Patents by Inventor David A. Weitz

David A. Weitz 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).

  • Patent number: 12221720
    Abstract: Techniques Nuc-seq, Div-Seq, and Dronc-Seq are allow for unbiased analysis of any complex tissue. Nuc-Seq, a scalable single nucleus RNA-Seq method, can sensitively identify closely related cell types, including within the adult hippocampus. Div-seq combines Nuc-Seq with EdU-mediated labeling of proliferating cells, allowing tracking of transcriptional dynamics of newborn neurons in an adult neurogenic region in the hippocampus. Dronc-Seq uses a microfluidic device to co-encapsulate individual nuclei in reverse emulsion aqueous droplets in an oil medium together with one uniquely barcoded mRNA-capture bead.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2025
    Assignees: The Broad Institute, Inc., Massachusetts Institute of Technology, President and Fellows of Harvard College
    Inventors: Naomi Habib, Aviv Regev, Eugene Drokhlyansky, Anindita Basu, Inbal Avraham-Davidi, Orit Rozenblatt-Rosen, David A. Weitz
  • Publication number: 20250033009
    Abstract: Parallel uses of microfluidic methods and devices for focusing and/or forming discontinuous sections of similar or dissimilar size in a fluid are described. In some aspects, the present invention relates generally to flow-focusing-type technology, and also to microfluidics, and more particularly parallel use of microfluidic systems arranged to control a dispersed phase within a dispersant, and the size, and size distribution, of a dispersed phase in a multi-phase fluid system, and systems for delivery of fluid components to multiple such devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2024
    Publication date: January 30, 2025
    Applicant: President and Fellows of Harvard College
    Inventors: David A. Weitz, Mark Romanowsky, Adam R. Abate
  • Publication number: 20250025386
    Abstract: The present disclosure discloses an engineered liposome with cell membrane proteins to reduce melanosome transport and a preparation method thereof, and belongs to the technical field of cosmetics and biomedicine. The present disclosure provides the engineered liposome with cell membrane proteins to reduce melanosome transport and the preparation method thereof, which is easy to operate, requires no large-scale equipment, has few additives, and a preparation process is simple and environmentally friendly. The biomimetic liposome can significantly inhibit melanin transport. The fluorescence intensity of melanosomes in keratinocytes is found to decrease by 3.5-fold in a co-culture test of melanocytes and the keratinocytes, indicating that this biomimetic liposome is very effective in inhibiting accumulation of melanin in skin keratinocytes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2024
    Publication date: January 23, 2025
    Inventors: Cheng Yang, Chunhuan Liu, Yuchun Liu, Kevin Jahnke, David A. Weitz
  • Publication number: 20250011827
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to droplets and/or emulsions, such as multiple emulsions. In some cases, the droplets and/or emulsions may be used in assays, and in certain embodiments, the droplet or emulsion may be hardened to form a gel. In some aspects, a heterogeneous assay can be performed using a gel. For example, a droplet may be hardened to form a gel, where the droplet contains a cell, DNA, or other suitable species. The gel may be exposed to a reactant, and the reactant may interact with the gel and/or with the cell, DNA, etc., in some fashion. For example, the reactant may diffuse through the gel, or the hardened particle may liquefy to form a liquid state, allowing the reactant to interact with the cell. As a specific example, DNA contained within a gel particle may be subjected to PCR (polymerase chain reaction) amplification, e.g., by using PCR primers able to bind to the gel as it forms. As the DNA is amplified using PCR, some of the DNA will be bound to the gel via the PCR primer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2024
    Publication date: January 9, 2025
    Applicant: President and Fellows of Harvard College
    Inventors: David A. Weitz, Jeremy Agresti, Liang-Yin Chu, Jin-Woong Kim, Amy Rowat, Morten Sommer, Gautam Dantas, George M. Church
  • Publication number: 20240416296
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to emulsions, and more particularly, to multiple emulsions. In one aspect, multiple emulsions are formed by urging a fluid into a channel, e.g., by causing the fluid to enter the channel as a “jet.” Side channels can be used to encapsulate the fluid with a surrounding fluid. In some cases, multiple fluids may flow through a channel collinearly before multiple emulsion droplets are formed. The fluidic channels may also, in certain embodiments, include varying degrees of hydrophilicity or hydrophobicity. As examples, the fluidic channel may be relatively hydrophilic upstream of an intersection (or other region within the channel) and relatively hydrophobic downstream of the intersection, or vice versa. In some cases, the average cross-sectional dimension may change, e.g., at an intersection. For instance, the average cross-sectional dimension may increase at the intersection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2024
