Patents by Inventor Luming Zhou

Luming Zhou 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).

  • Patent number: 9771610
    Abstract: Methods and kits are provided for nucleic acid analysis. In an illustrative method a target nucleic acid is amplified using a first primer and a second primer, wherein the first primer comprises a probe element specific for a locus of the target nucleic acid and a template-specific primer region, and the probe element is 5? of the template-specific primer region, subsequently allowing the probe element to hybridize to the locus to form a hairpin, generating a melting curve for the probe element by measuring fluorescence from a dsDNA binding dye as the mixture is heated, wherein the dye is not covalently bound to the first primer, and analyzing the shape of the melting curve. Kits may include one or more of the first and second primers, the dsDNA binding dye, a polymerase, and dNTPs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Assignees: University of Utah Research Foundation, BioFire Defense, LLC
    Inventors: Carl T. Wittwer, Luming Zhou, Mark Aaron Poritz
  • Patent number: 9765390
    Abstract: Methods and kits are provided for nucleic acid analysis. In an illustrative method, Snapback-ARMS primers are used to amplify preferentially a target nucleic acid that is present in a low allele fraction. In another embodiment, tailed primers are used to identify the preferentially amplified allele.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: University of Utah Research Foundation
    Inventor: Luming Zhou
  • Publication number: 20170226573
    Abstract: Methods are provided for nucleic acid analysis wherein a target nucleic acid is mixed with a dsDNA binding dye to form a mixture. Optionally, an unlabeled probe is included in the mixture. A melting curve is generated for the target nucleic acid by measuring fluorescence from the dsDNA binding dye as the mixture is heated. Dyes for use in nucleic acid analysis and methods for making dyes are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2017
    Publication date: August 10, 2017
    Inventors: Luming Zhou, Carl T. Wittwer, Philip Seth Bernard, Virginie Dujols
  • Patent number: 9657347
    Abstract: Methods are provided for nucleic acid analysis wherein a target nucleic acid is mixed with a dsDNA binding dye to form a mixture. Optionally, an unlabeled probe is included in the mixture. A melting curve is generated for the target nucleic acid by measuring fluorescence from the dsDNA binding dye as the mixture is heated. Dyes for use in nucleic acid analysis and methods for making dyes are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: University of Utah Research Foundation and BioFire Defense, LLC
    Inventors: Luming Zhou, Carl T. Wittwer, Philip Seth Bernard, Virginie Dujols
  • Publication number: 20160348157
    Abstract: Methods and kits are provided for nucleic acid analysis. In an illustrative method a target nucleic acid is amplified using a first primer and a second primer, wherein the first primer comprises a probe element specific for a locus of the target nucleic acid and a template-specific primer region, and the probe element is 5? of the template-specific primer region, subsequently allowing the probe element to hybridize to the locus to form a hairpin, generating a melting curve for the probe element by measuring fluorescence from a dsDNA binding dye as the mixture is heated, wherein the dye is not covalently bound to the first primer, and analyzing the shape of the melting curve. Kits may include one or more of the first and second primers, the dsDNA binding dye, a polymerase, and dNTPs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2013
    Publication date: December 1, 2016
    Inventors: Carl T. Wittwer, Luming Zhou, Mark Aaron Porter
  • Publication number: 20160319336
    Abstract: Methods are provided for nucleic acid analysis. In an illustrative method, allele amplification bias is used to amplify preferentially a target nucleic acid that is present in a low allele fraction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2016
    Publication date: November 3, 2016
    Inventors: Jason T. McKinney, Luming Zhou, Cameron N. Gundry, Robert Andrew Palais
  • Publication number: 20160153058
    Abstract: Methods and kits for performing polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and melting analyses to determine copy number variation and/or gene expression are disclosed herein. Related uses of such methods and analyses are also disclosed herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2015
    Publication date: June 2, 2016
    Inventors: Carl Wittwer, Luming Zhou, Robert Palais
