Patents by Inventor William B. Dunbar

William B. Dunbar 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: 12054775
    Abstract: Devices and methods that can detect and control an individual polymer in a mixture is acted upon by another compound, for example, an enzyme, in a nanopore are provided. The devices and methods also determine (˜>50 Hz) the nucleotide base sequence of a polynucleotide under feedback control or using signals generated by the interactions between the polynucleotide and the nanopore. The invention is of particular use in the fields of molecular biology, structural biology, cell biology, molecular switches, molecular circuits, and molecular computational devices, and the manufacture thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2024
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Mark A. Akeson, David W. Deamer, William B. Dunbar, Kate Lieberman, Noah A. Wilson
  • Patent number: 11970738
    Abstract: Devices and methods that can detect and control an individual polymer in a mixture is acted upon by another compound, for example, an enzyme, in a nanopore are provided. The devices and methods also determine (˜>50 Hz) the nucleotide base sequence of a polynucleotide under feedback control or using signals generated by the interactions between the polynucleotide and the nanopore. The invention is of particular use in the fields of molecular biology, structural biology, cell biology, molecular switches, molecular circuits, and molecular computational devices, and the manufacture thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Mark A. Akeson, David W. Deamer, William B. Dunbar, Roger Jinteh Arrigo Chen, Noah A. Wilson
  • Patent number: 11486873
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and compositions for determining an improved estimate of the fractional abundance of target analytes (e.g., specific polynucleotide sequences) in a sample using a nanopore sensor having one or more nanopores-, e.g., by correcting errors inherent to identifying and correlating electrical signals to amounts of a target analyte or reference analyte in a sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: Ontera Inc.
    Inventors: Yanan Zhao, William McKenna, William B. Dunbar
  • Publication number: 20220282312
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides an automated method of mapping one or more features of a target polynucleotide. Also provided in the present disclosure are automated methods for sequencing a polynucleotide sequence. Also provided in the present disclosure are methods of extended recapture of a polynucleotide in a nanopore device. Also provided in the present disclosure are devices and systems for carrying out the methods of the present disclosure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2022
    Publication date: September 8, 2022
    Inventors: William B. Dunbar, Xu Liu
  • Patent number: 11435338
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and compositions for determining an improved estimate of the true fractional abundance of target analytes (e.g., specific polynucleotide sequences) in a sample using a nanopore sensor, e.g., by correcting errors inherent to identifying and correlating electrical signals to amounts of a target analyte or reference analyte in a sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: Ontera Inc.
    Inventors: Yanan Zhao, William McKenna, William B. Dunbar
  • Publication number: 20210405020
    Abstract: Two-pore devices and method for sequencing are described. A two-pore device can include first chamber, a second chamber, and a third chamber, wherein the first chamber is in communication with the second chamber through a first nanopore, and wherein the second chamber is in communication with the third chamber through a second nanopore. The device can also include sensing circuitry for measuring electrical signals associated with a target at a nanopore, and a control circuitry for controlling motion of the target at a nanopore. The device can include and/or switch between sensing and control modes for each of the first nanopore and the second nanopore. Sequencing methods can implement a two-pore device in relation to translocation of a target through one or more nanopores, switching between sensing and control modes as appropriate, and measuring aspects of the target using in sensing modes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2021
    Publication date: December 30, 2021
    Inventors: Reto Stamm, Michael Summers, Eric Thorne, William B. Dunbar
  • Patent number: 11098348
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and compositions for detection of target polynucleotides in a mixed sample by amplification of the target polynucleotide and detection in a nanopore device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: Ontera Inc.
