Patents by Inventor Phillip A. Sharp

Phillip A. Sharp 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: 9012621
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a Drosophila in vitro system which was used to demonstrate that dsRNA is processed to RNA segments 21-23 nucleotides (nt) in length. Furthermore, when these 21-23 nt fragments are purified and added back to Drosophila extracts, they mediate RNA interference in the absence of long dsRNA. Thus, these 21-23 nt fragments are the sequence-specific mediators of RNA degradation. A molecular signal, which may be their specific length, must be present in these 21-23 nt fragments to recruit cellular factors involved in RNAi. This present invention encompasses these 21-23 nt fragments and their use for specifically inactivating gene function. The use of these fragments (or chemically synthesized oligonucleotides of the same or similar nature) enables the targeting of specific mRNAs for degradation in mammalian cells, where the use of long dsRNAs to elicit RNAi is usually not practical, presumably because of the deleterious effects of the interferon response.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignees: Max-Planck-Gesellschaft zur Förderung der Wissenschaften E.V., Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, University of Massachusetts
    Inventors: Thomas Tuschl, Phillip D. Zamore, Phillip A. Sharp, David P. Bartel
  • Patent number: 8957197
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a Drosophila in vitro system which was used to demonstrate that dsRNA is processed to RNA segments 21-23 nucleotides (nt) in length. Furthermore, when these 21-23 nt fragments are purified and added back to Drosophila extracts, they mediate RNA interference in the absence of long dsRNA. Thus, these 21-23 nt fragments are the sequence-specific mediators of RNA degradation. A molecular signal, which may be their specific length, must be present in these 21-23 nt fragments to recruit cellular factors involved in RNAi. This present invention encompasses these 21-23 nt fragments and their use for specifically inactivating gene function. The use of these fragments (or chemically synthesized oligonucleotides of the same or similar nature) enables the targeting of specific mRNAs for degradation in mammalian cells, where the use of long dsRNAs to elicit RNAi is usually not practical, presumably because of the deleterious effects of the interferon response.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignees: Max-Planck-Gesellschaft zur Förderung der Wissenschaften E.V., Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, University of Massachusetts
    Inventors: Thomas Tuschl, Phillip D. Zamore, Phillip A. Sharp, David P. Bartel
  • Patent number: 8790922
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a Drosophila in vitro system which was used to demonstrate that dsRNA is processed to RNA segments 21-23 nucleotides (nt) in length. Furthermore, when these 21-23 nt fragments are purified and added back to Drosophila extracts, they mediate RNA interference in the absence of long dsRNA. Thus, these 21-23 nt fragments are the sequence-specific mediators of RNA degradation. A molecular signal, which may be their specific length, must be present in these 21-23 nt fragments to recruit cellular factors involved in RNAi. This present invention encompasses these 21-23 nt fragments and their use for specifically inactivating gene function. The use of these fragments (or chemically synthesized oligonucleotides of the same or similar nature) enables the targeting of specific mRNAs for degradation in mammalian cells, where the use of long dsRNAs to elicit RNAi is usually not practical, presumably because of the deleterious effects of the interferon response.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignees: Max-Planck-Gesellschaft zur Förderung der Wissenschaften E.V., Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, University of Massachusetts
    Inventors: Thomas Tuschl, Phillip D. Zamore, Phillip A. Sharp, David P. Bartel
  • Patent number: 8742092
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a Drosophila in vitro system which was used to demonstrate that dsRNA is processed to RNA segments 21-23 nucleotides (nt) in length. Furthermore, when these 21-23 nt fragments are purified and added back to Drosophila extracts, they mediate RNA interference in the absence of long dsRNA. Thus, these 21-23 nt fragments are the sequence-specific mediators of RNA degradation. A molecular signal, which may be their specific length, must be present in these 21-23 nt fragments to recruit cellular factors involved in RNAi. This present invention encompasses these 21-23 nt fragments and their use for specifically inactivating gene function. The use of these fragments (or chemically synthesized oligonucleotides of the same or similar nature) enables the targeting of specific mRNAs for degradation in mammalian cells, where the use of long dsRNAs to elicit RNAi is usually not practical, presumably because of the deleterious effects of the interferon response.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignees: University of Massachusetts, Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Max-Planck-Gesellschaft zur Förderung der Wissenschaften E.V.
