Patents Examined by Robert Schwartzman
  • Patent number: 6165787
    Abstract: Dimerization and oligomerization of proteins are general biological control mechanisms that contribute to the activation of cell membrane receptors, transcription factors, vesicle fusion proteins, and other classes of intra- and extracellular proteins. We have developed a general procedure for the regulated (inducible) dimerization or oligomerization of intracellular proteins. In principle, any two target proteins can be induced to associate by treating the cells or organisms that harbor them with cell permeable, synthetic ligands. To illustrate the practice of this invention, we have induced: (1) the intracellular aggregation of the cytoplasmic tail of the .zeta.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2000
    Assignees: Board of Trustees of Leland Stanford Jr. University, President and Fellows of Harvard College
    Inventors: Gerald R. Crabtree, Stuart L. Schreiber, David M. Spencer, Thomas J. Wandless, Peter Belshaw
  • Patent number: 6159729
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a synthetic DNA molecule encoding purified human papillomavirus type 11 L1 protein and derivatives thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2000
    Assignee: Merck & Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kathryn J. Hofmann, Kathrin U. Jansen, Michael P. Neeper, Joseph G. Joyce, Hugh A. George, E. Dale Lehman
  • Patent number: 6140120
    Abstract: Dimerization and oligomerization of proteins are general biological control mechanisms that contribute to the activation of cell membrane receptors, transcription factors, vesicle fusion proteins, and other classes of intra- and extracellular proteins. We have developed a general procedure for the regulated (inducible) dimerization or oligomerization of intracellular proteins. In principle, any two target proteins can be induced to associate by treating the cells or organisms that harbor them with cell permeable, synthetic ligands. To illustrate the practice of this invention, we have induced: (1) the intracellular aggregation of the cytoplasmic tail of the .xi.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2000
    Assignees: Board of Trustees of Leland Stanford Jr. University, President and Fellows of Harvard College
    Inventors: Gerald R. Crabtree, Stuart L. Schreiber, David M. Spencer, Thomas J. Wandless, Steffan N. Ho, Peter Belshaw
  • Patent number: 6107063
    Abstract: The invention relates to processes for the microbial production of L-isoleucine. To this end, in a gene in vitro of a threonine dehydratse, one or more bases in the gene region coding the enzyme's allosteric domains are exchanged in such a way that at least one amino acid in the amino acid sequence of the allosteric domains of the enzyme is replaced by another so that the enzyme is no longer inhibited by L-isoleucine feedback. Furthermore, concrete amino acid exchanges in the amino acid sequence of the enzyme are effected in a gene in vitro of a threonin dehydratase of Corynebacterium glutamicum by base exchange both outside and inside and outside the gene region coding the allosteric domains of the enzyme si that, after the transformation of such mutated threonine dehydratase genes into a threonine or L-isoleucine-producing host cell, the latter repeatedly forms L-isoleucine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2000
    Assignee: Forschungszentrum Juelich GmbH
    Inventors: Bettina Moeckel, Lothar Eggeling, Hermann Sahm
  • Patent number: 6087094
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to the field of diagnostic virology. More particularly, the present invention is directed to methods and compositions useful for the detection and differentiation of viral particles and/or virions in specimens. The present invention also provides methods and compositions useful for evaluating the susceptibility of infectious viruses to antiviral agents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2000
    Assignees: Diagnostic Hybrids, Inc., Ohio University
    Inventors: David R. Scholl, Joseph D. Jollick
  • Patent number: 6054436
    Abstract: We have developed a general procedure for the regulated (inducible) dimerization or oligomerization of intracellular proteins and disclose methods and materials for using that procedure to regulatably initiate cell-specific apoptosis (programmed cell death) in genetically engineered cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2000
    Assignees: Board of Trustees of Leland S. Stanford Jr. Univ., President & Fellows of Harvard College
    Inventors: Gerald R. Crabtree, Stuart L. Schreiber, David M. Spencer, Thomas J. Wandless, Peter Belshaw
  • Patent number: 6046047
    Abstract: Dimerization and oligomerization of proteins are general biological control mechanisms that contribute to the activation of cell membrane receptors, transcription factors, vesicle fusion proteins, and other classes of intra- and extracellular proteins. We have developed a general procedure for the regulated (inducible) dimerization or oligomerization of intracellular proteins. In principle, any two target proteins can be induced to associate by treating the cells or organisms that harbor them with cell permeable, synthetic ligands. To illustrate the practice of tis invention, we have induced: (1) the intracellular aggregation of the cytoplasmic tail of the .zeta.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2000
    Assignees: Board of Trustees of Leland Stanford Jr. University, President and Fellows of Harvard College
