Patents by Inventor George M. Church

George M. Church 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: 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
  • Patent number: 12163181
    Abstract: Compositions and methods for making a plurality of probes for analyzing a plurality of nucleic acid samples are provided. Compositions and methods for analyzing a plurality of nucleic acid samples to obtain sequence information in each nucleic acid sample are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2024
    Assignee: President and Fellows of Harvard College
    Inventors: George M. Church, Kun Zhang, Joseph Chou
  • Publication number: 20240384295
    Abstract: Provided herein, in some embodiments, are recombinant viral genomes comprising an inhibitory oligonucleotide that reduces inflammation for use, for example, in gene therapy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2024
    Publication date: November 21, 2024
    Applicant: President and Fellows of Harvard College
    Inventors: Ying Kai Chan, George M. Church
  • Publication number: 20240376463
    Abstract: Split Cas9 proteins and methods for their use are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2024
    Publication date: November 14, 2024
    Inventors: George M. Church, Wei Leong Chew
  • Patent number: 12133515
    Abstract: A method of modulating some or all copies of a gene in a cell is provided including introducing into a cell one or more ribonucleic acid (RNA) sequences that comprise a portion that is complementary to all or a portion of each of the one or more target nucleic acid sequences, and a nucleic acid sequence that encodes a Cas protein and maintaining the cells under conditions in which the Cas protein is expressed and the Cas protein binds and modulates the one or more target nucleic acid sequences in the cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2024
    Assignee: President and Fellows of Harvard College
    Inventors: George M. Church, Luhan Yang, Marc Guell
  • Publication number: 20240327901
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a number of targeted nucleic acid FISSEQ library construction methods. Targeted FISSEQ can exhibit several benefits, such as enhanced sensitivity and/or shorter assay time in the detection, identification, quantification, and/or determining the nucleotide sequence of the target species, relative to “random” or “whole-omic” detection via FISSEQ.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2024
    Publication date: October 3, 2024
    Inventors: George M. Church, Evan R. Daugharthy, Richard C. Terry, Benjamin W. Pruitt, Brian M. Turczyk
  • Publication number: 20240309318
    Abstract: Provided herein are pluripotent stem cells comprising particular combinations of transcription factor for the production of oligodendrocyte progenitor cells (OPCs). Also provided herein are methods of producing the pluripotent stem cells and methods of using the pluripotent stem cells to produce (OPCs) and oligodendrocytes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2024
    Publication date: September 19, 2024
    Applicant: President and Fellows of Harvard College
    Inventors: Parastoo Khoshakhlagh, Hon Man Alex Ng, George M. Church
  • Publication number: 20240301468
    Abstract: Methods of making a three-dimensional matrix of nucleic acids within a cell is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2024
    Publication date: September 12, 2024
    Inventors: George M. Church, Je-hyuk Lee, Richard C. Terry, Evan R. Daugharthy
  • Publication number: 20240294939
    Abstract: A method of altering a eukaryotic cell is provided including transfecting the eukaryotic cell with a nucleic acid encoding RNA complementary to genomic DNA of the eukaryotic cell, transfecting the eukaryotic cell with a nucleic acid encoding an enzyme that interacts with the RNA and cleaves the genomic DNA in a site specific manner, wherein the cell expresses the RNA and the enzyme, the RNA binds to complementary genomic DNA and the enzyme cleaves the genomic DNA in a site specific manner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2024
    Publication date: September 5, 2024
    Inventors: George M. Church, Prashant G. Mali, Luhan Yang
  • Publication number: 20240287582
    Abstract: Methods of making a three-dimensional matrix of nucleic acids within a cell is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2024
    Publication date: August 29, 2024
    Inventors: George M. Church, Je-hyuk Lee, Richard C. Terry, Evan R. Daugharthy
  • Publication number: 20240279677
    Abstract: A method of altering a eukaryotic cell is provided including transfecting the eukaryotic cell with a nucleic acid encoding RNA complementary to genomic DNA of the eukaryotic cell, transfecting the eukaryotic cell with a nucleic acid encoding an enzyme that interacts with the RNA and cleaves the genomic DNA in a site specific manner, wherein the cell expresses the RNA and the enzyme, the RNA binds to complementary genomic DNA and the enzyme cleaves the genomic DNA in a site specific manner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2024
    Publication date: August 22, 2024
    Inventors: George M. Church, Prashant G. Mali, Luhan Yang
  • Patent number: 12067434
    Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of synthesizing de novo a polynucleotide storing data using a programmable template independent polymerase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2024
