Patents Examined by Thomas G. Larson
  • Patent number: 6083699
    Abstract: A method is provided for simultaneously determining the positions of a selected nucleotide base in a target region of both strands of a denatured duplex nucleic acid polymer. The nucleic acid polymer is combined with a reactant mixture comprising first and second oligonucleotide primers, said primers binding to the sense and antisense strands, respectively, of the nucleic acid polymer at a location flanking the target region; a thermostable DNA polymerase; a chain-terminating nucleotide triphosphate complementary to the selected nucleotide base; and other reagents for synthesis of chain extension products to form a reaction mixture. This mixture is processed through a plurality of thermal cycles, each including at least a chain extension phase and a denaturation phase to produce chain extension products. These chain extension products are evaluated to determine the positions of the selected bases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2000
    Assignee: Visible Genetics Inc.
    Inventors: James Leushner, May Hui, James M. Dunn, Marina T. Larson, Jean-Michel Lacroix, Robert Shipman
  • Patent number: 6083702
    Abstract: The molecules and methods of the present invention provide a means for in vivo production of a trans-spliced molecule in a selected subset of cells. The pre-trans-splicing molecules of the invention are substrates for a trans-splicing reaction between the pre-trans-splicing molecules and a pre-mRNA which is uniquely expressed in the specific target cells. The in vivo trans-splicing reaction provides a novel mRNA which is functional as mRNA or encodes a protein to be expressed in the target cells. The expression product of the mRNA is a protein of therapeutic value to the cell or host organism a toxin which causes killing of the specific cells or a novel protein not normally present in such cells. The invention further provides PTMs that have been genetically engineered for the identification of exon/intron boundaries of pre-mRNA molecules using an exon tagging method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2000
    Assignee: Intronn Holdings LLC
    Inventors: Lloyd G. Mitchell, Mariano A. Garcia-Blanco
  • Patent number: 6080727
    Abstract: The invention generally provides for compositions and methods of inhibiting the proliferation of human melanoma cancer cells. By administering a therapeutically effective amount of a c-myc oligonucleotide to a human melanoma cancer cell, melanoma cancer cell proliferation can be arrested or inhibited, metastases reduced from a tumor, and apoptosis induced in melanoma cancer cells. Oligonucleotides that are complementary to c-myc polynucleotides are referred to herein as "c-myc oligonucleotides." A particularly efficacious embodiment of the invention relates to compositions and methods concerning the co-administration of c-myc oligonucleotides and cisplatin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2000
    Assignee: Istituto Regina Elena
    Inventor: Gabriella Zupi
  • Patent number: 6077833
    Abstract: Compositions and methods for the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of immune states and disorders amenable to treatment through modulation of T cell activation are provided. In accordance with preferred embodiments, oligonucleotides are provided which are specifically hybridizable with nucleic acids encoding B7 proteins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2000
    Assignee: Isis Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
    Inventors: C. Frank Bennett, Timothy A. Vickers
  • Patent number: 6074823
    Abstract: The invention provides fast and highly accurate mass spectrometer based processes for directly sequencing a target nucleic acid (or fragments generated from the target nucleic acid), which by means of protection, specificity of enzymatic activity, or immobilization, are unilaterally degraded in a stepwise manner via exonuclease digestion and the nucleotides, derivatives or truncated sequences detected by mass spectrometry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2000
    Assignee: Sequenom, Inc.
