Patents Examined by Richard Hutson
  • Heparanases and splice variants thereof, polynucleotides encoding them and uses thereof
    Patent number: 8093031
    Abstract: The invention relates to novel heparanases, heparanase splice variants, and to polynucleotides encoding them. Particularly, the invention relates to Spalax heparanases, and to Spalax and human heparanase splice variants. Heparanase splice variants can be used, for example, to modulate the activity of heparanase in diseases disorders or conditions caused by or associated with the enzymatic activity of heparanase. For instance, a splice variant capable of down regulating the activity of heparanase can be used to treat primary tumors and/or to prevent or treat metastasis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Carmel-Haifa University Economic Corp. Ltd.
    Inventors: Nicola J. Nasser, Aaron Avivi, Israel Vlodavsky, Eviatar Nevo
  • Thermostable viral polymerases and methods of use
    Patent number: 8093030
    Abstract: Thermostable viral polymerases exhibiting a combination of activities selected from, proofreading (3?-5?) exonuclease activity, nick translating (5?-3?) nuclease activity, synthetic primer-initiated polymerase activity, nick-initiated polymerase activity, reverse transcriptase activity, strand displacement activity, and/or decreased discrimination against incorporation of nucleotide analogs. Also provided are compositions including the polymerases, polynucleotides encoding the polymerases and methods of using the polymerases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Lucigen Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas W. Schoenfeld, Vinay K. Dhodda, Robert A. Difrancesco, David A. Mead
  • Detection of mutations in a gene associated with resistance to viral infection, OAS1
    Patent number: 8088907
    Abstract: A method for detecting a mutation related to the gene encoding OAS1. This and other disclosed mutations correlate with resistance of humans to viral infection including hepatitis C. Also provided is a therapeutic agent consisting of a protein or polypeptide encoded by the mutated gene, or a polynucleotide encoding the protein or polypeptide. Inhibitors of human OAS1, including antisense oligonucleotides, methods, and compositions specific for human OAS1, are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Assignee: Kineta Two, LLC
    Inventors: Shawn P. Iadonato, Charles L. Magness, Gary Rosenberg, Christina A. Scherer, Thierry Guillaudeux
  • URA5 gene and methods for stable genetic integration in yeast
    Patent number: 8062879
    Abstract: A novel gene encoding P. pastoris orotate-phosphoribosyl transferase (URA5) is disclosed. Methods for producing and selecting yeast strains capable of stable genetic integration of heterologous sequences into the host genome are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: Glycofi, Inc.
    Inventor: Juergen H. Nett
  • Sesquiterpene synthases from patchouli
    Patent number: 8058046
    Abstract: The invention relates to sesquiterpene synthases from Patchouli plants (Pogostemon cablin), and methods of their production and use. In one embodiment, the invention provides nucleic acids comprising a nucleotide sequence as described herein that encodes for at least one sesquiterpene synthase. In a further embodiment, the invention also provides for sesquiterpene synthases and methods of making and using these enzymes. For example, sesquiterpene synthases of the invention may be used to convert farnesyl-pyrophosphate to various sesquiterpenes including patchoulol, ?-curcumene and other germacrane-type sesquiterpenes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: Firmenich SA
    Inventors: Michel Schalk, Fabienne Deguerry
  • Enzymes
    Patent number: 8053221
    Abstract: The present invention relates to enzymes and processes. In particular, there is described a host cell transformed or transfected with a nucleic acid encoding a bacterial phytase enzyme and variants thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: Danisco A/S
    Inventors: Andrei Miasnikov, Vijay Kumar, Oliver Kensch, Klaus Pellengahr, Birgitta Leuthner, Ulrich Kettling, Andre Koltermann
  • Prokaryotic DNA repair ligases
    Patent number: 8034587
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the cloning and characterization of a prokaryotic DNA repair ligase, which is shown to possess a range of activities that allow the ligation and repair of non-compatible DNA ends and double strand breaks (DSBs). The enzyme has a range of applications in the manipulation and cloning of nucleic acids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: Cambridge Enterprise Limited
    Inventors: Aidan Doherty, Marina Della, Geoffrey Weller, Stephen Jackson
  • Microorganism-derived psychrophilic endonuclease
    Patent number: 8034597
    Abstract: A polypeptide having an endonuclease activity derived from a psychrophilic microorganism Shewanella sp. strain Ac10, which exhibits high activity at low temperatures, can remove any nucleic acid present in a protein solution and can reduce the viscosity of a protein extract; and a nucleic acid encoding the polypeptide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: Takara Bio Inc.
