Patents by Inventor Alison Sparks

Alison Sparks 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: 20180299456
    Abstract: Methods for generating a chemiluminescent enzyme substrate in situ, in aqueous or other assay conditions. Also disclosed are methods to use the substrates to generate light, detect and/or quantify enzymes, antigens, and/or nucleic acids. Kits relating to these methods are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2018
    Publication date: October 18, 2018
    Inventors: Alison Sparks, Zhixian Wang, Melissa Gee
  • Patent number: 10031142
    Abstract: Methods for generating a chemiluminescent enzyme substrate in situ, in aqueous or other assay conditions. Also disclosed are methods to use the substrates to generate light, detect and/or quantify enzymes, antigens, and/or nucleic acids. Kits relating to these methods are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: Life Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Alison Sparks, Zhixian Wang, Melissa Gee
  • Publication number: 20140186831
    Abstract: Solid supports for chemiluminescent assays are provided. The solid support includes a plurality of probes covalently or physically attached to the support surface and a chemiluminescent enhancing moiety incorporated onto the surface or into the bulk of the support. The solid support can be a multi-layered support including an upper probe binding layer (e.g., an azlactone polymer layer or porous functional polyamide layer) adjacent to a cationic microgel layer. The azlactone-functional polymer can be a copolymer of dimethylacrylamide and vinylazlactone crosslinked with ethylenediamine. The cationic microgel layer can be a cross-linked quaternary onium salt containing polymer. A method and a kit for conducting chemiluminescent assays using the solid supports is also provided. The kit comprises a dioxetane substrate, a biopolymer probe-enzyme complex, and a solid support.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2013
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
  • Publication number: 20130196325
    Abstract: Methods for generating a chemiluminescent enzyme substrate in situ, in aqueous or other assay conditions. Also disclosed are methods to use the substrates to generate light, detect and/or quantify enzymes, antigens, and/or nucleic acids. Kits relating to these methods are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2011
    Publication date: August 1, 2013
    Applicant: LIFE TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Alison Sparks, Zhixian Wang, Melissa Gee
  • Publication number: 20110003277
    Abstract: Assemblies comprising nanoparticles and chemiluminescent substrates such as dioxetanes are provided. The assemblies can be used in assays to detect the presence and/or amount of a single analyte or multiple analytes in a sample. Methods of making the assemblies are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2010
    Publication date: January 6, 2011
  • Publication number: 20070287825
    Abstract: The invention pertains to bioconjugation systems comprising sterically constrained cis-diols and borates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2007
    Publication date: December 13, 2007
    Inventors: Ricky Baggio, Alison Sparks, Rouh-Rong Juo, Jaime Arenas
  • Publication number: 20070184491
    Abstract: Chemiluminescent substrate delivery systems comprising a conjugate a dendrimer and at least one chemiluminescent substrate are provided. The substrate delivery systems can also include a chemiluminescence enhancer. The dendrimer/chemiluminescent substrate conjugates can be used in kits including an enzyme capable of activating the chemiluminescent substrate to produce a peroxygenated intermediate that decomposes to produce light. The dendrimer/chemiluminescent substrate conjugates can be used in assays to detect the presence of an analyte (e.g., an enzyme, an antibody, an antigen or a nucleic acid) in a sample.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2007
    Publication date: August 9, 2007
    Inventor: Alison Sparks
  • Publication number: 20060216768
    Abstract: Assemblies comprising nanoparticles and chemiluminescent substrates such as dioxetanes are provided. The assemblies can be used in assays to detect the presence and/or amount of a single analyte or multiple analytes in a sample. Methods of making the assemblies are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2005
    Publication date: September 28, 2006
  • Publication number: 20060079699
    Abstract: Methods for synthesizing 1,2-dioxetane compounds and intermediate compounds useful in the synthesis of these dioxetane compounds are described. The methods and intermediates allow for the efficient production of dioxetane substrates having electron withdrawing groups via a Homer Emmons coupling route.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2005
    Publication date: April 13, 2006
  • Publication number: 20050277143
    Abstract: The invention pertains to bioconjugation systems comprising sterically constrained cis-diols and borates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2005
    Publication date: December 15, 2005
    Applicant: Applera Corporation
    Inventors: Ricky Baggio, Alison Sparks, Rouh-Rong Juo, Jaime Arenas
  • Publication number: 20050026151
    Abstract: A chemiluminescent assay to determine the presence and/or amount of one or more labeled target molecules in a sample is described in which the surface layer of a solid support is contacted with a composition comprising first and second chemiluminescent substrates capable of being activated by first and second enzymes, respectively. A plurality of probes are disposed on the surface layer in discrete areas. At least some of the probes are bound to a first enzyme conjugate comprising the first enzyme and at least some of the probes are bound to a second enzyme conjugate comprising the second enzyme. The resulting chemiluminescent signals are then detected. The method can be used to compare two biological samples (e.g., mRNA populations from different cells) on the same support surface or to provide a chemiluminescent control signal for normalizing chemiluminescent assay data from a biological sample.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2003
    Publication date: February 3, 2005
  • Publication number: 20050019778
