Patents by Inventor Adam R. Abate

Adam R. Abate has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20250033009
    Abstract: Parallel uses of microfluidic methods and devices for focusing and/or forming discontinuous sections of similar or dissimilar size in a fluid are described. In some aspects, the present invention relates generally to flow-focusing-type technology, and also to microfluidics, and more particularly parallel use of microfluidic systems arranged to control a dispersed phase within a dispersant, and the size, and size distribution, of a dispersed phase in a multi-phase fluid system, and systems for delivery of fluid components to multiple such devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2024
    Publication date: January 30, 2025
    Applicant: President and Fellows of Harvard College
    Inventors: David A. Weitz, Mark Romanowsky, Adam R. Abate
  • Publication number: 20240416296
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to emulsions, and more particularly, to multiple emulsions. In one aspect, multiple emulsions are formed by urging a fluid into a channel, e.g., by causing the fluid to enter the channel as a “jet.” Side channels can be used to encapsulate the fluid with a surrounding fluid. In some cases, multiple fluids may flow through a channel collinearly before multiple emulsion droplets are formed. The fluidic channels may also, in certain embodiments, include varying degrees of hydrophilicity or hydrophobicity. As examples, the fluidic channel may be relatively hydrophilic upstream of an intersection (or other region within the channel) and relatively hydrophobic downstream of the intersection, or vice versa. In some cases, the average cross-sectional dimension may change, e.g., at an intersection. For instance, the average cross-sectional dimension may increase at the intersection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2024
    Publication date: December 19, 2024
    Applicant: President and Fellows of Harvard College
    Inventors: David A. Weitz, Julian W.P. Thiele, Adam R. Abate
  • Patent number: 12121898
    Abstract: The present invention is generally related to systems and methods for producing droplets. The droplets may contain varying species, e.g., for use as a library. In some cases, at least one droplet is used to create a plurality of droplets, using techniques such as flow-focusing techniques. In one set of embodiments, a plurality of droplets, containing varying species, can be divided to form a collection of droplets containing the various species therein. A collection of droplets, according to certain embodiments, may contain various subpopulations of droplets that all contain the same species therein. Such a collection of droplets may be used as a library in some cases, or may be used for other purposes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2024
    Assignee: President and Fellows of Harvard College
    Inventors: David A. Weitz, Adam R. Abate
  • Publication number: 20240175091
    Abstract: Methods for the detection of components from biological samples are provided. In certain aspects, the methods may be used to detect and/or quantify specific components in a biological sample, such as tumor cells (e.g., circulating tumor cells). Systems and devices for practicing the subject methods are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2023
    Publication date: May 30, 2024
    Inventors: Adam R. Abate, Dennis Jay Eastburn, Adam R. Sciambi
  • Publication number: 20240150811
    Abstract: Microfluidic methods for barcoding nucleic acid target molecules to be analyzed, e.g., via nucleic acid sequencing techniques, are provided. Also provided are microfluidic, droplet-based methods of preparing nucleic acid barcodes for use in various barcoding applications. The methods described herein facilitate high-throughput sequencing of nucleic acid target molecules as well as single cell and single virus genomic, transcriptomic, and/or proteomic analysis/profiling. Systems and devices for practicing the subject methods are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2023
    Publication date: May 9, 2024
    Inventors: Adam R. Abate, John R. Haliburton, Freeman Lan, Adam R. Sciambi
  • Publication number: 20240042425
    Abstract: Provided is a method of generating droplets that includes aspirating a first liquid into a tube, positioning the tube over a receiving liquid, and ejecting the first liquid to generate a plurality of droplets that contact the receiving liquid and remain discrete even after contacting the receiving liquid. Whereas many other droplet generators require complex microfluidics, the present methods allow generation of droplets without the need for microfluidics. The methods can be performed with existing commercially available macro-fluidic liquid handling devices. The methods can be used for digital PCR, digital MDA, enzyme screening, single cell analysis, and other applications involving droplets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2021
    Publication date: February 8, 2024
    Inventors: Adam R. Abate, Jesse Qiuxu Zhang, Leqian Liu, Cyrille L. Delley, Russell Cole, Christian Siltanen
  • Patent number: 11891666
    Abstract: Methods for the detection of components from biological samples are provided. In certain aspects, the methods may be used to detect and/or quantify specific components in a biological sample, such as tumor cells (e.g., circulating tumor cells). Systems and devices for practicing the subject methods are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Adam R. Abate, Dennis Jay Eastburn, Adam R. Sciambi
  • Publication number: 20230302420