    Inventors: Naoyuki Awazu, Toshihiro Shodai, Hikaru Takakura, Masanari Kitagawa, Hiroyuki Mukai, Ikunoshin Kato
  • Mutations in OAS1 genes
    Patent number: 8030046
    Abstract: Modified amino acid sequences of OAS1 proteins in non-human primates, and genes related thereto, are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Assignee: Kineta Two, LLC
    Inventors: Shawn P. Iadonato, Charles L. Magness, P. Campion Fellin, Christina A. Scherer, Tory Hagen, Amy Olson
  • DNA polymerases and related methods
    Patent number: 8026091
    Abstract: Disclosed are mutant DNA polymerases having improved extension rates relative to a corresponding, unmodified polymerase. The mutant polymerases are useful in a variety of disclosed primer extension methods. Also disclosed are related compositions, including recombinant nucleic acids, vectors, and host cells, which are useful, e.g., for production of the mutant DNA polymerases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2011
    Assignee: Roche Molecular Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Keith A. Bauer, David Harrow Gelfand
  • Specific lysis of pathogens by bacteriophage phi11 endolysin
    Patent number: 8012730
    Abstract: The Staphylococcus aureus bacteriophage phi11 endolysin has two peptidoglycan hydrolase domains (endopeptidase and amidase) and a SH3b cell wall-binding domain. In turbidity reduction assays, the purified protein can lyse untreated staphylococcal mastitis-causing pathogens, S. aureus and coagulase negative staphylococci (S. chronogenes, S. epidermis, S. hyicus, S. simulans, S. warneri, and S. xylocus), making it a strong antimicrobial protein and an effective candidate for treating multidrug-resistant staphylococci. Lytic activity is maintained at the pH (6.7) and the ‘free’ calcium concentration (3 mM) of milk. Truncated endolysin-derived proteins, containing just the endopeptidase domain, also lyse staphylococci, in the absence of the SH3b-binding domain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of Agriculture
    Inventor: David M. Donovan
  • Thermotolerant ribonuclease H
    Patent number: 8008055
    Abstract: Polypeptides having an RNase H activity highly useful in genetic engineering; genes encoding these polypeptides; and a process for genetic engineeringly producing these polypeptides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: Takara Bio Inc.
    Inventors: Takashi Uemori, Yoshimi Sato, Nobuto Koyama, Ryo Hirano, Hikaru Takakura, Hiroshi Kobori, Yuji Hashimoto, Kikyozo Asada, Ikunoshin Kato
  • Thermostable nucleic acid polymerase from
    Patent number: 8008054
    Abstract: A purified thermostable enzyme is derived form the thermophilic archaebacterium Thermococcus gorgonarius. The enzyme can be native or recombinant, retains approximately 90% of its activity after incubation for two hours at 95° C. in the presence of stabilizing agents and possesses 3?-5? proofreading exonuclease activity. Thermostable DNA polymerases are useful in many recombinant DNA techniques, especially nucleic acid amplification by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: Roche Molecular Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Waltraud Ankenbauer, Vitaly Svetlichny, Elizaveta Bonch-Osmolovskaya, Christine Ebenbichler, Bernhard Angerer, Gudrun Schmitz-Agheguian, Frank Laue
  • Cellulase resistant to surfactants
    Patent number: 7790430
    Abstract: Disclosed is a novel cellulose having an amino acid sequence in which the 162nd and/or 166th amino acid residues in the amino acid sequence of cellulose NCE5 are substituted. Further, a polynucleotide encoding the novel cellulose, an expression vector containing the polynucleotide, a host cell transformed with the expression vector, and a cellulose preparation and a washing composition containing the cellulose are disclosed. The cellulose of the present invention is resistant to surfactants, and maintains a high activity even under alkaline conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: Meiji Seika Kaisha, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kaoru Okakura, Koji Yanai
  • Sesquiterpene synthases and methods of use
    Patent number: 7790426
