Patents by Inventor Karen Norris

Karen Norris 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: 20230173043
    Abstract: A vaccine is disclosed that promotes CD4+ T cell-independent host defense mechanisms to defend against infection by fungi such as Pneumocystis spp. The vaccine may be used to prevent or to treat fungal infections. The novel vaccine can provide protective immunity, even for immunocompromised individuals such as HIV patients having reduced levels of CD4+ T cells.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2022
    Publication date: June 8, 2023
    Applicants: UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH - OF THE COMMONWEALTH SYSTEM OF HIGHER EDUCATION, Board Of Supervisors Of Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College
    Inventors: Jay K. Kolls, Michael Zheng, Karen Norris, Heather Kling
  • Patent number: 11547747
    Abstract: The invention generally provides methods of treating or preventing infection and/or disease associated with different fungal pathogens in a subject in need, using an isolated antiserum generated against an immunogenic peptide of one fungal pathogen that contains antibodies that cross-protect the subject from infection and/or disease associated with one or more different fungal pathogens. The antiserum may be generated against a Kexin peptide derived from one of a Pneumocystis, Aspergillus, Candida, or Cryptococcus fungal pathogen. The resulting cross-protective, isolated antiserum may be used as a therapeutic for treating or protecting a subject who receives the antiserum against infection and/or disease associated with multiple fungal pathogens, in addition to the pathogen against which the antiserum is generated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: University of Georgia Research Foundation, Inc.
    Inventors: Karen A. Norris, Whitney Rabacal, Emily Rayens
  • Publication number: 20220401533
    Abstract: The invention generally provides methods of treating or preventing aspergillosis disease and/or its symptoms associated with infection by the Aspergillus pathogenic fungus. The methods involve administering an Aspergillus Kexin peptide, or a composition comprising an Aspergillus peptide, to a mammalian subject in need thereof, such as a subject afflicted with aspergillus, or a subject susceptible to or at risk of infection by Aspergillus and ensuing aspergillosis disease. In some aspects, the Aspergillus Kexin peptide is an A. fumigatus Kexin peptide. In some aspects, the mammalian subject is a human patient. In some aspects, the patient is immunosuppressed or immunocompromised. The Aspergillus Kexin peptide as immunogen or vaccine generates a potent and robust immune response, e.g., antibody response, in the immunized subject. The methods afford therapeutic and protective treatment against aspergillosis and its symptoms, as well as a reduction in the severity of aspergillosis in the treated subjects.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2020
    Publication date: December 22, 2022
    Applicant: University of Georgia Research Foundation, Inc.
    Inventors: Emily Anne RAYENS, Whitney RABACAL, Karen NORRIS
  • Publication number: 20220233542
    Abstract: Provided herein are compositions comprising one or more statins and one or more antiretroviral agents, as well as therapeutic or prophylactic treatment methods featuring such combinations. The described compositions and methods are beneficial for treating or preventing human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-associated pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), related conditions, and the symptoms thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2020
    Publication date: July 28, 2022
    Applicant: University of Georgia Research Foundation
    Inventors: Karen A. NORRIS, Finja SCHWEITZER, Whitney RABACAL
  • Publication number: 20220184190
    Abstract: Described are immunogenic compositions comprising a non-naturally occurring pan-fungal Kex peptide, and methods of using such compositions for the treatment or prevention of infection and/or diseases associated with fungal pathogens (e.g., Pneumocystis, Aspergillus, Candida, or Cryptococcus) in the subject. Also provided are compositions and kits for detecting or quantifying the presence of antibodies directed against a non-naturally occurring pan-fungal Kex peptide in a subject.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2020
    Publication date: June 16, 2022
    Applicant: UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA RESEARCH FOUNDATION
    Inventors: KAREN A. NORRIS, WHITNEY RABACAL, EMILY RAYENS
  • Publication number: 20210145948
    Abstract: A vaccine is disclosed that promotes CD4+ T cell-independent host defense mechanisms to defend against infection by fungi such as Pneumocystis spp. The vaccine may be used to prevent or to treat fungal infections. The novel vaccine can provide protective immunity, even for immunocompromised individuals such as HIV patients having reduced levels of CD4+ T cells.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2020
    Publication date: May 20, 2021
    Applicants: UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH - OF THE COMMONWEALTH SYSTEM OF HIGHER EDUCATION, Board Of Supervisors Of Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College
    Inventors: Jay K. Kolls, Michael Zheng, Karen Norris, Heather Kling
  • Publication number: 20200222517
    Abstract: The invention generally provides methods of treating or preventing infection and/or disease associated with different fungal pathogens in a subject in need, using an isolated antiserum generated against an immunogenic peptide of one fungal pathogen that contains antibodies that cross-protect the subject from infection and/or disease associated with one or more different fungal pathogens. The antiserum may be generated against a Kexin peptide derived from one of a Pneumocystis, Aspergillus, Candida, or Cryptococcus fungal pathogen. The resulting cross-protective, isolated antiserum may be used as a therapeutic for treating or protecting a subject who receives the antiserum against infection and/or disease associated with multiple fungal pathogens, in addition to the pathogen against which the antiserum is generated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2018
    Publication date: July 16, 2020
    Applicant: University of Georgia Research Foundation, Inc.
