Patents by Inventor Amit Meller

Amit Meller 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: 20160103067
    Abstract: Chemical functionalization of solid-state nanopores and nanopore arrays and applications thereof. Nanopores are extremely sensitive single-molecule sensors. Recently, electron beams have been used to fabricate synthetic nanopores in thin solid-state membranes with sub-nanometer resolution. A new class of chemically modified nanopore sensors are provided with two approaches for monolayer coating of nanopores by: (1) self-assembly from solution, in which nanopores ?19 nm diameter can be reproducibly ceased, and (2) self-assembly under voltage driven electrolyte flow, in which 5 nm nanopore may be coated. Applications of chemically modified nanopore are provided including, the detection of biopolymers such as DNA and RNA, immobilizing enzymes or other proteins for detection or for generating chemical gradients; and localized pH sensing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2015
    Publication date: April 14, 2016
    Inventors: Amit MELLER, Meni WANUNU
  • Publication number: 20160033471
    Abstract: Optoelectronic control of solid-state nanopores and applications thereof. Nanopores are extremely sensitive single-molecule sensors. Electron beams have been used to fabricate synthetic nanopores in thin solid-state membranes with sub-nanometer resolution. Methods for controlling the translocation speed of biopolymers through solid-state nanopores and methods for unblocking clogged pores by illuminating nanopores are described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Publication date: February 4, 2016
    Applicant: THE TRUSTEES OF BOSTON UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Amit MELLER, Nicolas Di FIORI
  • Patent number: 9121843
    Abstract: Chemical functionalization of solid-state nanopores and nanopore arrays and applications thereof. Nanopores are extremely sensitive single-molecule sensors. Recently, electron beams have been used to fabricate synthetic nanopores in thin solid-state membranes with sub-nanometer resolution. A new class of chemically modified nanopore sensors are provided with two approaches for monolayer coating of nanopores by: (1) self-assembly from solution, in which nanopores ?10 nm diameter can be reproducibly coated, and (2) self-assembly under voltage-driven electrolyte flow, in which 5 nm nanopores may be coated. Applications of chemically modified nanopore are provided including: the detection of biopolymers such as DNA and RNA; immobilizing enzymes or other proteins for detection or for generating chemical gradients; and localized pH sensing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: Trustees of Boston University
    Inventors: Amit Meller, Meni Wanunu
  • Patent number: 9046483
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for characterizing a target polynucleic acid by providing a surface containing a channel of a dimension sufficient to allow sequential monomer-by-monomer passage of a single-stranded polynucleic acid, but not of a double-stranded polynucleic acid; providing a source of hybridized target polynucleic acid at the surface; inducing passage of the target polynucleic acid through the channel, whereby the target polynucleic acid undergoes base pair separation (melts) prior to its passage; and making one or more measurements over time as the target polynucleic acid moves relative to the channel yielding data suitable to determine a monomer-dependent characteristic of the target polynucleic acid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: President and Fellows of Harvard College
    Inventors: Timothy J. Denison, Alexis Sauer-Budge, Jene A. Golovchenko, Amit Meller, Eric Brandin, Daniel Branton
  • Patent number: 8986528
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for characterizing a target polynucleic acid by providing a surface containing a channel of a dimension sufficient to allow sequential monomer-by-monomer passage of a single-stranded polynucleic acid, but not of a double-stranded polynucleic acid; providing a source of hybridized target polynucleic acid at the surface; inducing passage of the target polynucleic acid through the channel, whereby the target polynucleic acid undergoes base pair separation (melts) prior to its passage; and making one or more measurements over time as the target polynucleic acid moves relative to the channel yielding data suitable to determine a monomer-dependent characteristic of the target polynucleic acid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: President and Fellows of Harvard College
    Inventors: Timothy J. Denison, Alexis Sauer-Budge, Jene A. Golovchenko, Amit Meller, Eric Brandin, Daniel Branton
  • Patent number: 8802838
    Abstract: Described herein are methods for analyzing polymer molecules. These methods are employed for the high throughput readout of DNA and RNA molecules with single molecule sensitivity. The method of the present invention comprises (1) the electrically controlled unzipping of DNA (or RNA) double strands, and (2) the readout of the molecule's identity (or code) using one or more molecule signal detection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: President and Fellows of Harvard College
    Inventors: Amit Meller, Jerome Mathe, John S. Eid
  • Publication number: 20130313112
