Patents by Inventor Bernhard Zimmermann

Bernhard Zimmermann 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: 20220154249
    Abstract: Provided herein are improved methods of determining the sequences of cell-free DNA (cfDNA). The methods in certain embodiments are used for the analysis of circulating DNA in serum samples, such as circulating fetal DNA, circulating donor derived DNA, or circulating tumor DNA. In certain embodiments, the methods include selectively enriching trinucleosomal, dinucleosomal, mononucleosomal or sub-mononucleosomal DNA from the isolated cfDNA.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2020
    Publication date: May 19, 2022
    Applicant: Natera, Inc.
    Inventors: Bernhard ZIMMERMANN, Ryan SWENERTON, Fei LU, James STRAY, Jason TONG
  • Patent number: 11332785
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods for determining the ploidy status of a chromosome in a gestating fetus from genotypic data measured from a mixed sample of DNA comprising DNA from both the mother of the fetus and from the fetus, and optionally from genotypic data from the mother and father. The ploidy state is determined by using a joint distribution model to create a plurality of expected allele distributions for different possible fetal ploidy states given the parental genotypic data, and comparing the expected allelic distributions to the pattern of measured allelic distributions measured in the mixed sample, and choosing the ploidy state whose expected allelic distribution pattern most closely matches the observed allelic distribution pattern. The mixed sample of DNA may be preferentially enriched at a plurality of polymorphic loci in a way that minimizes the allelic bias, for example using massively multiplexed targeted PCR.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: Natera, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew Rabinowitz, George Gemelos, Milena Banjevic, Allison Ryan, Zachary Demko, Matthew Hill, Bernhard Zimmermann, Johan Baner, Styrmir Sigurjonsson
  • Patent number: 11332793
    Abstract: The invention provides methods for simultaneously amplifying multiple nucleic acid regions of interest in one reaction volume as well as methods for selecting a library of primers for use in such amplification methods. The invention also provides library of primers with desirable characteristics, such as minimal formation of amplified primer dimers or other non-target amplicons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: Natera, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew Rabinowitz, Matthew Micah Hill, Bernhard Zimmermann, Johan Baner, George Gemelos, Milena Banjevic, Allison Ryan, Styrmir Sigurjonsson, Zachary Demko
  • Patent number: 11326208
    Abstract: Methods for non-invasive prenatal paternity testing are disclosed herein. The method uses genetic measurements made on plasma taken from a pregnant mother, along with genetic measurements of the alleged father, and genetic measurements of the mother, to determine whether or not the alleged father is the biological father of the fetus. This is accomplished by way of an informatics based method that can compare the genetic fingerprint of the fetal DNA found in maternal plasma to the genetic fingerprint of the alleged father.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: Natera, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew Rabinowitz, Matthew Hill, Bernhard Zimmermann, Johan Baner, George Gemelos, Milena Banjevic, Allison Ryan, Styrmir Sigurjonsson, Zachary Demko
  • Publication number: 20220139495
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods for determining the ploidy status of a chromosome in a gestating fetus from genotypic data measured from a mixed sample of DNA comprising DNA from both the mother of the fetus and from the fetus, and optionally from genotypic data from the mother and father. The ploidy state is determined by using a joint distribution model to create a plurality of expected allele distributions for different possible fetal ploidy states given the parental genotypic data, and comparing the expected allelic distributions to the pattern of measured allelic distributions measured in the mixed sample, and choosing the ploidy state whose expected allelic distribution pattern most closely matches the observed allelic distribution pattern. The mixed sample of DNA may be preferentially enriched at a plurality of polymorphic loci in a way that minimizes the allelic bias, for example using massively multiplexed targeted PCR.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2022
    Publication date: May 5, 2022
    Applicant: Natera, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew RABINOWITZ, George GEMELOS, Milena BANJEVIC, Allison RYAN, Zachary DEMKO, Matthew HILL, Bernhard ZIMMERMANN, Johan BANER, Styrmir SIGURJONSSON
  • Patent number: 11319596
    Abstract: The invention provides methods, systems, and computer readable medium for detecting ploidy of chromosome segments or entire chromosomes, for detecting single nucleotide variants and for detecting both ploidy of chromosome segments and single nucleotide variants. In some aspects, the invention provides methods, systems, and computer readable medium for detecting cancer or a chromosomal abnormality in a gestating fetus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: Natera, Inc.
