Patents Issued in June 24, 2008
  • Patent number: 7390606
    Abstract: The toner includes emulsion aggregation toner particles having a core and a shell. The core includes binder including a first non-crosslinked styrene acrylate polymer and a crosslinked styrene acrylate polymer, at least one colorant, at least one wax, and aluminized silica. The shell includes a second non-crosslinked styrene acrylate polymer that is preferably the same as the non-crosslinked styrene acrylate polymer of the core. The aluminized silica is advantageously used as a coagulant in the emulsion aggregation formation of the toner. A developer containing the toner and a method of forming an image using the toner are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Raj D. Patel, Edward G. Zwartz, Biritawit Asfaw
  • Patent number: 7390607
    Abstract: To provide a toner production process in which at least radically polymerizable monomers are polymerized in at least one of a supercritical fluid and a subcritical fluid to thereby produce toner particles, wherein a polymer of the radically polymerizable monomers is insoluble in at least one of the supercritical fluid and the subcritical fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Chiaki Tanaka, Masayuki Ishii
  • Patent number: 7390608
    Abstract: In a first aspect, silicon polymers are provided that have controlled ratio of silanol (Si—OH) moieties:Si atoms and/or a controlled amount of alkaline aqueous-solubilizing groups. Si-polymers of the invention are particularly useful as a photoresist resin component. In a further aspect, halogenated sulfonamide and thiol compounds and Si-containing polymers comprising such reacted monomers are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Assignee: Rohm and Haas Electronic Materials LLC
    Inventors: George G. Barclay, Subbareddy Kanagasabapathy
  • Patent number: 7390609
    Abstract: New polymers are provided that have non-carbon tetravalent species (Si, Ti, Ge, Zr, Sn) and photoimageable compositions that contain such polymers. Preferred polymers are organic, e.g. one or more polymer repeat units comprise carbon atom(s). Particularly preferred are polymers that comprise SiO2 or TiO2 repeat units and which can be highly useful as a resin component of resists imaged at short wavelengths such as sub-300 nm and sub-200 nm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Assignee: Rohm and Haas Electronic Materials LLC
    Inventors: Anthony Zampini, Tao Zhang, Jaihyoung Lee
  • Patent number: 7390610
    Abstract: The present disclosure discloses a color former phase. According to one exemplary embodiment discussed herein, an exemplary color former phase includes at least one color former, a radiation absorber, and an acrylic resin, in which the color former, the radiation absorber, and the acrylic resin form an amorphous solid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventor: Michael J. Day
  • Patent number: 7390611
    Abstract: A photoresist coating composition that includes a compound represented by Formula 1 and an aqueous solvent, and a method for forming a fine pattern by coating the composition on a photoresist pattern to effectively reduce a size of a photoresist contact hole and a space, which can be applied to all of the semiconductor processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Assignee: Hynix Semiconductor Inc.
    Inventor: Geun Su Lee
  • Patent number: 7390612
    Abstract: There is provided a positive type resin composition comprising (A) a resin component comprising within the principal chain a structural unit derived from a (meth)acrylate ester and incorporating an acid dissociable, dissolution inhibiting group containing a polycyclic group on an ester side chain section, for which the solubility in alkali increases under the action of acid, (B) an acid generator component which generates acid on exposure, and (C) an organic solvent, wherein the component (A) comprises both a structural unit derived from a methacrylate ester and a structural unit derived from an acrylate ester. According to such a resist composition, a resist pattern can be formed which displays little surface roughness and line edge roughness on etching, and also offers excellent resolution and a wide depth of focus range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Assignee: Tokyo Ohka Kogyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takeshi Iwai, Naotaka Kubota, Satoshi Fujimura, Miwa Miyairi, Hideo Hada
  • Patent number: 7390613
    Abstract: The present application relates to a compound of formula Ai Xi Bi where Ai and Bi are each individually an organic onium cation; and Xi is anion of the formula ?O3S—CF2CF2OCF2CF2—SO3?. The compounds are useful as photoactive materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Assignee: AZ Electronic Materials USA Corp.
