Patents by Inventor Robert Pal

Robert Pal 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).

  • Publication number: 20230149567
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure pertain to methods of opening a lipid bilayer by associating the lipid bilayer with a molecule that includes a moving component capable of moving (e.g., rotating) in response to an external stimulus; and exposing the molecule to an external stimulus before, during or after associating the molecule with the lipid bilayer. The exposing causes the moving component of the molecule to move and thereby open the lipid bilayer (e.g., by pore formation). The external stimuli may include an energy source, such as ultraviolet light. The opened lipid bilayer may be a component of cell membranes in vitro or in vivo. The opening of the lipid bilayer may allow for the passage of various materials (e.g., active agents, such as peptide-based drugs) through the lipid bilayer and into cells. Additional embodiments of the present disclosure pertain to the aforementioned molecules for opening lipid bilayers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2023
    Publication date: May 18, 2023
    Applicants: William Marsh Rice University, Durham University
    Inventors: James M. TOUR, Robert PAL, Victor GARCÍA LÓPEZ, Lizanne NILEWSKI
  • Patent number: 11565003
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure pertain to methods of opening a lipid bilayer by associating the lipid bilayer with a molecule that includes a moving component capable of moving (e.g., rotating) in response to an external stimulus; and exposing the molecule to an external stimulus before, during or after associating the molecule with the lipid bilayer. The exposing causes the moving component of the molecule to move and thereby open the lipid bilayer (e.g., by pore formation). The external stimuli may include an energy source, such as ultraviolet light. The opened lipid bilayer may be a component of cell membranes in vitro or in vivo. The opening of the lipid bilayer may allow for the passage of various materials (e.g., active agents, such as peptide-based drugs) through the lipid bilayer and into cells. Additional embodiments of the present disclosure pertain to the aforementioned molecules for opening lipid bilayers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignees: William Marsh Rice University, Durham University
    Inventors: James M. Tour, Robert Pal, Victor García López, Lizanne Nilewski
  • Patent number: 11154623
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure pertain to methods of opening a lipid bilayer by associating the lipid bilayer with a molecule that includes a moving component capable of moving (e.g., rotating) in response to an external stimulus; and exposing the molecule to an external stimulus before, during or after associating the molecule with the lipid bilayer. The exposing causes the moving component of the molecule to move and thereby open the lipid bilayer (e.g., by pore formation). The external stimuli may include an energy source, such as ultraviolet light. The opened lipid bilayer may be a component of cell membranes in vitro or in vivo. The opening of the lipid bilayer may allow for the passage of various materials (e.g., active agents, such as peptide-based drugs) through the lipid bilayer and into cells. Additional embodiments of the present disclosure pertain to the aforementioned molecules for opening lipid bilayers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignees: WILLIAM MARSH RICE UNIVERSITY, DURHAM UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: James M. Tour, Robert Pal, Victor García-López, Lizanne Nilewski
  • Publication number: 20210252166
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure pertain to methods of opening a lipid bilayer by associating the lipid bilayer with a molecule that includes a moving component capable of moving (e.g., rotating) in response to an external stimulus; and exposing the molecule to an external stimulus before, during or after associating the molecule with the lipid bilayer. The exposing causes the moving component of the molecule to move and thereby open the lipid bilayer (e.g., by pore formation). The external stimuli may include an energy source, such as ultraviolet light. The opened lipid bilayer may be a component of cell membranes in vitro or in vivo. The opening of the lipid bilayer may allow for the passage of various materials (e.g., active agents, such as peptide-based drugs) through the lipid bilayer and into cells. Additional embodiments of the present disclosure pertain to the aforementioned molecules for opening lipid bilayers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2021
    Publication date: August 19, 2021
    Applicants: William Marsh Rice University, Durham University
    Inventors: James M. Tour, Robert Pal, Victor García López, Lizanne Nilewski