    Abstract: Parallel uses of microfluidic methods and devices for focusing and/or forming discontinuous sections of similar or dissimilar size in a fluid are described. In some aspects, the present invention relates generally to flow-focusing-type technology, and also to microfluidics, and more particularly parallel use of microfluidic systems arranged to control a dispersed phase within a dispersant, and the size, and size distribution, of a dispersed phase in a multi-phase fluid system, and systems for delivery of fluid components to multiple such devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2022
    Publication date: September 28, 2023
    Applicant: President and Fellows of Harvard College
    Inventors: David A. Weitz, Mark Romanowsky, Adam R. Abate
  • Patent number: 11732287
    Abstract: Microfluidic methods for barcoding nucleic acid target molecules to be analyzed, e.g., via nucleic acid sequencing techniques, are provided. Also provided are microfluidic, droplet-based methods of preparing nucleic acid barcodes for use in various barcoding applications. The methods described herein facilitate high-throughput sequencing of nucleic acid target molecules as well as single cell and single virus genomic, transcriptomic, and/or proteomic analysis/profiling. Systems and devices for practicing the subject methods are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Adam R. Abate, John R. Haliburton, Freeman Lan, Adam R. Sciambi
  • Patent number: 11724237
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to systems and methods for the control of fluids and, in some cases, to systems and methods for flowing a fluid into and/or out of other fluids. As examples, fluid may be injected into a droplet contained within a fluidic channel, or a fluid may be injected into a fluidic channel to create a droplet. In some embodiments, electrodes may be used to apply an electric field to one or more fluidic channels, e.g., proximate an intersection of at least two fluidic channels. For instance, a first fluid may be urged into and/or out of a second fluid, facilitated by the electric field. The electric field, in some cases, may disrupt an interface between a first fluid and at least one other fluid. Properties such as the volume, flow rate, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: President and Fellows of Harvard College
    Inventors: David A. Weitz, Adam R. Abate, Tony Hung, Pascaline Mary
  • Publication number: 20230227901
    Abstract: Methods for selectively adding one or more reagents are provided. In certain aspects, the methods include selectively merging one or more droplets of a plurality of droplets with one or more droplets of a plurality of reagent droplets based on detection of a property. Systems, devices and kits for practicing the subject methods are also provided. The subject disclosure may find use in a wide variety of applications, such as increasing the accuracy and/or efficiency of single-cell sequencing, detection of cancer or other diseases, monitoring disease progression, analyzing the DNA or RNA content of cells, and other applications in which it is desired to detect and/or quantify specific target cells.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2021
    Publication date: July 20, 2023
    Inventors: Adam R. Abate, Iain Clark, Peng Xu, Cyrus Modavi
  • Publication number: 20230212646
    Abstract: Provided is a method including encapsulating a biological material in a droplet having a volume of 500 nl or less, depositing the droplet to an addressable location of a substrate, and performing mass spectroscopy on the droplet. The method can further include conducting omic analysis on the droplet, such as sequencing DNA or analyzing mRNA, after the mass spectroscopy. In some cases, the method can be used to screen thousands of genetically different cells to identify correlations between genetics and the production of a metabolite, wherein the metabolite is detected by mass spectroscopy. Also provided is a system for performing the method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2021
    Publication date: July 6, 2023
    Inventors: Adam R. Abate, Linfeng Xu, Leqian Liu, Kai-chun Chang
  • Publication number: 20230109667
    Abstract: The methods described herein, referred to as PCR-Activated Sorting (PAS), allow nucleic acids contained in biological systems to be sorted based on their sequence as detected with nucleic acid amplification techniques, e.g., PCR. The nucleic acids can be free floating or contained within living or nonliving structures, including particles, viruses, and cells. The nucleic acids can include, e.g., DNA or RNA. Systems and devices for use in practicing methods of the invention are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2022
    Publication date: April 6, 2023
    Inventors: Adam R. Abate, Dennis Jay Eastburn, Adam R. Sciambi, Shaun Lim
  • Publication number: 20230053160
    Abstract: Methods for on-demand printing discrete entities including, e.g., cells, media or reagents to substrates are provided. In certain aspects, the methods include manipulating qualities of the entities or biological components thereof. In some embodiments, the methods may be used to create arrays of microenvironments and/or for two and three-dimensional printing of tissues or structures and/or for in situ printing for microsurgeries. Systems and devices for practicing the subject methods are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2020
    Publication date: February 16, 2023
    Inventors: Adam R. Abate, Pengfei Zhang, Russell Cole
  • Patent number: 11517864