    Inventors: M. Dalil Rahman, David L. Rentkiewicz
  • Patent number: 7390614
    Abstract: A lithographic projection apparatus includes an alignment sensor having an electron beam source constructed and arranged to provide an electron beam for impinging on an alignment marker on a substrate, and a back-scattered electron detector constructed and arranged to detect electrons back-scattered from the alignment marker. The alignment sensor is independent of the projection system and projection radiation, and is an off-axis alignment sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Assignee: ASML Netherlands B.V.
    Inventors: Johannes G. Gijsbertsen, Pieter W. H. De Jager, Michiel D. Nijkerk
  • Patent number: 7390615
    Abstract: An integrated circuit, a fuse therefor and fuse opening method are disclosed. The method implements fuse opening using a wet etchant. As a result, there is no explosion that causes damage to surrounding material. In addition, use of the wet etchant allows positioning of a fuse in any metal layer including any non-last metal layer, thus increasing design possibilities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Stephen E. Greco
  • Patent number: 7390616
    Abstract: A method for post lithographic critical dimension shrinking of a patterned semiconductor feature includes forming an overcoat layer over a patterned photoresist layer, and removing portions of the overcoat layer initially formed over top surfaces of the patterned photoresist layer. The remaining portions of the overcoat layer on sidewalls of said patterned photoresist layer are reacted so as to chemically bind the remaining portions of the overcoat layer on the sidewalls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Colin J. Brodsky
  • Patent number: 7390617
    Abstract: The invention includes a process for forming a laser pixel array useful with a pump-beam, comprising: a) forming a layer containing a formamide of an amino dye compound on a support wherein the layer absorbs light outside the laser wavelength and predominantly outside the pump-beam wavelength range; and b) subjecting the layer to UV radiation in the areas of the layer where it is desired to be free of pixels for a time sufficient to shift the absorption envelope of the areas into the pump-beam wavelength range. The invention also provides for unimolecularly forming an image or an information record and a composition of matter. The invention provides methods for forming filters, images or information records having a smooth surface and in particular for forming a pixel region pattern for use with an Organic VCSEL that would ease manufacturing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: J. Ramon Vargas, Denis Y. Kondakov, Keith B. Kahen
  • Patent number: 7390618
    Abstract: Minute structures are obtained by exposing a process target material and changing the shape thereof by relatively shifting a laser beam or electron beam against the process target material and simultaneously repeating irradiation in an intermittent manner. A plurality of minute convex or concave shapes are formed on the process target material by employing a branching element for branching a single beam into a plurality of beams; a parallel element for converting said plurality of beams into beams which respectively advance in parallel; and a condensing element for condensing the plurality of beams to the process target material and generating a plurality of minute spots thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Kimio Nagasaka, Akira Miyamae, Hiroyasu Kaseya
  • Patent number: 7390619
    Abstract: This invention provides methods for obtaining molecules that can modulate an immune response, and immunomodulatory molecules obtained using the methods. The molecules find use, for example, in the tailoring of an immune response induced by a genetic vaccine for a desired purpose.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Assignee: Maxygen, Inc.
    Inventors: Juha Punnonen, Willem P. C. Stemmer, Robert Gerald Whalen, Russell J. Howard
  • Patent number: 7390620
    Abstract: This invention relates to a novel method for the identification of obligatory essential nucleic acid sequences, in particular microbial sequences. Further, a method for the identification of novel antimicrobial compounds using the obligatory essential nucleic acids and proteins encoded thereby is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Assignee: Creatogen Laboratories GmbH
    Inventor: Thilo M. Fuchs
  • Patent number: 7390621
    Abstract: A method for determining telomerase activity using primer extension followed with real time PCR quantification is disclosed. The method of the present invention provides a rapid, sensitive and accurate measurement for telomerase activity in a biological sample. In one embodiment, the method includes the steps of: adding the biological sample to a reaction tube containing a first reaction mixture having a first primer and nucleoside triphosphates, a second reaction mixture having a second primer and a DNA polymerase, and a wax layer that separates the first reaction mixture from the second reaction mixture; incubating the biological sample with the first reaction mixture; admixing the extension product with the second reaction mixture; amplifying and quantifying the extension product using real-time PCR and a control template. In another embodiment, the detection method includes an in situ primer extension step that allows the production of the extension product within an intact cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Assignee: Allied Biotech, Inc.