  • Publication number: 20190290785
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure pertain to methods of opening a lipid bilayer by associating the lipid bilayer with a molecule that includes a moving component capable of moving (e.g., rotating) in response to an external stimulus; and exposing the molecule to an external stimulus before, during or after associating the molecule with the lipid bilayer. The exposing causes the moving component of the molecule to move and thereby open the lipid bilayer (e.g., by pore formation). The external stimuli may include an energy source, such as ultraviolet light. The opened lipid bilayer may be a component of cell membranes in vitro or in vivo. The opening of the lipid bilayer may allow for the passage of various materials (e.g., active agents, such as peptide-based drugs) through the lipid bilayer and into cells. Additional embodiments of the present disclosure pertain to the aforementioned molecules for opening lipid bilayers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2017
    Publication date: September 26, 2019
    Applicants: William Marsh Rice University, Durham University
    Inventors: James M. Tour, Robert Pal, Victor Garcia, Lizanne Nilewski
  • Patent number: 9448225
    Abstract: The invention provides a compound of formula (I): (wherein: R1 is an optionally substituted 2-(1-azathiaxanthone); each —R2 is independently of the formula —CH2—C(?O)—R4, wherein R4 is an amino acid or a salt thereof, attached to the remainder of R2 through the nitrogen atom of the amino group; and R3 is hydrogen or a C1-6 alkyl group); or (wherein: R1 is an optionally substituted 2-(1-azaxanthone); each R2 is independently an optionally substituted glutaric or succinic acid, or a salt or ester thereof; and R3 is hydrogen or a C1-6 alkyl group).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: University of Durham
    Inventors: David Parker, Robert Pal
  • Publication number: 20140179015
    Abstract: The invention provides a compound of formula (I): (wherein: R1 is an optionally substituted 2-(1-azathiaxanthone); each —R2 is independently of the formula —CH2—C(?O)—R4, wherein R4 is an amino acid or a salt thereof, attached to the remainder of R2 through the nitrogen atom of the amino group; and R3 is hydrogen or a C1-6 alkyl group); or (wherein: R1 is an optionally substituted 2-(1-azaxanthone); each R2 is independently an optionally substituted glutaric or succinic acid, or a salt or ester thereof; and R3 is hydrogen or a C1-6 alkyl group).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2013
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Applicant: University of Durham
    Inventors: David PARKER, Robert Pal
  • Patent number: 8628978
    Abstract: A compound of formula (I) is provided: wherein: R1 is an optionally substituted 2-(1-azathiaxanthone); each —R2 is independently of the formula —CH2—C(?O)—R4, wherein R4 is an amino acid or a salt thereof, attached to the remainder of R2 through the nitrogen atom of the amino group; and R3 is hydrogen or a C1-6 alkyl group; or wherein: R1 is an optionally substituted 2-(1-azaxanthone); each R2 is independently an optionally substituted glutaric or succinic acid, or a salt or ester thereof; and R3 is hydrogen or a C1-6 alkyl group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: University of Durham
    Inventors: David Parker, Robert Pal
  • Patent number: 8193174
    Abstract: The invention provides a compound comprising a xanthone or thiaxanthone sensitizing moiety, capable of coordinating to a lanthanide ion by the nitrogen atom of an integral pyridyl group or a related group able to bind a lanthanide ion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: University of Durham
    Inventors: Parker David, Robert Pal, Junhua Yu
  • Publication number: 20110287558
    Abstract: A compound of formula (I) is provided: wherein: R1 is an optionally substituted 2-(1-azathiaxanthone); each —R2 is independently of the formula —CH2—C(?O)—R4, wherein R4 is an amino acid or a salt thereof, attached to the remainder of R2 through the nitrogen atom of the amino group; and R3 is hydrogen or a C1-6 alkyl group; or wherein: R1 is an optionally substituted 2-(1-azaxanthone); each R2 is independently an optionally substituted glutaric or succinic acid, or a salt or ester thereof; and R3 is hydrogen or a C1-6 alkyl group.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2010
    Publication date: November 24, 2011
    Inventors: David Parker, Robert Pal
  • Publication number: 20080312431
    Abstract: The invention provides a compound comprising a xanthone or thiaxanthone sensitising moiety, capable of coordinating to a lanthanide ion by the nitrogen atom of an integral pyridyl group or a related group able to bind a lanthanide ion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2006
    Publication date: December 18, 2008
    Inventors: David Parker, Robert Pal, Junhua Yu