    Abstract: The invention relates to sesquiterpene synthases and methods of their production and use. In one embodiment, the invention provides nucleic acids comprising a nucleotide sequence as described herein that encodes for at least one sesquiterpene synthases. In a further embodiment, the invention also provides for sesquiterpene synthases and methods of making and using these enzymes. For example, sesquiterpene synthases of the invention may be used to convert farnesyl-pyrophosphate to various oxygenated and aliphatic sesquiterpenes including valencene, bicyclo-germacrene, cubebol and delta-cadinene.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: Firmenich SA
    Inventors: Michel Schalk, Anthony Clark
  • Method for producing optically active alcohols from alkanones using a dehydrogenase of azoarcus
    Patent number: 7785847
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing the optically active alkanols of formula (I), wherein n is an integer of from 0 to 5; Cyc represents an optionally substituted, mononuclear or polynuclear, saturated or unsaturated, carbocylic or heterocyclic ring, and R1 represents halogen, SH, OH, NO2, NR2R3 or NR2R3R4+X?, wherein R2, R3 and R4 independently represent H or a lower alkyl or lower alkoxy group and X? represents a counterion. According to the invention, an enzyme (E) selected from the groups of dehydrogenases, aldehyde reductases and carbonyl reductases is incubated in a medium containing the alkanone of formula (II), wherein n, Cyc and R1 are defined as above, in the presence of reduction equivalents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: BASF SE
    Inventors: Rainer Stürmer, Maria Keβeler, Bernhard Haur, Thomas Friedrich, Michael Breuer, Hartwig Schröder
  • Expression system for producing collagen
    Patent number: 7759090
    Abstract: A DNA molecule consisting of the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1, which encodes a collagenous (COL1) domain and a C-terminal noncollagenous (NC1) domain of type XXI collagen. Expression systems and methods for the expression of the DNA molecule are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: Min-Yuan Chou, Hsiu-Chuan Li, Chuan-Chuan Huang
  • Extracellular serine protease
    Patent number: 7759103
    Abstract: The present invention provides a DNA encoding a human Tumor Antigen Derived Gene-14 (TADG-14) protein selected from the group consisting of: (a) isolated DNA which encodes a TADG-14 protein; (b) isolated DNA which hybridizes to isolated DNA of (a) above and which encodes a TADG-14 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 TADG-14 protein. Also, provided is a vector capable of expressing the DNA of the present invention adapted for expression in a recombinant cell and regulatory elements necessary for expression of the DNA in the cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Assignee: Board of Trustees of the University of Arkansas
    Inventors: Lowell J. Underwood, Timothy J. O'Brien
  • Patent number: 7759102
    Abstract: Novel polypeptides possessing (endo)xylanase activity are disclosed which can degrade cellulose implant extracts and plant materials. The polypeptides can cleave ?-D-xylan polymers at internal (1-4) bonds between adjacent xylopyranosyl units. The amino acid sequence and encoding DNA sequence is given and the polypeptide was used to treat cellulose in the preparation of edible foodstuffs and animal feed. The polypeptides have both arabinoxylanase and xylosidase activity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Assignee: BASF Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Johannes Petrus Theodorus Wilhelmus Van Den Hombergh, Jan-Metske Van Der Laan, Jean-Marc Georges Daran
  • Enzyme for the production of long chain peracid
    Patent number: 7754460
    Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions comprising at least one perhydrolase enzyme for cleaning and other applications. In some embodiments, the present invention provides methods and compositions for generation of long chain peracids. Certain embodiments of the present invention find particular use in applications involving cleaning, bleaching and disinfecting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: Danisco US Inc.
    Inventors: Neelam S. Amin, Richard R. Bott, Marguerite A. Cervin, Ayrookaran J. Poulose, Walter Weyler