    Inventors: Thomas Tuschl, Phillip A. Sharp, Phillip D. Zamore, David P. Bartel
  • Patent number: 8632997
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a Drosophila in vitro system which was used to demonstrate that dsRNA is processed to RNA segments 21-23 nucleotides (nt) in length. Furthermore, when these 21-23 nt fragments are purified and added back to Drosophila extracts, they mediate RNA interference in the absence of long dsRNA. Thus, these 21-23 nt fragments are the sequence-specific mediators of RNA degradation. A molecular signal, which may be their specific length, must be present in these 21-23 nt fragments to recruit cellular factors involved in RNAi. This present invention encompasses these 21-23 nt fragments and their use for specifically inactivating gene function. The use of these fragments (or chemically synthesized oligonucleotides of the same or similar nature) enables the targeting of specific mRNAs for degradation in mammalian cells, where the use of long dsRNAs to elicit RNAi is usually not practical, presumably because of the deleterious effects of the interferon response.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignees: University of Massachusetts, Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Max-Planck-Gesellschaft zur Förderung der Wissenschaften E.V.
    Inventors: Thomas Tuschl, Phillip D. Zamore, Phillip A. Sharp, David P. Bartel
  • Patent number: 8552171
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a Drosophila in vitro system which was used to demonstrate that dsRNA is processed to RNA segments 21-23 nucleotides (nt) in length. Furthermore, when these 21-23 nt fragments are purified and added back to Drosophila extracts, they mediate RNA interference in the absence of long dsRNA. Thus, these 21-23 nt fragments are the sequence-specific mediators of RNA degradation. A molecular signal, which may be their specific length, must be present in these 21-23 nt fragments to recruit cellular factors involved in RNAi. This present invention encompasses these 21-23 nt fragments and their use for specifically inactivating gene function. The use of these fragments (or chemically synthesized oligonucleotides of the same or similar nature) enables the targeting of specific mRNAs for degradation in mammalian cells, where the use of long dsRNAs to elicit RNAi is usually not practical, presumably because of the deleterious effects of the interferon response.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignees: University of Massachusetts, Whitehead Insititute for Biomedical Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Max-Planck-Gesellschaft zur Föderung der Wissenschaften E.V.
    Inventors: Thomas Tuschl, Phillip D. Zamore, Phillip A. Sharp, David P. Bartel
  • Publication number: 20130156776
    Abstract: The invention provides methods for treating or decreasing the likelihood of developing a stress-granule related disorder and/or cancer by administering one or more poly-ADP-ribose polymerase (PARP) inhibitors, one or more PARP activators, one or more poly-ADP-ribose glycosylase (PARG) activators, and/or one or more poly-ADP-ribose glycohydrolase ARH3 activators. The invention also provides corresponding methods of decreasing stress granule formation and/or proliferation in a cell or a population of cells. The invention further provides methods of increasing the number of stress granules and proliferation in a cell or a population of cells by administering one or more PARP activators, one or more PARP inhibitors, one or more PARG inhibitors, and/or one or more ARH3 inhibitors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2012
    Publication date: June 20, 2013
    Applicant: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Paul Chang, Sejal . Vyas, Anthony Leung, Phillip A. Sharp
  • Patent number: 8435961
    Abstract: The invention provides methods for increasing the activity of an inhibitory RNA (RNAi) in a subject requiring administering one or more poly-ADP-ribose polymerase (PARP) inhibitors and/or one or more PARG activators to the subject. The invention also provides methods for increasing the activity of an inhibitory RNA in a cell or cell population requiring contacting a cell or cell population with one or more PARP inhibitors and/or one or more PARG activators. The invention further provides compositions and kits containing one or more PARP inhibitors and/or one or more PARG activators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Paul Chang, Anthony Leung, Phillip A. Sharp
  • Patent number: 8420391
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a Drosophila in vitro system which was used to demonstrate that dsRNA is processed to RNA segments 21-23 nucleotides (nt) in length. Furthermore, when these 21-23 nt fragments are purified and added back to Drosophila extracts, they mediate RNA interference in the absence of long dsRNA. Thus, these 21-23 nt fragments are the sequence-specific mediators of RNA degradation. A molecular signal, which may be their specific length, must be present in these 21-23 nt fragments to recruit cellular factors involved in RNAi. This present invention encompasses these 21-23 nt fragments and their use for specifically inactivating gene function. The use of these fragments (or chemically synthesized oligonucleotides of the same or similar nature) enables the targeting of specific mRNAs for degradation in mammalian cells, where the use of long dsRNAs to elicit RNAi is usually not practical, presumably because of the deleterious effects of the interferon response.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignees: University of Massachusetts, Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Max-Planck-Gesellschaft zur Förderung der Wissenschaften E.V.
