Patents by Inventor John Heyman
John Heyman 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).
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Publication number: 20180016622Abstract: The present invention generally relates to droplet-based microfluidic devices, including systems, methods, and kits for amplifying or cloning within droplets. In some embodiments, the present invention is generally directed to systems, methods, or kits for amplifying a plurality of nucleic acids, e.g., without substantially selectively amplifying some nucleic acids over others. The nucleic acids may be contained within the droplets. In addition, in some embodiments, a plurality of microfluidic droplet containing a species of interest, such as a nucleic acid, may be mixed with microfluidic droplets free of the species, then pipetted or otherwise transferred such that, on average, a predetermined number of droplets containing species of interest is transferred.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 22, 2016Publication date: January 18, 2018Applicant: President and Fellows of Harvard CollegeInventors: David A. Weitz, John Heyman, Huidan Zhang, Linas Mazutis
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Publication number: 20160215282Abstract: A method for synthesizing an antiserum for rapid-turnaround therapies includes collecting antibody-secreting cells from a test subject, wherein the test subject has been exposed to a target biological agent and has produced an antibody response; selecting a subset of the antibody-secreting cells, the subset of the antibody-secreting cells producing antibodies that neutralize the target biological agent; generating variable-region-coding DNA sequences from the antibodies that neutralize the target biological agent; tagging amplicons of the variable-region-coding DNA sequences with unique nucleic acid identifiers to associate the variable-region-coding DNA sequences derived from individual ones of the subset of the antibody-secreting cells; analyzing antibody-type distribution in a natural immune response; synthesizing antibodies from the variable-region-coding DNA sequences to form synthetic antibodies; and mixing the synthetic antibodies in a proportion equal to the antibody-type distribution in the natural iType: ApplicationFiled: January 20, 2016Publication date: July 28, 2016Inventors: Jeffrey S. Lin, Andrew B. Feldman, Jared D. Evans, Joshua T. Wolfe, David Weitz, John Heyman, Andrew S. Pekosz
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Publication number: 20160201129Abstract: The present invention generally relates to fluidic droplets, and to techniques for screening or sorting such fluidic droplets. In some embodiments, the fluidic droplets may contain cells such as immune cells, which can be analyzed to determine receptor sequences or other useful properties of the cells. For example, in one aspect, the present invention is generally related to determining immune cell receptors by encapsulating immune cells and target cells in microfluidic droplets, determining the effect of the immune cells on the target cells, and for those immune cells that kill or otherwise adversely affect the target cells, determining one or more receptor sequences of those immune cells. The target cells may be, for example, cancer cells or virally-infected cells. In some cases, the receptor sequences can be used, for example, to identify certain properties of the immune cells, to screen for drugs or other therapeutic agents, or the like.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 22, 2014Publication date: July 14, 2016Applicant: President and Fellows of Harvard CollegeInventors: David A. Weitz, John Heyman, John R. Gilbert
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Publication number: 20150120486Abstract: A computer-implemented method and system that allows operators to compile and optionally compare prices across multiple suppliers. The system and method may be based on operator preferences and may be designed to execute orders from a single database and operator interface. The system and method also facilitate the ability to compare pricing and track historical variations and trends across like products and across a plurality of suppliers by a data mapping structure.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 3, 2014Publication date: April 30, 2015Applicant: SIFTIT, LLCInventors: Mark Haidet, Josef Utz, John Heyman, Karen Leytze, Bentley Heyman, Pete Reilly
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Publication number: 20150093788Abstract: The present invention provides compositions, methods, and kits for covalently linking nucleic acid molecules. The methods include a strand invasion step, and the compositions and kits are useful for performing such methods. For example, a method of covalently linking double stranded (ds) nucleic acid molecules can include contacting a first ds nucleic acid molecule, which has a topoisomerase linked to a 3? terminus of one end and has a single stranded 5? overhang at the same end, with a second ds nucleic acid molecule having a blunt end, such that the 5? overhang can hybridize to a complementary sequence of the blunt end of the second nucleic acid molecule, and the topoisomerase can covalently link the ds nucleic acid molecules. The methods are simpler and more efficient than previous methods for covalently linking nucleic acid sequences, and the compositions and kits facilitate practicing the methods, including methods of directionally linking two or more ds nucleic acid molecules.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 2, 2014Publication date: April 2, 2015Inventors: Jonathan CHESNUT, Stewart Shuman, Knut Madden, John Heyman, Robert Bennett