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for characterizing a target polynucleic acid by providing a surface containing a channel of a dimension sufficient to allow sequential monomer-by-monomer passage of a single-stranded polynucleic acid, but not of a double-stranded polynucleic acid; providing a source of hybridized target polynucleic acid at the surface; inducing passage of the target polynucleic acid through the channel, whereby the target polynucleic acid undergoes base pair separation (melts) prior to its passage; and making one or more measurements over time as the target polynucleic acid moves relative to the channel yielding data suitable to determine a monomer-dependent characteristic of the target polynucleic acid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2013
    Publication date: November 28, 2013
    Applicant: President and Fellows of Harvard College
    Inventors: Timothy J. DENISON, Alexis Sauer-Budge, Jene A. Golovchenko, Amit Meller, Eric Brandin, Daniel Branton
  • Publication number: 20130270115
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for characterizing a target polynucleic acid by providing a surface containing a channel of a dimension sufficient to allow sequential monomer-by-monomer passage of a single-stranded polynucleic acid, but not of a double-stranded polynucleic acid; providing a source of hybridized target polynucleic acid at the surface; inducing passage of the target polynucleic acid through the channel, whereby the target polynucleic acid undergoes base pair separation (melts) prior to its passage; and making one or more measurements over time as the target polynucleic acid moves relative to the channel yielding data suitable to determine a monomer-dependent characteristic of the target polynucleic acid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2013
    Publication date: October 17, 2013
    Inventors: Timothy J. DENISON, Alexis Sauer-Budge, Jene A. Golovchenko, Amit Meller, Eric Brandin, Daniel Branton
  • Publication number: 20130256118
    Abstract: Described are techniques for optical detection of single molecule signals from a nanopore array for analysis of nucleic acid sequences. These techniques are useful for rapid multiplexed DNA sequencing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2011
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Applicant: TRUSTEES OF BOSTON UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Amit Meller, Zhiping Weng, Alon Singer, Benjamin McNally
  • Publication number: 20130203610
    Abstract: Provided herein is a library that comprises a plurality of molecular beacons (MBs), each MB having a detectable label, a detectable label blocker and a modifier group. The library is used in conjunction with nanopore unzipping-dependent sequencing of nucleic acids.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2011
    Publication date: August 8, 2013
    Applicant: TRUSTEES OF BOSTON UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Amit Meller, Alon Singer
  • Publication number: 20120316075
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for conversion of a target nucleic acid molecule according to a predetermined nucleotide code into a converted nucleic acid molecule. The converted nucleic acid molecule has utility for determining the nucleotide sequence of the target nucleic acid molecule, for example, using a nanopore.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2012
    Publication date: December 13, 2012
    Applicant: NOBLEGEN BIOSCIENCES, INC.
    Inventors: Philip R. BUZBY, Amit MELLER, Benjamin MCNALLY, Andy FAN, Edyta OLEJNIK-KRZYNMANSKA
  • Publication number: 20120276530
    Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein relate to a method of detecting specific DNA sequences and the application of this method in the detection of pathogens, viruses, drug-resistant pathogens, genomic variations associated with disease/disorder susceptibility etc. based on specific signature sequences unique to the pathogens, viruses, drug-resistant pathogens or genomic variations. The method can also be used to distinguish a pool of same-sized dsDNA on the basis of sequence differences. The method uses non-optically labeled bis-PNA and/or gamma-PNA probes to tag specific target sequences for identification by solid-state nanopores.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2010
    Publication date: November 1, 2012
    Applicant: TRUSTEES OF BOSTON UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Amit Meller, Maxim Frank-Kamenetskii, Meni Wanunu, Heiko Kuhn, Alon Singer, Will Morrison
  • Publication number: 20120199482
    Abstract: Disclosed are methods of manufacturing nanoparticles such as quantum dots at desired nanopore locations in a membrane. The methods disclosed use voltage-driven electrolyte flow to drive the nanoparticle formation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2011
    Publication date: August 9, 2012
    Applicant: Trustees of Boston University
    Inventors: Amit Meller, Meni Wanunu
  • Publication number: 20120135410
    Abstract: Described herein is a fluid cell for an optical microscopy tool having a solid state membrane having a first side and a second, opposing side; a first fluid chamber comprising a first fluid having a first refractive index located on the first side of the membrane; and, a second fluid chamber comprising a second fluid having a second refractive index located on the second side of the membrane, the second refractive index being different than the first refractive index. Also described herein is a method for imaging a single biomolecule, the method including generating a field of evanescent illumination at a solid state membrane between a first fluid and a second fluid having different refractive indexes; and detecting light emitted by optical detectors linked to the single biomolecules at the solid state membrane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2011
