Patents Examined by Samuel Woolwine
  • Patent number: 10138518
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an annealing control primer for improving annealing specificity in nucleic acid amplification and its applications to all fields of nucleic acid amplification-involved technology. The present primer comprises (a) a 3?-end portion having a hybridizing nucleotide sequence substantially complementary to a site on a template nucleic acid to hybridize therewith; (b) a 5?-end portion having a pre-selected arbitrary nucleotide sequence; and (c) a regulator portion positioned between said 3?-end portion and said 5?-end portion comprising at least one universal base or non-discriminatory base analog, whereby said regulator portion is capable of regulating an annealing portion of said primer in association with annealing temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: SEEGENE, INC.
    Inventor: Jong-Yoon Chun
  • Patent number: 9920382
    Abstract: Compositions, reaction mixtures, kits and methods used in amplifying and detecting nucleic acids from various species of the class Mollicutes. Particular regions of the 23S rRNA or its gene have been identified as preferred targets for nucleic acid amplification reactions of a sample suspected containing at least one species of Mollicutes. Some oligomers comprise tag regions, target closing regions, promoter sequences, and/or binding moieties. Samples can be from any source suspected of containing a species of the class Mollicutes. Preferred sample sources include bioreactors, cell lines, cell culture wares and pharmaceutical manufacturing wares.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: GEN-PROBE INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Shannon K. Kaplan, Kristin W. Livezey, Michael M. Becker, James J. Hogan
  • Patent number: 9885054
    Abstract: The Zea mays c.v. B73 Ubiquitin-1 (Z. mays c.v. B73 Ubi-1) promoter drives high levels of constitutive transgene expression in plants. Repeated use of the same Z. mays c.v. B73 Ubi-1 promoter in multi-gene constructs may also lead to gene silencing, thereby making transgenic products less efficacious. Provided are gene regulatory promoter elements, constructs, and methods for expressing a transgene in plant cells and/or plant tissues using gene regulatory elements from the Ubi-1 promoter of a different Zea species, Z. luxurians v2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: Dow AgroSciences LLC
    Inventors: Sandeep Kumar, Manju Gupta, Terry R. Wright, Susan M. Jayne, Doug A. Smith, Diaa Alabed
  • Patent number: 9884890
    Abstract: The present invention relates to various processes by a template-dependent extension reaction using a dual specificity oligonucleotide and a dual specificity oligonucleotide composed of three different Tm portions therefor. Demonstrated in the present invention are the features of the dual specificity oligonucleotide, which are high hybridization specificity and mismatch tolerance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: SEEGENT, INC.
    Inventor: Jong-Yoon Chun
  • Patent number: 9879327
    Abstract: Methods and compositions for detecting, identifying, and quantifying Brassica A genomic DNA are described. The methods are specific to the Brassica A genome and do not cross-react with other Brassica species, crops or weedy relatives that could contribute to contamination of a canola field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: E. I. DU PONT DE NEMOURS AND COMPANY
    Inventors: Matthew Curtis Harmon, Nancy L Henderson, Cathy Xiaoyan Zhong
  • Patent number: 9863008
    Abstract: Soybean Event pDAB9582.816.15.1 comprises gene expression cassettes which contain genes encoding Cry1F, Cry1Ac (synpro), and PAT, affording insect resistance and herbicide tolerance to soybean crops containing the event, and enabling methods for crop protection and protection of stored products. The disclosure provides polynucleotide related event detection methods. The present disclosure relates to a method for detecting a new insect resistant and herbicide tolerant transgenic soybean transformation event, designated Soybean Event pDAB9582.816.15,1. The DNA of soybean plants containing this event includes the junction/flanking sequences described herein that characterize the location of the inserted DNA within the soybean genome. SEQ ID NO: 1 and SEQ ID N0:2 are diagnostic for Soybean Event pDAB9582.816.15.1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: Dow AgroSciences LLC
    Inventors: Lauren Clark, Kelley Ann Smith, Yang Wang, Ning Zhou
  • Patent number: 9863009
    Abstract: Reagents and methods for the fast, accurate and early detection of infections in thalassemia major patients. Reagents include a primer pool containing a mixture of primer pairs for the specific recognition and simultaneous amplification of targeted gene sequences of pathogens from a biological sample collected from a patient in a multiplex PCR reaction. Pathogens may include at least one Fungi species, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Candida albicans and Staphylococcus aureus. Subsequent identification of the pathogens is achieved by DNA sequencing analysis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: University of Dammam