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Patent number: 8883991Abstract: The present invention provides compositions, methods, and kits for covalently linking nucleic acid molecules. The methods include a strand invasion step. For example, a method of covalently linking double stranded (ds) nucleic acid molecules can include contacting a first ds nucleic acid molecule, which has a topoisomerase linked to a 3? terminus of one end and has a single stranded 5? overhang at the same end, with a second ds nucleic acid molecule having a blunt end, such that the 5? overhang can hybridize to a complementary sequence of the blunt end of the second nucleic acid molecule, and the topoisomerase can covalently link the ds nucleic acid molecules. The methods are simpler and more efficient than previous methods for covalently linking nucleic acid sequences, and the compositions and kits facilitate practicing the methods, including methods of directionally linking two or more ds nucleic acid molecules.Type: GrantFiled: April 15, 2013Date of Patent: November 11, 2014Assignee: Life Technologies CorporationInventors: Jonathan Chesnut, Steward Shuman, Knut Madden, John Heyman, Bennett Robert
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Publication number: 20130323797Abstract: The present invention provides compositions, methods, and kits for covalently linking nucleic acid molecules. The methods include a strand invasion step, and the compositions and kits are useful for performing such methods. For example, a method of covalently linking double stranded (ds) nucleic acid molecules can include contacting a first ds nucleic acid molecule, which has a topoisomerase linked to a 3? terminus of one end and has a single stranded 5? overhang at the same end, with a second ds nucleic acid molecule having a blunt end, such that the 5? overhang can hybridize to a complementary sequence of the blunt end of the second nucleic acid molecule, and the topoisomerase can covalently link the ds nucleic acid molecules. The methods are simpler and more efficient than previous methods for covalently linking nucleic acid sequences, and the compositions and kits facilitate practicing the methods, including methods of directionally linking two or more ds nucleic acid molecules.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 15, 2013Publication date: December 5, 2013Applicant: LIFE TECHNOLOGIES CORORATIONInventors: Jonathan CHESNUT, Steward Shuman, Knut Madden, John Heyman, Bennett Robert
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Publication number: 20120129225Abstract: The present invention provides compositions, methods, and kits for covalently linking nucleic acid molecules. The methods include a strand invasion step, and the compositions and kits are useful for performing such methods. For example, a method of covalently linking double stranded (ds) nucleic acid molecules can include contacting a first ds nucleic acid molecule, which has a topoisomerase linked to a 3? terminus of one end and has a single stranded 5? overhang at the same end, with a second ds nucleic acid molecule having a blunt end, such that the 5? overhang can hybridize to a complementary sequence of the blunt end of the second nucleic acid molecule, and the topoisomerase can covalently link the ds nucleic acid molecules. The methods are simpler and more efficient than previous methods for covalently linking nucleic acid sequences.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 8, 2011Publication date: May 24, 2012Applicant: LIFE TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATIONInventors: Jonathan D. Chesnut, Stewart Shuman, Knut R. Madden, John A. Heyman, Robert P. Bennett
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Publication number: 20120015382Abstract: The present invention generally relates to fluidic droplets, and techniques for screening or sorting such fluidic droplets. In some embodiments, the fluidic droplets may contain cells (e.g., hybridoma cells) that can secrete various species, such as antibodies, for example. In one aspect, a plurality of fluidic droplets containing cells is screened to determine proteins, antibodies, polypeptides, peptides, nucleic acids, or the like. For example, cells able to secrete species such as antibodies may be selected according to certain embodiments of the invention. Examples of such cells include, for instance, immortal cells such as hybridomas, or non-immortal cells such as B-cells. For instance, blood cells may be encapsulated within a plurality of fluidic droplets, and the cells able to produce antibodies may be determined. In some cases, expression or secretion levels may be determined using signaling entities, for example, determinable microparticles present within the fluidic droplet.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 1, 2011Publication date: January 19, 2012Applicants: President and Fellows of Harvard College, The General Hospital Corporation d/b/a Massachusetts General HospitalInventors: David A. Weitz, Andrew Griffiths, Sarah Koester, Vamsi K. Mootha, Honey Duan, Jeremy Agresti, Christoph Merten, John Heyman, John R. Gilbert
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Publication number: 20110275063Abstract: The present invention generally relates to fluidic droplets, and techniques for screening or sorting such fluidic droplets. In some embodiments, the fluidic droplets may contain cells (e.g., hybridoma cells) that can secrete various species, such as antibodies, for example. In one aspect, a plurality of fluidic droplets containing cells is screened to determine proteins, antibodies, polypeptides, peptides, nucleic acids, or the like. For example, cells able to secrete species such as antibodies may be se according to certain embodiments of the invention. Examples of such cells include, for instance, immortal cells such as hybridomas, or non-immortal cells such as B-cells. For instance, blood cells may be encapsulated within a plurality of fluidic droplets, and the cells able to produce antibodies may be determined. In some cases, expression or secretion levels may be determined using signaling entities, for example, determinable microparticles present within the fluidic droplet.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 10, 2009Publication date: November 10, 2011Applicant: President and Fellows of Harvard CollegeInventors: David A. Weitz, John Heyman