    Inventors: Zhunagwu Li, Jun Bao, Hua Mao, Wenbin Ma, Lina Li
  • Patent number: 7390622
    Abstract: There are disclosed apparatus and methods for the field-assisted acceleration of biological processes involving charged entities, including in particular the detection of target DNA in a biological sample. A reaction cell is provided with a dielectric surface, and a field is generated by inducing charge-separation in the dielectric material by applying a potential to an electrode in contact with the dielectric material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Assignee: Hai Kang Life Corporation Limited
    Inventors: Cheung Hoi Yu, Lok Ting Lau, Ka Wai Wong
  • Patent number: 7390623
    Abstract: The present invention relates to 16S-23S rRNA spacer sequences from Staphylococcus aureus and their use in a method for detection and/or identification of Staphylococcus aureus . The invention further relates to a method for detection and identification of Staphylococcus aureus in a sample, involving the steps of: (i) optionally releasing, isolating and/or concentrating the polynucleic acids present in the sample; (ii) optionally amplifying the 16S-23S rRNA spacer region, or a part thereof, with at least one primer pair; (iii) detecting the presence of a 16S-23S rRNA spacer sequence; and (iv) identifying the Staphylococcus aureus present in the sample from the nucleic acid(s) detected in the sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Assignee: Innogenetics N.V.
    Inventors: Geert Jannes, Rudi Rossau, Hugo Van Heuverswyn
  • Patent number: 7390624
    Abstract: The invention concerns a process for the production of metal chelate-labelled peptide antigens, peptides obtainable by this process and their use in an immunological method of detection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Assignee: Roche Diagnostics GmbH
    Inventors: Christoph Seidel, Ursula-Henrike Wienhues, Eva Höss
  • Patent number: 7390625
    Abstract: The present invention provides a partial peptide comprising the functional domain of a protein comprising an amino acid sequence which is the same or substantially the same as an amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:2 or SEQ ID NO: 4; a screening method and a kit therefor for a substance which regulates ASK1 activation, or a prophylactic or therapeutic substance for diseases associated with apoptosis or inflammation, which comprises using the protein or the partial peptide or a cell which produces the same, and optionally ASK1 or a partial peptide thereof or a cell which produces the same; and an agent for regulating apoptosis or inflammatory cytokine production, or a prophylactic or therapeutic agent for diseases associated with apoptosis or inflammation, which comprises a substance for regulating an activity of a protein comprising an amino acid sequence which is the same or substantially the same as an amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:2 or SEQ ID NO: 4.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Assignee: Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited
    Inventor: Hidenori Ichijo
  • Patent number: 7390626
    Abstract: ELISA, Western Blot, and a peptide-based ELISA were applied to clinical specimens from patients with clinical symptoms of tick borne diseases, including Lyme disease. Peptides from different components of Borrelia during different cycles, including peptides from outer surface protein, leukocyte function associated antigens, immunodominant antigens, variable major proteins, and peptides from decorin-binding proteins of Borrelial subspecies (B. sensu stricto. B. afzelii, B. garinii) were used. Antibodies against specific peptides from Babesia and Ehrlichia were also measured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Assignee: Immunosciences Lab., Inc.
    Inventor: Aristo Vojdani
  • Patent number: 7390627
    Abstract: Immunoassays for malondialdehyde-modified low density lipoprotein (MDA-modified LDL) and oxidized low density lipoprotein (OxLDL), monoclonal antibodies (and the cell lines for them) for use in the assays, and a storage-stable standard (which may be used as a calibrator and/or control) are disclosed. MDA-modified LDL and OxLDL are implicated in atherosclerosis and its etiology.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Assignee: Leuven Research & Development VZW
    Inventors: Paul Noel Holvoet, Désiré José Collen
  • Patent number: 7390628
    Abstract: The present invention concerns novel materials and methods to detect low frequency surface changes utilizing modified microspheres. Upon exposing the surface to the modified microspheres of the subject invention, the microspheres selectively adhere to any targeted surface marker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Assignee: University of Florida Research Foundation, Inc.
