Patents by Inventor Ofelia Barletta-Chacon

Ofelia Barletta-Chacon 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).

  • D-alanine racemase mutants of mycobacteria and uses therefore
    Patent number: 6929799
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to D-alanine racemase mutants of mycobacterial species. The D-alanine racemase gene (alrA) is involved in the systhesis of D-alanine, a basic component of peptidoglycan that forms the backbone of the bacterial cell wall. The present invention is also directed to methods of making live-attenuated vaccines against pathogenic mycobacteria using such alrA mutants and to the vaccines made according to such methods. The present invention is further directed to use of alrA mutants in methods for screening antimycobacterial agents that are synergistic with peptidoglycan inhibitors. Finally, the present invention is directed to methods to identify new pathways of D-alanine biosynthesis for use in developing new drugs targeting peptidoglycan biosynthesis in mycobacteria and to identify vaccines useful against pathogenic mycobacteria.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2005
    Assignee: Board of Regents University of Nebraska-Lincoln
    Inventors: Raul G. Barletta, Ofelia Barletta-Chacon
  • D-alanine racemase mutants of mycobacteria and uses therefore
    Publication number: 20030133952
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to D-alanine racemase mutants of mycobacterial species. The D-alanine racemase gene (alrA) is involved in the systhesis of D-alanine, a basic component of peptidoglycan that forms the backbone of the bacterial cell wall. The present invention is also directed to methods of making live-attenuated vaccines against pathogenic mycobacteria using such alrA mutants and to the vaccines made according to such methods. The present invention is further directed to use of alrA mutants in methods for screening antimycobacterial agents that are synergistic with peptidoglycan inhibitors. Finally, the present invention is directed to methods to identify new pathways of D-alanine biosynthesis for use in developing new drugs targeting peptidoglycan biosynthesis in mycobacteria and to identify vaccines useful against pathogenic mycobacteria.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2002
    Publication date: July 17, 2003
    Inventors: Raul G. Barletta, Ofelia Barletta-Chacon