Patents by Inventor Aparna SWAMINATHAN

Aparna SWAMINATHAN 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).

  • Detection and destruction of cancer cells using programmed genetic vectors
    Patent number: 9458472
    Abstract: In its various embodiments, the invention provides, first, a composition comprising a vector for transfecting a cell. The vector comprises a first nucleic acid encoding an antisense agent having thereon an RNA interference target for a transcript of a gene endogenous to the cell. The vector further comprises a second nucleic acid that encodes a cell-killing agent. The second nucleic acid further comprises a sequence of nucleotides transcribable into a non-coding region of a transcript of the second nucleic acid, such that the non-coding region becomes an RNA interference target for the antisense agent. In the transfected cell, the vector operates to interfere with the expression of the cell-killing agent unless and until the vector senses certain endogenous gene signals, whereupon it releases the cell-killing agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Ron Weiss, Priscilla E. M. Purnick, Caroline DeHart, Jon Monk, Aparna Swaminathan
  • Detection and destruction of cancer cells using programmed genetic vectors
    Publication number: 20110237652
    Abstract: In its various embodiments, the invention provides, first, a composition comprising a vector for transfecting a cell. The vector comprises a first nucleic acid encoding an antisense agent having thereon an RNA interference target for a transcript of a gene endogenous to the cell. The vector further comprises a second nucleic acid that encodes a cell-killing agent. The second nucleic acid further comprises a sequence of nucleotides transcribable into a non-coding region of a transcript of the second nucleic acid, such that the non-coding region becomes an RNA interference target for the antisense agent. In the transfected cell, the vector operates to interfere with the expression of the cell-killing agent unless and until the vector senses certain endogenous gene signals, whereupon it releases the cell-killing agent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2009
    Publication date: September 29, 2011
    Inventors: Ron WEISS, Priscilla E. M. PURNICK, Caroline DEHART, Jon MONK, Aparna SWAMINATHAN