Patents Issued in February 4, 2016
  • Publication number: 20160032239
    Abstract: A method of forming 3D engineered tissues by providing a 2D scaffold material comprising a plurality of fold locations and a plurality of cell assembly sites, assembling cells into the cell assembly sites and folding the 2D scaffold material along the fold locations to form a 3D scaffold structure. Tissues formed by the method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2014
    Publication date: February 4, 2016
    Inventors: Carol LIVERMORE-CLIFFORD, Sangeeta BHATIA, Robert LANG, Roger ALPERIN, Martin Luther CULPEPPER, Majid Bigdeli KARIMI
  • Publication number: 20160032240
    Abstract: Methods, compositions and kits are provided for generating inner ear cells in vitro. These methods find use a number of applications, such as in preparing inner ear cells for in vitro screening for agents that are toxic to inner ear cells, for in vitro screening for agents that prevent against, mitigate, or reverse the toxic effects of such agents, and for in vitro screening for agents that promote otoregeneration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2015
    Publication date: February 4, 2016
    Inventors: Stefan Heller, Mohammad Ronaghi, Kazuo Oshima
  • Publication number: 20160032241
    Abstract: Human progenitor cells are extracted from perivascular tissue of human umbilical cord. The progenitor cell population proliferates rapidly, and harbours osteogenic progenitor cells and MHC?/? progenitor cells, and is useful to grow and repair human tissues including bone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2015
    Publication date: February 4, 2016
    Inventors: John E. DAVIES, Dolores BAKSH, Rahul SARUGASER, Morris HOSSEINI, Antony D.S. LICKORISH
  • Publication number: 20160032242
    Abstract: The 3?-5? exonuclease, Dis3l2, is responsible for the decay of uridylated pre-let-7 miRNA. Biochemical reconstitution assays revealed that 3? oligouridylation stimulates Dis3l2 activity in vitro, and knockdown of Dis3l2 in mouse embryonic stem cells leads to the stabilization of pre-let-7 miRNA. These Dis3l2-depleted stem cells displayed elevated expression of pluripotency genes and delayed differentiation. The present disclosure establishes 3? oligouridylation as an RNA decay signal for Dis3l2 and identifies the first physiological RNA substrate of this exonuclease.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Publication date: February 4, 2016
    Applicant: Children's Medical Center Corporation
    Inventor: Richard I. Gregory
  • Publication number: 20160032243
    Abstract: The invention provides novel methods for IVM of bovine oocytes. These methods can be used in efficient propagation of superior animals at low cost, which is very helpful in improving ecological and economic performance in the cattle industry.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2015
    Publication date: February 4, 2016
    Inventors: Jianhui TIAN, Zhenwei JIA, Jiaxin ZHANG, Lei AN, Zhonghong WU
  • Publication number: 20160032244
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the intracellular domain of Notch3 that can activate signaling and initiate transcription, thereby initiating cellular differentiation in general, and neuronal differentiation in particular. The present invention includes the use of polynucleotide sequences that code, entirely or partially, for the intracellular domain of Notch3, for the purpose of inducing cellular differentiation. The present invention includes the use of Notch3 intracellular domain polynucleotide or polypeptide sequences for the purpose of treating diseases or disorders, by inducing cellular differentiation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2015
    Publication date: February 4, 2016
    Inventor: Gabriel Rusanescu
  • Publication number: 20160032245
    Abstract: The invention provides methods of modulating follicular regulatory T (TFR) cell-mediated immune responses, follicular helper T (TFH) cell-mediated immune responses or both, and the use of those methods in the treatment of diseases or conditions mediated by TFR or TFH cells. The invention also provides novel methods for identifying TFR and TFH cells in a population of cells. The invention also provides compositions comprising TFR cells that have enhanced suppressive activity as compared wild type TFR cells. The invention also provides compositions comprising T follicular regulatory (TFR) cells isolated from the peripheral blood of a subject wherein the composition is enriched for TFR cells. Methods of making and using the compositions of the invention to modulate an immune response are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2015
    Publication date: February 4, 2016
    Inventors: Arlene H. Sharpe, Peter T. Sage, Loise M. Francisco
  • Publication number: 20160032246
    Abstract: Methods and systems for removing leukocytes from a biological fluid are disclosed. The methods and systems include a chamber containing particles to which the leukocytes adhere. Such particles may carry an electrostatic charge. In one example, the particles comprise a polymer having an acid number of 5 or greater.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2014
