Patents by Inventor Douglas A. Melton

Douglas A. Melton 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: 6902692
    Abstract: A fiber reinforced composite article comprising a matrix and reinforcing fibers, and different operating temperature and stress combinations each across opposed surfaces and through the matrix, is made by first measuring each of the combinations. Then discrete regions, each extending completely through the surfaces and the matrix, are selected for each combination. Reinforcing fibers with strength greater than the stress in a selected region are disposed in each selected region, the strengths being different between regions responsive to the different measured combinations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2005
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Douglas Melton Carper
  • Publication number: 20040146923
    Abstract: Compositions of proteins with tendon/ligament-like tissue inducing activity are disclosed. The compositions are useful in the treatment of tendinitis and tendon or ligament defects and in related tissue repair.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2004
    Publication date: July 29, 2004
    Applicants: Genetics Institute, LLC, President and Fellows of Harvard College
    Inventors: Anthony J. Celeste, John M. Wozney, Vicki A. Rosen, Neil M. Wolfman, Gerald H. Thomsen, Douglas A. Melton
  • Publication number: 20040087509
    Abstract: The present invention makes available a method for inducing neuronal differentiation and preventing the death or degeneration of neuronal cells both in vitro and in vivo. The subject method stems from the unexpected finding that, contrary to traditional understanding of neural induction, the default fate of ectodermal tissue is neuronal rather than mesodermal and/or epidermal. In particular, it has been discovered that preventing or antagonizing a signaling pathway in a cell for a growth factor of the TGF-&bgr; family can result in neuronal differentiation of that cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2003
    Publication date: May 6, 2004
    Applicant: President and Fellows of Harvard College
    Inventors: Douglas A. Melton, A. Hemmati-Brivanlou
  • Patent number: 6719968
    Abstract: Compositions of proteins with tendon/ligament-like tissue inducing activity are disclosed. The compositions are useful in the treatment of tendinitis and tendon or ligament defects and in related tissue repair.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: Genetics Institute, LLC.
    Inventors: Anthony J. Celeste, John M. Wozney, Vicki A. Rosen, Neil M. Wolfman, Gerald H. Thomsen, Douglas A. Melton
  • Patent number: 6686198
    Abstract: The present invention makes available a method for inducing neuronal differentiation and preventing the death or degeneration of neuronal cells both in vitro and in vivo. The subject method stems from the unexpected finding that, contrary to traditional understanding of neural induction, the default fate of ectodermal tissue is neuronal rather than mesodermal and/or epidermal. In particular, it has been discovered that preventing or antagonizing a signaling pathway in a cell for a growth factor of the TGF-&bgr; family can result in neuronal differentiation of that cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Assignee: President and Fellows of Harvard College
    Inventors: Douglas A. Melton, Ali Hemmati-Brivanlou
  • Publication number: 20030012939
    Abstract: A fiber reinforced composite article, comprising a matrix and reinforcing fibers and subjected during operation concurrently to a plurality of temperatures and stresses, varying between a plurality of regions of the article, experiences different stresses concurrently in different regions of the article. The article is provided with fiber reinforcement of a strength in each region greater than the stress experienced in that region. Such fiber reinforcement is provided through a member for inclusion in the matrix, for example in the form of at least one of a fabric, weave, braid, lay-up, etc. One form of such an article for use at relatively high temperatures is a turbine engine component, for example a gas turbine engine exhaust flap. Another form of such an article is a gas turbine engine blading component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2002
    Publication date: January 16, 2003
    Inventor: Douglas Melton Carper
  • Publication number: 20020160494
    Abstract: Compositions of proteins with tendon/ligament-like tissue inducing activity are disclosed. The compositions are useful in the treatment of tendinitis and tendon or ligament defects and in related tissue repair.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2001
    Publication date: October 31, 2002
    Inventors: Anthony J. Celeste, John M. Wozney, Vicki A. Rosen, Neil M. Wolfman, Gerald H. Thomsen, Douglas A. Melton
  • Publication number: 20020146773
    Abstract: The present invention concerns the discovery that proteins encoded by a family of vertebrate genes, termed here signalin-related genes, which are involved in signal transduction induced by members of the TGF&bgr; superfamily. The present invention makes available compositions and methods that can be utilized, for example to generate and/or maintain an array of different vertebrate tissue both in vitro and in vivo.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2002
    Publication date: October 10, 2002
    Inventors: Jonathan M. Graff, Tod M. Woolf, Ping Jin, Douglas A. Melton
  • Patent number: 6441053
    Abstract: A method of identifying inhibitors of glycogen synthase kinase-3 is provided. The method comprises providing a mixture comprising GSK-3, a phosphate source, and a GSK-3 substrate, incubating the mixture in the presence or absence of a test compound, and assessing the activity of GSK-3 in the mixture. A reduction of GSK-3 activity following incubation of the mixture in the presence of the test compound is an indication that the test compound is an inhibitor of GSK-3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2002
    Assignees: The Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania, President and Fellows of Harvard University
    Inventors: Peter S. Klein, Douglas Melton
  • Patent number: 6428977
    Abstract: The present invention concerns the discovery that proteins encoded by a family of vertebrate genes, termed here signalin-related genes, which are involved in signal transduction induced by members of the TGF&bgr; superfamily. The present invention makes available compositions and methods that can be utilized, for example to generate and/or maintain an array of different vertebrate tissue both in vitro and in vivo.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2002
    Assignee: Curis, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan M. Graff, Tod M. Woolf, Ping Jin, Douglas A. Melton
  • Patent number: 6284872
    Abstract: Compositions of proteins with tendon/ligament-like tissue inducing activity are disclosed. The compositions are useful in the treatment of tendinitis and tendon or ligament defects and in related tissue repair.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2001
    Assignees: Genetics Institute, Inc., President and Fellows of Harvard College
    Inventors: Anthony J. Celeste, John M. Wozney, Vicki A. Rosen, Neil M. Wolfman, Gerald H. Thomsen, Douglas A. Melton
  • Patent number: 6027919
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel family of purified proteins, and compositions containing such proteins, which compositions are useful for the induction of tendon/ligament-like tissue formation, wound healing and ligament and other tissue repair. The present invention further relates to DNA molecules, vectors and host cells useful for production of such proteins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2000
    Assignee: Genetics Institute, Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony J. Celeste, John M. Wozney, Vicki A. Rosen, Neil M. Wolfman, Gerald H. Thomsen, Douglas A. Melton
  • Patent number: 5658882
    Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for the induction of tendon/ligament-like tissue formation, wound healing and ligament and other tissue repair, using a composition comprising BMP-12, BMP-13 or MP-52, or combinations of the above.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 19, 1997
    Assignees: Genetics Institute, Inc., President and Fellows of Harvard College
    Inventors: Anthony J. Celeste, John M. Wozney, Vicki A. Rosen, Neil M. Wolfman, Gerald H. Thomsen, Douglas A. Melton