Patents by Inventor Theo Nikiforov

Theo Nikiforov 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: 20180305673
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides compositions, methods, kits, systems and apparatus that are useful for nucleic acid polymerization. In particular, modified polymerases and biologically active fragment thereof are provided that allow for nucleic acid amplification. In one aspect, the disclosure relates to modified polymerases useful for nucleic acid sequencing, genotyping, copy number variation analysis, paired-end sequencing and other forms of genetic analysis. In some aspects, the disclosure relates to modified polymerases useful for the generation of nucleic acid libraries or nucleic acid templates for use in various downstream processes. In some aspects, the disclosure relates to the identification of homologous amino acid mutations that can be transferred across classes or families of polymerases to provide novel polymerases with altered catalytic properties. In some aspects, the disclosure provides modified polymerases having enhanced catalytic properties as compared to a reference polymerase.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2018
    Publication date: October 25, 2018
    Inventors: Peter Vander Horn, Theo Nikiforov, Guobin Luo, Mindy Landes, Daniel Mazur, Eileen Tozer, Tommie Lloyd Lincecum
  • Patent number: 10093972
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are conjugates comprising a biomolecule linked to a label that have biological activity and are useful in a wide variety of biological applications. For example, provided herein are polymerase-nanoparticle conjugates including a polymerase linked to a nanoparticle, wherein the conjugate has polymerase activity. Such conjugates can exhibit reduced aggregation and improved stochiometries wherein the average biomolecule:nanoparticle ratio approaches or equals 1:1. Also disclosed herein are improved methods for preparing such conjugates, and methods and systems for using such conjugates in biological applications such as nucleotide incorporation, primer extension and single molecule sequencing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: Life Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Theo Nikiforov, Daniel Mazur, Xinzhan Peng, Tommie Lloyd Lincecum, Yuri Belosludtsev, Howard Reese, Dmitriy Gremyachinskiy, Roman Rozhkov, John Mauro, Joseph Beechem, Eric Tulsky, Imad Naasani, Kari Haley, Joseph Treadway
  • Patent number: 10093974
    Abstract: Provided herein are systems and methods for nucleotide incorporation reactions. The systems comprise polymerases having altered nucleotide incorporation kinetics and are linked to an energy transfer donor moiety, and nucleotide molecules linked with at least one energy transfer acceptor moiety. The donor and acceptor moieties undergo energy transfer when the polymerase and nucleotide are proximal to each other during nucleotide binding and/or nucleotide incorporation. As the donor and acceptor moieties undergo energy transfer, they generate an energy transfer signal which can be associated with nucleotide binding or incorporation. Detecting a time sequence of the generated signals, or the change in the signals, can be used to determine the order of the incorporated nucleotides, and can therefore be used to deduce the sequence of the target molecule.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: Life Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph Beechem, Theo Nikiforov, Vi-En Choong, Xinzhan Peng, Guobin Luo, Cheng-Yao Chen, Michael Previte
  • Patent number: 10081837
    Abstract: In some embodiments, methods for obtaining sequence information from a nucleic acid template linked to a support include hybridizing a first primer to a template strand linked to a support, sequencing a portion of the nucleic acid template, thereby forming an extended first primer product that is complementary to a portion of the nucleic acid template, In some embodiments, the method further includes introducing a nick into a portion of the template strand that is hybridized to the extended first primer product, degrading a portion of the template strand from the nick using a degrading agent, where a portion of the extended first primer remains hybridized to an undegraded portion of the template strand, and sequencing at least some of the single-stranded portion of the extended first primer by synthesis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2018
    Assignee: Life Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Jason Myers, Zhoutao Chen, Devin Dressman, Theo Nikiforov
  • Publication number: 20180258415
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are conjugates comprising a biomolecule linked to a label that have biological activity and are useful in a wide variety of biological applications. For example, provided herein are labeled polymerase conjugates including a polymerase linked to one or more labels, wherein the conjugate has polymerase activity. Such conjugates can exhibit enhanced biological activity and/or superior detectability as compared to conventional labeled polymerases. Also disclosed herein are improved methods for preparing such conjugates, and methods and systems for using such conjugates in biological applications such as nucleotide incorporation, primer extension and single molecule sequencing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2018