    Inventors: Trevor J. Morin, Tyler Shropshire, William B. Dunbar, Daniel A. Heller, Hongyun Wang
  • Patent number: 11099169
    Abstract: Two-pore devices and method for sequencing are described. A two-pore device can include first chamber, a second chamber, and a third chamber, wherein the first chamber is in communication with the second chamber through a first nanopore, and wherein the second chamber is in communication with the third chamber through a second nanopore. The device can also include sensing circuitry for measuring electrical signals associated with a target at a nanopore, and control circuitry for controlling motion of the target at a nanopore. The device can include and/or switch between sensing and control modes for each of the first nanopore and the second nanopore. Sequencing methods can implement a two-pore device in relation to translocation of a target through one or more nanopores, switching between sensing and control modes as appropriate, and measuring aspects of the target using in sensing modes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: Nooma Bio, Inc.
    Inventors: Reto Stamm, Michael Summers, Eric Thorne, William B. Dunbar
  • Publication number: 20210189482
    Abstract: Devices and methods that can detect and control an individual polymer in a mixture is acted upon by another compound, for example, an enzyme, in a nanopore are provided. The devices and methods also determine (˜>50 Hz) the nucleotide base sequence of a polynucleotide under feedback control or using signals generated by the interactions between the polynucleotide and the nanopore. The invention is of particular use in the fields of molecular biology, structural biology, cell biology, molecular switches, molecular circuits, and molecular computational devices, and the manufacture thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2020
    Publication date: June 24, 2021
    Inventors: Mark A. Akeson, David W. Deamer, William B. Dunbar, Roger Jinteh Arrigo Chen, Noah A. Wilson
  • Publication number: 20210172929
    Abstract: Multi-pore devices and method for material sorting are described. A multi-pore device can include first channel coupled to a first nanopore and a second channel coupled to a second nanopore. The device can also include sensing circuitry for measuring electrical signals associated with a target at a respective nanopore, and control circuitry for controlling motion of the target at a respective nanopore. The device can include and/or switch between sensing and control modes for each of the first nanopore and the second nanopore. The device(s) can implement methods for generating and detecting signals upon translocation of target material and non-target material into a respective nanopore, and based upon signatures derived from the signals, sort the target material or non-target material for various downstream applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2020
    Publication date: June 10, 2021
    Inventors: David Alexander, William B. Dunbar
  • Publication number: 20210148885
    Abstract: The present disclosure includes a nanopore array devices that include a chip with an array of nanopore components for performing high-throughput and multiplexed assays. Aspects of the present disclosure include methods of screening drug targets and performing multiplexed assays using the nanopore chip of the devices and systems described in the present disclosure. Aspects of the present disclosure further include methods for performing single cell analysis using the devices and systems of the present disclosure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2020
    Publication date: May 20, 2021
    Inventors: William B. Dunbar, Xu Liu, Philip Edward Zimny, John Wallace Parce
  • Patent number: 10976301
    Abstract: Described herein are nanopore devices as well as methods for assembling a nanopore device including one or more nanopores that can be used to detect molecules such as nucleic acids, amino acids (proteins), and the like. Specifically, a nanopore device includes an insulating layer that reduces electrical noise and thereby improves the sensing resolution of the one or more nanopores integrated within the nanopore device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: Nooma Bio, Inc.
    Inventors: Xu Liu, Yuning Zhang, William B. Dunbar
  • Patent number: 10871482
    Abstract: Provided are methods for detecting a target molecule or particle suspected to be present in a sample, comprising (a) contacting the sample with (i) a fusion molecule comprising a ligand capable of binding to the target molecule or particle and a binding domain, and (ii) a polymer scaffold comprising at least one binding motif to which the binding domain is capable of binding, under conditions that allow the target molecule or particle to bind to the ligand and the binding domain to bind to the binding motif; (b) loading the polymer into a device comprising a pore that separates an interior space of the device into two volumes, and configuring the device to pass the polymer through the pore from one volume to the other volume, wherein the device further comprises a sensor adjacent to the pore configured to identify objects passing through the pore; and (c) determining, with the sensor, whether the fusion molecule or particle bound to the binding motif is bound to the target molecule or particle, thereby detect
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2020
    Assignee: Ontera Inc.
