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Patent number: 8329981Abstract: A genetically modified mouse characterized in that it does not comprise a nucleic acid sequence which itself encodes any endogenous immunoglobulin heavy chain constant region locus polypeptide.Type: GrantFiled: April 6, 2011Date of Patent: December 11, 2012Assignee: Crescendo Biologics LimitedInventor: Marianne Bruggemann
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Patent number: 8299043Abstract: This document provides methods and materials related to treating glaucoma, ocular hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, and renal diseases. For example, this document provides isolated nucleic acid molecules and viral vectors (e.g., lentiviral vectors) containing isolated nucleic acid molecules. Methods for reducing intraocular pressure as well as symptoms and progression of cardiovascular and renal diseases also are provided.Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 2007Date of Patent: October 30, 2012Assignee: Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and ResearchInventors: Eric M. Poeschla, Roman A. Barraza
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Patent number: 8293223Abstract: The present invention provides a method of extracting and recovering embryonic-like stem cells, including, but not limited to pluripotent or multipotent stem cells, from an exsanguinated human placenta. A placenta is treated to remove residual umbilical cord blood by perfusing an exsanguinated placenta, preferably with an anticoagulant solution, to flush out residual cells. The residual cells and perfusion liquid from the exsanguinated placenta are collected, and the embryonic-like stem cells are separated from the residual cells and perfusion liquid. The invention also provides a method of utilizing the isolated and perfused placenta as a bioreactor in which to propagate endogenous cells, including, but not limited to, embryonic-like stem cells. The invention also provides methods for propagation of exogenous cells in a placental bioreactor and collecting the propagated exogenous cells and bioactive molecules therefrom.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2011Date of Patent: October 23, 2012Assignee: Anthrogenesis CorporationInventor: Robert J. Hariri
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Patent number: 8278498Abstract: A method for producing immortalized antibody-secreting cells, comprising: (a) providing a transgenic animal having antibody-secreting cells capable of expressing one or more transgenes, wherein the antibody-secreting cells are in a non-immortalized state in the absence of a stimulus and are capable of changing to an immortalized state by means of the transgene or transgenes upon exposure of the cells to the stimulus; (b) extracting the antibody-secreting cells from the animal; and (c) exposing the antibody-secreting cells to the stimulus, thereby immortalizing the antibody secreting cells by means of the transgene or transgenes.Type: GrantFiled: April 16, 2003Date of Patent: October 2, 2012Assignee: Granta Biotechnology LimitedInventor: Jason Peter Brown
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Patent number: 8246944Abstract: This invention refers to an immunotherapeutic agent based on cell wall fragments from virulent Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains, to a method for obtaining this immunotherapeutic agent, to pharmaceutical formulations containing it and to its use for the preparation of a drug for the combined treatment of tuberculosis in association with other drugs.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 2004Date of Patent: August 21, 2012Assignee: Archivel Farma, S.L.Inventors: Pere Joan Cardona Iglesias, Isabel Amat Riera
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Patent number: 8247229Abstract: Methods are described to more efficiently produce cells of the endoderm and pancreatic lineage from mammalian pluripotent stem cells. These methods provide a simple, reproducible culture protocol using defined media components to enable consistent, large-scale production of pancreatic cell types for research or therapeutic uses.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 2010Date of Patent: August 21, 2012Assignee: Wisconsin Alumni Research FoundationInventors: Jon Odorico, Xiaofang Xu
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Patent number: 8227440Abstract: The present invention relates to therapeutic use of Myxoma virus. Myxomas virus can selectively infect cells that have a deficient innate anti-viral response, including cells that are not responsive to interferon and can be used to treat diseases characterized by the presence of such cells, including cancer.Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 2009Date of Patent: July 24, 2012Assignee: Robarts Research InstituteInventors: Grant McFadden, John C. Bell