    Publication date: September 13, 2018
    Inventor: Theo NIKIFOROV
  • Patent number: 9976128
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides compositions, methods, kits, systems and apparatus that are useful for nucleic acid polymerization. In particular, modified polymerases and biologically active fragment thereof are provided that allow for nucleic acid amplification. In one aspect, the disclosure relates to modified polymerases useful for nucleic acid sequencing, genotyping, copy number variation analysis, paired-end sequencing and other forms of genetic analysis. In some aspects, the disclosure relates to modified polymerases useful for the generation of nucleic acid libraries or nucleic acid templates for use in various downstream processes. In some aspects, the disclosure relates to the identification of homologous amino acid mutations that can be transferred across classes or families of polymerases to provide novel polymerases with altered catalytic properties. In some aspects, the disclosure provides modified polymerases having enhanced catalytic properties as compared to a reference polymerase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: LIFE TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Peter Vander Horn, Theo Nikiforov, Guobin Luo, Mindy Landes, Daniel Mazur, Eileen Tozer, Tommie Lincecum
  • Publication number: 20180105805
    Abstract: In some embodiments, the disclosure relates generally to methods as well as related compositions, systems, kits and apparatus comprising linking proteins to target compounds and/or to locations of interest using tethers. For example, the tether can be used to link the protein to a target compound, for example, to link an enzyme to a substrate. Similarly, the tether can be used to link the protein at or near a desired location on a surface. In one group of embodiments, the tether includes a polynucleotide and the target compound or location on the surface includes another polynucleotide that is capable of hybridizing to the tether. In such embodiments, the tether can be used to link the protein to the target compound or location using nucleic acid hybridization.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2017
    Publication date: April 19, 2018
    Inventors: John DAVIDSON, Theo Nikiforov, Guobin Luo
  • Patent number: 9932573
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are conjugates comprising a biomolecule linked to a label that have biological activity and are useful in a wide variety of biological applications. For example, provided herein are labeled polymerase conjugates including a polymerase linked to one or more labels, wherein the conjugate has polymerase activity. Such conjugates can exhibit enhanced biological activity and/or superior detectability as compared to conventional labeled polymerases. Also disclosed herein are improved methods for preparing such conjugates, and methods and systems for using such conjugates in biological applications such as nucleotide incorporation, primer extension and single molecule sequencing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: LIFE TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventor: Theo Nikiforov
  • Publication number: 20180030534
    Abstract: In some embodiments, methods for obtaining sequence information from a nucleic acid template linked to a support include hybridizing a first primer to a template strand linked to a support, sequencing a portion of the nucleic acid template, thereby forming an extended first primer product that is complementary to a portion of the nucleic acid template, In some embodiments, the method further includes introducing a nick into a portion of the template strand that is hybridized to the extended first primer product, degrading a portion of the template strand from the nick using a degrading agent, where a portion of the extended first primer remains hybridized to an undegraded portion of the template strand, and sequencing at least some of the single-stranded portion of the extended first primer by synthesis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2017
    Publication date: February 1, 2018
    Inventors: Jason MYERS, Zhoutao CHEN, Devin DRESSMAN, Theo NIKIFOROV
  • Patent number: 9868945
    Abstract: In some embodiments, the disclosure relates generally to methods as well as related compositions, systems, kits and apparatus comprising linking proteins to target compounds and/or to locations of interest using tethers. For example, the tether can be used to link the protein to a target compound, for example, to link an enzyme to a substrate. Similarly, the tether can be used to link the protein at or near a desired location on a surface. In one group of embodiments, the tether includes a polynucleotide and the target compound or location on the surface includes another polynucleotide that is capable of hybridizing to the tether. In such embodiments, the tether can be used to link the protein to the target compound or location using nucleic acid hybridization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2018
    Assignee: LIFE TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: John Davidson, Theo Nikiforov, Guobin Luo
  • Publication number: 20170369857
