Patents by Inventor Brian Pollok

Brian Pollok 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: 20110191873
    Abstract: This invention is directed towards methods of destabilizing proteins in living cells, and their use for the development of novel assays. In one embodiment, the invention comprises the use of non-cleavable multimerized ubiquitin fusion proteins to destabilize a target protein, such as a reporter moiety. In one aspect of this method the constructs also comprises a linker that operatively couples the reporter moiety to the multimerized ubiquitin fusion protein. In this embodiment, enzymatic modification of the linker results in a modulation of the coupling of the reporter protein to the multimerized ubiquitin domains resulting in a change in the stability of the reporter moiety. The level of the reporter moiety in the cell can then be used as a measure of the enzymatic activity in the cell. In another embodiment the invention provides for a generalized way of coordinately regulating the cellular concentration of a plurality of target proteins.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2010
    Publication date: August 4, 2011
    Inventors: Jeffrey Stack, Michael Whitney, Andrew B. Cubitt, Brian Pollok
  • Patent number: 7824850
    Abstract: This invention is directed towards methods of destabilizing proteins in living cells, and their use for the development of novel assays. In one embodiment, the invention comprises the use of non-cleavable multimerized ubiquitin fusion proteins to destabilize a target protein, such as a reporter moiety. In one aspect of this method the constructs also comprises a linker that operatively couples the reporter moiety to the multimerized ubiquitin fusion protein. In this embodiment, enzymatic modification of the linker results in a modulation of the coupling of the reporter protein to the multimerized ubiquitin domains resulting in a change in the stability of the reporter moiety. The level of the reporter moiety in the cell can then be used as a measure of the enzymatic activity in the cell. In another embodiment the invention provides for a generalized way of coordinately regulating the cellular concentration of a plurality of target proteins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2010
    Assignee: Aurora Biosciences Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffrey Stack, Michael Whitney, Andrew B. Cubitt, Brian Pollok
  • Patent number: 7465738
    Abstract: The present invention relates to compounds useful as promoters of the SMN2 gene. The invention also provides pharmaceutically acceptable compositions comprising said compounds and methods of using the compositions in the treatment of Spinal Muscular Atrophy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2008
    Assignee: Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated
    Inventors: Jill Jarecki, Xiaocun Chen, Dennis James Hurley, Lewis R. Makings, Mark T. Miller, Brian Pollok, Jeffrey H. Stack, Michael A. Whitney
  • Publication number: 20080227129
    Abstract: This invention is directed towards methods of destabilizing proteins in living cells, and their use for the development of novel assays. In one embodiment, the invention comprises the use of non-cleavable multimerized ubiquitin fusion proteins to destabilize a target protein, such as a reporter moiety. In one aspect of this method the constructs also comprises a linker that operatively couples the reporter moiety to the multimerized ubiquitin fusion protein. In this embodiment, enzymatic modification of the linker results in a modulation of the coupling of the reporter protein to the multimerized ubiquitin domains resulting in a change in the stability of the reporter moiety. The level of the reporter moiety in the cell can then be used as a measure of the enzymatic activity in the cell. In another embodiment the invention provides for a generalized way of coordinately regulating the cellular concentration of a plurality of target proteins.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2007
    Publication date: September 18, 2008
    Inventors: Jeffrey Stack, Michael Whitney, Andrew B. Cubitt, Brian Pollok
  • Publication number: 20070224615
    Abstract: The invention relates, in part, to methods for detecting, monitoring, measuring or assessing an interaction between at least two proteins. The invention also relates, in part, to methods for determining if a test compound, or a mix of compounds, modulates an interaction between at least two proteins. In some embodiments, determination is made possible via the use of two recombinant molecules, e.g., one of which contains a first protein cleavage site for a proteolytic molecules, and an activator of a gene. A second recombinant molecule may include a second protein and the proteolytic molecule. Various other formats are provided by the invention. In some embodiments, if the test compound binds to the first protein, a reaction is initiated whereby the activator is cleaved, and activates a reporter gene.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2007
    Publication date: September 27, 2007
    Applicant: INVITROGEN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kevin Lee, Brian Pollok, Zhong Zhong
  • Patent number: 7262005
    Abstract: This invention is directed towards methods of destabilizing proteins in living cells, and their use for the development of novel assays. In one embodiment, the invention comprises the use of non-cleavable multimerized ubiquitin fusion proteins to destabilize a target protein, such as a reporter moiety. In one aspect of this method the constructs also comprises a linker that operatively couples the reporter moiety to the multimerized ubiquitin fusion protein. In this embodiment, enzymatic modification of the linker results in a modulation of the coupling of the reporter protein to the multimerized ubiquitin domains resulting in a change in the stability of the reporter moiety. The level of the reporter moiety in the cell can then be used as a measure of the enzymatic activity in the cell. In another embodiment the invention provides for a generalized way of coordinately regulating the cellular concentration of a plurality of target proteins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2007
    Assignee: Aurora Biosciences Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffrey Stack, Michael Whitney, Andrew B. Cubitt, Brian Pollok
  • Publication number: 20050065173
    Abstract: The present invention relates to compounds useful as promoters of the SMN2 gene. The invention also provides pharmaceutically acceptable compositions comprising said compounds and methods of using the compositions in the treatment of Spinal Muscular Atrophy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2004
    Publication date: March 24, 2005
    Inventors: Jill Jarecki, Xiaocun Chen, Dennis Hurley, Lewis Makings, Mark Miller, Brian Pollok, Jeffrey Stack, Michael Whitney