Patents by Inventor Elizabeth H. Blackburn

Elizabeth H. Blackburn 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).

  • Cell aging as a unique biomarker of major depression
    Patent number: 9732386
    Abstract: The present invention provides methods of determining whether a subject is a suitable candidate for an anti-depressant treatment to alleviate a mood disorder by measuring telomere length and telomerase activity. The present invention also provides methods of assessing the efficacy of an anti-depressant treatment to alleviate a mood disorder and of predicting whether a subject is at risk of developing depression.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA
    Inventors: Owen M. Wolkowitz, Synthia H. Mellon, Elissa S. Epel, Jue Lin, Elizabeth H. Blackburn
  • CELL AGING AS A UNIQUE BIOMARKER OF MAJOR DEPRESSION
    Publication number: 20130289126
    Abstract: The present invention provides methods of determining whether a subject is a suitable candidate for an anti-depressant treatment to alleviate a mood disorder by measuring telomere length and telomerase activity. The present invention also provides methods of assessing the efficacy of an anti-depressant treatment to alleviate a mood disorder and of predicting whether a subject is at risk of developing depression.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2011
    Publication date: October 31, 2013
    Applicant: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA
    Inventors: Owen M. Wolkowitz, Synthia H. Mellon, Elissa S. Epel, Jue Lin, Elizabeth H. Blackburn
  • Methods of screening for compounds that derepress or increase telomerase activity
    Publication number: 20030190638
    Abstract: Method and compositions are provided for the determination of telomere length and telomerase activity, as well as the ability to increase or decrease telomerase activity in the treatment of proliferative diseases. Particularly, primers are elongated under conditions which minimize interference from other genomic sequences, so as to obtain accurate determinations of telomeric length or telomerase activity. In addition, compositions are provided for intracellular inhibition of telomerase activity and means are shown for slowing or reversing the loss of telomeric repeats in aging cells.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2002
    Publication date: October 9, 2003
    Applicant: Board of Regents, The University of Texas System
    Inventors: Michael D. West, Calvin B. Harley, Scott L. Weinrich, Catherine M. Strahl, Michael J. McEachern, Jerry Shay, Woodring E. Wright, Elizabeth H. Blackburn, Nam Woo Kim, Homayoun Vaziri
  • Diagnostic methods for conditions associated with elevated cellular levels of telomerase activity
    Patent number: 6551774
    Abstract: Method and compositions are provided for the determination of telomere length and telomerase activity, as well as the ability to increase or decrease telomerase activity in the treatment of proliferative diseases. Particularly, primers are elongated under conditions which minimize interference from other genomic sequences, so as to obtain accurate determinations of telomeric length or telomerase activity. In addition, compositions are provided for intracellular inhibition of telomerase activity and means are shown for slowing or reversing the loss of telomeric repeats in aging cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2003
    Assignees: Board of Regents, The University of Texas System, The Regents of the University of California, Geron Corporation
    Inventors: Michael D. West, Calvin B. Harley, Scott L. Weinrich, Catherine M. Strahl, Michael J. McEachern, Jerry Shay, Woodring E. Wright, Elizabeth H. Blackburn, Nam Woo Kim, Homayoun Vaziri
  • THERAPY AND DIAGNOSIS OF CONDITIONS RELATED TO TELOMERE LENGTH AND/OR TELOMERASE ACTIVITY
    Publication number: 20020127634
    Abstract: Method and compositions are provided for the determination of telomere length and telomerase activity, as well as the ability to inhibit telomerase activity in the treatment of proliferative diseases. Particularly, primers are elongated under conditions which minimize interference from other genomic sequences, so as to obtain accurate determinations of telomeric length or telomerase activity. In addition, compositions are provided for intracellular inhibition of telomerase activity and means are shown for slowing the loss of telomeric repeats in aging cells.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 1995
    Publication date: September 12, 2002
    Inventors: MICHAEL D. WEST, JERRY SHAY, WOODRING WRIGHT, ELIZABETH H. BLACKBURN
  • Screening methods to identify inhibitors of telomerase activity
    Patent number: 6368789
    Abstract: Method and compositions are provided for the determination of telomere length and telomerase activity, as well as the ability to inhibit telomerase activity in the treatment of proliferative diseases. Particularly, primers are elongated under conditions which minimize interference from other genomic sequences, so as to obtain accurate determinations of telomeric length or telomerase activity. In addition, compositions are provided for intracellular inhibition of telomerase activity and means are shown for slowing the loss of telomeric repeats in aging cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2002
    Inventors: Michael D. West, Jerry Shay, Woodring Wright, Elizabeth H. Blackburn
  • Methods of screening for compounds that derepress or increase telomerase activity
    Patent number: 6007989
    Abstract: Method and compositions are provided for the determination of telomere length and telomerase activity, as well as the ability to increase or decrease telomerase activity in the treatment of proliferative diseases. Particularly, primers are elongated under conditions which minimize interference from other genomic sequences, so as to obtain accurate determinations of telomeric length or telomerase activity. In addition, compositions are provided for intracellular inhibition of telomerase activity and means are shown for slowing or reversing the loss of telomeric repeats in aging cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1999
    Assignees: Board of Regents, The University of Texas System, The Regents of the University of California, Geron Corporation
    Inventors: Michael D. West, Calvin B. Harley, Scott L. Weinrich, Catherine M. Strahl, Michael J. McEachern, Jerry Shay, Woodring E. Wright, Elizabeth H. Blackburn, Nam Woo Kim, Homayoun Vaziri
  • Telomerase activity assays for diagnosing pathogenic infections
    Patent number: 5695932
    Abstract: Method and compositions are provided for the determination of telomere length and telomerase activity, as well as the ability to inhibit telomerase activity in the treatment of proliferative diseases. Particularly, primers are elongated under conditions which minimize interference from other genomic sequences, so as to obtain accurate determinations of telomeric length or telomerase activity. In addition, compositions are provided for intracellular inhibition of telomerase activity and means are shown for slowing the loss of telomeric repeats in aging cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 9, 1997
    Assignees: University of Texas System, The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Michael D. West, Jerry Shay, Woodring Wright, Elizabeth H. Blackburn, Michael J. McEachern
  • Therapy and diagnosis of conditions related to telomere length and/or telomerase activity
    Patent number: 5645986
    Abstract: Method and compositions are provided for the determination of telomere length and telomerase activity, as well as the ability to increase or decrease telomerase activity in the treatment of proliferative diseases. Particularly, primers are elongated under conditions which minimize interference from other genomic sequences, so as to obtain accurate determinations of telomeric length or telomerase activity. In addition, compositions are provided for intracellular inhibition of telomerase activity and means are shown for slowing or reversing the loss of telomeric repeats in aging cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 8, 1997
    Assignees: Board of Reagents, The University of Texas System, The Reagents of the University of California, Geron Corporation
    Inventors: Michael D. West, Calvin B. Harley, Catherine M. Strahl, Michael J. McEachern, Jerry Shay, Woodring E. Wright, Elizabeth H. Blackburn, Homayoun Vaziri