    Inventors: Thomas Tuschl, Phillip D. Zamore, Phillip A. Sharp, David P. Bartel
  • Patent number: 8394628
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a Drosophila in vitro system which was used to demonstrate that dsRNA is processed to RNA segments 21-23 nucleotides (nt) in length. Furthermore, when these 21-23 nt fragments are purified and added back to Drosophila extracts, they mediate RNA interference in the absence of long dsRNA. Thus, these 21-23 nt fragments are the sequence-specific mediators of RNA degradation. A molecular signal, which may be their specific length, must be present in these 21-23 nt fragments to recruit cellular factors involved in RNAi. This present invention encompasses these 21-23 nt fragments and their use for specifically inactivating gene function. The use of these fragments (or chemically synthesized oligonucleotides of the same or similar nature) enables the targeting of specific mRNAs for degradation in mammalian cells, where the use of long dsRNAs to elicit RNAi is usually not practical, presumably because of the deleterious effects of the interferon response.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignees: University of Massachusetts, Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Max-Planck-Gesellschaft zur Förderung der Wissenschaften E.V.
    Inventors: Thomas Tuschl, Phillip D. Zamore, Phillip A. Sharp, David P. Bartel
  • Publication number: 20120122111
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a Drosophila in vitro system which was used to demonstrate that dsRNA is processed to RNA segments 21-23 nucleotides (nt) in length. Furthermore, when these 21-23 nt fragments are purified and added back to Drosophila extracts, they mediate RNA interference in the absence of long dsRNA. Thus, these 21-23 nt fragments are the sequence-specific mediators of RNA degradation. A molecular signal, which may be their specific length, must be present in these 21-23 nt fragments to recruit cellular factors involved in RNAi. This present invention encompasses these 21-23 nt fragments and their use for specifically inactivating gene function. The use of these fragments (or chemically synthesized oligonucleotides of the same or similar nature) enables the targeting of specific mRNAs for degradation in mammalian cells, where the use of long dsRNAs to elicit RNAi is usually not practical, presumably because of the deleterious effects of the interferon response.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2011
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Inventors: Thomas Tuschl, Phillip D. Zamore, Phillip A. Sharp, David P. Bartel
  • Publication number: 20120029061
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a Drosophila in vitro system which was used to demonstrate that dsRNA is processed to RNA segments 21-23 nucleotides (nt) in length. Furthermore, when these 21-23 nt fragments are purified and added back to Drosophila extracts, they mediate RNA interference in the absence of long dsRNA. Thus, these 21-23 nt fragments are the sequence-specific mediators of RNA degradation. A molecular signal, which may be their specific length, must be present in these 21-23 nt fragments to recruit cellular factors involved in RNAi. This present invention encompasses these 21-23 nt fragments and their use for specifically inactivating gene function. The use of these fragments (or chemically synthesized oligonucleotides of the same or similar nature) enables the targeting of specific mRNAs for degradation in mammalian cells, where the use of long dsRNAs to elicit RNAi is usually not practical, presumably because of the deleterious effects of the interferon response.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2010
    Publication date: February 2, 2012
    Inventors: Thomas Tuschl, Phillip D. Zamore, Phillip A. Sharp, David P. Bartel
  • Publication number: 20120015042