    Inventors: Joshua Babiarz, Tudor Pompiliu Constantin, Lane A. Eubank, George Gemelos, Matthew Micah Hill, Huseyin Eser Kirkizlar, Matthew Rabinowitz, Onur Sakarya, Styrmir Sigurjonsson, Bernhard Zimmermann
  • Patent number: 11319595
    Abstract: The invention provides methods, systems, and computer readable medium for detecting ploidy of chromosome segments or entire chromosomes, for detecting single nucleotide variants and for detecting both ploidy of chromosome segments and single nucleotide variants. In some aspects, the invention provides methods, systems, and computer readable medium for detecting cancer or a chromosomal abnormality in a gestating fetus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: Natera, Inc.
    Inventors: Joshua Babiarz, Tudor Pompiliu Constantin, Lane A. Eubank, George Gemelos, Matthew Micah Hill, Huseyin Eser Kirkizlar, Matthew Rabinowitz, Onur Sakarya, Styrmir Sigurjonsson, Bernhard Zimmermann
  • Patent number: 11322224
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods for determining the ploidy status of a chromosome in a gestating fetus from genotypic data measured from a mixed sample of DNA comprising DNA from both the mother of the fetus and from the fetus, and optionally from genotypic data from the mother and father. The ploidy state is determined by using a joint distribution model to create a plurality of expected allele distributions for different possible fetal ploidy states given the parental genotypic data, and comparing the expected allelic distributions to the pattern of measured allelic distributions measured in the mixed sample, and choosing the ploidy state whose expected allelic distribution pattern most closely matches the observed allelic distribution pattern. The mixed sample of DNA may be preferentially enriched at a plurality of polymorphic loci in a way that minimizes the allelic bias, for example using massively multiplexed targeted PCR.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: Natera, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew Rabinowitz, George Gemelos, Milena Banjevic, Allison Ryan, Zachary Demko, Matthew Hill, Bernhard Zimmermann, Johan Baner
  • Patent number: 11312996
    Abstract: The invention provides methods for simultaneously amplifying multiple nucleic acid regions of interest in one reaction volume as well as methods for selecting a library of primers for use in such amplification methods. The invention also provides library of primers with desirable characteristics, such as minimal formation of amplified primer dimers or other non-target amplicons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: Natera, Inc.
    Inventors: Joshua Babiarz, Tudor Pompiliu Constantin, Lane A. Eubank, George Gemelos, Matthew Micah Hill, Huseyin Eser Kirkizlar, Matthew Rabinowitz, Onur Sakarya, Styrmir Sigurjonsson, Bernhard Zimmermann
  • Publication number: 20220098667
    Abstract: The invention provides methods for simultaneously amplifying multiple nucleic acid regions of interest in one reaction volume as well as methods for selecting a library of primers for use in such amplification methods. The invention also provides library of primers with desirable characteristics, such as minimal formation of amplified primer dimers or other non-target amplicons.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2021
    Publication date: March 31, 2022
    Applicant: Natera, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew RABINOWITZ, Matthew Micah HILL, Bernhard ZIMMERMANN, Johan BANER, George GEMELOS, Milena BANJEVIC, Allison RYAN, Styrmir SIGURJONSSON, Zachary DEMKO
  • Patent number: 11286530
    Abstract: The invention provides methods for simultaneously amplifying multiple nucleic acid regions of interest in one reaction volume as well as methods for selecting a library of primers for use in such amplification methods. The invention also provides library of primers with desirable characteristics, such as minimal formation of amplified primer dimers or other non-target amplicons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: Natera, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew Rabinowitz, Matthew Micah Hill, Bernhard Zimmermann, Johan Baner, George Gemelos, Milena Banjevic, Allison Ryan, Styrmir Sigurjonsson, Zachary Demko
