Patents by Inventor Luke Alphey

Luke Alphey 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: 20250163403
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of generating a plurality of engineered subpopulations each comprising a gene drive.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2020
    Publication date: May 22, 2025
    Inventors: Luke Alphey, Tim Harvey-samuel, Matt Edgington
  • Publication number: 20240016132
    Abstract: Two or more conditional, dominant, lethal gene expression systems provide high levels of penetrance in insects. Lethality is induced at an earlier stage of development and the risk of biochemical resistance is reduced, as compared to a single insect conditional, dominant, lethal gene expression system. The invention is useful for the control of insect populations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2023
    Publication date: January 18, 2024
    Applicant: Oxitec Limited
    Inventors: Martha Koukidou, Luke Alphey, Simon Warner
  • Patent number: 11827876
    Abstract: The invention provides a splice control module for sex-specific splicing and expression of a gene of interest. In certain embodiments, a dsx-based splice control module is used to express a lethal gene in an insect that is spliced in a sex-specific manner to impart lethality to female insects but not male insects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: OXITEC LTD.
    Inventors: Luke Alphey, Tarig Dafa'alla, Amandine Collado, Simon Warner, Kelly Matzen, Sian Spinner
  • Patent number: 11737436
    Abstract: Two or more conditional, dominant, lethal gene expression systems provide high levels of penetrance in insects. Lethality is induced at an earlier stage of development and the risk of biochemical resistance is reduced, as compared to a single insect conditional, dominant, lethal gene expression system. The invention is useful for the control of insect populations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: Oxitec Limited
    Inventors: Martha Koukidou, Luke Alphey, Simon Warner
  • Publication number: 20210137083
    Abstract: Two or more conditional, dominant, lethal gene expression systems provide high levels of penetrance in insects. Lethality is induced at an earlier stage of development and the risk of biochemical resistance is reduced, as compared to a single insect conditional, dominant, lethal gene expression system. The invention is useful for the control of insect populations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2020
    Publication date: May 13, 2021
    Inventors: Martha Koukidou, Luke Alphey, Simon Warner
  • Patent number: 10941416
    Abstract: A polynucleotide expression system is provided that is capable of alternative splicing of RNA transcripts of a polynucleotide sequence to be expressed in an organism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: Oxitec Limited
    Inventor: Luke Alphey
  • Patent number: 10844402
    Abstract: A gene expression system is provided. The system comprises at least one coding sequence to be expressed in an organism, and at least one promoter operably linked thereto. It further comprises at least one splice control sequence which, in cooperation with a spliceosome, mediates alternative splicing of RNA transcripts of the coding sequence. The mediation of alternative splicing is in a sex-specific, stage-specific, germline-specific and tissue-specific manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: Oxitec Limited
    Inventor: Luke Alphey
  • Patent number: 10426147
    Abstract: Provided is a gene expression system, suitable for expression in an insect, comprising an insect muscle actin promoter operably linked to a marker gene, which overcomes or ameliorates one or more of: cost of rearing; amount of handling; errors in identification due to human error or loss of marker by the insect; and health concerns related to the effects of marker powders on workers in mass rearing facilities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: Oxitec Limited
    Inventors: Martha Koukidou, Sarah Scaife, Luke Alphey
  • Publication number: 20180312870
    Abstract: A gene expression system is provided. The system comprises at least one coding sequence to be expressed in an organism, and at least one promoter operably linked thereto. It further comprises at least one splice control sequence which, in cooperation with a spliceosome, mediates alternative splicing of RNA transcripts of the coding sequence. The mediation of alternative splicing is in a sex-specific, stage-specific, germline-specific and tissue-specific manner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2018
    Publication date: November 1, 2018
    Inventor: Luke Alphey
  • Patent number: 10059961
    Abstract: A gene expression system is provided. The system comprises at least one coding sequence to be expressed in an organism, and at least one promoter operably linked thereto. It further comprises at least one splice control sequence which, in cooperation with a spliceosome, mediates alternative splicing of RNA transcripts of the coding sequence. The mediation of alternative splicing is in a sex-specific, stage-specific, germline-specific and tissue-specific manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: Oxitec Limited
    Inventor: Luke Alphey
  • Patent number: 9970025
    Abstract: A polynucleotide expression system is provided that is capable of alternative splicing of RNA transcripts of a polynucleotide sequence to be expressed in an organism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: Oxitec Limited
    Inventor: Luke Alphey