    Publication date: February 4, 2016
    Inventors: Yoshikazu Mizobuchi, JoAnne B. Alfaro
  • Publication number: 20160032247
    Abstract: Provided is a differentiation-inducing culture medium additive for inducing bone differentiation of at least one type of cell selected from the group consisting of a stem cell, a dental pulp cell, a periodontal ligament cell, a placenta, an amnion, and a fibroblast under a serum-free condition, and a use of the differentiation-inducing culture medium additive. The differentiation-inducing culture medium additive of the present invention for inducing differentiation of a stem cell under a serum-free condition at least contains at least one growth factor selected from the group consisting of EGF, FGF, and PDGF; dexamethasone; and ?-glycerophosphate. The differentiation-inducing culture medium additive of the present invention does not require ascorbic acid 2-phosphate and ITS, which are normally essential for bone differentiation. Further, bone differentiation can be promoted by adding phospholipid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2015
    Publication date: February 4, 2016
    Inventors: Yukio KATO, Jin Chang SHAO, Koichiro Tsuji
  • Publication number: 20160032248
    Abstract: The disclosure provides a method of culturing cells of the mesenchymal cell lineage, said method comprising contacting the cells with a culture media comprising a CSF1R kinase inhibitor. The disclosure also provides a method of culturing cells from bone marrow and/or compact bone to enrich the cells with cells of the mesenchymal cell lineage comprising contacting the cells with a culture media comprising a CSF1R kinase inhibitor. Cell culture media comprising a CSF1R kinase inhibitor and useful for culturing cells of the mesenchymal cell lineage and/or enriching cells of the mesenchymal cell lineage is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2014
    Publication date: February 4, 2016
    Applicant: StemCell Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Brenton John SHORT, Christopher Duronio
  • Publication number: 20160032249
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are compositions and methods for the generation of insulin positive ? cells, for example by exposing Pdx+ pancreatic progenitor cells to one or more compounds, and compositions and kits comprising isolated populations of insulin positive cells.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2014
    Publication date: February 4, 2016
    Inventors: Douglas A. Melton, Sinisa Hrvatin, Shuibing C. Chen
  • Publication number: 20160032250
    Abstract: The present invention provides methods to promote the differentiation of pluripotent stem cells into insulin producing cells. In particular, the present invention provides a method to produce cells expressing markers characteristic of the pancreatic endocrine lineage that co-express NKX6.1 and insulin and minimal amounts of glucagon.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2015
    Publication date: February 4, 2016
    Applicant: JANSSEN BIOTECH, INC.
    Inventor: Jean Xu
  • Publication number: 20160032251
    Abstract: The construction of a chimeric Pestivirus by the identification of selected regions in the 3?NTR of the viral RNA genome is described where additional RNA sequences can be stably inserted. These sequence insertions in the viral RNA genome were stable in replication and capable of forming infectious, RNase resistant virus particles. This chimeric Pestivirus with a 3?NTR insertion can be utilized as a quality control material in analytical assays for RNA targets, including external, internal controls, quantitative standards in PCR and NAT nucleic acid assays.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2014
    Publication date: February 4, 2016
    Inventors: Erhard Ralf SCHOENBRUNNER, Sven-Erik Behrens
  • Publication number: 20160032252
    Abstract: The invention is in the field of virology and relates to the deformed wing virus (DWV). A new strain of deformed wing virus (DWV) has been identified that is predominant in bees infested with Varroa mites. This particular strain of DWV can be used in diagnostics to identify at risk colonies. Also, inhibitors of the particular strain may be used in the treatment and/or prevention of DWV.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2014
    Publication date: February 4, 2016
    Applicant: THE UNIVERSITY OF WARWICK
    Inventors: David J. EVANS, Eugene RYABOV
  • Publication number: 20160032253
    Abstract: The present invention provides the isolation and characterization of a new infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) variant, the IBV GA-13 variant, and the production of attenuated isolates thereof, including, but not limited to, the attenuated IBV GA13 isolate 103505 Kd E86, and the use of such IBV isolates in materials and methods for combating infectious bronchitis virus in poultry and reducing the economic impact that infectious bronchitis disease has on poultry production.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2015
