Patents Examined by W. Gary Jones
  • Methods of immobilizing ligands on solid supports
    Patent number: 6492118
    Abstract: A method is provided for immobilizing a ligand, e.g., a nucleic acid, on a solid support. The method includes providing a solid support containing an immobilized latent thiol group, activating the thiol group, contacting the activated thiol group with a nucleic acid comprising an acrylamide functional group, and forming a covalent bond between the two groups, thereby immobilizing the nucleic acid to the solid support. Kits containing the solid supports and method of utilizing the solid supports are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2002
    Assignee: Matrix Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Ezra S. Abrams, Tianhong Zhang, Slawomir Mielewczyk, Brian C. Patterson
  • Hybridization and mismatch discrimination using oligonucleotides conjugated to minor groove binders
    Patent number: 6492346
    Abstract: Conjugates between a minor groove binding molecule, such as the trimer of 1,2-dihydro-(3H)-pyrrolo[3,2-e]indole-7-carboxylate (CDPI3), and an oligonucleotide form unusually stable hybrids with complementary target sequences, in which the tethered CDPI3 group resides in the minor groove of the duplex. These conjugates can be used as probes and primers. Due to their unusually high binding affinity, conjugates as short as 8-mers can be used as amplification primers with high specificity and efficiency. MGB conjugation also increases the discriminatory power of short oligonucleotides, providing enhanced detection of nucleotide sequence mismatches by short oligonucleotides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2002
    Assignee: Epoch Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
    Inventors: Joel Hedgpeth, Irina A. Afonina, Igor V. Kutyavin, Eugeny A. Lukhtanov, Evgeniy S. Belousov, Rich B. Meyer, Jr.
  • Pit-1 gene polymorphism and trait selection in animals
    Patent number: 6492142
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a genetic marker used to distinguish amongst animals a trait for milk producing capabilities or muscular beef producing capabilities, said genetic marker comprising a mutation in a fragment of a Pit-1 gene. After digestion with a restriction endonuclease, three allele patterns are observed, the fully digested pattern being indicative of a trait for muscularity in said animal, while the intermediate digested / nondigested pattern or the nondigested pattern being indicative of a milk producing trait in said animal. A process and kit using this genetic marker is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2002
    Assignee: Tomen Corporation
    Inventors: Robert Renaville, Daniel Portetelle
  • Polynucleotides encoding a novel SHC-binding protein
    Patent number: 6492138
    Abstract: Novel Shc-binding protein, oligonucleotides encoding the same, methods of producing and use thereof are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2002
    Assignee: Amgen Canada Inc.
    Inventors: Jane McGlade, Rosemary Schmandt
  • Microorganisms and methods for overproduction of DAHP by cloned PPS gene
    Patent number: 6489100
    Abstract: Genetic elements comprising expression vectors and a gene coding for phosphoenol pyruvate synthase is utilized to enhance diversion of carbon resources into the common aromatic pathway and pathways branching therefrom. The overexpression of phosphoenol pyruvate synthase increases DAHP production to near theoretical yields.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2002
    Assignee: Texas A & M University System
    Inventor: James C. Liao
  • Method for identifying Escherichia coli strain DSM 6601
    Patent number: 6489107
    Abstract: Methods for identifying Escherichia coli strain DSM 6601 and nucleotide sequences associated therewith.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2002
    Assignee: Pharma-Zentrale GmbH
    Inventors: Jörg Hacker, Ulrich Sonnenborn, Gabriele Blum-Oehler, Jürgen Schulze, Jürgen Malinka, Hans Proppert
  • Methods of identifying peptides and proteins by mass spectrometry
    Patent number: 6489121
    Abstract: A method of identifying a protein, polypeptide or peptide by means of mass spectrometry and especially by tandem mass spectrometry is disclosed. The method preferably models the fragmentation of a peptide or protein in a tandem mass spectrometer to facilitate comparison with an experimentally determined spectrum. A fragmentation model is used which takes account of all possible fragmentation pathways which a particular sequence of amino acids may undergo. A peptide or protein may be identified by comparing an experimentally determined mass spectrum with spectra predicted using such a fragmentation model from a library of known peptides or proteins. Alternatively, a de novo method of determining the amino acid sequence of an unknown peptide using such a fragmentation model may be used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2002
    Assignee: Micromass Limited
    Inventor: John Skilling
  • Process for labeling a ribonucleic acid, and labeled RNA fragments which are obtained thereby
    Patent number: 6489114
    Abstract: A process is provided for labeling with signal amplification a ribonucleic acid (RNA), comprising fragmenting the RNA to form RNA fragments, fixing a first ligand to a terminal phosphate located at least one of the 3′ end and the 5′ end of each of a plurality of the RNA fragments, the terminal phosphate having been released during the fragmentation, and binding a plurality of labeling agents to the first ligand on each of a plurality of the fragments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2002
    Assignees: BIO Merieux, Affymetrix, Inc.