    Inventors: Gerald R. Crabtree, Stuart L. Schreiber, David M. Spencer, Thomas J. Wandless, Peter Belshaw, Steffan N. Ho
  • Patent number: 6043088
    Abstract: This invention provides a novel nucleic acid molecule encoding a prostate/colon tumor suppressor gene product. The means and methods for detecting mutations and/or loss of prostate/colon tumor suppressor gene are provided. Also included within the scope of this invention are methods of suppressing the neoplastic phenotype of cancer cells having a defect in the prostate/colon tumor suppressor gene product. The invention also includes the means and methods for treating the cancer by administering the prostate/colon tumor suppressor gene.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2000
    Assignees: Canji, Inc., Johns Hopkins University
    Inventors: Robert Bookstein, William B. Isaacs
  • Patent number: 6043082
    Abstract: Dimerization and oligomerization of proteins are general biological control mechanisms that contribute to the activation of cell membrane receptors, transcription factors, vesicle fusion proteins, and other classes of intra- and extracellular proteins. We have developed a general procedure for the regulated (inducible) dimerization or oligomerization of intracellular proteins. In principle, any two target proteins can be induced to associate by treating the cells or organisms that harbor them with cell permeable, synthetic ligands. To illustrate the practice of this invention, we have induced: (1) the intracellular aggregation of the cytoplasmic tail of the .zeta.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2000
    Assignees: Board of Trustees of Leland Stanford Jr. Univ., President & Fellows of Harvard College
    Inventors: Gerald R. Crabtree, Stuart L. Schreiber, David M. Spencer, Thomas J. Wandless, Steffan N. Ho, Peter Belshaw
  • Patent number: 6030784
    Abstract: An improved method for the simultaneous sequence-specific identification of mRNAs in a mRNA population allows the visualization of nearly every mRNA expressed by a tissue as a distinct band on a gel whose intensity corresponds roughly to the concentration of the mRNA. In general, the method comprises the formation of cDNA using anchor primers to fix a 3'-endpoint, producing cloned inserts from the cDNA in a vector containing a bacteriophage-specific promoter for subsequent RNA synthesis, generating linearized fragments of the cloned inserts, preparing cRNA, transcribing cDNA from the cRNA using a set of primers, and performing PCR using a 3'-primer whose sequence is derived from the vector and a set of 5'-primers that is derived from the primers used for transcription of cDNA from cRNA. The method can identify changes in expression of mRNA associated with the administration of drugs or with physiological or pathological conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 29, 2000
    Assignee: The Scripps Research Institute
    Inventors: J. Gregor Sutcliffe, Mark G. Erlander
  • Patent number: 6027920
    Abstract: A DNA cassette for expression and secretion of a given amino acid, polypeptide or protein in a host strain of corynebacterium, including a sequence which encodes the amino acid, polypeptide or protein, and a region of chromosomal or plasmid DNA, wherein the sequence is situated in the region of chromosomal or plasmid DNA such that the sequence is transcribed with, at the sequence's 5' end, at least one portion of a sequence encoding the signal sequence of the protein PS1 or PS2, the at least one portion ensuring the secretion of the amino acid, polypeptide or protein after translation when the DNA cassette is incorporated into the host strain of corynebacterium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2000
    Assignee: Orsan
    Inventors: Gwennael Joliff, Armel Guyonvarch, Purification Relano, Gerard Leblon, Francis Duchiron, Michel Renaud
  • Patent number: 6024953
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a vaccinia virus, characterised in that it contains all or part of a DNA sequence (I) coding for an antigenic glycoprotein of rabies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2000
    Assignee: Transgene S.A.
    Inventors: Richard Lathe, Marie-Paule Kieny, Robert Drillien, Jean-Pierre Lecocq
  • Patent number: 6025137
    Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and compositions for the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of tumor progression in cells involved in human tumors such as melanomas, breast, gastrointestinal, lung, and bone tumors, various types of skin cancers, and other neoplastic conditions such as leukemias and lymphomas. Genes are identified that are differentially expressed in benign (e.g., non-malignant) tumor cells relative to malignant tumor cells exhibiting a high metastatic potential. Genes are also identified via the ability of their gene products to interact with gene products involved in the progression to, and/or aggressiveness of, neoplastic tumor disease states. The genes and gene products identified can be used diagnostically or for therapeutic intervention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2000
    Assignee: Millennium Pharmaceuticals Inc.
    Inventor: Andrew W. Shyjan
  • Patent number: 6022708
    Abstract: The present invention relates to nucleotide sequences, including expressed sequence tags (ESTs), oligonucleotide probes, polypeptides, vectors and host cells expressing, immunoadhesins, agonists and antagonists to human & vertebrate fused.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2000
    Assignee: Genentech, Inc.