    Inventors: Karen A. Norris, Whitney Rabacal
  • Publication number: 20180318406
    Abstract: A vaccine is disclosed that promotes CD4+ T cell-independent host defense mechanisms to defend against infection by fungi such as Pneumocystis spp. The vaccine may be used to prevent or to treat fungal infections. The novel vaccine can provide protective immunity, even for immunocompromised individuals such as HIV patients having reduced levels of CD4+ T cells.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2018
    Publication date: November 8, 2018
    Applicants: UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH - OF THE COMMONWEALTH SYSTEM OF HIGHER EDUCATION, Board Of Supervisors Of Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College
    Inventors: Jay K. Kolls, Michael Zheng, Karen Norris, Heather Kling
  • Patent number: 9914917
    Abstract: A vaccine is disclosed that promotes CD4+ T cell-independent host defense mechanisms to defend against infection by fungi such as Pneumocystis subspecies (spp.). The vaccine may be used to prevent or to treat fungal infections. The novel vaccine can provide protective immunity, even for immunocompromised individuals such as HIV patients having reduced levels of CD4+ T cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Inventors: Karen A. Norris, Heather M. Kling
  • Publication number: 20170173127
    Abstract: A vaccine is disclosed that promotes CD4+ T cell-independent host defense mechanisms to defend against infection by fungi such as Pneumocystis spp. The vaccine may be used to prevent or to treat fimgal infections. The novel vaccine can provide protective immunity, even for immunocompromised individuals such as HIV patients having reduced levels of CD4+ T cells.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2017
    Publication date: June 22, 2017
    Applicants: University of Pittsburgh - of the Commonwealth System of Higher Education, Board Of Supervisors Of Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College
    Inventors: JAY K. KOLLS, Michael Zheng, Karen Norris, Heather Kling
  • Patent number: 9580704
    Abstract: A vaccine is disclosed that promotes CD4+ T cell-independent host defense mechanisms to defend against infection by fungi such as Pneumocystis spp. The vaccine may be used to prevent or to treat fungal infections. The novel vaccine can provide protective immunity, even for immunocompromised individuals such as HIV patients having reduced levels of CD4+ T cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignees: University of Pittsburgh—of the Commonwealth System of Higher Education, Board of Supervisors of Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College
    Inventors: Jay K. Kolls, Michael Zheng, Karen Norris, Heather Kling
  • Patent number: 9181538
    Abstract: A vaccine is disclosed that promotes CD4+ T cell-independent host defense mechanisms to defend against infection by fungi such as Pneumocystis subspecies (spp.). The vaccine may be used to prevent or to treat fungal infections. The novel vaccine can provide protective immunity, even for immunocompromised individuals such as HIV patients having reduced levels of CD4+ T cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Inventors: Karen A. Norris, Heather M. Kling
  • Publication number: 20130315857
    Abstract: A vaccine is disclosed that promotes CD4+ T cell-independent host defense mechanisms to defend against infection by fungi such as Pneumocystis spp. The vaccine may be used to prevent or to treat fungal infections. The novel vaccine can provide protective immunity, even for immunocompromised individuals such as HIV patients having reduced levels of CD4+ T cells.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2013
    Publication date: November 28, 2013
    Applicants: BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF LOUISIANA STATE UNIVERSITY AND AGRICULTURAL AND MECHANICAL COLLEGE, UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH - OF THE COMMONWEALTH SYSTEM OF HIGHER EDUCATION
    Inventors: JAY K. KOLLS, ZHENG MINQUAN, KAREN NORRIS, HEATHER KLING
  • Patent number: 7451875
    Abstract: A container storage system includes a plurality of containers, wherein each container is of a different size. Each container includes a base and wall extending up from and perpendicular to the base forming a pool therein. A first lip extends around a periphery of the wall outside the pool on a side opposite the base. A second lip extends around a periphery of the wall outside the pool on a side adjacent the base. The container further includes a lid having a shape and size that corresponds with a shape and size of the base. The lid has a retaining channel that extends around a periphery thereof for releasably receiving one of the first and second lips for releasably securing the lid to at least one of an open end of said container and the base of said container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Inventor: Karen Norris