  • Publication number: 20220073979
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods for determining the ploidy status of a chromosome in a gestating fetus from genotypic data measured from a mixed sample of DNA comprising DNA from both the mother of the fetus and from the fetus, and optionally from genotypic data from the mother and father. The ploidy state is determined by using a joint distribution model to create a plurality of expected allele distributions for different possible fetal ploidy states given the parental genotypic data, and comparing the expected allelic distributions to the pattern of measured allelic distributions measured in the mixed sample, and choosing the ploidy state whose expected allelic distribution pattern most closely matches the observed allelic distribution pattern. The mixed sample of DNA may be preferentially enriched at a plurality of polymorphic loci in a way that minimizes the allelic bias, for example using massively multiplexed targeted PCR.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2021
    Publication date: March 10, 2022
    Applicant: Natera, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew RABINOWITZ, George GEMELOS, Milena BANJEVIC, Allison RYAN, Zachary DEMKO, Matthew HILL, Bernhard ZIMMERMANN, Johan BANER
  • Publication number: 20220074588
    Abstract: In the case of mono sewage sludge incineration, a solution may be created that enables sewage sludge ash, which may still have a low proportion of unburned carbon, to be discharged from a mono sewage sludge incineration plant. This is achieved by a method for the post-combustion of sewage sludge ash obtained in a mono sewage sludge incineration in a rotary kiln by means of a hot and a low oxygen content, such as an oxygen content of 5-10 vol. % oxygen. The gas stream from the rotary kiln may escape the sewage sludge ash and is fed to the gas flow. This sufficiently hot gas flow may cause oxidation or afterburning of unburned carbon contained in the sewage sludge ash.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2019
    Publication date: March 10, 2022
    Inventors: Bernhard ZIMMERMANN, Martin EHMANN, Gerhard PANNEN, Alexander SIMON, Henning VON KROSIGK, Andreas RUPP
  • Publication number: 20220073978
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods for determining the ploidy status of a chromosome in a gestating fetus from genotypic data measured from a mixed sample of DNA comprising DNA from both the mother of the fetus and from the fetus, and optionally from genotypic data from the mother and father. The ploidy state is determined by using a joint distribution model to create a plurality of expected allele distributions for different possible fetal ploidy states given the parental genotypic data, and comparing the expected allelic distributions to the pattern of measured allelic distributions measured in the mixed sample, and choosing the ploidy state whose expected allelic distribution pattern most closely matches the observed allelic distribution pattern. The mixed sample of DNA may be preferentially enriched at a plurality of polymorphic loci in a way that minimizes the allelic bias, for example using massively multiplexed targeted PCR.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2021
    Publication date: March 10, 2022
    Applicant: Natera, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew RABINOWITZ, George GEMELOS, Milena BANJEVIC, Allison RYAN, Zachary DEMKO, Matthew HILL, Bernhard ZIMMERMANN, Johan BANER
  • Publication number: 20220056509
    Abstract: The invention provides methods for detecting single nucleotide variants in breast cancer, bladder cancer, or colorectal cancer. Additional methods and compositions, such as reaction mixtures and solid supports comprising clonal populations of nucleic acids, are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2021
    Publication date: February 24, 2022
    Applicant: Natera, Inc.
