Patents by Inventor Michael R. Tota

Michael R. Tota 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).

  • Green fluorescent protein (GFP) peptides from
    Patent number: 9771401
    Abstract: The present technology is directed to the nucleic acid molecule encoding novel fluorescent proteins, in particular, green fluorescent proteins (GFPs), such as those that may be isolated from an organism of genus Rhacostoma, as well as compositions comprising the same and methods for analyzing a physiologically active substance in a cell wherein the fluorescent proteins are expressed in the cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Inventors: Michael R. Tota, William W. Ward
  • GREEN FLUORESCENT PROTEIN (GFP) PEPTIDES FROM RHACOSTOMA
    Publication number: 20160024160
    Abstract: The present technology is directed to the nucleic acid molecule encoding novel fluorescent proteins, in particular, green fluorescent proteins (GFPs), such as those that may be isolated from an organism of genus Rhacostoma, as well as compositions comprising the same and methods for analyzing a physiologically active substance in a cell wherein the fluorescent proteins are expressed in the cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2014
    Publication date: January 28, 2016
    Inventors: Michael R. TOTA, William W. WARD
  • Method of treatment using fatty acid synthesis inhibitors
    Patent number: 8598153
    Abstract: The present invention relates to natural products that possess fatty acid synthesis inhibitor activity and can be used to treat and prevent diseases such as obesity, cancer, diabetes, fungal infections, Mycobacterium tuberculosis infections, malarial infections and other apicomplexan protozoal diseases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp.
    Inventors: Sheo B. Singh, Michael R. Tota, Jun Wang
  • METHOD OF TREATMENT USING FATTY ACID SYNTHESIS INHIBITORS
    Publication number: 20120190747
    Abstract: The present invention relates to natural products that possess fatty acid synthesis inhibitor activity and can be used to treat and prevent diseases such as obesity, cancer, diabetes, fungal infections, Mycobacterium tuberculosis infections, malarial infections and other apicomplexan protozoal diseases.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2012
    Publication date: July 26, 2012
    Inventors: Sheo B. Singh, Michael R. Tota, Jun Wang
  • Method of treatment using fatty acid synthesis inhibitors
    Patent number: 8173629
    Abstract: The present invention relates to natural products that possess fatty acid synthesis inhibitor activity and can be used to treat and prevent diseases such as obesity, cancer, diabetes, fungal infections, Mycobacterium tuberculosis infections, malarial infections and other apicomplexan protozoal diseases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp.
    Inventors: Sheo B. Singh, Michael R. Tota, Jun Wang
  • Method of treatment using fatty acid synthesis inhibitors
    Publication number: 20100022630
    Abstract: The present invention relates to natural products that possess fatty acid synthesis inhibitor activity and can be used to treat and prevent diseases such as obesity, cancer, diabetes, fungal infections, Mycobacterium tuberculosis infections, malarial infections and other apicomplexan protozoal diseases.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2007
    Publication date: January 28, 2010
    Inventors: Sheo B. Singh, Michael R. Tota, Jun Wang
  • Peptide compounds for treating obesity and insulin resistance
    Publication number: 20090104210
    Abstract: Compounds comprising an angiopoietin-like protein 6 (Angptl6) peptide for use in the treatment of metabolic syndrome, in particular, obesity and insulin resistance are described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2008
    Publication date: April 23, 2009
    Inventors: Michael R. Tota, Shirly Pinto, Douglas J. MacNeil, Heather H. Zhou, Fubao Wang, Chen-Ni Chin
  • Cell fusion assays using fluorescence resonance energy transfer
    Patent number: 7029868
    Abstract: Methods of identifying inhibitors of the fusion of two types of cells, particularly when fusion is mediated by the interaction of a viral protein and such cellular proteins as CD4 and chemokine receptors, are disclosed. The methods are suitable for identifying substances that are useful for the treatment and prevention of viral diseases. Particularly preferred methods are useful for the identification of inhibitors of HIV-1 infection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2006
    Assignee: Merck & Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Kathleen A. Sullivan, Diana Benincasa, Margaret A. Cascieri, Lyndon J. Mitnaul, Lin-Lin Shiao, Michael R. Tota
  • C-terminal region of agouti-related transcript (ART) protein
    Patent number: 6878520
    Abstract: Novel polypeptides derived from the C-terminal region of the human and mouse agouti related transcript (ART) proteins are provided. Also provided are DNA sequences encoding the novel C-terminal polypeptides. The novel C-terminal polypeptides can be used to inhibit the binding of melanocyte stimulating hormones to melanocortin receptors. Methods of identifying inhibitors of the binding of ART protein to melanocortin receptors are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2005
    Assignee: Merck & Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Tung Ming Fong, Leonardus H. T. Van Der Ploeg, Michael R. Tota
  • Cell fusion assays using fluorescence resonance energy transfer
    Publication number: 20030036108
    Abstract: Methods of identifying inhibitors of the fusion of two types of cells, particularly when fusion is mediated by the interaction of a viral protein and such cellular proteins as CD4 and chemokine receptors, are disclosed. The methods are suitable for identifying substances that are useful for the treatment and prevention of viral diseases. Particularly preferred methods are useful for the identification of inhibitors of HIV-1 infection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2002
    Publication date: February 20, 2003
    Inventors: Kathleen A Sullivan, Diana Benincasa, Margaret A Cascieri, Lyndon J Mitnaul, Lin-Lin Shiao, Michael R Tota
  • Leptin assay
    Patent number: 6007998
    Abstract: A trans-activation assay for leptin is described. Leptin response elements are located proximal to a promoter, and the promoter region is operatively linked to a reporter gene. When leptin binds with the receptor, the reporter gene is transcribed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1999
    Assignee: Merck & Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Charles I. Rosenblum, Leonardus H. T. Van Der Ploeg, Sajjad A. Qureshi, Doris F. Cully, John W. Hess, Michael R. Tota, Fang Chen