    Inventors: Frederic de Sauvage, Arnon Rosenthal
  • Patent number: 6022950
    Abstract: Disclosed is a hybrid molecule comprising a first part, a second part, and a third part connected by covalent bonds,(a) wherein said first part comprises a portion of the binding domain of a cell-binding polypeptide ligand effective to cause said hybrid protein to bind to a cell of an animal;(b) wherein said second part comprises a portion of a translocation domain of naturally occurring protein which translocates said third part across the cytoplasmic membrane into the cytosol of the cell; and(c) wherein said third part comprises a chemical entity to be introduced into the cell, wherein each of said first part and said third part is non-native with respect to said naturally occurring protein, and further wherein said covalent bond connecting said second part and said third part is a cleavable bond, provided that when said second part comprises a portion of a translocation domain of Pseudomonas exotoxin, said third part is not a polypeptide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2000
    Assignee: Seragen, Inc.
    Inventor: John R. Murphy
  • Patent number: 6022864
    Abstract: Vectors containing a nucleotide sequence coding for an F protein of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and a promoter for such sequence, preferably a cytomegalovirus promoter, are described. Such vectors also may contain a further nucleotide sequence located adjacent to the RSV F protein enclosing sequence to enhance the immunoprotective ability of the RSV F protein when expressed in vivo. Such vectors may be used to immunize a host, including a human host, by administration thereto. Such vectors also may be used to produce antibodies for detection of RSV infection in a sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2000
    Assignee: Connaught Laboratories Limited
    Inventors: Xiaomao Li, Mary E. Ewasyshyn, Suryaprakash Sambhara, Michel H. Klein
  • Patent number: 6019980
    Abstract: Vectors containing a nucleotide sequence coding for an F protein of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and a promoter for such sequence, preferably a cytomegalovirus promoter, are described. Such vectors also may contain a further nucleotide sequence located adjacent to the RSV F protein encoding sequence to enhance the immunoprotective ability of the RSV F protein when expressed in vivo. Such vectors may be used to immunize a host, including a human host, by administration thereto. Such vectors also may be used to produce antibodies for detection of RSV infection in a sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2000
    Assignee: Connaught Laboratories Limited
    Inventors: Xiaomao Li, Mary E. Ewashysyn, Michel H. Klein
  • Patent number: 6020129
    Abstract: A stilbene synthase gene. More particularly, a stilbene synthase gene in which the stilbene synthase is resveratrol synthase. Also more particularly a stilbene synthase gene which is obtained from groundnut (Arachis hypogaea). Furthermore a stilbene synthase gene, corresponding to the stilbene synthase gene which is contained in the plasmid pGS 828.1, and DNA sequences acting in essentially the same say. Still further, a stilbene synthase gene unit which comprises approximately 6,700 base pairs and exhibits 3 EcoRI, 3 HindIII and 1 PstI cleavage sites, and which can be obtained by partial cleavage of the plasmid PGS 828.1 using EcoRI and HindIII, or from plasmid pGS 828.1 using SstI and PvuII.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2000
    Assignee: Bayer Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Gudrun Schroder, Joachim Schroder, Rudiger Hain, Peter Helmut Schreier
  • Patent number: 6017734
    Abstract: Provided are hydrophobic targeting sequences, which may serve to target heterologous proteins to a variety of cellular membranes. In particular, the structural components of the nuclear envelope, or those components which become nucleus-associated, may be targeted with the sequences provided. Also provided are methods of targeting heterologous proteins to particular membranes, and the use of these targeted proteins in therapeutic, diagnostic and insecticidal applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2000
    Assignee: The Texas A & M University System
    Inventors: Max D. Summers, Sharon C. Braunagel, Tao Hong
  • Patent number: 6017897
    Abstract: Non-replicating vectors containing a nucleotide sequence coding for an F protein of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and a promoter for such sequence, preferably a cytomegalovirus promoter, are described for in vivo immunization. Such non-replicating vectors, including plasmids, also may contain a further nucleotide sequence located adjacent to the RSV F protein encoding sequence to enhance the immunoprotective ability of the RSV F protein when expressed in vivo. Such non-replicating vectors may be used to immunize a host against disease caused by infection with RSV, including a human host, by administration thereto, and may be formulated as immunogenic compositions with pharmaceutically-acceptable carriers for such purpose. Such vectors also may be used to produce antibodies for detection of RSV infection in a sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2000
    Assignee: Pasteur Merieux Connaught Canada
    Inventors: Xiaomao Li, Mary E. Ewasyshyn, Suryaprakash Sambhara, Michel H. Klein