    Inventors: Amein Kadhem Al-Ali, Francis Borgio Jesu Alexander, Zaki Naserullah, Sayed Abdul Azeez, Sana Al-Jarrash
  • Patent number: 9850529
    Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods for nucleic acid based diagnostic assays. In particular, the present invention provides primers for asymmetric PCR and other amplification modalities. In some embodiments, the present invention provides multiple primers for amplification of related nucleic acid targets in a single reaction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: Brandeis University
    Inventors: Kenneth E. Pierce, John E. Rice, Lawrence J. Wangh
  • Patent number: 9845507
    Abstract: Provided herein are methods for the detection of genetic mutations associated with cancer, particularly in the KIT gene.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: SYSMEX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Johannes Fredebohm, Frank Diehl, Frank Holtrup, Daniel Mehnert
  • Patent number: 9822395
    Abstract: Methods for producing a paired tag from a nucleic acid sequence are provided in which the paired tag comprises the 5? end tag and 3? end tag of the nucleic acid sequence. In one embodiment, the nucleic acid sequence comprises two restriction endonuclease recognition sites specific for a restriction endonuclease that cleaves the nucleic acid sequence distally to the restriction endonuclease recognition sites. In another embodiment, the nucleic acid sequence further comprises restriction endonuclease recognition sites specific for a rare cutting restriction endonuclease. Methods of using paired tags are also provided. In one embodiment, paired tags are used to characterize a nucleic acid sequence. In a particular embodiment, the nucleic acid sequence is a genome. In one embodiment, the characterization of a nucleic acid sequence is karyotyping. Alternatively, in another embodiment, the characterization of a nucleic acid sequence is mapping of the sequence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: APPLIED BIOSYSTEMS, LLC
    Inventors: Douglas Smith, Joel Malek, Kevin McKernan
  • Patent number: 9816132
    Abstract: A heating mechanism for use in DNA applications such as DNA amplification, extraction and sterilization is provided. Nanoparticles having photo-thermal properties are put in contact with a reaction mixture and irradiated with an activation light beam to activate these photo-thermal properties, thereby releasing heat. Nanoparticles of several types may be used. Use of the same nanoparticles or of different one to monitor the reaction using a different light beam is also presented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Inventors: Philip Roche, Andrew Kirk, Lenore Beitel, Miltiadis Paliouras, Mark Trifiro, Vamsy Chodavarapu, Mohamed Najih, Joachim Thiemann
  • Patent number: 9816120
    Abstract: The invention provides compositions and methods for ligating single stranded nucleic acids wherein the ligation is based on fast, efficient, and low-sequence bias hybridization of an acceptor molecule with a donor molecule. In one embodiment, the structure of the donor molecule comprises a stem-loop intramolecular nucleotide base pairing (i.e., hairpin) and a 3?-overhang region such that the overhang is able to hybridize to nucleotides present in the 3? end of the acceptor molecule.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: THE PENN STATE RESEARCH FOUNDATION
    Inventors: Philip C. Bevilacqua, Sarah M. Assmann, Yiliang Ding, Chun Kit Kwok
  • Patent number: 9797010
    Abstract: The present invention relates to systems and methods for sequencing nucleic acids, including sequencing nucleic acids in fluidic droplets. In one set of embodiments, the method employs sequencing by hybridization using droplets such as microfluidic droplets. In some embodiments, droplets are formed which include a target nucleic acid, a nucleic acid probe, and at least one identification element, such as a fluorescent particle. The nucleic acid probes that hybridize to the target nucleic acid are determined, in some instances, by determining the at least one identification element. The nucleic acid probes that hybridize to the target nucleic acid may be used to determine the sequence of the target nucleic acid. In certain instances, the microfluidic droplets are provided with reagents that modify the nucleic acid probe. In some cases, a droplet, such as those described above, is deformed such that the components of the droplets individually pass a target area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: President and Fellows of Harvard College
    Inventors: David A. Weitz, Jeremy Agresti, Michael P. Weiner, Adam R. Abate, Tony Hung
  • Patent number: 9797000
    Abstract: Provided are methods of isolating RNA from a biological sample, methods and means for determining the presence of particular RNA splice-form variants in a biological sample, methods and means for determining the relative ratio of RNA ratios in a biological sample, and methods and means for predicting the progression of precancerous cervical lesions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: QIAGEN GAITHERSBURG INC.