    Inventor: Christopher D. Batich
  • Patent number: 7390629
    Abstract: Methods of screening and identifying tumor-activated prodrug forms of therapeutic agents are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Assignees: La Region Wallonne, Universite Catholique de Louvain
    Inventors: Andre Trouet, Roger Baurain
  • Patent number: 7390630
    Abstract: A method of identifying a compound with efficacy in the treatment of chronic inflammatory disease by testing the compound for an ability to selectively inhibit the ability of Tck cells to induce pro-inflammatory cytokine release from a monocyte is disclosed. The method includes pre-incubatin Tck cells with a compound to be tested, optionally resuspending the Tck cells in the absence of the test compound, co-culturing the Tck cells with monocytes, and assaying for the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines by the monocytes. The Tck cells are produced by incubating a population of T cells with one or more cytokines or the Tck cells are isolated from synovial tissue. The Tck cells have not been contacted with an anti-CD3 antibody. The ability to selectively inhibit cytokine release indicates that the compound has efficacy in the treatment of chronic inflammatory disease.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Assignee: Mathilda and Terence Kennedy Institute of Rheumatology Trust
    Inventors: Fionula Mary Brennan, Marc Feldmann, Brian Maurice John Foxwell
  • Patent number: 7390631
    Abstract: Methods for diagnosing and monitoring systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) or scleroderma by determining, in a blood sample from the individual being diagnosed or monitored, complement component C4d deposited on surfaces of red blood cells in the sample, and optionally also determining complement receptor CR1 deposited on the red blood cell surfaces. For diagnosis this is compared with the quantity of C4d (and optionally CR1) present on red blood cells of normal individuals. For monitoring it is compared with a value in a sample or samples previously obtained from the individual patient. The comparison may be made with individual values for C4d and CR1 and/or with a ratio of the two found in normal individuals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Assignee: University of Pittsburgh - Of the Commonwealth System of Higher Education
    Inventors: Joseph M. Ahearn, Susan M. Manzi
  • Patent number: 7390632
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a system and method using the human ErbB3 receptor, p85-sErbB3, as a negative regulator of heregulin-stimulated ErbB2, ErbB3, and ErbB4 activation. The present invention also discloses a system and method of p85-sErbB3 binding to heregulin with an affinity comparable to that of full-length ErbB3, and competitively inhibiting high affinity heregulin binding to ErbB2/3 heterodimers on the cell surface of breast carcinoma cells. The present invention also uses p85-sErbB3 to inhibit heregulin-induced phosphorylation of ErbB2, ErbB3, and ErbB4 in cells and uses p85-sErbB3 as a negative regulator of heregulin-stimulated signal transduction and as a block for cell growth. The present invention is also directed to nucleic acids and expression vectors encoding p85-sErbB3, host cells harboring such expression vectors, and methods of preparing the protein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Assignee: Tumor Biology Investment Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Nita J. Maihle, Hakjoo Lee
  • Patent number: 7390633
    Abstract: The invention relates to heparinase III and mutants thereof. Modified forms of heparinase III having reduced enzymatic activity which are useful for a variety of purposes, including sequencing of heparin-like glycosaminoglycans (HLGAGs), removing active heparan sulfate from a solution, inhibition of angiogenesis, etc. have been discovered according to the invention. The invention in other aspects relates to methods of treating cancer and inhibiting tumor cell growth and/or metastasis using heparinase III, or products produced by enzymatic cleavage by heparinase III of HLGAGs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Dongfang Liu, Kevin Pojasek, Zachary Shriver, Kristine Holley, Yosuf El-Shabrawi, Ganesh Venkataraman, Ram Sasisekharan
  • Patent number: 7390634
    Abstract: ?-netrin nucleic acid molecules and polypeptides are provided. Methods of using the ?-netrin nucleic acid molecules and polypeptides are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Assignees: The General Hospital Corporation, Tufts University
    Inventors: Pamela Olson, Dale Hunter, William Brunken, Manuel Koch, Robert Burgeson
  • Patent number: 7390635
    Abstract: The present invention provides recombinant peptides that specifically and selectively bind to the human milk fat globule (HMFG) antigen, BA46. In particular, the present invention provides recombinant variants of the Mc3 antibody, including humanized versions of Mc3. The variant Mc3 peptides are particularly useful for diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic applications in the field of breast cancer. The present invention also provides methods for the humanization of antibodies such as murine monoclonal antibodies. The novel humanization methods are applied to the production of humanized Mc3 antibodies and it is shown that these humanized antibodies retain the ability to engage in high affinity binding to their cognate antigen. Such humanization enables the use of these antibodies for immunodiagnostic and immunotherapeutic applications in humans.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Assignee: Cancer Research Institute of Contra Costa
    Inventors: Fernando J. R. Do Couto, Robert L. Ceriani, Jerry A. Peterson
  • Patent number: 7390636
    Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided relating to production of recombinant protein in yeast. A modified PLAC4 is described where one or more mutations may be introduced into the Pribnow box-like sequences in the promoter. The modified promoter when placed upstream of a target gene in a vector causes a significant reduction of target gene expression in transformed bacteria but produces efficient expression of the target gene in yeast.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Assignee: New England Biolabs, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Taron, Paul Colussi
  • Patent number: 7390637
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel KDI protein which is a member of the interferon family. In particular, isolated nucleic acid molecules are provided encoding a human interferon polypeptide, called “KDI”. KDI polypeptides are also provided as are vectors, host cells and recombinant methods for producing the same. The invention further relates to screening methods for identifying agonists and antagonists of KDI activity. Also provided are therapeutic methods for treating immune system-related disorders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Assignee: Human Genome Sciences, Inc.
