Patents by Inventor Robert E. Johnston
Robert E. Johnston 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).
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Publication number: 20040030117Abstract: Provided herein are alphavirus vectors derived from South African Arbovirus No. 86 (S.A.AR86) comprising attenuating mutations and methods of making the same. Also provided are improved viral vectors and helper constructs comprising a S.A.AR86 capsid enhancer sequence. The present invention also provides S.A.AR86 replicon and helper constructs comprising an alphavirus capsid enhancer sequence. Further provided are methods of administering an alphavirus vector comprising a heterologous nucleotide sequence (preferably encoding an immunogen or a therapeutic polypeptide) according to the invention to a cell or subject. In preferred embodiments, the alphavirus vector delivers the heterologous nucleotide sequence to the cells of the bone, bone marrow, and/or bone-associated connective tissue.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 7, 2003Publication date: February 12, 2004Inventors: Robert E. Johnston, Mark T. Heise, Dennis Simpson
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Publication number: 20030232036Abstract: The present invention provides a helper cell for expressing an infectious, replication defective, alphavirus particle in an alphavirus-permissive cell. The helper cell includes (a) a first helper RNA encoding (i) at least one alphavirus structural protein, and (ii) not encoding at least one alphavirus structural protein; and (b) a second helper RNA separate from the first helper RNA, the second helper RNA (i) not encoding the alphavirus structural protein encoded by the first helper RNA, and (ii) encoding the at least alphavirus one structural protein not encoded by the first helper RNA, such that all of the alphavirus structural proteins assemble together into alphavirus particles in the cell. Preferably, the helper cell also includes a replicon RNA encoding an alphavirus packaging sequence and an inserted heterogeneous RNA.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 13, 2003Publication date: December 18, 2003Inventors: Robert E. Johnston, Nancy L. Davis, Jonathan F. Smith, Peter Pushko, Michael Parker, George Ludwig
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Publication number: 20030185250Abstract: A diversity receiver circuit system (10) including a primary channel (20) and a diversity channel (22), where analog input signals are converted to differential signals in both channels (20, 22). The receiver circuit system (10) includes a multiplexer (14) and a variable gain amplifier (12) formed on a single RF integrated circuit chip (16), where the multiplexer (14) is positioned before the amplifier (12). The differential signals in the primary channel (20) and the diversity channel (22) are applied to an amplified path (72, 78) and a non-amplified path (76, 82) in the multiplexer (14). A control signal selects one of the amplified primary channel signal, the non-amplified primary channel signal, the amplified diversity channel signal or the non-amplified diversity channel signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 2, 2002Publication date: October 2, 2003Inventors: Harry S. Harberts, David L. Gannon, Robert E. Johnston, William R. Goyette, Colin S. Phan
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Patent number: 6583121Abstract: The present invention provides a method of delivering immunogenic or therapeutic proteins to bone marrow cells using alphavirus vectors. The alphavirus vectors disclosed herein target specifically to bone marrow tissue, and viral genomes persist in bone marrow for at least three months post-infection. No or very low levels of virus were detected in quadricep, brain, and sera of treated animals. The sequence of a consensus Sindbis cDNA clone, pTR339, and infectious RNA transcripts, infectious virus particles, and pharmaceutical formulations derived therefrom are also disclosed. The sequence of the genomic RNA of the Girdwood S.A. virus, and cDNA clones, infectious RNA transcripts, infectious virus particles, and pharmaceutical formulations derived therefrom are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 1999Date of Patent: June 24, 2003Assignee: University of North Carolina at Chapel HillInventors: Robert E. Johnston, Nancy L. Davis, Dennis A. Simpson
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Patent number: 6541010Abstract: The present invention provides a helper cell for expressing an infectious, replication defective, alphavirus particle in an alphavirus-permissive cell. The helper cell includes (a) a first helper RNA encoding (i) at least one alphavirus structural protein, and (ii) not encoding at least one alphavirus structural protein; and (b) a second helper RNA separate from the first helper RNA, the second helper RNA (i) not encoding the alphavirus structural protein encoded by the first helper RNA, and (ii) encoding the at least one alphavirus structural protein not encoded by the first helper RNA. Preferably, the helper cell is co-transfected with a replicon RNA encoding an alphavirus packaging segment and an inserted heterogeneous RNA, such that all of the alphavirus structural proteins assemble together into alphavirus particles in the cell, with said replicon RNA packaged therein.Type: GrantFiled: November 10, 1997Date of Patent: April 1, 2003Assignee: The University of North Carolina at Chapel HillInventors: Robert E. Johnston, Nancy L. Davis, Jonathan F. Smith, Peter Pushko, Michael Parker, George Ludwig