  • Patent number: 9487801
    Abstract: Provided is an arthropod male germline gene expression system suitable for conditional expression of an effector gene in an Arthropod male germline. The system comprises a first expression unit comprising an effector gene and a promoter therefor operably linked thereto; and a second expression unit. Said second unit comprises a coding sequence for a transcription factor and an upstream regulatory element operably linked thereto, the transcription factor being capable of acting upon the promoter in the first expression unit to drive expression of the effector gene. The upstream regulatory element includes a promoter for the transcription factor; and a 5? UTR adjacent a start site for the transcription factor coding sequence. The upstream regulatory element driving sufficient expression of the transcription factor such that the transcription factor protein in turn drives transcription of the effector gene before meiosis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: OXITEC LIMITED
    Inventor: Luke Alphey
  • Publication number: 20160122780
    Abstract: A polynucleotide expression system is provided that is capable of alternative splicing of RNA transcripts of a polynucleotide sequence to be expressed in an organism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2016
    Publication date: May 5, 2016
    Applicant: Oxitec Limited
    Inventor: Luke Alphey
  • Patent number: 9180464
    Abstract: There is provided an apparatus for sorting arthropod larvae and pupae and in particular, although not necessarily, to sorting arthropod pupae on the basis of size, especially in mosquitoes. The apparatus can contain two parallel bars pivotally mounted in a frame such that the distance between the bars is adjustable. Insect larvae and pupae may be inserted into a chamber with one side formed by the grid of bars and inserted into water to separate the different forms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: OXITEC LIMITED
    Inventors: Derric David Nimmo, Luke Alphey
  • Patent number: 9133477
    Abstract: A gene expression system is provided. The system comprises at least one coding sequence to be expressed in an organism, and at least one promoter operably linked thereto. It further comprises at least one splice control sequence which, in cooperation with a spliceosome, mediates alternative splicing of RNA transcripts of the coding sequence. The mediation of alternative splicing is in a sex-specific, stage-specific, germline-specific and tissue-specific manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignee: Oxitec Limited
    Inventor: Luke Alphey
  • Patent number: 9125388
    Abstract: The invention relates to a non-human multicellular organism carrying a dominant lethal genetic system, the lethal effect of which is conditional, wherein the lethal effect of the lethal system occurs in the natural environment of the organism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: Isis Innovation Limited
    Inventors: Luke Alphey, Dean Thomas
  • Patent number: 9121036
    Abstract: Promoters active in insects can be enhanced by positive feedback mechanisms and associated with repressible lethal effects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: Oxitec Limited
    Inventor: Luke Alphey
  • Publication number: 20150143552
    Abstract: Provided is an arthropod male germline gene expression system suitable for conditional expression of an effector gene in an Arthropod male germline. The system comprises a first expression unit comprising an effector gene and a promoter therefor operably linked thereto; and a second expression unit. Said second unit comprises a coding sequence for a transcription factor and an upstream regulatory element operably linked thereto, the transcription factor being capable of acting upon the promoter in the first expression unit to drive expression of the effector gene. The upstream regulatory element includes a promoter for the transcription factor; and a 5? UTR adjacent a start site for the transcription factor coding sequence. The upstream regulatory element driving sufficient expression of the transcription factor such that the transcription factor protein in turn drives transcription of the effector gene before meiosis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2013
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Inventor: Luke Alphey
  • Patent number: 8124404
    Abstract: There is provided a transposable element comprising at least four inverted repeats, at least two of which are each inverted in relation to another, the element comprising DNA for insertion into a host genome, the DNA being located between two pairs of opposing repeats excisable by a transposase in situ to leave said DNA without flanking transposon-derived repeats in the host genome. Also provided is a transposable element comprising at least three inverted repeats, at least one of which is inverted in relation to the others, wherein at least one non-terminal repeat is a minimal repeat. Both these elements allow for greater efficiency of insertion of nucleotide sequences into the genome.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: Oxitec Limited
    Inventor: Luke Alphey
  • Patent number: 7998475
    Abstract: Undesirable genetic traits, such as resistance to toxin, can be inhibited or reversed by introducing sexually compatible individuals substantially homozygous for the sensitive allele, such as the wild type, into the target population.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: Oxitec Limited
    Inventor: Luke Alphey