    Inventors: David W. LaFleur, Paul A. Moore, Steven M. Ruben
  • Patent number: 7390638
    Abstract: When interferon gamma (IFNG) is produced in mammalian cell lines a heterogenous population of IFNG polypeptides is obtained due to C-terminal processing of the IFNG polypeptide. Clearly, this constitutes a severe problem in that valuable polypeptide material is lost and, further, it is necessary to carry out time-consuming and cumbersome purification in order to obtain a homogenous population of active IFNG polypeptides having the desired length. It has now been found that an IFNG fragment containing 132 amino acid residues (truncated at the nucleotide level by introducing a stop-codon after the codon encoding amino acid residue no. 132) does not undergo C-terminal truncation or, at least, is not significantly C-terminally truncated. Furthermore, as the IFNG fragment containing 132 amino acid residues is active, this opens up the possibility of producing a homogenous active IFNG polypeptide in eukaryotic host cells, such as CHO cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Assignee: Maxygen Holdings, Ltd.
    Inventors: Bart Van Den Hazel, Anne Dam Jensen, Frank Bech Nygaard, Kim Vilbour Andersen
  • Patent number: 7390639
    Abstract: Peptides are produced as fusions with a suitable carrier protein. The carrier protein disclosed herein are adapted from the N-terminal domain of staphylococcus nuclease. This novel carrier protein acts to promote the over-expression of the peptide-protein fusion in the form of inclusion bodies, which minimizes in-cell proteolysis of desired peptides. The fusion protein is readily purified by conventional procedures or His-tag affinity chromatography when His-tag is inserted into the fusion protein. The target peptide is released from the purified fusion protein by a simple cleavage step and separated from the librated carrier protein by use of a reverse-phase HPLC process or by repeating the same affinity purification method. A particular advantage of the disclosed method, in addition to the obvious advantage of high yields, is its use for producing isotopically labeled peptides for NMR characterization of bioactive peptides and their interactions with target proteins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Assignee: National Research Council of Canada
    Inventors: Zhengding Su, Feng Ni
  • Patent number: 7390640
    Abstract: Provided are methods of assaying and improving protein folding using circular permutants of fluorescent proteins, including circular permutants of GFP variants and combinations thereof. The invention further provides various nucleic acid molecules and vectors incorporating such nucleic acid molecules, comprising polynucleotides encoding fluorescent protein circular permutants derived from superfolder GFP, which polynucleotides include an internal cloning site into which a heterologous polynucleotide may be inserted in-frame with the circular permutant coding sequence, and which when expressed are capable of reporting on the degree to which a polypeptide encoded by such an inserted heterologous polynucleotide is correctly folded by correlation with the degree of fluorescence exhibited.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Assignee: Los Alamos National Security, LLC
    Inventors: Geoffrey S. Waldo, Stephanie Cabantous
  • Patent number: 7390641
    Abstract: A process for the production of peroxidase which comprises of establishing a plant cell culture producing cells from neem (Azardiracta indica) and nirgundi (Vitex negundo) wherein the peroxidase has higher enzymatic activity not reported earlier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Assignee: Council of Scientific and Industrial Research
    Inventors: Tholath Emilia Abraham, Nisha Rani Devaki, Thomson Kuruvilla, Jegan Roy Joseph
  • Patent number: 7390642
    Abstract: This invention provides: (A) a protein the sequence of which is in FIG. 8 (SEQ. ID n° 14), or a fragment thereof having at least 15 amino acids, or a variant thereof, having at least 70% identity with FIG. 8 (SEQ. ID n° 14) over a length of at least 400 amino acids; (B) a peptide comprising a fragment of salutaridinol 7-O-acetyltransferase of at least 6 consecutive amino acids not present in other plant acetyltransferases as in FIG. 2 (SEQ. IDs n° 8 to 12); (C) a nucleic acid (i) the sequence of which is in FIG. 9 (SEQ. ID n° 13) or FIG. 10 (SEQ. ID n° 15), or (ii) a fragment thereof of at least 45 nucleotides, or (iii) a variant thereof, having at least 70% identity with FIG. 9 (SEQ. ID n° 13) or FIG. 10 (SEQ.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Assignee: Donald Danforth Plant Science Center
