Patents by Inventor Michael L. Pierce

Michael L. Pierce 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: 6586180
    Abstract: A method for making a directed antisense library against a target transcript is described. A cDNA of the target transcript is cloned in an appropriate cloning vector. Next, a plurality of deletion derivatives of the cloned cDNA is prepared such that the deletions serially extend into the cDNA from one end thereof. The resulting deletion library is then treated such that cDNA is removed from the other end of each cDNA insert, thus obtaining a fragment library having fragments of a selected size. A catalytic core is then inserted into each fragment of the fragment library, resulting in the directed antisense library. An illustrative antisense gene in the hammerhead ribozyme catalytic core. Plasmids for making the antisense library, plasmids and methods for making the fragment library, and a method for identifying target sites for antisense-mediated gene inhibition are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Assignee: University of Utah
    Inventors: Duane E. Ruffner, Michael L. Pierce, Zhidong Chen
  • Publication number: 20030119041
    Abstract: A method for making a directed antisense library against a target transcript is described. A cDNA of the target transcript is cloned in an appropriate cloning vector. Next, a plurality of deletion derivatives of the cloned cDNA is prepared such that the deletions serially extend into the cDNA from one end thereof. The resulting deletion library is then treated such that cDNA is removed from the other end of each cDNA insert, thus obtaining a fragment library having fragments of a selected size. An antisense gene is then inserted into each fragment of the fragment library, resulting in the directed antisense library. An illustrative antisense gene in the hammerhead ribozyme catalytic core. Plasmids for making the antisense library, plasmids and methods for making the fragment library, and a method for identifying target sites for antisense-mediated gene inhibition are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2002
    Publication date: June 26, 2003
    Inventors: Duane E. Ruffner, Michael L. Pierce, Zhidong Chen
  • Publication number: 20030108939
    Abstract: A method for making a directed antisense library against a target transcript is described. A cDNA of the target transcript is cloned in an appropriate cloning vector. Next, a plurality of deletion derivatives of the cloned cDNA is prepared such that the deletions serially extend into the cDNA from one end thereof. The resulting deletion library is then treated such that cDNA is removed from the other end of each cDNA insert, thus obtaining a fragment library having fragments of a selected size. An antisense gene is then inserted into each fragment of the fragment library, resulting in the directed antisense library. An illustrative antisense gene in the hammerhead ribozyme catalytic core. Plasmids for making the antisense library, plasmids and methods for making the fragment library, and a method for identifying target sites for antisense-mediated gene inhibition are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2002
    Publication date: June 12, 2003
    Inventors: Duane E. Ruffner, Michael L. Pierce, Zhidong Chen
  • Patent number: 5634502
    Abstract: A no spill oil filler (20) for an oil access opening (16) in an engine (12) of a motor vehicle (14). The no spill oil filler (20) comprises a component (22) for catching and directing a downward flow of motor oil (10) poured from an oil can (18). A structure (24) is for mounting the catching and directing component (22) into the oil access opening (16) in the engine (12) of the motor vehicle (14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 3, 1997
    Inventor: Michael L. Pierce
  • Patent number: 4966563
    Abstract: A bus bar tab connector which electrically and mechanically connects an electrically conductive tab extending from a bus bar to an electrically conductive tab from an external source is presented. In accordance with the present invention, the conductive tabs are slidably received into the bus bar connector and held together by either a spring force or a cammed shaft. The tabs are both easily connected and separated by the connector, requiring no special tools for connecting or separation. The bus bar connector of the present invention does not cause a decrease in current carrying capacity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 30, 1990
    Assignee: Rogers Corporation
    Inventors: Michael L. Pierce, Scott J. Raffles
  • Patent number: 4647182
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for transferring a color image from an original document to a film or to an output paper. The apparatus involves the formation of the component monochromatic images containing selected color component information in a monochromatic toner particle image configuration. The separate images of the toner configurations are exposed onto a photosensitive film to reconstruct the original document. The component images can be formed on a clear material or, preferably, on a transparent colored material, the colored material serving to eliminate the need for a filter for each of the color component exposures needed to reconstruct the original image. In a second embodiment, the component images can be formed on transparent regions of electrostatic photoconducting drum. A suitable light source placed in the middle of the drum, can expose a film on a platten near the surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1985
    Date of Patent: March 3, 1987
    Inventor: Michael L. Pierce