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Publication number: 20090328244Abstract: The present invention provides compositions, methods, and kits for covalently linking nucleic acid molecules. The methods include a strand invasion step, and the compositions and kits are useful for performing such methods. For example, a method of covalently linking double stranded (ds) nucleic acid molecules can include contacting a first ds nucleic acid molecule, which has a topoisomerase linked to a 3? terminus of one end and has a single stranded 5? overhang at the same end, with a second ds nucleic acid molecule having a blunt end, such that the 5? overhang can hybridize to a complementary sequence of the blunt end of the second nucleic acid molecule, and the topoisomerase can covalently link the ds nucleic acid molecules. The methods are simpler and more efficient than previous methods for covalently linking nucleic acid sequences, and the compositions and kits facilitate practicing the methods, including methods of directionally linking two or more ds nucleic acid molecules.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 23, 2009Publication date: December 31, 2009Applicant: LIFE TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATIONInventors: Jonathan D. Chesnut, Stewart Shuman, Knut R. Madden, John A. Heyman, Robert P. Bennett
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Patent number: 7528241Abstract: The present invention provides compositions, methods, and kits for covalently linking nucleic acid molecules. The methods include a strand invasion step, and the compositions and kits are useful for performing such methods. For example, a method of covalently linking double stranded (ds) nucleic acid molecules can include contacting a first ds nucleic acid molecule, which has a topoisomerase linked to a 3? terminus of one end and has a single stranded 5? overhang at the same end, with a second ds nucleic acid molecule having a blunt end, such that the 5? overhang can hybridize to a complementary sequence of the blunt end of the second nucleic acid molecule, and the topoisomerase can covalently link the ds nucleic acid molecules. The methods are simpler and more efficient than previous methods for covalently linking nucleic acid sequences, and the compositions and kits facilitate practicing the methods, including methods of directionally linking two or more ds nucleic acid molecules.Type: GrantFiled: February 7, 2005Date of Patent: May 5, 2009Assignee: Life Technologies CorporationInventors: Jonathan D. Chesnut, Stewart Shuman, Knut R. Madden, John A. Heyman, Robert P. Bennett
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Publication number: 20090068170Abstract: The present invention generally relates to fluidic droplets, and techniques for screening or sorting such fluidic droplets. In some embodiments, the fluidic droplets may contain cells (e.g., hybridoma cells) that can secrete various species, such as antibodies, for example. In one aspect, a plurality of fluidic droplets containing cells is screened to determine proteins, antibodies, polypeptides, peptides, nucleic acids, or the like. For example, cells able to secrete species such as antibodies may be selected according to certain embodiments of the invention. Examples of such cells include, for instance, immortal cells such as hybridomas, or non-immortal cells such as B-cells. For instance, blood cells may be encapsulated within a plurality of fluidic droplets, and the cells able to produce antibodies may be determined. In some cases, expression or secretion levels may be determined using signaling entities, for example, determinable microparticles present within the fluidic droplet.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 11, 2008Publication date: March 12, 2009Applicant: President and Fellows of Harvard CollegeInventors: David A. Weitz, Andrew Griffiths, Sarah Koester, Vamsi K. Mootha, Honey Duan, Jeremy Agresti, Christoph Merten, John Heyman, John R. Gilbert
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Patent number: 7078501Abstract: A Vaccinia topoisomerase-adapted linker, which contains an oligonucleotide primer binding site of known sequence, useful for specifically joining the linker to the end of a polynucleotide of unknown sequence and allowing subsequent PCR amplification of the polynucleotide or DNA is provided. Kits containing the invention Vaccinia topoisomerase-adapted linker and one or more linker-specific oligonucleotides for annealing to the linker in PCR are also provided. In addition, the invention provides methods for using the invention linkers in linker-mediated PCR amplification procedures for isolation and optional sequencing of isolated PCR amplification products.Type: GrantFiled: February 23, 2001Date of Patent: July 18, 2006Assignees: Invitrogen Corporation, South Carolina Research InstituteInventors: John A. Heyman, Gabor Szalai, Michael Felder, Knut R. Madden
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Publication number: 20060070688Abstract: Described herein are methods for forming titanium alloy tubes having an ?-? grain structure. The methods include the steps of hot-working a titanium alloy workpiece at a temperature below the ?-transus temperature of the workpiece and above the recrystallization temperature of the workpiece to produce an ?-? titanium alloy preform hollow. Subsequently, the ?-? titanium alloy preform hollow is flowformed, thereby forming a ?-? titanium alloy tube.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 3, 2004Publication date: April 6, 2006Applicant: Dynamic Machine Works, Inc.Inventors: Matthew Fonte, John Heymans, George Durfee