    Abstract: Provided herein are compositions and systems for use in polymerase-dependent, nucleotide transient-binding methods. The methods are useful for deducing the sequence of a template nucleic acid molecule and single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) analyses. The methods rely on the fact that the polymerase transient-binding time for a complementary nucleotide is longer compared to that of a non-complementary nucleotide. The labeled nucleotides transiently-binds the polymerase in a template-dependent manner, but does not incorporate. The methods are conducted under any reaction condition that permits transient binding of a complementary or non-complementary nucleotide to a polymerase, and inhibits nucleotide incorporation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2017
    Publication date: December 28, 2017
    Inventors: Peter VANDER HORN, Cheng-Yao CHEN, Guobin LUO, Michael PREVITE, Jamshid TEMIROV, Theo NIKIFOROV, Zhaohui ZHOU, Hongye SUN, Yufang WANG, Stefanie Yukiko NISHIMURA, Hongyi WANG, Marian PERIS, Barnett ROSENBLUM, Michael PHELAN
  • Patent number: 9822411
    Abstract: In some embodiments, methods for obtaining sequence information from a nucleic acid template linked to a support include hybridizing a first primer to a template strand linked to a support, sequencing a portion of the nucleic acid template, thereby forming an extended first primer product that is complementary to a portion of the nucleic acid template, In some embodiments, the method further includes introducing a nick into a portion of the template strand that is hybridized to the extended first primer product, degrading a portion of the template strand from the nick using a degrading agent, where a portion of the extended first primer remains hybridized to an undegraded portion of the template strand, and sequencing at least some of the single-stranded portion of the extended first primer by synthesis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: LIFE TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jason Myers, Zhoutao Chen, Devin Dressman, Theo Nikiforov
  • Publication number: 20170283868
    Abstract: Provided herein are systems and methods for nucleotide incorporation reactions. The systems comprise polymerases having altered nucleotide incorporation kinetics and are linked to an energy transfer donor moiety, and nucleotide molecules linked with at least one energy transfer acceptor moiety. The donor and acceptor moieties undergo energy transfer when the polymerase and nucleotide are proximal to each other during nucleotide binding and/or nucleotide incorporation. As the donor and acceptor moieties undergo energy transfer, they generate an energy transfer signal which can be associated with nucleotide binding or incorporation. Detecting a time sequence of the generated signals, or the change in the signals, can be used to determine the order of the incorporated nucleotides, and can therefore be used to deduce the sequence of the target molecule.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2017
    Publication date: October 5, 2017
    Inventors: Joseph BEECHEM, Theo NIKIFOROV, Vi-En CHOONG, Xinzhan PENG, Guobin LUO, Cheng-Yao CHEN, Michael PREVITE
  • Patent number: 9765310
    Abstract: Provided herein are compositions and systems for use in polymerase-dependent, nucleotide transient-binding methods. The methods are useful for deducing the sequence of a template nucleic acid molecule and single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) analyses. The methods rely on the fact that the polymerase transient-binding time for a complementary nucleotide is longer compared to that of a non-complementary nucleotide. The labeled nucleotides transiently-binds the polymerase in a template-dependent manner, but does not incorporate. The methods are conducted under any reaction condition that permits transient binding of a complementary or non-complementary nucleotide to a polymerase, and inhibits nucleotide incorporation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: Life Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Peter Vander Horn, Cheng-Yao Chen, Guobin Luo, Michael Previte, Jamshid Temirov, Theo Nikiforov, Zhaohui Zhou, Hongye Sun, Yufang Wang, Stefanie Yukiko Nishimura, Hongyi Wang, Marian Peris, Barnett Rosenblum, Michael Phelan
  • Publication number: 20170260512
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides compositions, methods, kits, systems and apparatus that are useful for nucleic acid polymerization. In particular, modified polymerases and biologically active fragments thereof are provided that allow for nucleic acid amplification. In some aspects, the disclosure provides modified polymerases having lower systematic error as compared to a reference polymerase. In one aspect, the disclosure relates to modified polymerases useful for nucleic acid sequencing, genotyping, copy number variation analysis, paired-end sequencing and other forms of genetic analysis. In some aspects, the disclosure relates to modified polymerases useful for the generation of nucleic acid libraries or nucleic acid templates. In some aspects, the disclosure relates to the identification of homologous amino acid mutations that can be transferred across classes or families of polymerases to provide novel polymerases with altered properties.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2017