    Inventors: Ali Laayoun, Duc Do, Charles G. Miyada
  • Apparatus and methods for immobilized DNA library preparation and gene amplification
    Patent number: 6489111
    Abstract: A purpose of the present invention is to provide a gene amplification apparatus with simple operation, wherein the apparatus can heat and cool gene rapidly and a thermal cycle can be operated in a relatively short period and a method thereof, a method for preparing immobilized DNA library suitable to the above apparatus and a method for comparing genes systematically. The apparatus for preparing immobilized DNA library according to the present invention comprises a reaction body 10 on which a grooved portion for receiving a container is formed, a cap portion 50 provided at an upper portion of the reaction body and a container 12 formed by substrates for immobilizing DNA, wherein the cap portion 50 including means for heating/cooling 51 and means for cooling 52.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2002
    Assignee: Toyo Kohan Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kojiro Takahashi, Michifumi Tanga
  • Preparation method of nucleic acid sample for rare expressed genes and analyzing method using the prepared nucleic acid samples thereby
    Patent number: 6485916
    Abstract: Focusing that abundant class genes abundantly present in a nucleic acid sample can comparatively easily be analyzed and readily be removed in a selective manner, a nucleic acid sample for expression analysis of rare expressed genes can be obtained by removing abundant genes therefrom, and analyses based upon the sample can be achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2002
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takamichi Muramatsu, Takeshi Fujita, Masaharu Kiyama, Takashi Irie, Kazunori Okano
  • Ras association domain containing protein
    Patent number: 6485910
    Abstract: The invention provides a mammalian cDNA which encodes a mammalian Ras association domain containing protein. It also provides for the use of the cDNA, fragments, complements, and variants thereof and of the encoded protein, portions thereof and antibodies thereto for diagnosis and treatment of cell proliferative and inflammatory disorders, particularly thymus hyperplasia, allergies, asthma, and hypereosinophilia. The invention additionally provides expression vectors and host cells for the production of the protein and a transgenic model system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2002
    Assignee: Incyte Genomics, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael G. Walker, Tod M. Klinger, Randi E. Krasnow
  • PCR-based detection of Rhizoctonia cerealis
    Patent number: 6485907
    Abstract: Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS) DNA sequences from the ribosomal RNA gene region are described for different strains of the wheat fungal pathogen, Rhizoctonia cerealis. Specific primers from within these sequences are identified as being useful for the identification of Rhizoctonia cerealis using PCR-based techniques.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2002
    Assignee: Syngenta Participations AG
    Inventors: James Joseph Beck, Charles Jason Barnett
  • Systems and methods for performing reactions in an unsealed environment
    Patent number: 6485913
    Abstract: Open systems for performing submicroliter reactions are provided. The systems can include a support for performing the reaction; a liquid dispensing system for dispensing a submicroliter amount of a liquid to a site on or in the support; a temperature controlling device for regulating the temperature of the support; and an interface for controlling the amount of liquid dispensed from the liquid dispensing system are provided. Methods using the systems are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2002
    Assignee: Sequenom, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Becker, Hubert Köster, Charles Cantor
  • Mutation within the connexin 26 gene responsible for prelingual non-syndromic deafness and method of detection
    Patent number: 6485908
    Abstract: A purified polynucleotide having a chain of nucleotides corresponding to a mutated sequence, which in wild-type form encodes a polypeptide implicated in hereditary sensory defect, wherein the mutated purified polynucleotide presents a mutation responsible for prelingual non-syndromic deafness selected from the group consisting of a specific deletion of at least one nucleotide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2002