    Inventors: Brian Lowe, Anna K. Fulbright, Irina Nazarenko
  • Patent number: 9790541
    Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for the labeling of nucleic acid polymers in vitro and in vivo. In particular, the methods include a [3+2] cycloaddition between a nucleotide analogue incorporated into a nucleic acid polymer and a reagent attached to a label. Such methods do not require fixation and denaturation and therefore can be applied to the labeling of nucleic acid polymers in living cells and in organisms. Also provided are methods for measuring cellular proliferation. In these methods, the amount of label incorporated into the DNA is measured as an indication of cellular proliferation. The methods of the invention can be used in a wide variety of applications including clinical diagnosis of diseases and disorders in which cellular proliferation is involved, toxicity assays, and as a tool for the study of chromosomes' ultrastructures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: President and Fellows of Harvard College
    Inventors: Adrian Salic, Timothy J. Mitchison
  • Patent number: 9790563
    Abstract: The invention discloses a method for evaluating therapeutic effects of lapatinib on liver cancer comprising: obtaining a liver cancer biopsy from a patient; determining level of a biomarker in the liver cancer biopsy obtained from the patient ex vivo; comparing the determined level of the biomarker in the liver cancer biopsy obtained from the patient to a reference level of the biomarker; and predicting therapeutic effect of lapatinib on liver cancer according to the comparison between the determined level and the reference level of the biomarker; wherein the reference level of the biomarker is level of the biomarker in a liver biopsy obtained from a normal, non-cancerous subject; wherein the biomarker is HBx or ErbB3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: I-Shou University
    Inventors: Yun-Ju Chen, Wei-Chien Huang, Jhen-Yu Chen, Pei-Hsuan Chien, Wen-Shu Chen
  • Patent number: 9790561
    Abstract: The invention provides DNA compositions that relate to transgenic insect resistant maize plants. Also provided are assays for detecting the presence of the maize DP-004114-3 event based on the DNA sequence of the recombinant construct inserted into the maize genome and the DNA sequences flanking the insertion site. Kits and conditions useful in conducting the assays are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignees: PIONEER HI-BRED INTERNATIONAL, INC., E I DU PONT DE NEMOURS AND COMPANY
    Inventors: Scott Diehn, Albert Lu, Timothy Nowatzki, Douglas Nubel, M. Alejandra Pascual, James C. Register, III, Christopher Jay Scelonge, Joshua K. Young, Cathy Xiaoyan Zhong, Erin L. Crowgey
  • Patent number: 9783848
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to methods of determining the presence and position of AGG or interruptor elements within a trinucleotide (for example, CGG) repeat region, and to methods of determining the number of repeats present in this region, by amplifying a set of products with a set of primers of which at least one comprises a portion of the CGG repeat region, and resolving the products to produce a representation of product size and abundance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: Asuragen, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary J. Latham, Liangjing Chen, Sachin Sah
  • Patent number: 9765403
    Abstract: Compositions, reaction mixtures, kits and methods used in amplifying and detecting nucleic acids from various species of the class Mollicutes. Particular regions of the 23S rRNA or its gene have been identified as preferred targets for nucleic acid amplification reactions of a sample suspected containing at least one species of Mollicutes. Some oligomers comprise tag regions, target closing regions, promoter sequences, and/or binding moieties. Samples can be from any source suspected of containing a species of the class Mollicutes. Preferred sample sources include bioreactors, cell lines, cell culture wares and pharmaceutical manufacturing wares.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: GEN-PROBE INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Shannon K. Kaplan, Kristin W. Livezey, Michael M. Becker, James J. Hogan
  • Patent number: 9765399
    Abstract: The invention relates to a new identified mutation in the epidermal growth factor receptor gene, leading to an amino acidic change which highly correlates with the resistance to a therapy regimen comprising cetuximab and the sensitivity to a therapy regimen comprising panitumumab. The invention includes peptide sequences, primers and probes to detect such a mutation, as well as kits for predicting the response of a subject to a therapy regime comprising cetuximab and/or panitumumab. In particular, the invention is useful in the therapy regimen applicable to metastasic colorectal cancer and to head and neck cancer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: FUNDACIO INSTITUT MAR D'INVESTIGACIONS MEDIQUES (IMIM)
    Inventors: Clara Montagut Viladot, Joan Albanell Mestres, Ana Rovira Guerin, Beatriz Bellosillo Paricio, Alba Dalmases MassegĂș