    Abstract: Chemiluminescent assays to determine the presence and/or amount of one or more labeled analytes in a sample are described wherein a solid support is contacted sequentially with first and second chemiluminescent substrates each of which are capable of being activated by an enzyme and the resulting chemiluminescent signals are detected. A plurality of probes are disposed on a surface layer of the solid support in a plurality of discrete areas. Some of the probes are bound to a conjugate of the first enzyme and some of the probes are bound to a conjugate of the second enzyme. The assay can be used to compare biological samples (e.g., mRNA populations from different cells) on the same support surface. Alternatively, one of the chemiluminescent signals generated can be used as a control signal for normalizing the chemiluminescent assay data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2003
    Publication date: January 27, 2005
  • Patent number: 6346615
    Abstract: Spiroadamantyl dioxetanes bearing an alkoxy substituent, and an aromatic substituent of phenyl or naphthyl on the dioxetane ring can be activated to chemiluminesce if the aromatic substituent bears a moiety designated OX, wherein the X is cleaved by an enzyme with which the dioxetane is permitted to come in contact with. The T½ kinetics of the chemiluminescent reaction, as well as the signal intensity, or quantum yield of the chemiluminescent reaction, can be altered by selection of an electron-withdrawing or an electron-donating group Z, at positions on the aromatic substituent other than those adjacent the point of attachment to the dioxetane. Signal strength can further be enhanced by recognized chemiluminescent enhancers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2002
  • Patent number: 6140495
    Abstract: Spiroadamantyl dioxetanes bearing an alkoxy substituent, and an aromatic substituent of phenyl or naphthyl on the dioxetane ring can be activated to chemiluminesce if the aromatic substituent bears a moiety designated OX, wherein the X is cleaved by an enzyme with which the dioxetane is permitted to come in contact with. The T.sub.1/2 kinetics of the chemiluminescent reaction, as well as the signal intensity, or quantum yield of the chemiluminescent reaction, can be altered by selection of an electron-withdrawing or an electron-donating group Z, at positions on the aromatic substituent other than those adjacent the point of attachment to the dioxetane. Signal strength can further be enhanced by recognized chemiluminescent enhancers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2000
  • Patent number: 6132956
    Abstract: Dioxetanes that can be triggered by bases are provided which can be used to detect bases in organic solvents, aqueous preparations and detect gaseous bases in the atmosphere. The dioxetanes can be used to detect the release of bases from various labels, as a means to detect the presence of a base released by physical or natural processes, to calibrate light measuring apparatus and to determine the amount of reducing or oxidizing agent present in the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2000
  • Patent number: 6022964
    Abstract: Spiroadamantyl dioxetanes bearing an alkoxy substituent, and an aromatic substituent of phenyl or naphthyl on the dioxetane ring can be activated to chemiluminesce if the aromatic substituent bears a moiety designated OX, wherein the X is cleaved by an enzyme with which the dioxetane is permitted to come in contact with. The T.sub.1/2 kinetics of the chemiluminescent reaction, as well as the signal intensity, or quantum yield of the chemiluminescent reaction, can be altered by selection of an electron-withdrawing or an electron-donating group Z, at positions on the aromatic substituent other than those adjacent the point of attachment to the dioxetane. Signal strength can further be enhanced by recognized chemiluminescent enhancers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2000
  • Patent number: 5871938
    Abstract: 1,2-dioxetane compounds bearing a proteolytic enzyme specific amino acid or peptide are provided, which amino acid or peptide can be removed by action of the corresponding protease. When the amino acid or peptide is removed, the 1,2-dioxetane decomposes with chemiluminescence, the generation of light providing a rapid, ultra-sensitive and convenient means for detecting the presence of the protease in the sample being inspected. The amount of light generated, or degree of chemiluminescence, can be correlated with the amount of protease present. Immunoassays, as well as DNA hybridization and DNA probe assays are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 16, 1999
  • Patent number: 5869699
    Abstract: A new class of stable dioxetanes bears a polycyclic stabilizing group and aryloxy moiety, the oxygen atom of which is provided with a protective group which can be removed by an enzymatic or chemical trigger admixed with the dioxetane. The polycyclic stabilizing group is preferably spiroadamantane. The group further bears an alkoxy, aryloxy, aralkyloxy or cycloalkyloxy moiety which is partially or completely substituted with halogens, particularly fluorine and chlorine. Proper selection of electron active groups on the stabilizing moiety, the aryl group and the OR group yields enhanced enzyme kinetics, superior light intensity and excellent detection sensitivity in various assays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 9, 1999
  • Patent number: 5851771
    Abstract: Spiroadamantyl dioxetanes bearing an alkoxy substituent, and an aromatic substituent of phenyl or naphthyl on the dioxetane ring can be activated to chemiluminesce if the aromatic substituent bears a moiety designated OX, wherein the X is cleaved by an enzyme with which the dioxetane is permitted to come in contact with. The T.sub.1/2 kinetics of the chemiluminescent reaction, as well as the signal intensity, or quantum yield of the chemiluminescent reaction, can be altered by selection of an electron-withdrawing or an electron-donating group Z, at positions on the aromatic substituent other than those adjacent the point of attachment to the dioxetane. Signal strength can further be enhanced by recognized chemiluminescent enhancers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 22, 1998
  • Patent number: 5843681
    Abstract: 1, 2-dioxetane compounds bearing a proteolytic enzyme specific amino acid or peptide are provided, which amino acid or peptide can be removed by action of the corresponding protease. When the amino acid or peptide is removed, the 1,2-dioxetane decomposes with chemiluminescence, the generation of light providing a rapid, ultra-sensitive and convenient means for detecting the presence of the protease in the sample being inspected. The amount of light generated, or degree of chemiluminescence, can be correlated with the amount of protease present. Immunoassays, as well as DNA hybridization and DNA probe assays are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 1, 1998