    Publication date: February 4, 2016
    Inventor: Holly S. Sellers
  • Publication number: 20160032254
    Abstract: The present invention relates to production of proteins in insect cells whereby repeated coding sequences are used in baculoviral vectors. In particular the invention relates to the production of parvoviral vectors that may be used in gene therapy and to improvements in expression of the viral rep proteins that increase the productivity of parvoviral vectors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2015
    Publication date: February 4, 2016
    Inventors: Andrew Christian BAKKER, Wilhelmus Johannes Theodorus Maria C Hermens
  • Publication number: 20160032255
    Abstract: Provided herein are polypeptides having ketol-acid reductoisomerase activity as well as microbial host cells comprising such polypeptides. Polypeptides provided herein may be used in biosynthetic pathways, including, but not limited to, isobutanol biosynthetic pathways.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2015
    Publication date: February 4, 2016
    Inventors: Sridhar Govindarajan, Yougen Li, Der-Ing Liao, Daniel P. O'Keefe, Jeremy Stephen Minshull, Steven Cary Rothman, Alexander Vincent Tobias
  • Publication number: 20160032256
    Abstract: The invention features isolated cytochrome P450 polypeptides and nucleic acid molecules, as well as expression vectors and transgenic plants containing these molecules. In addition, the invention features uses of such molecules in methods of increasing the level of resistance against a disease caused by a plant pathogen in a transgenic plant, in methods for producing altered compounds, for example, hydroxylated compounds, and in methods of producing isoprenoid compounds.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2015
    Publication date: February 4, 2016
    Applicant: UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY RESEARCH FOUNDATION
    Inventors: Joseph Chappell, Lyle F. Ralston
  • Publication number: 20160032257
    Abstract: An agent and method for modifying the 5? cap of RNA, for example for the purposes of isolation and analysis. According to one aspect the invention provides modified enzymes, namely modified trimethylguanosine synthases 2 from Giardia lamblia (GlaTGS2), the enzymatic activity of which is changed such that as compared to wild type enzymes the former can use AdoMet analogues better as cofactors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2013
    Publication date: February 4, 2016
    Inventors: Andrea Rentmeister, Daniela Stummer
  • Publication number: 20160032258
    Abstract: The present invention relates to reagents and methods for purifying pertussis toxin (PT).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2015
    Publication date: February 4, 2016
    Applicant: SANOFI PASTEUR LIMITED
    Inventors: Andreas Jungbluth, Eberhard Schneider, Peter Wagner
  • Publication number: 20160032259
    Abstract: The present application describes an isolated nucleic acid molecule encoding a polypeptide capable of synchronously binding VEGF polypeptide and placenta growth factor (PIGF) polypeptide comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding a VEGFR1 component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2015
    Publication date: February 4, 2016
    Inventors: Ho Min KIM, Jung-Eun Lee, Chan Kim, Gou Young Koh, Gyun Min Lee
  • Publication number: 20160032260
    Abstract: The present invention provides improved variants of T7 RNA polymerase by introducing novel mutations which lead to improved thermostability of the enzyme. According to the invention, amino acid substitutions at the positions Val426, Ser633, Val650, Thr654, Ala702, Val795, and combinations thereof are advantageous.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2015
    Publication date: February 4, 2016
    Inventors: Harald Sobek, Johann-Peter Thalhofer, Rainer Mueller, Manfred Schmidt, Michael Greif, Armin Ruf, Christian Rudolph
  • Publication number: 20160032261
    Abstract: The present invention provides improved variants of T7 RNA polymerase by introducing novel mutations which lead to improved thermostability of the enzyme. According to the invention, amino acid substitutions at the positions Val426, Ser633, Val650, Thr654, Ala702, Val795, and combinations thereof are advantageous.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2015
    Publication date: February 4, 2016
    Inventors: Harald Sobek, Johann-Peter Thalhofer, Rainer Mueller, Manfred Schmidt, Michael Greif, Armin Ruf, Christian Rudolph
  • Publication number: 20160032262