    Abstract: Parallel uses of microfluidic methods and devices for focusing and/or forming discontinuous sections of similar or dissimilar size in a fluid are described. In some aspects, the present invention relates generally to flow-focusing-type technology, and also to microfluidics, and more particularly parallel use of microfluidic systems arranged to control a dispersed phase within a dispersant, and the size, and size distribution, of a dispersed phase in a multi-phase fluid system, and systems for delivery of fluid components to multiple such devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: President and Fellows of Harvard College
    Inventors: David A. Weitz, Mark Romanowsky, Adam R. Abate
  • Publication number: 20220331804
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to systems and techniques for manipulating fluids and/or making droplets. In certain aspects, the present invention generally relates to droplet production. The droplets may be formed from fluids from different sources. In one set of embodiments, the present invention is directed to a microfluidic device comprising a plurality of droplet-making units, and/or other fluidic units, which may be substantially identical in some cases. Substantially each of the fluidic units may be in fluidic communication with a different source of a first fluid and a common source of a second fluid, in certain embodiments. In one aspect, substantially the same pressure may be applied to substantially all of the different sources of fluid, which may be used to cause fluid to move from the different sources into the microfluidic device. In some cases, the fluids may interact within the fluidic units, e.g., by reacting, or for the production of droplets within the microfluidic device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2022
    Publication date: October 20, 2022
    Applicant: President and Fellows of Harvard College
    Inventors: David A. Weitz, Ralph Alexander Sperling, Adam R. Abate
  • Publication number: 20220275427
    Abstract: The methods described herein, referred to as PCR-Activated Sorting (PAS), allow nucleic acids contained in biological systems to be sorted based on their sequence as detected with nucleic acid amplification techniques, e.g., PCR. The nucleic acids can be free floating or contained within living or nonliving structures, including particles, viruses, and cells. The nucleic acids can include, e.g., DNA or RNA. Systems and devices for use in practicing methods of the invention are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2022
    Publication date: September 1, 2022
    Inventors: Adam R. Abate, Dennis Jay Eastburn, Adam R. Sciambi, Shaun Lim
  • Publication number: 20220274072
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to systems and methods for the control of fluids and, in some cases, to systems and methods for flowing a fluid into and/or out of other fluids. As examples, fluid may be injected into a droplet contained within a fluidic channel, or a fluid may be injected into a fluidic channel to create a droplet. In some embodiments, electrodes may be used to apply an electric field to one or more fluidic channels, e.g., proximate an intersection of at least two fluidic channels. For instance, a first fluid may be urged into and/or out of a second fluid, facilitated by the electric field. The electric field, in some cases, may disrupt an interface between a first fluid and at least one other fluid. Properties such as the volume, flow rate, etc.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2022
    Publication date: September 1, 2022
    Applicant: President and Fellows of Harvard College
    Inventors: David A. Weitz, Adam R. Abate, Tony Hung, Pascaline Mary
  • Patent number: 11389800
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to systems and techniques for manipulating fluids and/or making droplets. In certain aspects, the present invention generally relates to droplet production. The droplets may be formed from fluids from different sources. In one set of embodiments, the present invention is directed to a microfluidic device comprising a plurality of droplet-making units, and/or other fluidic units, which may be substantially identical in some cases. Substantially each of the fluidic units may be in fluidic communication with a different source of a first fluid and a common source of a second fluid, in certain embodiments. In one aspect, substantially the same pressure may be applied to substantially all of the different sources of fluid, which may be used to cause fluid to move from the different sources into the microfluidic device. In some cases, the fluids may interact within the fluidic units, e.g., by reacting, or for the production of droplets within the microfluidic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignee: President and Fellows of Harvard College
    Inventors: Ralph Alexander Sperling, Adam R. Abate, David A. Weitz
  • Publication number: 20220219171
    Abstract: Methods for selectively combining discrete entities including, e.g. cells, reagents, drugs, hydrogels, extracellular matrices beads, particles, biological materials, media, or a combination thereof, are provided. In certain aspects, the methods include sorting a plurality of discrete entities and trapping two or more discrete entities for a time sufficient for the two or more discrete entities to combine to form a combined discrete entity. In certain aspects, the methods include making the plurality of discrete entities. In certain aspects, the methods include detecting or analyzing the discrete entities, e.g. via optical detection. In certain aspects, the methods include manipulating or analyzing the combined discrete entity or a component therein, e.g. imaging, sequencing, culturing, e.g., three-dimensional culturing, and measuring cell-cell interactions. Systems and devices for practicing the subject methods are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2020
    Publication date: July 14, 2022
    Inventors: Christian Siltanen, Russell Cole, Adam R. Abate, Justin Madrigal, Maithreyan Srinivasan