    Publication date: December 19, 2024
    Applicant: President and Fellows of Harvard College
    Inventors: David A. Weitz, Julian W.P. Thiele, Adam R. Abate
  • Patent number: 12121898
    Abstract: The present invention is generally related to systems and methods for producing droplets. The droplets may contain varying species, e.g., for use as a library. In some cases, at least one droplet is used to create a plurality of droplets, using techniques such as flow-focusing techniques. In one set of embodiments, a plurality of droplets, containing varying species, can be divided to form a collection of droplets containing the various species therein. A collection of droplets, according to certain embodiments, may contain various subpopulations of droplets that all contain the same species therein. Such a collection of droplets may be used as a library in some cases, or may be used for other purposes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2024
    Assignee: President and Fellows of Harvard College
    Inventors: David A. Weitz, Adam R. Abate
  • Patent number: 12116631
    Abstract: The present invention is generally related to systems and methods for producing a plurality of droplets. The droplets may contain varying species, e.g., for use as a library. In some cases, the fluidic droplets may be rigidified to form rigidified droplets (e.g., gel droplets). In certain embodiments, the droplets may undergo a phase change (e.g., from rigidified droplets to fluidized droplets), as discussed more herein. In some cases, a species may be added internally to a droplet by exposing the droplet to a fluid comprising a plurality of species.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2024
    Assignee: President and Fellows of Harvard College
    Inventors: David A. Weitz, Jeremy Agresti
  • Publication number: 20240206516
    Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to sugar reduction in foods and, in some aspects, to enzyme-polymer conjugated particles for food and other applications. Certain aspects of the disclosure are directed to compositions for reducing sugar content and/or producing dietary fiber within food products during or after consumption (e.g., in a subject's gastrointestinal (GI) tract), while maintaining the sweetness and flavor of the sugar in food products upon consumption (e.g., in a subject's mouth). For example, in one set of embodiments, a composition may comprise a particle comprising an enzyme capable of converting a sugar into a relatively non-digestible form (e.g., a polymer), optionally an inhibitor that reversibly inhibits the enzyme from converting the sugar, and optionally an additive capable of associating with the inhibitor. The composition may be used for in situ conversion of sugars upon exposure to an environment condition (e.g., pH and/or temperature) in the GI tract.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2022
    Publication date: June 27, 2024
    Applicants: President and Fellows of Harvard College, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Donald E. Ingber, Vaskar Gnyawali, Daneille Harrier, Yan Liu, Evan Minghao Zhao, David A. Weitz, James J. Collins, Adama Marie Sesay, Bobby Tyrell Haney
  • Patent number: 11925933
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to microfluidic devices. In some aspects, various entities, such as droplets or particles, may be contained within a microfluidic device, e.g., within collection chambers or other locations within the device. In some cases, the entities may be released from such locations, e.g., in a sequential pattern, or an arbitrary pattern. In some cases, the entities may be imaged, reacted, analyzed, etc. while contained within the collection chambers. Other aspects are generally directed to methods of making or using such devices, kits involving such devices, or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: President and Fellows of Harvard College
    Inventors: David A. Weitz, Kiryakos S. Mutafopulos, Thomas Hufnagel
  • Patent number: 11904310
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a controlled fluidic device to develop spatially complex environments to enhance the rate of evolution in cell populations. The method further provides an enhanced understanding in the emergence, for example, drug resistance during cancer chemotherapy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignees: The Broad Institute, Inc., Massachusetts Institute of Technology, President and Fellows of Harvard College, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Inc.