    Inventor: Hubert Koster
  • Patent number: 6060037
    Abstract: Conjugated compounds which comprise an ST receptor binding moiety and a radiostable active moiety are disclosed. Pharmaceutical compositions comprising conjugated compound which comprises an ST receptor binding moiety and a radiostable active moiety or an ST receptor binding moiety and a radioactive active moiety are disclosed. Methods of treating an individual suspected of suffering from metastasized colorectal cancer are disclosed. Methods of radioimaging metastasized colorectal cancer cells are disclosed. In vitro methods, kits and reagents are disclosed for determining whether or not an individual has metastasized colorectal cancer cells, for determining whether tumor cells are colorectal in origin and for analyzing tissue samples from the colon tissue to evaluate the extent of metastasis of colorectal tumor cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2000
    Assignee: Thomas Jefferson University
    Inventor: Scott A. Waldman
  • Patent number: 6060310
    Abstract: The present invention provides compositions with high affinity for a target transcription factor, that can be introduced into cells as decoy cis-elements to bind the factor and alter gene expression. Specifically, the present invention provides nucleic acid molecules that compete with cAMP response element (CRE) enhancers for binding to transcription factors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2000
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Department of Health and Human Services
    Inventor: Yoon S. Cho-Chung
  • Patent number: 6060458
    Abstract: The present invention provides a single-stranded oligodeoxyribonucleotide, which (i) comprises from about 5 to 11 bases, at least one of which is a substituted or an unsubstituted O.sup.6 -benzylguanine, and (ii) inactivates human AGT. The present invention also provides a single-stranded oligodeoxyribonucleotide, which can inactivate a mutant human AGT, which either is not inactivated by O.sup.6 -benzylguanine or is less inactivated by O.sup.6 -benzylguanine than by said single-stranded oligodeoxyribonucleotide. A phosphate of the single-stranded oligodeoxyribonucleotide can be replaced by a methylphosphonate or a phosphorothioate. The present invention also provides a composition comprising such an oligodeoxyribonucleotide. In addition, the present invention provides a method of enhancing the effect of an antineoplastic alkylating agent, which alkylates the O.sup.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2000
    Assignees: The United States of America as represented by the Department of Health and Human Services, The Penn State Research Foundation, Arch Development Corporation
    Inventors: Robert C. Moschel, Gary T. Pauly, Anthony E. Pegg, M. Eileen Dolan
  • Patent number: 6048726
    Abstract: A method of inhibiting interleukin-5 expression using an antisense oligonucleotide which contains at least one non-natural internucleoside linkage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2000
    Inventors: Joel K. Weltman, Aftab S. Karim
  • Patent number: 6045998
    Abstract: The method of this invention relates to the use of improved anchor primers and a novel purification process to increase the efficiency and accuracy of the differential display technique.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2000
    Assignee: Johnson & Johnson Consumer Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas Combates, Jose R. Pardinas, Satish Parimoo, Stephen M. Prouty, Kurt S. Stenn
  • Patent number: 6046307
    Abstract: The invention relates to peptide nucleic acids that inhibit telomerase activity in mammalian cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2000
    Assignee: The University of Texas System
    Inventors: Jerry W. Shay, Woodring E. Wright, Mieczyslaw A. Piatyszek, David R. Corey, James C. Norton
  • Patent number: 6043340
    Abstract: The invention provides genetic suppressor elements that confer upon a cell resistance to one or more chemotherapeutic drug, methods for identifying and obtaining such elements, and methods of using such elements. The invention also provides cloned genes associated with sensitivity to chemotherapeutic drugs, particularly a cloned human kinesin heavy chain gene involved in resistance to DNA damaging agents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2000
    Assignee: University of Illinois
    Inventors: Andrei Gudkov, Igor B. Roninson
  • Patent number: 6037463
    Abstract: Enzymatic RNA molecules have been designed that cleave mutant N-ras mRNA, preferably at a NUX cleavage site (N=any base, X=A, C or U). Preferred ribozymes have nucleotide sequences 5'-CCAACACCUGAUGAGCGUUAGCGAAACCUGCU-3' or 5'-UCCCAACCUGAUGAGCGUUAGCGAAACACCUG-3' (SEQ ID NOS:1 and 2), and derivatives thereof. The present invention also provides pharmaceuticals containing such molecules and the use of such molecules for the preparation of pharmaceuticals for the treatment of diseases involving abnormal cell growth and/or differentiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2000
    Assignee: Hoechst Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Eugen Uhlmann, Joachim Engels, Michaela Scherr, Arnold Ganser
  • Patent number: 6033877
