Patents by Inventor Marc A. Ostermeier

Marc A. Ostermeier 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).

  • Prodrug activation in cancer cells using molecular switches
    Patent number: 9469841
    Abstract: The present invention features a novel protein engineering strategy by combining the domains of two independent proteins into a molecular switch. The invention features polypeptides comprising a prodrug activating enzyme and a protein that binds a cancer specific marker, polynucleotides encoding the polypeptides, and molecular switches for converting a prodrug into a toxin, comprising the polypeptides. The invention also features methods for converting a prodrug into a toxin, methods for treating cancer, and methods for making the molecular switches, as well as kits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: The Johns Hopkins University
    Inventors: Marc A. Ostermeier, Chapman M. Wright
  • PRODRUG ACTIVATION IN CANCER CELLS USING MOLECULAR SWITCHES
    Publication number: 20140273217
    Abstract: The present invention features a novel protein engineering strategy by combining the domains of two independent proteins into a molecular switch. The invention features polypeptides comprising a prodrug activating enzyme and a protein that binds a cancer specific marker, polynucleotides encoding the polypeptides, and molecular switches for converting a prodrug into a toxin, comprising the polypeptides. The invention also features methods for converting a prodrug into a toxin, methods for treating cancer, and methods for making the molecular switches, as well as kits.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: THE JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Marc A. Ostermeier, Chapman M. Wright
  • Methods for making and using molecular switches involving circular permutation
    Patent number: 8338138
    Abstract: The invention provides molecular switches which couple external signals to functionality, and combinatorial methods of making and using the same involving circular permutation of nucleic acid and amino acid sequences. The switches according to the invention can be used, for example, to regulate gene transcription, target drug delivery to specific cells, transport drugs intracellularly, control drug release, provide conditionally active proteins, perform metabolic engineering, and modulate cell signaling pathways. Libraries comprising the switches, expression vectors and host cells for expressing the switches are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: The John Hopkins University
    Inventors: Marc A. Ostermeier, Gurkan Guntas
  • Methods for Making and Using Molecular Switches Involving Circular Permutation
    Publication number: 20090005266
    Abstract: The invention provides molecular switches which couple external signals to functionality, and combinatorial methods of making and using the same involving circular permutation of nucleic acid and amino acid sequences. The switches according to the invention can be used, for example, to regulate gene transcription, target drug delivery to specific cells, transport drugs intracellularly, control drug release, provide conditionally active proteins, perform metabolic engineering, and modulate cell signaling pathways. Libraries comprising the switches, expression vectors and host cells for expressing the switches are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2005
    Publication date: January 1, 2009
    Applicant: The Johns Hopkins University
    Inventors: Marc A. Ostermeier, Gurkan Guntas