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Patent number: 6531135Abstract: The present invention provides a helper cell for expressing an infectious, replication defective, alphavirus particle in an alphavirus-permissive cell. The helper cell includes (a) a first helper RNA encoding (i) at least one alphavirus structural protein, and (ii) not encoding at least one alphavirus structural protein; and (b) a second helper RNA separate from the first helper RNA, the second helper RNA (i) not encoding the alphavirus structural protein encoded by the first helper RNA, and (ii) encoding the at least alphavirus one structural protein not encoded by the first helper RNA, such that all of the alphavirus structural proteins assemble together into alphavirus particles in the cell. Preferably, the helper cell also includes a replicon RNA encoding an alphavirus packaging sequence and an inserted heterogeneous RNA.Type: GrantFiled: June 21, 2000Date of Patent: March 11, 2003Assignee: The University of North Carolina at Chapel HillInventors: Robert E. Johnston, Nancy L. Davis, Jonathan F. Smith, Peter Pushko, Michael Parker, George Ludwig
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Patent number: 6521235Abstract: The present invention provides a helper cell for expressing an infectious, replication defective, alphavirus particle in an alphavirus-permissive cell. The helper cell includes (a) a first helper RNA encoding (i) at least one alphavirus structural protein, and (ii) not encoding at least one alphavirus structural protein; and (b) a second helper RNA separate from the first helper RNA, the second helper RNA (i) not encoding the alphavirus structural protein encoded by the first helper RNA, and (ii) encoding the at least one alphavirus structural protein not encoded by the first helper RNA. Preferably, the helper cell is co-transfected with a replicon RNA encoding an alphavirus packaging segment and an inserted heterogeneous RNA, such that all of the alphavirus structural proteins assemble together into alphavirus particles in the cell, with said replicon RNA packaged therein.Type: GrantFiled: March 9, 2001Date of Patent: February 18, 2003Assignee: The University of North Carolina at Chapel HillInventors: Robert E. Johnston, Nancy L. Davis, Jonathan F. Smith, Peter Pushko, Michael Parker, George Ludwig
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Publication number: 20010016199Abstract: The present invention provides a helper cell for expressing an infectious, replication defective, alphavirus particle in an alphavirus-permissive cell. The helper cell includes (a) a first helper RNA encoding (i) at least one alphavirus structural protein, and (ii) not encoding at least one alphavirus structural protein; and (b) a second helper RNA separate from the first helper RNA, the second helper RNA (i) not encoding the alphavirus structural protein encoded by the first helper RNA, and (ii) encoding the at least one alphavirus structural protein not encoded by the first helper RNA. Preferably, the helper cell is co-transfected with a replicon RNA encoding an alphavirus packaging segment and an inserted heterogeneous RNA, such that all of the alphavirus structural proteins assemble together into alphavirus particles in the cell, with said replicon RNA packaged therein.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 9, 2001Publication date: August 23, 2001Inventors: Robert E. Johnston, Nancy L. Davis, Jonathan F. Smith, Peter Pushko, Michael Parker, George Ludwig
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Patent number: 6156558Abstract: The present invention provides a helper cell for expressing an infectious, replication defective, alphavirus particle in an alphavirus-permissive cell. The helper cell includes (a) a first helper RNA encoding (i) at least one alphavirus structural protein, and (ii) not encoding at least one alphavirus structural protein; and (b) a second helper RNA separate from the first helper RNA, the second helper RNA (i) not encoding the alphavirus structural protein encoded by the first helper RNA, and (ii) encoding the at least alphavirus one structural protein not encoded by the first helper RNA, such that all of the alphavirus structural proteins assemble together into alphavirus particles in the cell. Preferably, the helper cell also includes a replicon RNA encoding an alphavirus packaging sequence and an inserted heterogeneous RNA.Type: GrantFiled: July 24, 1998Date of Patent: December 5, 2000Assignee: The University of North Carolina at Chapel HillInventors: Robert E. Johnston, Nancy L. Davis, Jonathan F. Smith, Peter Pushko, Michael Parker, George Ludwig