    Publication date: September 14, 2017
    Inventors: Peter VANDER HORN, Daniel MAZUR, Theo NIKIFOROV, Mindy LANDES, Eileen TOZER
  • Publication number: 20170191051
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are conjugates comprising a biomolecule linked to a label that have biological activity and are useful in a wide variety of biological applications. For example, provided herein are labeled polymerase conjugates including a polymerase linked to one or more labels, wherein the conjugate has polymerase activity. Such conjugates can exhibit enhanced biological activity and/or superior detectability as compared to conventional labeled polymerases. Also disclosed herein are improved methods for preparing such conjugates, and methods and systems for using such conjugates in biological applications such as nucleotide incorporation, primer extension and single molecule sequencing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2017
    Publication date: July 6, 2017
    Inventor: Theo NIKIFOROV
  • Patent number: 9695471
    Abstract: Provided herein are systems and methods for nucleotide incorporation reactions. The systems comprise polymerases having altered nucleotide incorporation kinetics and are linked to an energy transfer donor moiety, and nucleotide molecules linked with at least one energy transfer acceptor moiety. The donor and acceptor moieties undergo energy transfer when the polymerase and nucleotide are proximal to each other during nucleotide binding and/or nucleotide incorporation. As the donor and acceptor moieties undergo energy transfer, they generate an energy transfer signal which can be associated with nucleotide binding or incorporation. Detecting a time sequence of the generated signals, or the change in the signals, can be used to determine the order of the incorporated nucleotides, and can therefore be used to deduce the sequence of the target molecule.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Life Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph Beechem, Theo Nikiforov, Vi-En Choong, Xinzhan Peng, Guobin Luo, Cheng-Yao Chen, Michael Previte
  • Publication number: 20170145500
    Abstract: In some embodiments, methods for obtaining sequence information from a nucleic acid template linked to a support include hybridizing a first primer to a template strand linked to a support, sequencing a portion of the nucleic acid template, thereby forming an extended first primer product that is complementary to a portion of the nucleic acid template, In some embodiments, the method further includes introducing a nick into a portion of the template strand that is hybridized to the extended first primer product, degrading a portion of the template strand from the nick using a degrading agent, where a portion of the extended first primer remains hybridized to an undegraded portion of the template strand, and sequencing at least some of the single-stranded portion of the extended first primer by synthesis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2017
    Publication date: May 25, 2017
    Inventors: Jason MYERS, Zhoutao CHEN, Devin DRESSMAN, Theo NIKIFOROV
  • Patent number: 9657281
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides compositions, methods, kits, systems and apparatus that are useful for nucleic acid polymerization. In particular, modified polymerases and biologically active fragments thereof are provided that allow for nucleic acid amplification. In some aspects, the disclosure provides modified polymerases having lower systematic error as compared to a reference polymerase. In one aspect, the disclosure relates to modified polymerases useful for nucleic acid sequencing, genotyping, copy number variation analysis, paired-end sequencing and other forms of genetic analysis. In some aspects, the disclosure relates to modified polymerases useful for the generation of nucleic acid libraries or nucleic acid templates. In some aspects, the disclosure relates to the identification of homologous amino acid mutations that can be transferred across classes or families of polymerases to provide novel polymerases with altered properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: Life Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Peter Vander Horn, Daniel Mazur, Theo Nikiforov, Mindy Landes, Eileen Tozer
  • Patent number: 9587269
    Abstract: In some embodiments, methods for obtaining sequence information from a nucleic acid template linked to a support include hybridizing a first primer to a template strand linked to a support, sequencing a portion of the nucleic acid template, thereby forming an extended first primer product that is complementary to a portion of the nucleic acid template, In some embodiments, the method further includes introducing a nick into a portion of the template strand that is hybridized to the extended first primer product, degrading a portion of the template strand from the nick using a degrading agent, where a portion of the extended first primer remains hybridized to an undegraded portion of the template strand, and sequencing at least some of the single-stranded portion of the extended first primer by synthesis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: LIFE TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jason Myers, Zhoutao Chen, Devin Dressman, Theo Nikiforov