    Inventors: Bernhard ZIMMERMANN, Raheleh SALARI, Ryan SWENERTON, Hsin-Ta WU, Himanshu SETHI
  • Publication number: 20220042103
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods for determining the ploidy status of a chromosome in a gestating fetus from genotypic data measured from a sample of DNA from the mother of the fetus and from the fetus, and from genotypic data from the mother and optionally also from the father. The ploidy state is determined by using a joint distribution model to create a set of expected allele distributions for different possible fetal ploidy states given the parental genotypic data, and comparing the expected allelic distributions to the pattern of measured allelic distributions measured in the mixed sample, and choosing the ploidy state whose expected allelic distribution pattern most closely matches the observed allelic distribution pattern. In an embodiment, the mixed sample of DNA may be preferentially enriched at a plurality of polymorphic loci in a way that minimizes the allelic bias.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2021
    Publication date: February 10, 2022
    Applicant: Natera, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew Rabinowitz, George Gemelos, Milena Banjevic, Allison Ryan, Zachary Demko, Matthew Hill, Bernhard Zimmermann, Johan Baner
  • Publication number: 20220033909
    Abstract: The invention provides methods for simultaneously amplifying multiple nucleic acid regions of interest in one reaction volume as well as methods for selecting a library of primers for use in such amplification methods. The invention also provides library of primers with desirable characteristics, such as minimal formation of amplified primer dimers or other non-target amplicons.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2021
    Publication date: February 3, 2022
    Applicant: Natera, Inc.
    Inventors: Joshua BABIARZ, Tudor Pompiliu CONSTANTIN, Lane A. EUBANK, George GEMELOS, Matthew Micah HILL, Huseyin Eser KIRKIZLAR, Matthew RABINOWITZ, Onur SAKARYA, Styrmir SIGURJONSSON, Bernhard ZIMMERMANN
  • Publication number: 20220025455
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods and compositions for sequencing nucleic acid molecules and identifying individual sample nucleic acid molecules using Molecular Index Tags (MITs). Furthermore, reaction mixtures, kits, and adapter libraries are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2021
    Publication date: January 27, 2022
    Applicant: Natera, Inc.
    Inventors: Bernhard ZIMMERMANN, Ryan SWENERTON, Matthew RABINOWITZ, Styrmir SIGURJONSSON, George GEMELOS, Apratim GANGULY, Himanshu SETHI
  • Publication number: 20220025456
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods for determining the ploidy status of a chromosome in a gestating fetus from genotypic data measured from a mixed sample of DNA comprising DNA from both the mother of the fetus and from the fetus, and optionally from genotypic data from the mother and father. The ploidy state is determined by using a joint distribution model to create a plurality of expected allele distributions for different possible fetal ploidy states given the parental genotypic data, and comparing the expected allelic distributions to the pattern of measured allelic distributions measured in the mixed sample, and choosing the ploidy state whose expected allelic distribution pattern most closely matches the observed allelic distribution pattern. The mixed sample of DNA may be preferentially enriched at a plurality of polymorphic loci in a way that minimizes the allelic bias, for example using massively multiplexed targeted PCR.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2021
    Publication date: January 27, 2022
    Applicant: Natera, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew RABINOWITZ, George GEMELOS, Milena BANJEVIC, Allison RYAN, Zachary DEMKO, Matthew HILL, Bernhard ZIMMERMANN, Johan BANER, Styrmir SIGURJONSSON
  • Patent number: 11198905
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods for determining the ploidy status of a chromosome in a gestating fetus from genotypic data measured from a mixed sample of DNA comprising DNA from both the mother of the fetus and from the fetus, and optionally from genotypic data from the mother and father. The ploidy state is determined by using a joint distribution model to create a plurality of expected allele distributions for different possible fetal ploidy states given the parental genotypic data, and comparing the expected allelic distributions to the pattern of measured allelic distributions measured in the mixed sample, and choosing the ploidy state whose expected allelic distribution pattern most closely matches the observed allelic distribution pattern. The mixed sample of DNA may be preferentially enriched at a plurality of polymorphic loci in a way that minimizes the allelic bias, for example using massively multiplexed targeted PCR.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: Natera, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew Rabinowitz, George Gemelos, Milena Banjevic, Allison Ryan, Zachary Demko, Matthew Hill, Bernhard Zimmermann, Johan Baner, Styrmir Sigurjonsson