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Patent number: 6008035Abstract: The present invention provides a method of delivering immunogenic or therapeutic proteins to bone marrow cells using alphavirus vectors. The alphavirus vectors disclosed herein target specifically to bone marrow tissue, and viral genomes persist in bone marrow for at least three months post-infection. No or very low levels of virus were detected in quadricep, brain, and sera of treated animals. The sequence of a consensus Sindbis cDNA clone, pTR339, and infectious RNA transcripts, infectious virus particles, and pharmaceutical formulations derived therefrom are also disclosed. The sequence of the genomic RNA of the Girdwood S.A. virus, and cDNA clones, infectious RNA transcripts, infectious virus particles, and pharmaceutical formulations derived therefrom are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: June 22, 1998Date of Patent: December 28, 1999Assignee: The University of North Carolina at Chapel HillInventors: Robert E. Johnston, Nancy L. Davis, Dennis A. Simpson
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Patent number: 5811407Abstract: The present invention provides a method of delivering immunogenic or therapeutic proteins to bone marrow cells using alphavirus vectors. The alphavirus vectors disclosed herein target specifically to bone marrow tissue, and viral genomes persist in bone marrow for at least three months post-infection. No or very low levels of virus were detected in quadricep, brain, and sera of treated animals. The sequence of a consensus Sindbis cDNA clone, pTR339, and infectious RNA transcripts, infectious virus particles, and pharmaceutical formulations derived therefrom are also disclosed. The sequence of the genomic RNA of the Girdwood S.A. virus, and cDNA clones, infectious RNA transcripts, infectious virus particles, and pharmaceutical formulations derived therefrom are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: February 19, 1997Date of Patent: September 22, 1998Assignee: The University of North Carolina at Chapel HillInventors: Robert E. Johnston, Nancy L. Davis, Dennis A. Simpson
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Patent number: 5792462Abstract: The present invention provides a helper cell for expressing an infectious, replication defective, alphavirus particle in an alphavirus-permissive cell. The helper cell includes (a) a first helper RNA encoding (i) at least one alphavirus structural protein, and (ii) not encoding at least one alphavirus structural protein; and (b) a second helper RNA separate from the first helper RNA, the second helper RNA (i) not encoding the alphavirus structural protein encoded by the first helper RNA, and (ii) encoding the at least alphavirus one structural protein not encoded by the first helper RNA, such that all of the alphavirus structural proteins assemble together into alphavirus particles in the cell. Preferably, the helper cell also includes a replicon RNA encoding an alphavirus packaging sequence and an inserted heterogeneous RNA.Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 1995Date of Patent: August 11, 1998Assignees: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the ArmyInventors: Robert E. Johnston, Nancy L. Davis, Jonathan F. Smith, Peter Pushko, Michael Parker, George Ludwig
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Patent number: 5643576Abstract: A method of protecting a subject against a disease comprises administering a recombinant Venezuelan Equine Encephalitis (VEE) virus to the subject in an effective immunogenic amount, with the VEE virus containing a heterologous DNA segment, and with the heterologous DNA segment comprising a promoter operable in the subject operatively associated with a DNA encoding an immunogenic protein or peptide effective for protecting the subject from the disease. Preferred promoters are VEE 26S subgenomic promoters, and preferred immunogens are viral immunogens. Novel attenuating mutations useful in carrying out the invention are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 1995Date of Patent: July 1, 1997Assignee: The University of North Carolina at Chapel HillInventors: Robert E. Johnston, Nancy L. Davis, Jonathan F. Smith, Franziska B. Grieder
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Patent number: 5639650Abstract: The present invention provides a recombinant DNA comprising a cDNA coding for an infectious South African Arbovirus No. 86 (S.A.AR86) virus RNA transcript and a heterologous promoter positioned upstream from the cDNA and operatively associated therewith. The present invention also provides an infectious RNA transcript encoded by the cDNA, and infectious attenuated viral particles containing the RNA transcript encoded by the cDNA.Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 1995Date of Patent: June 17, 1997Assignee: The University of North Carolina at Chapel HillInventors: Robert E. Johnston, Nancy L. Davis, Dennis A. Simpson