    Inventors: Anindita Basu, Christopher B. Ford, Aviv Regev, David A. Weitz, Asaf Rotem, Kevin Struhl
  • Publication number: 20240043893
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to microfluidics and labeled nucleic acids. For example, certain aspects are generally directed to systems and methods for labeling nucleic acids within microfluidic droplets or other compartments, for instance, arising from a cell. In one set of embodiments, particles may be prepared containing oligonucleotides that can be used to determine target nucleic acids, e.g., attached to the surface of the particles. The oligonucleotides may include “barcodes” or unique sequences that can be used to distinguish nucleic acids in a droplet from those in another droplet, for instance, even after the nucleic acids are pooled together or removed from the droplets. Certain embodiments of the invention are generally directed to systems and methods for attaching additional or arbitrary sequences to the nucleic acids within microfluidic droplets or other compartments, e.g.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2023
    Publication date: February 8, 2024
    Applicant: President and Fellows of Harvard College
    Inventors: David A. Weitz, Huidan Zhang, John Heyman, Allon Moshe Klein
  • Patent number: 11850589
    Abstract: A system and method are provided for harvesting target biological substances. The system includes a substrate and a first and second channel formed in the substrate. The channels longitudinally extending substantially parallel to each other. A series of gaps extend from the first channel to the second channel to create a fluid communication path passing between a series of columns with the columns being longitudinally separated by a predetermined separation distance. The system also includes a first source configured to selectively introduce into the first channel a first biological composition at a first channel flow rate and a second source configured to selectively introduce into the second channel a second biological composition at a second channel flow rate. The sources are configured to create a differential between the first and second channel flow rates to generate physiological shear rates along the second channel that are bounded within a predetermined range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignees: The Brigham and Women's Hospital, Inc., Boston, MA;, President and Fellows of Harvard College, Vilnius University
    Inventors: Joseph Italiano, Linas Mazutis, Jonathan N. Thon, David A. Weitz
  • Patent number: 11821109
    Abstract: The invention describes a method for the synthesis of compounds comprising the steps of: (a) compartmentalising two or more sets of primary compounds into microcapsules; such that a proportion of the microcapsules contains two or more compounds; and (b) forming secondary compounds in the microcapsules by chemical reactions between primary compounds from different sets; wherein one or both of steps (a) and (b) is performed under microfluidic control; preferably electronic microfluidic control The invention further allows for the identification of compounds which bind to a target component of a biochemical system or modulate the activity of the target, and which is co-compartmentalised into the microcapsules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignees: President and Fellows of Harvard College, United Kingdom Research and Innovation
    Inventors: Andrew David Griffiths, David A. Weitz, Darren Roy Link, Keunho Ahn, Jerome Bibette
  • Publication number: 20230366125
    Abstract: The invention describes a method for the synthesis of compounds comprising the steps of: (a) compartmentalising two or more sets of primary compounds into microcapsules; such that a proportion of the microcapsules contains two or more compounds; and (b) forming secondary compounds in the microcapsules by chemical reactions between primary compounds from different sets; wherein one or both of steps (a) and (b) is performed under microfluidic control; preferably electronic microfluidic control The invention further allows for the identification of compounds which bind to a target component of a biochemical system or modulate the activity of the target, and which is co-compartmentalised into the microcapsules.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2023
    Publication date: November 16, 2023
    Inventors: Andrew David Griffiths, David A. Weitz, Darren Roy Link, Keunho Ahn, Jerome Bibette
  • Patent number: 11786872
    Abstract: The invention describes a method for isolating one or more genetic elements encoding a gene product having a desired activity, comprising the steps of: (a) compartmentalising genetic elements into microcapsules; and (b) sorting the genetic elements which express the gene product having the desired activity; wherein at least one step is under microfluidic control. The invention enables the in vitro evolution of nucleic acids and proteins by repeated mutagenesis and iterative applications of the method of the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignees: UNITED KINGDOM RESEARCH AND INNOVATION, PRESIDENT AND FELLOWS OF HARVARD COLLEGE
