Patents by Inventor Jeffrey J. Donahue

Jeffrey J. Donahue 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).

  • Amplification of midivariant DNA templates
    Patent number: 5959095
    Abstract: New methods are provided for the amplification of a midivariant DNA containing an inserted target specific nucleic acid sequence(s) to enable detection of the presence of a target nucleic acid sequence in a test sample. One method employs midivariant DNA as a template for the synthesis of RNA catalyzed by QB replicase. Two midivariant DNA/probe conjugates including a nonreplicable portion of midivariant DNA and a target specific nucleic acid sequence (probe) are described. An amplification method including the steps of hybridization and ligation of the midivariant DNA/probe conjugates followed by replication of the DNA template has enabled detection of less than 200 template molecules. In a modified amplification method one of the midivariant DNA/probe conjugates further includes a RNA polymerase promoter sequence to enable transcription of the midivariant DNA template into RNA. The sequential ligation-transcription-replication method enables the detection of a single template molecule.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1999
    Assignee: Chiron Diagnostics Corporation
    Inventors: Richard A. Martinelli, Jeffrey J. Donahue, John T. Unger
  • Amplification of midivariant DNA templates
    Patent number: 5407798
    Abstract: New methods are provided for the amplification of a midivariant DNA containing an inserted target specific nucleic acid sequence(s) to enable detection of the presence of a target nucleic acid sequence in a test sample. One method employs midivariant DNA as a template for the synthesis of RNA catalyzed by QB replicase. Two midivariant DNA/probe conjugates including a nonreplicable portion of midivariant DNA and a target specific nucleic acid sequence (probe) are described. An amplification method including the steps of hybridization and ligation of the midivariant DNA/probe conjugates followed by replication of the DNA template has enabled detection of less than 200 template molecules. In a modified amplification method one of the midivariant DNA/probe conjugates further includes a RNA polymerase promoter sequence to enable transcription of the midivariant DNA template into RNA. The sequential ligation-transcription-replication method enables the detection of a single template molecule.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 18, 1995
    Assignee: Ciba Corning Diagnostics Corp.
    Inventors: Richard A. Martinelli, Jeffrey J. Donahue, John T. Unger