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Patent number: 5505947Abstract: Novel attenuating mutations of Venezuelan Equine Encephalitis (VEE) are disclosed. Further aspects of the invention include an infectious VEE virus transcript encoded by cDNA clones, infectious VEE virus particles, and pharmaceutical formulations containing such infectious particles. Also disclosed are recombinant VEE virus containing a heterologous RNA segment.Type: GrantFiled: May 27, 1994Date of Patent: April 9, 1996Assignee: The University of North Carolina at Chapel HillInventors: Robert E. Johnston, Nancy L. Davis, Jonathan F. Smith, Franziska B. Grieder
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Patent number: 5370062Abstract: A fiberboard pallet comprises a top deck of multi-wall corrugated fiberboard having a lower surface to which three, four or more elongated legs are permanently attached, for example, by gluing. Each leg is formed of a die cut blank having a series of five panels which are folded into a quadrilateral shape to form an initially open elongated passage. End flaps at the ends of each leg are folded and overlap each other to close the ends. At least two side openings are formed in each leg and any communication into the passage of the quadrilateral shape is closed by closing flaps formed as one piece with side panels of each leg. A bottom deck is fixed to the bottom of the legs.Type: GrantFiled: September 17, 1993Date of Patent: December 6, 1994Assignee: Weyerhaeuser CompanyInventors: Robert E. Johnston, Richard P. Wade
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Patent number: 5337680Abstract: A fiberboard pallet comprises a deck of multi-wall corrugated fiberboard having a lower surface to which three, four or more elongated legs are permanently attached, for example, by gluing. Each leg is formed of a die cut blank having a series of five panels which are folded into a quadrilateral shape to form an initially open elongated passage. End flaps at the ends of each leg are folded and overlap each other to close the ends. At least two side openings are formed in each leg and any communication into the passage of the quadrilateral shape is closed by closing flaps formed as one piece with side panels of each leg.Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 1993Date of Patent: August 16, 1994Assignee: Weyerhaeuser CompanyInventors: Robert E. Johnston, Richard P. Wade
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Patent number: 5305912Abstract: Apparatus and method to move granular materials in an even flow by centrifugal force from a rotating surface to a plurality of circumferentially arranged receiving points includes a rotatable inverted cone provided with a peripheral base flange and having an angle of inclination of the cone surface matching the angle of repose for the material to be distributed. Material delivered to the apex of the cone flows by gravity down the cone surface to establish the angle of repose for such material with a toe point at the flange where it comes to rest when the cone is stationary. A cylindrical hopper, to accumulate material from the cone, is vertically adjustably secured to the flange so that the bottom of the hopper is spaced above the flange to define a flow passageway which can be enlarged or reduced by vertical adjustment of the hopper relative to the flange.Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 1992Date of Patent: April 26, 1994Inventor: Robert E. Johnston
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Patent number: 5272989Abstract: A fiberboard pallet comprises a deck of multi-wall corrugated fiberboard having a lower surface to which three, four or more elongated legs are permanently attached, for example, by gluing. Each leg is formed of a die cut blank having a series of five panels which are folded into a quadrilateral shape to form an initially open elongated passage. End flaps at the ends of each leg are folded and overlap each other to close the ends. At least two side openings are formed in each leg and any communication into the passage of the quadrilateral shape is closed by closing flaps formed as one piece with side panels of each leg.Type: GrantFiled: January 8, 1992Date of Patent: December 28, 1993Assignee: Weyerhaeuser CompanyInventors: Robert E. Johnston, Richard P. Wade
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Patent number: 5185440Abstract: A DNA comprises a cDNA clone coding for an infectious Venezuelan Equine Encephalitis Virus RNA transcript and a heterologous promoter sequence positioned upstream from the cDNA clone and operatively associated therewith. A method of making a live attenuated Togavirus useful as a vaccine, and cDNA clones which code for attenuated Togaviruses, is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: June 20, 1989Date of Patent: February 9, 1993Assignee: North Carolina State UniversityInventors: Nancy L. Davis, Loretta V. Willis, Robert E. Johnston, Jonathan F. Smith