Patents by Inventor Katherine I. O'Rourke

Katherine I. O'Rourke 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).

  • Methods for detection of prion protein as an indication of transmissible spongiform encephalophathies
    Patent number: 6514707
    Abstract: Methods to detect prion or PrP-Sc protein as an indication of transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs), including preclinical detection of infected live animals, and postmortem detection methods, are described. In one aspect, the invention is directed to a non-invasive diagnostic assay using third eyelid-associated lymphoid tissue. In another aspect, the invention is directed to monoclonal antibodies that specifically bind a conserved epitope of PrP-Sc protein in fixed or frozen treated tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2003
    Assignees: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of Agriculture, Washington State University Research Foundation
    Inventors: Katherine I. O'Rourke, Donald P. Knowles, Timothy V. Baszler, Steven M. Parish
  • Monoclonal antibodies and antibody cocktail for detection of prion protein as an indication of transmissible spongiform encephalopathies
    Patent number: 6261790
    Abstract: Methods to detect prion or PrP-Sc protein as an indication of transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs) are described. In one aspect, the invention is directed to monoclonal antibodies that specifically bind a conserved epitope of prion proteins and use of the antibodies in immunoassays to detect PrP-Sc, in fixed or unfixed tissue, as an indication of the presence of TSE infection. In another aspect, the invention is directed to a monoclonal antibody cocktail having the monoclonal antibody in combination with a second monoclonal antibody which specifically binds to a second conserved epitope of prion proteins. One or both monoclonal antibodies of the cocktail can recognize epitopes found in all mammalian species in which a natural TSE has been reported and in a number of closely related species.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2001
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of Agriculture
    Inventor: Katherine I. O'Rourke
  • Antibodies for the detection of prion protein as an indication of transmissible spongiform encephalopathies
    Patent number: 6165784
    Abstract: Methods to detect prion or PrP-Sc protein as an indication of transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs), including preclinical detection of infected live animals, and postmortem detection methods, are described. In one aspect, the invention is directed to a non-invasive diagnostic assay using third eyelid-associated lymphoid tissue. In another aspect, the invention is directed to monoclonal antibodies that specifically bind a conserved epitope of PrP-Sc protein in fixed or frozen treated tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2000
    Assignees: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of Agriculture, Washington State University Research Foundation
    Inventors: Katherine I. O'Rourke, Donald P. Knowles, Timothy V. Baszler, Steven M. Parish