    Inventors: Toni M. Kutchan, Meinhart H. Zenk, Torsten Grothe
  • Patent number: 7390643
    Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention provides isolated nucleic acid molecules that each encode a geranyl diphosphate synthase protein, wherein each isolated nucleic acid molecule hybridizes to a nucleic acid molecule consisting of the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:1 under conditions of 5×SSC at 45° C. for one hour. The present invention also provides isolated geranyl diphosphate synthase proteins, and methods for altering the level of expression of geranyl diphosphate synthase protein in a host cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Assignee: Washington State University Research Foundation
    Inventors: Rodney Bruce Croteau, Charles Cullen Burke
  • Patent number: 7390644
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a Sphingomonas bacteria and a method of producing exopolysaccharides by culturing a Shpingomonas bacteria in a fermentation broth for a time and temperature effective for providing a sphingan exopolysaccharide in a slime form.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Assignees: Shin-Etsu Bio., Inc., Shin-Etsu Chemical Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Motohide Yamazaki, Marcia Mikolajczak, Thomas J. Pollock, Richard W. Armentrout
  • Patent number: 7390645
    Abstract: The present invention provides altered lac repressor proteins that recognize the lactose operator with increased affinity and have either normal or enhanced ligand responsivity. For example, the lac repressor Gln60Gly mutant protein exhibits increased binding affinity for lactose operator DNA, while maintaining near-normal responsivity to IPTG. Alternatively, the present invention provides modified repressors which exhibit responsiveness to an alternative ligand, such as arabinose, or have enhanced responsivity to IPTG. For example, Gln60Gly/Leu148Phe binds with wild-type affinity to lactose operator DNA and exhibits enhanced responsivity to IPTG. The present invention also provides for repressors that exhibit both characteristics: increased affinity for lactose operator and enhanced ligand responsivity. Enhanced ligand response enables induction of gene expression to be finely controlled by a researcher.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Assignee: William Marsh Rice University
    Inventors: Kathleen S. Matthews, Catherine M. Foster, Liskin Swint-Kruse
  • Patent number: 7390646
    Abstract: The present invention provides a live, attenuated, invasive bacterium that infects a mammalian host cell, and releases exogenous RNA into the cytoplasm of the host cell. The present invention further provides compositions, including immunogenic compositions, comprising a subject bacterium. The present invention provides methods of delivering an RNA to a eukaryotic host cell in vitro, ex vivo, or in vivo. The present invention provides methods of delivering a protein to a host cell in vitro, ex vivo, or in vivo. The present invention provides methods of controlling expression of a target gene in a eukaryotic host cell. The present invention provides methods of inducing an immune response in a mammalian host to a polypeptide antigen, the method involving administering to the host a subject bacterium, wherein the antigen is encoded by the exogenous RNA produced by the bacterium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Raul Andino-Pavlovsky, Marco Vignuzzi, Derek H. Wells
  • Patent number: 7390647
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing chiral ?-hydroxycarboxylic crystalline acids consisting in transforming cyanhydrins (R) or (S) into ?-hydroxycarboxylic acids (R) or (S), respectively by enzymatic hydrolysis in the presence of Rhodococcus erythropolis NCIMB 11540.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Assignee: DSM Fine Chemicals Austria NFG GmbH & Co KG
    Inventors: Herfried Griengl, Ingrid Osprian, Hans Schoemaker, Christoph Reisinger, Helmut Schwab
  • Patent number: 7390648