    Abstract: This invention relates to methods and compositions for producing a fusion protein comprised of Haemophilus influenzae P2 amino acid sequences, wherein in place of loop 5, or a portion thereof, is displayed a heterologous or homologous peptide sequence having biological activity. The fusion protein may be expressed on the surface of the host cell, such as in H. influenzae, which has been transformed with a fusion sequence that is operatively linked to at least one regulatory control element for expression of the fusion protein. Alternatively, the fusion protein can be purified from the host cell in the expression system, if the fusion protein remains associated with the host cell; or from the media of the expression system, if the fusion protein is a secreted form.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2000
    Assignee: Research Foundation of State University of New York
    Inventors: Timothy F. Murphy, Kyungcheol Yi
  • Patent number: 6027913
    Abstract: This invention provides methods of amplifying a sequence of interest present within a nucleic acid molecule. In addition, this invention provides a method of determining the nucleotide sequence of a sequence of interest present within a nucleic acid molecule (e.g. GAWTS and RAWTS) which can be used to sequence tissue specific genes (e.g. tsRAWTS) and genes accross species (e.g. zooRAWTS).In addition, this invention provides a method of synthesizing a polypeptide encoded for by a nucleic acid molecule (RAWIT). Further, the subject invention provides a method of determining an internal nucleotide sequence present within a nucleic acid molecule, and a method of determining a terminal nucleotide sequence present within a nucleic acid molecule (e.g. PLATS).Also provided for is a method of determining the nucleotide sequence of sequences present within a nucleic acid molecule which are adjacent to areas of known sequence (e.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2000
    Inventor: Steven S. Sommer
  • Patent number: 6020318
    Abstract: The invention provides recombinant nucleic acids comprising nucleic acid sequences from the genomic DNA methyltransferase gene. The invention further provides sequence information for such nucleic acid sequences. In addition, the invention provides antisense oligonucleotides complementary to special regions of the genomic DNA methyltransferase gene or its RNA transcript. Finally, the invention provides methods for using such antisense oligonucleotides as analytical and diagnostic tools, as potentiators of transgenic plant and animal studies and gene therapy approaches, and as potential therapeutic agents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2000
    Assignee: MethylGene, Inc.
    Inventors: Moshe Szyf, Pascal Bigey, Shyam Ramchandani
  • Patent number: 6020123
    Abstract: The invention relates to oligonucleotide sequences (or initiators) derived from the HIV-2 ROD virus genome and from that of the SIV-mac 142 virus, as well as their use in an in vitro method for the diagnosis of the infection of an individual by a HIV-2 type virus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2000
    Assignees: Institut Pasteur, Institut National de la Sante et de la Recherche Medicale
    Inventors: Pierre Sonigo, Christian Brechot, Valerie Courgnaud
  • Patent number: 6018042
    Abstract: The invention relates to deoxyribo- and ribo-oligonucleotides and derivatives thereof, as well as pharmaceutical preparations, therapies, diagnostics and commercial research reagents in relation to disease states which respond to modulation of the synthesis of the enzyme S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylase (SAMDC). In particular, the invention relates to antisense oligonucleotides and oligonucleotide derivatives specifically hybridizable with nucleic acids relating to (preferably human) SAMDC. These oligonucleotides and their derivatives have been found to modulate the synthesis of SAMDC in cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2000
    Assignee: Novartis AG
    Inventors: Helmut Mett, Robert Haner, Nicholas Mark Dean
  • Patent number: 6015710
    Abstract: The invention relates to peptide nucleic acids that modulate telomerase activity in mammalian cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2000
    Assignee: The University of Texas System
    Inventors: Jerry W. Shay, Woodring E. Wright, Mieczyslaw A. Piatyszek, David R. Corey, James C. Norton
  • Patent number: 6015894
    Abstract: Compositions and methods are provided for the treatment and diagnosis of diseases amenable to treatment through modulation of the synthesis or metabolism of intercellular adhesion molecules. In accordance with preferred embodiments, oligonucleotides are provided which are specifically hybridizable with nucleic acids encoding intercellular adhesion molecule-1, vascular cell adhesion molecule-1, and endothelial leukocyte adhesion molecule-1. The oligonucleotide comprises nucleotide units sufficient in identity and number to effect said specific hybridization. In other preferred embodiments, the oligonucleotides are specifically hybridizable with a transcription initiation site, a translation initiation site, 5'-untranslated sequences, 3'-untranslated sequences, and intervening sequences.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2000
    Assignee: Isis Pharmaceuticals Inc.
    Inventors: C. Frank Bennett, Christopher K. Mirabelli