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a Drosophila in vitro system which was used to demonstrate that dsRNA is processed to RNA segments 21-23 nucleotides (nt) in length. Furthermore, when these 21-23 nt fragments are purified and added back to Drosophila extracts, they mediate RNA interference in the absence of long dsRNA. Thus, these 21-23 nt fragments are the sequence-specific mediators of RNA degradation. A molecular signal, which may be their specific length, must be present in these 21-23 nt fragments to recruit cellular factors involved in RNAi. This present invention encompasses these 21-23 nt fragments and their use for specifically inactivating gene function. The use of these fragments (or chemically synthesized oligonucleotides of the same or similar nature) enables the targeting of specific mRNAs for degradation in mammalian cells, where the use of long dsRNAs to elicit RNAi is usually not practical, presumably because of the deleterious effects of the interferon response.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2011
    Publication date: January 19, 2012
    Inventors: Thomas Tuschl, Phillip D. Zamore, Phillip A. Sharp, David P. Bartel
  • Publication number: 20110289611
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a Drosophila in vitro system which was used to demonstrate that dsRNA is processed to RNA segments 21-23 nucleotides (nt) in length. Furthermore, when these 21-23 nt fragments are purified and added back to Drosophila extracts, they mediate RNA interference in the absence of long dsRNA. Thus, these 21-23 nt fragments are the sequence-specific mediators of RNA degradation. A molecular signal, which may be their specific length, must be present in these 21-23 nt fragments to recruit cellular factors involved in RNAi. This present invention encompasses these 21-23 nt fragments and their use for specifically inactivating gene function. The use of these fragments (or chemically synthesized oligonucleotides of the same or similar nature) enables the targeting of specific mRNAs for degradation in mammalian cells, where the use of long dsRNAs to elicit RNAi is usually not practical, presumably because of the deleterious effects of the interferon response.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2010
    Publication date: November 24, 2011
    Inventors: Thomas Tuschl, Phillip D. Zamore, Phillip A. Sharp, David P. Bartel
  • Publication number: 20110281931
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a Drosophila in vitro system which was used to demonstrate that dsRNA is processed to RNA segments 21-23 nucleotides (nt) in length. Furthermore, when these 21-23 nt fragments are purified and added back to Drosophila extracts, they mediate RNA interference in the absence of long dsRNA. Thus, these 21-23 nt fragments are the sequence-specific mediators of RNA degradation. A molecular signal, which may be their specific length, must be present in these 21-23 nt fragments to recruit cellular factors involved in RNAi. This present invention encompasses these 21-23 nt fragments and their use for specifically inactivating gene function. The use of these fragments (or chemically synthesized oligonucleotides of the same or similar nature) enables the targeting of specific mRNAs for degradation in mammalian cells, where the use of long dsRNAs to elicit RNAi is usually not practical, presumably because of the deleterious effects of the interferon response.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2010
    Publication date: November 17, 2011
    Inventors: Thomas Tuschl, Phillip D. Zamore, Phillip A. Sharp, David P. Bartel
  • Publication number: 20110244568
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a Drosophila in vitro system which was used to demonstrate that dsRNA is processed to RNA segments 21-23 nucleotides (nt) in length. Furthermore, when these 21-23 nt fragments are purified and added back to Drosophila extracts, they mediate RNA interference in the absence of long dsRNA. Thus, these 21-23 nt fragments are the sequence-specific mediators of RNA degradation. A molecular signal, which may be their specific length, must be present in these 21-23 nt fragments to recruit cellular factors involved in RNAi. This present invention encompasses these 21-23 nt fragments and their use for specifically inactivating gene function. The use of these fragments (or chemically synthesized oligonucleotides of the same or similar nature) enables the targeting of specific mRNAs for degradation in mammalian cells, where the use of long dsRNAs to elicit RNAi is usually not practical, presumably because of the deleterious effects of the interferon response.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2010
    Publication date: October 6, 2011
    Inventors: Thomas Tuschl, Phillip D. Zamore, Phillip A. Sharp, David P. Bartel