    Abstract: The present invention relates generally to microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) devices for the manipulation of cells or groups of cells, such as oocytes, embryos, and sperm. In particular, the present invention relates to Cell Labeling MEMS devices (2F), Microinjection MEMS devices, IntraCytoplasmic Sperm Injection (“ICSI”) MEMS devices, Zona Coring MEMS devices, Enucleation MEMS devices, Enucleation/Nuclear Transfer MEMS devices, and Cytoplasmic Transfer MEMS devices. The present invention also relates to kits containing the MEMS devices of the present invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Inventor: Monica Palacios-Boyce
  • Patent number: 7390649
    Abstract: The invention relates to sensor chips with multiple layers of polysiloxane with improve homogeneity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Assignee: Micronas Holding GmbH
    Inventors: Holger Klapproth, Jürgen Rühe, Sonia Mohry
  • Patent number: 7390650
    Abstract: The invention provides a system, system components, and a method for rapidly obtaining and stably maintaining a cell in optimal contact with the cell-contacting surface of a sensor in a cell-based biosensor. In one aspect, the system maximizes the seal between a whole cell and the cell-contact surface of a patch clamp micropipette, maximizing the efficiency of a whole cell patch clamp recording.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Assignee: Cellectricon AB
    Inventors: Mattias Karlsson, Owe Orwar, Daniel T. Chiu, Jon Sinclair, Kent Jardemark, Jessica Olofsson, Johan Pihl, Cecilia Farre
  • Patent number: 7390651
    Abstract: A serum-free C3A clonal cell line and methods for generating the same are provided. The C3A cell line has a reduced doubling time in serum-free medium compared to a corresponding C3A cell line from which it is derived. Methods using the cells of the serum-free C3A clonal cell line for the production, expression and recovery of harvestable polypeptides, screening compounds for metabolic activity, studying enteric disease and for use in a bio-artificial liver device are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Assignee: Vital Therapies, Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis Triglia, Anthony Purchio
  • Patent number: 7390652
    Abstract: This invention relates to methods for the cultivating cells, and in particular to methods for propagating viruses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Assignee: Schering Corporation
    Inventors: Russell G. G. Condon, Nancy V. Connelly, Andreas Frei, Edward Glowacki, Vijay Yabannavar, Serge Batandolo
  • Patent number: 7390653
    Abstract: The culture chamber of the present invention has a fluid-filled culture compartment in which cells, tissues and other biologicals are cultured. The culture compartment is transversed by one or more molecular weight cut-off membranes attached to a membrane carrier assembly. Incoming nutrients are transported through the membrane into the culture compartment and metabolic waste products are transported away from the fluid-filled culture compartment through the membrane and out the chamber outlet. Both reusable and disposable culture chambers are described for culturing cells, cell aggregates, particles, tissues and organoids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Assignee: Synthecon, Inc.
    Inventors: Roger Akers, William J. Anderson, Adrian F. Dinges, Jr., Stephen S. Navran, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7390654
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are improved plasmid shuttle vectors, vaccines based on them, and methods related to their construction and use. Particular arrangements of functional elements of such plasmids, namely origins of replication and eukaryotic transcription/translation control elements, which give rise to generally undesirable side-products upon propagation of the plasmids in bacterial culture are disclosed. These side-products apparently arise as terminated replication intermediates. Strategies both to eliminate accumulation of these side-products, and to make them useful as a vaccine adjuvant, are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Assignee: MannKind Corporation
    Inventor: John Levy
  • Patent number: 7390655
    Abstract: The present invention provides DNA molecules isolated from corn and sorghum plants that are useful for expressing transgenes in plants. The present invention also provides expression constructs containing the DNA molecules useful for expressing transgenes in plants. The present invention also provides transgenic plants and seeds containing the DNA molecules useful for expressing transgenes in plants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Assignee: Monsanto Technology LLC
    Inventor: Brendan Hinchey