Patents by Inventor Georges Natsoulis

Georges Natsoulis 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: 6207457
    Abstract: A novel targeted nucleotide sequence delivery and integration system is provided. The integration system employs nucleic acid constructs having a targeting sequence capable of binding AAV Rep and a heterologous nucleotide sequence arranged relative to the targeting sequence such that the targeting sequence is capable of directing the integration of the heterologous sequence into a target site in a recipient genome. The system further employs Rep expression products which provide integration functions effective to mediate the site-specific integration of the targeting sequence and the heterologous sequence into the recipient genome. Methods are described, whereby the nucleotide sequence integration system can deliver and efficiently integrate large nucleotide sequences into target sites in recipient cell genomes. Therapeutic methods are also provided, wherein the integration systems are used to insert various therapeutically relevant nucleotide sequences into selected cells from a subject.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2001
    Assignee: Avigen, Inc.
    Inventors: Georges Natsoulis, Richard T. Surosky
  • Patent number: 6027931
    Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions for producing high titer preparations of recombinant AAV ("rAAV") virions. The compositions of the present invention include AAV helper function systems and host cells. The present invention also includes methods of using AAV helper function vectors that effect the production of only small amounts of the long forms of Rep protein, and rAAV virions produced by such methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2000
    Assignee: Avigen, Inc.
    Inventors: George Natsoulis, Peter Colosi, Gary Kurtzman
  • Patent number: 5989886
    Abstract: A new type of dominant negative gene-fusion acts as an antiviral agent when expressed in infected cells. The dominant negative effect is obtained by fusing a gene coding for a capsid or envelope protein of a virus to a gene coding for an enzyme (e.g., nuclease or protease) that can destructively hydrolyze or modify the encapsulated viral DNA, RNA or proteins. The fusion gene is expressed in virally infected cells; viruses assembled in these cells will then "self-destruct" because the fusion enzyme incorporated in the viral particles destroys or functionally alters essential components of the virus, thus preventing the virus from productively infecting another cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1999
    Assignee: The Johns Hopkins University
    Inventors: Jef D Boeke, Georges Natsoulis
  • Patent number: 5843742
    Abstract: A novel nucleotide sequence integration and targeting system is described. The system employs adeno-associated virus (AAV) derived vectors which include a selected nucleotide sequence bounded by AAV inverted terminal repeats (ITRs). An AAV rep coding region is also provided, enabling the targeted integration of the selected nucleotide sequence into the genome of a suitable target cell. The nucleotide sequence integration system of the present invention can deliver and integrate large segments of DNA into the genome of target cells. Further, the subject integration system provides the advantage of site-specific integration of the selected nucleotide sequences in a target cell genome, thereby avoiding insertional mutagenesis events experienced with prior systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 1, 1998
    Assignee: Avigen Incorporated
    Inventors: Georges Natsoulis, Gary Kurtzman
  • Patent number: 5622856
    Abstract: Novel nucleic acid molecules are provided having adeno-associated virus (AAV) coding regions that are capable of expressing necessary AAV functions to complement an AAV vector in the production of recombinant AAV (rAAV) virions. The molecules feature a nucleotide sequence that is substantially homologous to an AAV p5 promoter region, wherein the p5 promoter region is situated in the molecules in a site that is other than its natural position relative to the AAV rep coding region in the wild-type AAV genome. AAV helper function constructs are also provided, comprising the instant nucleic acid molecules embodied in a replicon that is capable of being transcribed and translated to express complementing AAV helper functions in a suitable host cell. Novel AAV packaging cells and AAV producer cells are provided, which contain the AAV helper constructs of the invention, and methods of producing enhanced levels of rAAV virions using the AAV helper constructs of the invention are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 22, 1997
    Assignee: Avigen
    Inventor: Georges Natsoulis