    Inventors: Trevor J. Morin, Daniel Alexander Heller, William B. Dunbar
  • Publication number: 20200348293
    Abstract: Provided are methods and compositions for detecting a target molecule or particle suspected to be present in a sample using a polymer scaffold, a fusion molecule, and a pore.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2020
    Publication date: November 5, 2020
    Inventors: Trevor J. Morin, William B. Dunbar, Daniel Alexander Heller
  • Publication number: 20200325535
    Abstract: Devices and methods that can detect and control an individual polymer in a mixture is acted upon by another compound, for example, an enzyme, in a nanopore are provided. The devices and methods also determine (˜>50 Hz) the nucleotide base sequence of a polynucleotide under feedback control or using signals generated by the interactions between the polynucleotide and the nanopore. The invention is of particular use in the fields of molecular biology, structural biology, cell biology, molecular switches, molecular circuits, and molecular computational devices, and the manufacture thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2020
    Publication date: October 15, 2020
    Inventors: Mark A. Akeson, David W. Deamer, William B. Dunbar, Kate Lieberman, Noah A. Wilson
  • Publication number: 20200225210
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and compositions for determining an improved estimate of the true fractional abundance of target analytes (e.g., specific polynucleotide sequences) in a sample using a nanopore sensor, e.g., by correcting errors inherent to identifying and correlating electrical signals to amounts of a target analyte or reference analyte in a sample.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2017
    Publication date: July 16, 2020
    Inventors: Yanan Zhao, William McKenna, William B. Dunbar
  • Patent number: 10670590
    Abstract: Provided are methods and compositions for detecting a target molecule or particle suspected to be present in a sample using a polymer scaffold, a fusion molecule, and a pore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: Ontera Inc.
    Inventors: Trevor J. Morin, William B. Dunbar, Daniel Alexander Heller
  • Publication number: 20200033321
    Abstract: Described herein are nanopore devices as well as methods for assembling a nanopore device including one or more nanopores that can be used to detect molecules such as nucleic acids, amino acids (proteins), and the like. Specifically, a nanopore device includes an insulating layer that reduces electrical noise and thereby improves the sensing resolution of the one or more nanopores integrated within the nanopore device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2019
    Publication date: January 30, 2020
    Inventors: Xu Liu, Yuning Zhang, William B. Dunbar
  • Publication number: 20190383806
    Abstract: Provided are methods for detecting a target molecule or particle suspected to be present in a sample, comprising (a) contacting the sample with (i) a fusion molecule comprising a ligand capable of binding to the target molecule or particle and a binding domain, and (ii) a polymer scaffold comprising at least one binding motif to which the binding domain is capable of binding, under conditions that allow the target molecule or particle to bind to the ligand and the binding domain to bind to the binding motif; (b) loading the polymer into a device comprising a pore comprising an opening in a structure that separates an interior space of the device into two volumes, and configuring the device to pass the polymer through the pore from one volume to the other volume, wherein the device further comprises a sensor configured to identify objects passing through the pore; and (c) determining, with the sensor, whether the fusion molecule or particle bound to the binding motif is bound to the target molecule or particle
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2016
    Publication date: December 19, 2019
    Inventors: Trevor J. Morin, Daniel Alexander Heller, William B. Dunbar
  • Patent number: 10495628
    Abstract: Devices and methods for detecting a target molecule are provided herein. The methods entail contacting a sample with a polymer scaffold, the polymer comprising at least one association site configured to associate with the target molecule. The sample is brought into contact with the polymer to determine whether the target molecule is present in the sample under conditions allowing the target molecule, if present, to associate with the polymer scaffold. The methods further involve loading the polymer into a device comprising a pore or channel that connects two volumes, configuring the device to pass the polymer through the pore or channel from one volume to the other volume, and determining, with a sensor configured to detect objects passing through the pore or channel, whether the target molecule is associated with the association site, and thereby detecting the presence or absence of the target molecule in the sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Assignee: Ontera Inc.
    Inventors: Trevor J. Morin, Daniel Alexander Heller, William B. Dunbar