Patents by Inventor Kirk R. Thomas

Kirk R. Thomas 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: 20080295192
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for deleting DNA sequences in a tissue specific manner. In one embodiment, DNA sequences are specifically deleted in germline tissue. In a second embodiment, DNA sequences are specifically deleted in desired somatic tissue. The present invention is further directed to a nucleic acid molecule for use in the method. More specifically, a nucleic acid molecule is provide by the present invention which comprises (a) a recombinase site, (b) a tissue-specific promoter, (c) a recombinase gene, (d) a foreign DNA, and (e) a recombinase site. The nucleic acid molecule may further comprise a gene which is desired to be incorporated into and expressed in a transgenic organism. The method can be used in both plants and animals, and has many applications as described herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2007
    Publication date: November 27, 2008
    Applicant: UNIVERSITY OF UTAH
    Inventors: Kirk R. Thomas, Kenneth E. Bernstein, Michaeline Bunting, Joy Greer, Mario Capecchi
  • Patent number: 6689610
    Abstract: Positive-negative selector (PNS) vectors are provided for modifying a target DNA sequence contained in the genome of a target cell capable of homologous recombination. The vector comprises a first DNA sequence which contains at least one sequence portion which is substantially homologous to a portion of a first region of a target DNA sequence. The vector also includes a second DNA sequence containing at least one sequence portion which is substantially homologous to another portion of a second region of a target DNA sequence. A third DNA sequence is positioned between the first and second DNA sequences and encodes a positive selection marker which when expressed is functional in the target cell in which the vector is used. A fourth DNA sequence encoding a negative selection marker, also functional in the target cell, is positioned 5′ to the first or 3′ to the second DNA sequence and is substantially incapable of homologous recombination with the target DNA sequence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2004
    Assignee: University of Utah Research Foundation
    Inventors: Mario R. Capecchi, Kirk R. Thomas
  • Patent number: 6204061
    Abstract: Positive-negative selector (PNS) vectors are provided for modifying a target DNA sequence contained in the genome of a target cell capable of homologous recombination. The vector comprises a first DNA sequence which contains at least one sequence portion which is substantially homologous to a portion of a first region of a target DNA sequence. The vector also includes a second DNA sequence containing at least one sequence portion which is substantially homologous to another portion of a second region of a target DNA sequence. A third DNA sequence is positioned between the first and second DNA sequences and encodes a positive selection marker which when expressed is functional in the target cell in which the vector is used. A fourth DNA sequence encoding a negative selection marker, also functional in the target cell, is positioned 5′ to the first or 3′ to the second DNA sequence and is substantially incapable of homologous recombination with the target DNA sequence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2001
    Assignee: University of Utah Research Foundation
    Inventors: Mario R. Capecchi, Kirk R. Thomas
  • Patent number: 5631153
    Abstract: Positive-negative selector (PNS) vectors are provided for modifying a target DNA sequence contained in the genome of a target cell capable of homologous recombination. The vector comprises a first DNA sequence which contains at least one sequence portion which is substantially homologous to a portion of a first region of a target DNA sequence. The vector also includes a second DNA sequence containing at least one sequence portion which is substantially homologous to another portion of a second region of a target DNA sequence. A third DNA sequence is positioned between the first and second DNA sequences and encodes a positive selection marker which when expressed is functional in the target cell in which the vector is used. A fourth DNA sequence encoding a negative selection marker, also functional in the target cell, is positioned 5' to the first or 3' to the second DNA sequence and is substantially incapable of homologous recombination with the target DNA sequence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 20, 1997
    Assignee: University of Utah
    Inventors: Mario R. Capecchi, Kirk R. Thomas
  • Patent number: 5627059
    Abstract: Positive-negative selector (PNS) vectors are provided for modifying a target DNA sequence contained in the genome of a target cell capable of homologous recombination. The vector comprises a first DNA sequence which contains at least one sequence portion which is substantially homologous to a portion of a first region of a target DNA sequence. The vector also includes a second DNA sequence containing at least one sequence portion which is substantially homologous to another portion of a second region of a target DNA sequence. A third DNA sequence is positioned between the first and second DNA sequences and encodes a positive selection marker which when expressed is functional in the target cell in which the vector is used. A fourth DNA sequence encoding a negative selection marker, also functional in the target cell, is positioned 5' to the first or 3' to the second DNA sequence and is substantially incapable of homologous recombination with the target DNA sequence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 6, 1997
    Assignee: University of Utah
    Inventors: Mario R. Capecchi, Kirk R. Thomas
  • Patent number: 5487992
    Abstract: Positive-negative selector (PNS) vectors are provided for modifying a target DNA sequence contained in the genome of a target cell capable of homologous recombination. The vector comprises a first DNA sequence which contains at least one sequence portion which is substantially homologous to a portion of a first region of a target DNA sequence. The vector also includes a second DNA sequence containing at least one sequence portion which is substantially homologous to another portion of a second region of a target DNA sequence. A third DNA sequence is positioned between the first and second DNA sequences and encodes a positive selection marker which when expressed is functional in the target cell in which the vector is used. A fourth DNA sequence encoding a negative selection marker, also functional in the target cell, is positioned 5' to the first or 3' to the second DNA sequence and is substantially incapable of homologous recombination with the target DNA sequence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 30, 1996
    Assignee: University of Utah Research Foundation
    Inventors: Mario R. Capecchi, Kirk R. Thomas
  • Patent number: 5464764
    Abstract: Positive-negative selector (PNS) vectors are provided for modifying a target DNA sequence contained in the genome of a target cell capable of homologous recombination. The vector comprises a first DNA sequence which contains at least one sequence portion which is substantially homologous to a portion of a first region of a target DNA sequence. The vector also includes a second DNA sequence containing at least one sequence portion which is substantially homologous to another portion of a second region of a target DNA sequence. A third DNA sequence is positioned between the first and second DNA sequences and encodes a positive selection marker which when expressed is functional in the target cell in which the vector is used. A fourth DNA sequence encoding a negative selection marker, also functional in the target cell, is positioned 5' to the first or 3' to the second DNA sequence and is substantially incapable of homologous recombination with the target DNA sequence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 7, 1995
    Assignee: University of Utah Research Foundation
    Inventors: Mario R. Capecchi, Kirk R. Thomas