  • Patent number: 9290663
    Abstract: Methods are provided for nucleic acid analysis wherein a target nucleic acid that is at least partially double stranded is mixed with a dsDNA binding dye having a percent saturation of at least 50% to form a mixture. In one embodiment, the nucleic acid is amplified in the presence of the dsDNA binding dye, and in another embodiment a melting curve is generated for the target nucleic acid by measuring fluorescence from the dsDNA binding dye as the mixture is heated. Dyes for use in nucleic acid analysis and methods for making dyes are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignees: University of Utah Research Foundation, BioFire Defense, LLC
    Inventors: Carl T. Wittwer, Gudrun Reed, Virginie Dujols, Luming Zhou
  • Publication number: 20140370507
    Abstract: Methods are provided for nucleic acid analysis wherein a target nucleic acid is mixed with a dsDNA binding dye to form a mixture. Optionally, an unlabeled probe is included in the mixture. A melting curve is generated for the target nucleic acid by measuring fluorescence from the dsDNA binding dye as the mixture is heated. Dyes for use in nucleic acid analysis and methods for making dyes are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2014
    Publication date: December 18, 2014
    Inventors: Carl T. Wittwer, Luming Zhou
  • Publication number: 20140295446
    Abstract: Methods and kits are provided for nucleic acid analysis. In an illustrative method, Snapback-ARMS primers are used to amplify preferentially a target nucleic acid that is present in a low allele fraction. In another embodiment, tailed primers are used to identify the preferentially amplified allele.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2014
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Inventor: Luming Zhou
  • Patent number: 8815515
    Abstract: Methods are provided for nucleic acid analysis. In an illustrative method, Snapback-ARMS primers are used to amplify preferentially a target nucleic acid that is present in a low allele fraction. In another embodiment, tailed primers are used to identify the preferentially amplified allele.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: University of Utah Research Foundation
    Inventor: Luming Zhou
  • Patent number: 8399189
    Abstract: Methods and kits are provided for nucleic acid analysis. In an illustrative method a target nucleic acid is amplified using a first primer and a second primer, wherein the first primer comprises a probe element specific for a locus of the target nucleic acid and a template-specific primer region, and the probe element is 5? of the template-specific primer region, subsequently allowing the probe element to hybridize to the locus to form a hairpin, generating a melting curve for the probe element by measuring fluorescence from a dsDNA binding dye as the mixture is heated, wherein the dye is not covalently bound to the first primer, and analyzing the shape of the melting curve. Kits may include one or more of the first and second primers, the dsDNA binding dye, a polymerase, and dNTPs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignees: University of Utah Research Foundation, BioFire Diagnostics, Inc.
    Inventors: Carl T. Wittwer, Luming Zhou, Mark Aaron Poritz
  • Publication number: 20120301875
    Abstract: Methods are provided for nucleic acid analysis wherein a target nucleic acid that is at least partially double stranded is mixed with a dsDNA binding dye having a percent saturation of at least 50% to form a mixture. In one embodiment, the nucleic acid is amplified in the presence of the dsDNA binding dye, and in another embodiment a melting curve is generated for the target nucleic acid by measuring fluorescence from the dsDNA binding dye as the mixture is heated. Dyes for use in nucleic acid analysis and methods for making dyes are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2011
    Publication date: November 29, 2012
    Inventors: Carl T. Wittwer, Gudrun Reed, Virginie Dujols, Luming Zhou
  • Publication number: 20120231522
    Abstract: Methods are provided for nucleic acid analysis wherein a target nucleic acid that is at least partially double stranded is mixed with a dsDNA binding dye having a percent saturation of at least 50% to form a mixture. In one embodiment, the nucleic acid is amplified in the presence of the dsDNA binding dye, and in another embodiment a melting curve is generated for the target nucleic acid by measuring fluorescence from the dsDNA binding dye as the mixture is heated. Dyes for use in nucleic acid analysis and methods for making dyes are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2012