  • Publication number: 20110244446
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a Drosophila in vitro system which was used to demonstrate that dsRNA is processed to RNA segments 21-23 nucleotides (nt) in length. Furthermore, when these 21-23 nt fragments are purified and added back to Drosophila extracts, they mediate RNA interference in the absence of long dsRNA. Thus, these 21-23 nt fragments are the sequence-specific mediators of RNA degradation. A molecular signal, which may be their specific length, must be present in these 21-23 nt fragments to recruit cellular factors involved in RNAi. This present invention encompasses these 21-23 nt fragments and their use for specifically inactivating gene function. The use of these fragments (or chemically synthesized oligonucleotides of the same or similar nature) enables the targeting of specific mRNAs for degradation in mammalian cells, where the use of long dsRNAs to elicit RNAi is usually not practical, presumably because of the deleterious effects of the interferon response.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2010
    Publication date: October 6, 2011
    Inventors: Thomas Tuschl, Phillip D. Zamore, Phillip A. Sharp, David P. Bartel
  • Publication number: 20110245318
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a Drosophila in vitro system which was used to demonstrate that dsRNA is processed to RNA segments 21-23 nucleotides (nt) in length. Furthermore, when these 21-23 nt fragments are purified and added back to Drosophila extracts, they mediate RNA interference in the absence of long dsRNA. Thus, these 21-23 nt fragments are the sequence-specific mediators of RNA degradation. A molecular signal, which may be their specific length, must be present in these 21-23 nt fragments to recruit cellular factors involved in RNAi. This present invention encompasses these 21-23 nt fragments and their use for specifically inactivating gene function. The use of these fragments (or chemically synthesized oligonucleotides of the same or similar nature) enables the targeting of specific mRNAs for degradation in mammalian cells, where the use of long dsRNAs to elicit RNAi is usually not practical, presumably because of the deleterious effects of the interferon response.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2010
    Publication date: October 6, 2011
    Inventors: Thomas Tuschl, Phillip D. Zamore, Phillip A. Sharp, David P. Bartel
  • Publication number: 20110097329
    Abstract: The invention provides methods for treating or decreasing the likelihood of developing a stress-granule related disorder and/or cancer by administering one or more poly-ADP-ribose polymerase (PARP) inhibitors, one or more PARP activators, one or more poly-ADP-ribose glycosylase (PARG) activators, and/or one or more poly-ADP-ribose glycohydrolase ARH3 activators. The invention also provides corresponding methods of decreasing stress granule formation and/or proliferation in a cell or a population of cells. The invention further provides methods of increasing the number of stress granules and proliferation in a cell or a population of cells by administering one or more PARP activators, one or more PARP inhibitors, one or more PARG inhibitors, and/or one or more ARH3 inhibitors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2010
    Publication date: April 28, 2011
    Applicant: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Paul Chang, Sejal Vyas, Anthony Leung, Phillip A. Sharp
  • Publication number: 20110097328
    Abstract: The invention provides methods for increasing the activity of an inhibitory RNA (RNAi) in a subject requiring administering one or more poly-ADP-ribose polymerase (PARP) inhibitors and/or one or more PARG activators to the subject. The invention also provides methods for increasing the activity of an inhibitory RNA in a cell or cell population requiring contacting a cell or cell population with one or more PARP inhibitors and/or one or more PARG activators. The invention further provides compositions and kits containing one or more PARP inhibitors and/or one or more PARG activators.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2010
    Publication date: April 28, 2011
    Applicant: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Paul Chang, Anthony Leung, Phillip A. Sharp