Patents by Inventor Craig A. Bloch

Craig A. Bloch 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).

  • METHODS OF IDENTIFYING BACTERIAL GENES THAT ARE INCOMPATIBLE WITH BACTERIAL PATHOGENICITY, AND THE USE OF SUCH GENES, SUCH AS CADA, TO REDUCE PATHOGENICITY IN A BACTERIA OR TO COMBAT PATHOGENIC BACTERIAL INFECTIONS
    Patent number: 6780414
    Abstract: “Black holes” in the genomes of bacterial pathogens represent deletions of “anti-virulence” genes, i.e. genes that are detrimental to a pathogenic lifestyle. Identification of the missing genetic loci in the “black hole” identifies genes that are incompatible with the bacteria's pathogenicity. These genes, their gene products, and compounds generated by the enzymatic action of these gene products represent potential new compounds that are inhibitory to the bacterial pathogen and thus useful as pharmaceuticals. The utility of this concept is demonstrated in the missing gene for lysine decarboxylase, and the resulting inhibitory activity of cadaverine (the diaminoalkyl reaction product of lysine decarboxylase) on the Shigella enterotoxins. Diaminoalkyl compounds are therefore potent inhibitors of E. coli and Shigella spp. enterotoxins. Lysine decarboxylase generated from the gene cadA results in attenuation of the enterotoxic effects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2004
    Assignees: Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Inc., The University of Maryland, Baltimore, The Regents of the University of Michigan
    Inventors: Anthony T. Maurelli, Reinaldo E. Fernández, Craig A. Bloch, Alessio Fasano
  • Methods of identifying bacterial genes that are incompatible with bacterial pathogenicity, and the use of such genes, such as cadA, to reduce pathogenicity in a bacteria or to combat pathogenic bacterial infections
    Publication number: 20020192225
    Abstract: “Black holes” in the genomes of bacterial pathogens represent deletions of “anti-virulence” genes, i.e. genes that are detrimental to a pathogenic lifestyle. Identification of the missing genetic loci in the “black hole” identifies genes that are incompatible with the bacteria's pathogenicity. These genes, their gene products, and compounds generated by the enzymatic action of these gene products represent potential new compounds that are inhibitory to the bacterial pathogen and thus useful as pharmaceuticals. The utility of this concept is demonstrated in the missing gene for lysine decarboxylase, and the resulting inhibitory activity of cadaverine (the diaminoalkyl reaction product of lysine decarboxylase) on the Shigella enterotoxins. Diaminoalkyl compounds are therefore potent inhibitors of E. coli and Shigella spp. enterotoxins Lysine decarboxylase generated from the gene cadA results in attenuation of the enterotoxic effects.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2002
    Publication date: December 19, 2002
    Inventors: Anthony T. Maurelli, Reinaldo E. Fernandez, Craig A. Bloch, Alessio Fasano
  • Methods of identifying bacterial genes that are incompatible with bacterial pathogenicity, and the use of such genes, such as cadA, to reduce pathogenicity in a bacteria or to combat pathogenic bacterial infections
    Patent number: 6344201
    Abstract: “Black holes” in the genomes of bacterial pathogens represent deletions of “anti-virulence” genes, i.e. genes that are detrimental to a pathogenic lifestyle. Identification of the missing genetic loci in the “black hole” identifies genes that are incompatible with the bacteria's pathogenicity. These genes, their gene products, and compounds generated by the enzymatic action of these gene products represent potential new compounds that are inhibitory to the bacterial pathogen and thus useful as pharmaceuticals. The utility of this concept is demonstrated in the missing gene for lysine decarboxylase, and the resulting inhibitory activity of cadaverine (the diaminoalkyl reaction product of lysine decarboxylase) on the Shigella enterotoxins. Diaminoalkyl compounds are therefore potent inhibitors of E. coli and Shigella spp. enterotoxins. Lysine decarboxylase generated from the gene cadA results in attenuation of the enterotoxic effects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2002
    Inventors: Anthony T. Maurelli, Reinaldo E. Fernández, Craig A. Bloch, Alessio Fasano