    Publication date: September 13, 2012
    Applicant: IDAHO TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Carl T. Wittwer, Gudrun Reed, Virginie Dujols, Luming Zhou
  • Patent number: 8093002
    Abstract: Methods are provided for nucleic acid analysis wherein a target nucleic acid that is at least partially double stranded is mixed with a dsDNA binding dye having a percent saturation of at least 50% to form a mixture. In one embodiment, the nucleic acid is amplified in the presence of the dsDNA binding dye, and in another embodiment a melting curve is generated for the target nucleic acid by measuring fluorescence from the dsDNA binding dye as the mixture is heated. Dyes for use in nucleic acid analysis and methods for making dyes are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignees: University of Utah Research Foundation, Idaho Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Carl T. Wittwer, Gudrun Reed, Virginie Dujols, Luming Zhou
  • Publication number: 20110318736
    Abstract: Methods are provided for nucleic acid analysis. In an illustrative method, allele amplification bias is used to amplify preferentially a target nucleic acid that is present in a low allele fraction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2009
    Publication date: December 29, 2011
    Inventors: Jason T. McKinney, Luming Zhou, Cameron N. Gundry, Robert Andrew Palais
  • Publication number: 20100297656
    Abstract: Methods are provided for nucleic acid analysis wherein a target nucleic acid that is at least partially double stranded is mixed with a dsDNA binding dye having a percent saturation of at least 50% to form a mixture. In one embodiment, the nucleic acid is amplified in the presence of the dsDNA binding dye, and in another embodiment a melting curve is generated for the target nucleic acid by measuring fluorescence from the dsDNA binding dye as the mixture is heated. Dyes for use in nucleic acid analysis and methods for making dyes are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2010
    Publication date: November 25, 2010
    Inventors: CARL T. WITTWER, GUDRUN REED, VIRGINIE DUJOLS, LUMING ZHOU
  • Publication number: 20100196890
    Abstract: Methods and kits are provided for nucleic acid analysis. In an illustrative method a target nucleic acid is amplified using a first primer and a second primer, wherein the first primer comprises a probe element specific for a locus of the target nucleic acid and a template-specific primer region, and the probe element is 5? of the template-specific primer region, subsequently allowing the probe element to hybridize to the locus to form a hairpin, generating a melting curve for the probe element by measuring fluorescence from a dsDNA binding dye as the mixture is heated, wherein the dye is not covalently bound to the first primer, and analyzing the shape of the melting curve. Kits may include one or more of the first and second primers, the dsDNA binding dye, a polymerase, and dNTPs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2008
    Publication date: August 5, 2010
    Inventors: Carl T. Wittwer, Luming Zhou, Mark Aaron Poritz
  • Publication number: 20100041044
    Abstract: Methods are provided for nucleic acid analysis wherein a target nucleic acid that is at least partially double stranded is mixed with a dsDNA binding dye having a percent saturation of at least 50% to form a mixture. In one embodiment, the nucleic acid is amplified in the presence of the dsDNA binding dye, and in another embodiment a melting curve is generated for the target nucleic acid by measuring fluorescence from the dsDNA binding dye as the mixture is heated. Dyes for use in nucleic acid analysis and methods for making dyes are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2009
    Publication date: February 18, 2010
    Inventors: Carl T. Wittwer, Gudrun Reed, Virginie Dujols, Luming Zhou
  • Patent number: 7582429
    Abstract: Methods are provided for nucleic acid analysis wherein a target nucleic acid that is at least partially double stranded is mixed with a dsDNA binding dye having a percent saturation of at least 50% to form a mixture. In one embodiment, the nucleic acid is amplified in the presence of the dsDNA binding dye, and in another embodiment a melting curve is generated for the target nucleic acid by measuring fluorescence from the dsDNA binding dye as the mixture is heated. Dyes for use in nucleic acid analysis and methods for making dyes are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2009
    Assignee: University of Utah Research Foundation
    Inventors: Carl T. Wittwer, Gudrun Reed, Virginie Dujols, Luming Zhou