    Publication date: May 31, 2012
    Inventors: Gautam V. Soni, Amit Meller
  • Publication number: 20120040869
    Abstract: Described herein are inexpensive high throughput methods to convert a target single stranded DNA (ssDNA) such that each nucleotide (or base) adenine (A), thymine (T), guanine (G) and cytosine (C) is converted to a pre-determined oligonucleotide code, with the sequential order preserved in the converted ssDNA, or RNA. The method does not require the use of DNA polymerases during the cycles and involves the use of an oligonucleotide probe library with repeated cycles of ligation and cleavage. At each cycle, one or more nucleotides on one end (e.g., either the 5? end or the 3? end) of a target, e.g., ssDNA, are cleaved and then ligated with the corresponding oligonucleotide code at the other end of the target ssDNA.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2011
    Publication date: February 16, 2012
    Applicant: THE TRUSTEES OF BOSTON UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Amit MELLER, Zhiping WENG
  • Publication number: 20110257043
    Abstract: Described herein are methods for analyzing polymer molecules. These methods are employed for the high throughput readout of DNA and RNA molecules with single molecule sensitivity. The method of the present invention comprises (1) the electrically controlled unzipping of DNA (or RNA) double strands, and (2) the readout of the molecule's identity (or code) using one or more molecule signal detection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2011
    Publication date: October 20, 2011
    Applicant: PRESIDENT AND FELLOWS OF HARVARD COLLEGE
    Inventors: Amit MELLER, Jerome MATHE, John S. EID
  • Patent number: 7972858
    Abstract: Described herein are methods for analyzing polymer molecules. These methods are employed for the high throughput readout of DNA and RNA molecules with single molecule sensitivity. The method of the present invention comprises (1) the electrically controlled unzipping of DNA (or RNA) double strands, and (2) the readout of the molecule's identity (or code) using one or more molecule signal detection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: President and Fellows of Harvard College
    Inventors: Amit Meller, Jerome Mathe, John S. Eid
  • Publication number: 20110053284
    Abstract: Chemical functionalization of solid-state nanopores and nanopore arrays and applications thereof. Nanopores are extremely sensitive single-molecule sensors. Recently, electron beams have been used to fabricate synthetic nanopores in thin solid-state membranes with sub-nanometer resolution. A new class of chemically modified nanopore sensors are provided with two approaches for monolayer coating of nanopores by: (1) self-assembly from solution, in which nanopores ?10 nm diameter can be reproducibly coated, and (2) self-assembly under voltage-driven electrolyte flow, in which 5 nm nanopores may be coated. Applications of chemically modified nanopore are provided including: the detection of biopolymers such as DNA and RNA; immobilizing enzymes or other proteins for detection or for generating chemical gradients; and localized pH sensing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2008
    Publication date: March 3, 2011
    Applicant: THE TRUSTEES OF BOSTON UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Amit Meller, Meni Wanunu
  • Publication number: 20090029477
    Abstract: Described herein are methods for analyzing polymer molecules. These methods are employed for the high throughput readout of DNA and RNA molecules with single molecule sensitivity. The method of the present invention comprises (1) the electrically controlled unzipping of DNA (or RNA) double strands, and (2) the readout of the molecule's identity (or code) using one or more molecule signal detection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2005
    Publication date: January 29, 2009
    Applicant: PRESIDENT AND FELLOWS OF HARVARD COLLEGE
    Inventors: Amit Meller, Jerome Mathe, John S. Eid
  • Patent number: 6673615
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for detecting a double-stranded region in a nucleic acid by (1) providing two separate, adjacent pools of a medium and a interface between the two pools, the interface having a channel so dimensioned as to allow sequential monomer-by-monomer passage of a single-stranded nucleic acid, but not of a double-stranded nucleic acid, from one pool to the other pool; (2) placing a nucleic acid polymer in one of the two pools; and (3) taking measurements as each of the nucleotide monomers of the single-stranded nucleic acid polymer passes through the channel so as to differentiate between nucleotide monomers that are hybridized to another nucleotide monomer before entering the channel and nucleotide monomers that are not hybridized to another nucleotide monomer before entering the channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Assignee: President and Fellows of Harvard College
    Inventors: Timothy J. Denison, Alexis Sauer, Jene Golovchenko, Amit Meller, Eric Brandin, Daniel Branton