    Inventors: Andrew David Griffiths, David A. Weitz, Darren Roy Link, Keunho Ahn, Jerome Bibette
  • Publication number: 20230302420
    Abstract: Parallel uses of microfluidic methods and devices for focusing and/or forming discontinuous sections of similar or dissimilar size in a fluid are described. In some aspects, the present invention relates generally to flow-focusing-type technology, and also to microfluidics, and more particularly parallel use of microfluidic systems arranged to control a dispersed phase within a dispersant, and the size, and size distribution, of a dispersed phase in a multi-phase fluid system, and systems for delivery of fluid components to multiple such devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2022
    Publication date: September 28, 2023
    Applicant: President and Fellows of Harvard College
    Inventors: David A. Weitz, Mark Romanowsky, Adam R. Abate
  • Patent number: 11746367
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to microfluidics and labeled nucleic acids. In one aspect, the present invention is generally directed to a method, wherein the method includes providing a plurality of droplets comprising particles, the particles comprising oligonucleotides, and attaching a nucleic acid sequence to the oligonucleotides. Certain embodiments are generally directed to systems and methods for splitting a droplet into two or more droplets. Certain embodiments are generally directed to systems and methods for sorting fluidic droplets in a liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: President and Fellows of Harvard College
    Inventors: David A. Weitz, Huidan Zhang, John Heyman, Allon Moshe Klein
  • Patent number: 11724237
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to systems and methods for the control of fluids and, in some cases, to systems and methods for flowing a fluid into and/or out of other fluids. As examples, fluid may be injected into a droplet contained within a fluidic channel, or a fluid may be injected into a fluidic channel to create a droplet. In some embodiments, electrodes may be used to apply an electric field to one or more fluidic channels, e.g., proximate an intersection of at least two fluidic channels. For instance, a first fluid may be urged into and/or out of a second fluid, facilitated by the electric field. The electric field, in some cases, may disrupt an interface between a first fluid and at least one other fluid. Properties such as the volume, flow rate, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: President and Fellows of Harvard College
    Inventors: David A. Weitz, Adam R. Abate, Tony Hung, Pascaline Mary
  • Publication number: 20230241219
    Abstract: The present invention relates generally to vesicles such as liposomes, colloidosomes, and polymersomes, as well as techniques for making and using such vesicles. In some cases, the vesicles may be at least partially biocompatible and/or biodegradable. The vesicles may be formed, according to one aspect, by forming a multiple emulsion comprising a first droplet surrounded by a second droplet, which in turn is surrounded by a third fluid, where the second droplet comprises lipids and/or polymers, and removing fluid from the second droplet, e.g., through evaporation or diffusion, until a vesicle is formed. In certain aspects, the size of the vesicle may be controlled, e.g., through osmolarity, and in certain embodiments, the vesicle may be ruptured through a change in osmolarity. In some cases, the vesicle may contain other species, such as fluorescent molecules, microparticles, pharmaceutical agents, etc., which may be released upon rupture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2022
    Publication date: August 3, 2023
    Inventors: David A. Weitz, Ho Cheung Shum, Daeyeon Lee, Insun Yoon, Jin-Woong Kim
  • Publication number: 20230234061
    Abstract: Microfluidic structures and methods for manipulating fluids, fluid components, and reactions are provided. In one aspect, such structures and methods can allow production of droplets of a precise volume, which can be stored/maintained at precise regions of the device. In another aspect, microfluidic structures and methods described herein are designed for containing and positioning components in an arrangement such that the components can be manipulated and then tracked even after manipulation. For example, cells may be constrained in an arrangement in microfluidic structures described herein to facilitate tracking during their growth and/or after they multiply.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2023
    Publication date: July 27, 2023
    Inventors: Seth Fraden, Hakim Boukellal, Yanwei Jia, Seila Selimovic, Amy Rowat, Jeremy Agresti, David A. Weitz