    Assignee: President and Fellows of Harvard College
    Inventor: George M. Church
  • Publication number: 20240254437
    Abstract: Provided herein are pluripotent stem cells comprising particular combinations of transcription factor for the production of oligodendrocyte progenitor cells (OPCs). Also provided herein are methods of producing the pluripotent stem cells and methods of using the pluripotent stem cells to produce (OPCs) and oligodendrocytes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2024
    Publication date: August 1, 2024
    Applicant: President and Fellows of Harvard College
    Inventors: Parastoo Khoshakhlagh, Hon Man Alex Ng, George M. Church
  • Publication number: 20240240235
    Abstract: Methods of analyzing nucleic acids of a cell are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2024
    Publication date: July 18, 2024
    Inventors: George M. Church, Jehyuk Lee, Daniel Levner, Michael Super
  • Patent number: 12031153
    Abstract: Provided herein are pluripotent stem cells comprising particular combinations of transcription factor for the production of oligodendrocyte progenitor cells (OPCs). Also provided herein are methods of producing the pluripotent stem cells and methods of using the pluripotent stem cells to produce (OPCs) and oligodendrocytes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2024
    Assignee: President and Fellows of Harvard College
    Inventors: Parastoo Khoshakhlagh, Hon Man Alex Ng, George M. Church
  • Publication number: 20240209321
    Abstract: Forced expression of a handful of transcription factors (TFs) can induce conversions between cell identities; however, the extent to which TFs can alter cell identity has not been systematically assessed. Here, we assembled a human TFome, a comprehensive expression library of 1,578 human TF clones with full coverage of the major TF families. By systematically screening the human TFome, we identified 77 individual TFs that induce loss of human-induced-pluripotent-stem-cell (hiPSC) identity, suggesting a pervasive ability for TFs to alter cell identity. Using large-scale computational cell type classification trained on thousands of tissue expression profiles, we identified cell types generated by these TFs with high efficiency and speed, without additional selections or mechanical perturbations. TF expression in adult human tissues only correlated with some of the cell lineage generated, suggesting more complexity than observation studies can explain.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2023
    Publication date: June 27, 2024
    Applicant: President and Fellows of Harvard College
    Inventors: Hon Man Alex Ng, George M. Church, Volker Busskamp
  • Publication number: 20240209435
    Abstract: Provided herein, in some embodiments, are methods and compositions for identifying combinations of transcription factors, for example, those involved in cell type conversion processes, such as cell differentiation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2023
    Publication date: June 27, 2024
    Applicant: President and Fellows of Harvard College
    Inventors: Hon Man Alex Ng, George M. Church, Parastoo Khoshakhlagh
  • Patent number: 12018272
    Abstract: A method of altering a eukaryotic cell is provided including transfecting the eukaryotic cell with a nucleic acid encoding RNA complementary to genomic DNA of the eukaryotic cell, transfecting the eukaryotic cell with a nucleic acid encoding an enzyme that interacts with the RNA and cleaves the genomic DNA in a site specific manner, wherein the cell expresses the RNA and the enzyme, the RNA binds to complementary genomic DNA and the enzyme cleaves the genomic DNA in a site specific manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2023
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2024
    Assignee: President and Fellows of Harvard College
    Inventors: George M. Church, Prashant G. Mali, Luhan Yang
  • Patent number: 12018321
    Abstract: Methods of detecting, probing, mapping and directed sequencing of target nucleic acids are provided using a guide RNA and a Cas9 protein. Methods for detecting the binding of the guide RNA/Cas9 complex to a target nucleic acid where the guide RNA includes a 3? tail sequence that can hybridize to a probe are provided. Methods for detecting the binding of the guide RNA/Cas9 complex to a target nucleic acid where the complex is physically detected are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2024
    Assignee: President and Fellows of Harvard College
    Inventors: George M. Church, Frederic Vigneault, Kalim U. Mir
  • Publication number: 20240201179
    Abstract: Provided herein are fluorogenic sensors which can be used to detect targets (e.g., antigens). In general, the fluorogenic sensors provided herein comprise a protein (e.g., antibody, nanobody, mini-protein) and a fluorogenic small molecule conjugated to the target-binding domain (e.g., antigen-binding domain) of the protein. Upon binding of the protein to said target (e.g., antigen), the fluorogenic small molecule may increase or decrease in fluorescence or exhibit a change in fluorescence lifetime (i.e., “turn on”), thereby indicating the presence of the target (e.g., antigen).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2022
    Publication date: June 20, 2024
    Applicant: President and Fellows of Harvard College
    Inventors: Erkin Kuru, George M. Church, Janathan Rittichier, Isaac Han, Helena de Puig Guixe