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Patent number: 8222004Abstract: The invention relates to a method for screening a pharmaceutical for treating or preventing a neurodevelopmental disorder or a psychiatric disorder accompanied by an abnormality of oxytocin system by using an increase in expression or enzymatic activity of CD38 as an index, and a diagnosis of a predisposition to a neurodevelopmental disorder or a psychiatric disorder accompanied by an abnormality of oxytocin system by using a mutation present in a CD38 gene region as an index.Type: GrantFiled: November 15, 2007Date of Patent: July 17, 2012Assignees: National University Corporation Kanazawa University, Tohoku UniversityInventor: Haruhiro Higashida
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Patent number: 8217019Abstract: The present invention provides a vaccine containing a Sendai virus vector encoding a virus protein of an immunodeficiency virus. By intranasally administering a Sendai virus encoding a virus protein of an immunodeficiency virus to a macaque monkey, the present inventors have succeeded in efficiently inducing protective immunity against an immunodeficiency virus. As a result of intranasal inoculation of vaccine, expression of an antigen protein mediated by Sendai virus vector was detected in intranasal mucous membrane and local lymph nodes and antigen-specific cellular immune response was induced at a significant level. No pathological symptom by vaccination was observed. After vaccination, exposure of simian immunodeficiency virus was performed and the effect was examined. As a result, the amount of virus in plasma significantly decreased, compared with that of the control animal. The present invention provides a promising vaccine as an AIDS vaccine.Type: GrantFiled: February 5, 2010Date of Patent: July 10, 2012Assignees: DNAVEC Research Inc., Japan as Represented by the Director General of National Institute of Infectious DiseaseInventors: Munehide Kano, Tetsuro Matano, Atsushi Kato, Yoshiyuki Nagai, Mamoru Hasegawa
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Patent number: 8198083Abstract: An organotypic slice and a method of preparing an organotypic slice from a central nervous system tissue, wherein the organotypic slice comprises a brain slice obtained from a brain wherein mature synapses have not been established and the organotypic slice is seeded with a population of stem cells; wherein the organotypic slice has enhanced viability as compared to an organotypic slice comprising a similar brain slice not seeded with a population of stem cells.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2008Date of Patent: June 12, 2012Inventors: William Gunter Loudon, Shengwen Li, Brent A. Dethlefs
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Patent number: 8187875Abstract: The present disclosure describes the generation of neural cells and neurons from mammalian pluripotent embryonic-like stem cells (ELSCs) isolated from corneal limbal tissue, a non-embryonic tissue. Specifically, the present disclosure describes the generation of neuroprogenitor cells and differentiated dopaminergic neurons from ELSCs. The disclosed methods demonstrate the potential of ELSCs as a therapeutic tool, and may provide new therapeutic alternatives for various diseases, conditions, and injuries. Neuroprogenitor cells generated from ELSCs isolated from corneo-limbal tissue were transplanted into a rat model of Parkinson's disease, and were able to alleviate motor abnormalities in the rats for at least six months.Type: GrantFiled: August 10, 2006Date of Patent: May 29, 2012Assignee: Reliance Life Sciences Pvt. Ltd.Inventors: Geeta Ravindran, Harinarayana Rao
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Patent number: 8173365Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a method for inhibiting activation of signaling pathway mediated by erbB1 or erbB2 in human cell and a signaling inhibitor to be used therefor. The above-described activation of signaling pathway can be inhibited by a polypeptide comprising at least one of PTB domain or ERK2 binding domain of human FRS2?. The above-described polypeptide may be introduced directly into cell, or nucleic acid which encodes for the above-described polypeptide may be introduced into cell to allow expression of the polypeptide in the cell. Such polypeptide and nucleic acid can be used, for example, as a signaling inhibitor. In addition, since erbB1 and erbB2 are involved in development of cancer, the above-described signaling inhibitor is also useful, for example, as an anticancer drug.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 2007Date of Patent: May 8, 2012Assignees: The University of Tokyo, Tokyo Medical University, National University Corporation Tokyo Medical and Dental UniversityInventors: Noriko Gotoh, Masahiko Kuroda, Nobuo Tsuchida