    Assignee: Institut Pasteur
    Inventors: Christine Petit, Françoise Denoyelle-Gryson, Dominique Weil, Sandrine Marlin-Duvernois, Jean-Luc Guesdon
  • Detection of hypermutable nucleic acid sequence in tissue and body fluids
    Patent number: 6479234
    Abstract: An assay for detection of a mammalian cell proliferative disorder associated with a hypermutable nucleic acid sequences is provided. The identification of particular hypermutable sequences such as microsatellite loci correlates with a particular cancer, thereby allowing detection of both primary tumors and metastatic sites within a patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2002
    Assignee: The Johns Hopkins University
    Inventor: David Sidransky
  • cDNA of 4-coumarate: coenzyme a ligase and process for modifying lignin in plants
    Patent number: 6479732
    Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide a transformed plant that produces woody raw materials having improved pulp cooking property and that has a growth characteristics equal to that of the wild type plant by changing the expression of 4-coumarate:coenzyme A ligase (4CL) gene. By transforming a plant using an antisense 4CL gene or a sense 4CL gene constructed using a portion of cDNA encoding 4CL, it is possible to suppress the expression of the intrinsic 4C1 gene.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2002
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Paper Mills, Limited
    Inventors: Shinya Kajita, Haruhiko Kawabata
  • Secreted protein HNFGF20
    Patent number: 6476195
    Abstract: The present invention relates to novel human secreted protein (HNFGF20). Polypeptides of the invention are duseful in dianosis and treatment of disorders affecting the immune system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2002
    Assignee: Human Genome Sciences, Inc.
    Inventors: George Komatsoulis, Craig A. Rosen, Steven M. Ruben, Roxanne D. Duan, Paul A. Moore, Yanggu Shi, David W. LaFleur, Ying-Fei Wei, Jian Ni, Kimberly A. Florence, Paul Young, Laurie A. Brewer, Daniel R. Soppet, Gregory A. Endress, Reinhard Ebner, Henrik Olsen, Michael Mucenski
  • Polyhydroxyalkanoate synthase genes
    Patent number: 6475734
    Abstract: The invention relates to genes encoding polyhydroxyalkanoate synthases. Compositions and methods for producing polyhydroxyalkanoate are provided. Such compositions and methods find use in producing biodegradable thermoplastics in host cells and transgenic plants. Isolated nucleotide molecules, isolated polypeptides, expression cassettes and genetically manipulated host cells, plants, plant tissues, plant cells and seeds are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2002
    Assignee: Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthias Liebergesell, Patrica Lynne Fallis, Jian G. Dong, Chun Ping Li, Scott E. Nichols
  • Primers and methods for the detection of disseminated tumor cells
    Patent number: 6475727
    Abstract: The present invention relates to primers that specifically hybridize to nucleic acid molecules complementary to the messenger RNA transcribed from genes encoding MAGE tumor-specific antigens or a part thereof or to a complementary strand thereof encoding MAGE tumor specific antigens as well as to diagnostic compositions comprising said antigens. The present invention further relates to methods for detecting disseminated tumor cells employing the primers of the invention as well as methods for preparing a tumor adjuvant vaccine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2002
    Assignee: Micromet Gesellschaft Fur Biomedizinische Forschung mbH
    Inventors: Peter Kufer, Alfred Zippelius
  • Genes and gene expression products that are differentially regulated in prostate cancer
    Patent number: 6476207
    Abstract: This invention relates to novel human genes, to proteins expressed by the genes, and to variants of the proteins. The invention also relates to diagnostic and therapeutic agents related to the genes and proteins, including probes, antisense constructs, and antibodies. The invention further relates to polynucleotides differentially expressed in prostate cancer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2002
    Assignee: Chiron Corporation
    Inventors: Jimmy Zhang, Jon H. Astle, Eddie Carroll, III, Wilson O. Endege, Donna M. Ford, John E. Monahan, Robert Schlegel, Kathleen E. Steinmann