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Publication number: 20050282184Abstract: The present invention provides compositions, methods, and kits for covalently linking nucleic acid molecules. The methods include a strand invasion step, and the compositions and kits are useful for performing such methods. For example, a method of covalently linking double stranded (ds) nucleic acid molecules can include contacting a first ds nucleic acid molecule, which has a topoisomerase linked to a 3? terminus of one end and has a single stranded 5? overhang at the same end, with a second ds nucleic acid molecule having a blunt end, such that the 5? overhang can hybridize to a complementary sequence of the blunt end of the second nucleic acid molecule, and the topoisomerase can covalently link the ds nucleic acid molecules. The methods are simpler and more efficient than previous methods for covalently linking nucleic acid sequences, and the compositions and kits facilitate practicing the methods, including methods of directionally linking two or more ds nucleic acid molecules.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 7, 2005Publication date: December 22, 2005Inventors: Jonathan Chesnut, Stewart Shuman, Knut Madden, John Heyman, Robert Bennett
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Patent number: 6916632Abstract: The present invention provides compositions, methods, and kits for covalently linking nucleic acid molecules. The methods include a strand invasion step, and the compositions and kits are useful for performing such methods. For example, a method of covalently linking double stranded (ds) nucleic acid molecules can include contacting a first ds nucleic acid molecule, which has a topoisomerase linked to a 3? terminus of one end and has a single stranded 5? overhang at the same end, with a second ds nucleic acid molecule having a blunt end, such that the 5? overhang can hybridize to a complementary sequence of the blunt end of the second nucleic acid molecule, and the topoisomerase can covalently link the ds nucleic acid molecules. The methods are simpler and more efficient than previous methods for covalently linking nucleic acid sequences, and the compositions and kits facilitate practicing the methods, including methods of directionally linking two or more ds nucleic acid molecules.Type: GrantFiled: August 21, 2001Date of Patent: July 12, 2005Assignees: Invitrogen Corporation, Sloan-Kettering Institute for Cancer ResearchInventors: Jonathan D. Chesnut, Stewart Shuman, Knut R. Madden, John A. Heyman, Robert P. Bennett
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Publication number: 20040009477Abstract: The present invention comprises a method for producing libraries of expressible gene sequences. The method of the invention allows for the simultaneous manipulation of multiple gene sequences and thus allows libraries to be created in an efficient and high throughput manner. The expression vectors containing verified gene sequences can be used to transfect cells for the production of recombinant proteins. The invention further comprises libraries of expressible gene sequences produced using the method of the invention and expression vectors used in the construction of said libraries.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 21, 2001Publication date: January 15, 2004Applicant: INVITROGEN CORPORATIONInventors: Joseph M. Fernandez, John A. Heyman, James P. Hoeffler, Heather L. Marks-Hull, Michelle L. Sindici
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Publication number: 20030022179Abstract: The present invention provides compositions, methods, and kits for covalently linking nucleic acid molecules. The methods include a strand invasion step, and the compositions and kits are useful for performing such methods. For example, a method of covalently linking double stranded (ds) nucleic acid molecules can include contacting a first ds nucleic acid molecule, which has a topoisomerase linked to a 3′ terminus of one end and has a single stranded 5′ overhang at the same end, with a second ds nucleic acid molecule having a blunt end, such that the 5′ overhang can hybridize to a complementary sequence of the blunt end of the second nucleic acid molecule, and the topoisomerase can covalently link the ds nucleic acid molecules. The methods are simpler and more efficient than previous methods for covalently linking nucleic acid sequences, and the compositions and kits facilitate practicing the methods, including methods of directionally linking two or more ds nucleic acid molecules.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 21, 2001Publication date: January 30, 2003Inventors: Jonathan D. Chesnut, Stewart Shuman, Knut R. Madden, John A. Heyman, Robert P. Bennett
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Publication number: 20010044137Abstract: A Vaccinia topoisomerase-adapted linker, which contains an oligonucleotide primer binding site of known sequence, useful for specifically joining the linker to the end of a polynucleotide of unknown sequence and allowing subsequent PCR amplification of the polynucleotide or DNA is provided. Kits containing the invention Vaccinia topoisomerase-adapted linker and one or more linker-specific oligonucleotides for annealing to the linker in PCR are also provided. In addition, the invention provides methods for using the invention linkers in linker-mediated PCR amplification procedures for isolation and optional sequencing of isolated PCR amplification products.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 23, 2001Publication date: November 22, 2001Inventors: John Heyman, Gabor Szalai, Michael Felder