    Abstract: A modified thermostable Pol B DNA polymerase, produced by a reaction, under essentially aqueous conditions, of a thermostable Pol B DNA polymerase and a modifier reagent of Formula I wherein the reaction results in a thermally reversible inactivation of the thermostable Pol B DNA polymerase activity and the 3?-5? exonuclease activity, which polymerase is suitable for hot-start PCR. Also disclosed are the method for the modification, a polynucleic acid amplification method and PCR reaction mixture and kit comprising the modified thermostable Pol B DNA polymerase.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2015
    Publication date: February 4, 2016
    Inventors: Lei (Larry) XI, Dennis Prosen, Alexander Novikov
  • Publication number: 20160032263
    Abstract: Isolated peptides comprising sequences derived from the protein integrase of HIV-1, as well as their analogs, mixtures, conjugates with permeability enhancing moieties, and pharmaceutical compositions are disclosed. The peptides and compositions are capable of selectively killing HIV-1 infected cells and are used in treatment of HIV infection and AIDS.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2015
    Publication date: February 4, 2016
    Inventors: Aviad Levin, Zvi Hayouka, Assaf Friedler, Abraham Loyter
  • Publication number: 20160032264
    Abstract: Disclosed are therapeutic formulations comprising antibodies against the PEKRAEKIWK (SEQ ID NO:1) epitope of the monomeric isoform of A-protein and a physiologically acceptable carrier. Methods for the treatment of subjects using these therapeutic formulations are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2015
    Publication date: February 4, 2016
    Inventor: Geoffrey Schmidt
  • Publication number: 20160032265
    Abstract: A thermostable ?-xylosidase including a ?-xylosidase catalytic domain, the ?-xylosidase catalytic domain including: (A) a polypeptide including an amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 1; (B) a polypeptide including an amino acid sequence in which at least one amino acid is deleted, substituted, or added in the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 1, and having hydrolytic activity using p-nitrophenyl-?-D-xylopyranoside as a substrate at least under conditions of a temperature of 85° C. and a pH of 6.0; or (C) a polypeptide including an amino acid sequence having at least 80% sequence identity with the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 1, and having hydrolytic activity using p-nitrophenyl-?-D-xylopyranoside as a substrate at least under conditions of a temperature of 85° C. and a pH of 6.0.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2015
    Publication date: February 4, 2016
    Inventors: Yasuhiro KONDO, Yoshitsugu HIROSE, Asuka YAMAGUCHI, Migiwa SUDA, Jiro OKUMA, Tomohiko KATO, Daisuke SHIBATA
  • Publication number: 20160032266
    Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions comprising at least one thermolysin-like neutral protease enzyme with improved storage stability and/or catalytic activity. In some embodiments, the thermolysin finds use in cleaning and other applications comprising detergent. In some particularly preferred embodiments, the present invention provides methods and compositions comprising thermolysin formulated and/or engineered to resist detergent-induced inactivation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2015
    Publication date: February 4, 2016
    Inventors: David A. Estell, Ronaldus W.J. Hommes, Amy D. Liu, Andrew Shaw
  • Publication number: 20160032267
    Abstract: The present invention provides efficient methods for obtaining a protein with one or more beneficial attributes in industrial, consumer or pharmaceutical applications. In some preferred embodiments, the present invention provides methods for producing superior enzymes for a given application through screening an abbreviated set of candidate enzymes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2015
    Publication date: February 4, 2016
    Applicant: DANISCO US INC.
    Inventors: Luis G. Cascao-Pereira, David A. Estell, James T. Kellis, Ayrookaran J. Poulose
  • Publication number: 20160032268
    Abstract: A method for the extraction and purification of urease from jack beans or other natural sources of urease. The method provides an efficient way to obtain purified urease from natural sources. The method can include defatting the natural sources of urease, extracting the urease from impurities, and further purification of the extracted urease.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2015
    Publication date: February 4, 2016
    Applicant: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric Grovender, Dianne L. Judd, Cindy Roberson, Eric Hall
  • Publication number: 20160032269
    Abstract: Amplification reaction mixtures comprising a cationic surfactant and an anionic surfactant are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2015
    Publication date: February 4, 2016
    Inventor: Xiao-Song Gong
  • Publication number: 20160032270
    Abstract: A process for production of an encapsulated cell product, the process comprises the steps of concentrating cells from a propagation medium using a tangential flow filtration system. Mixing the concentrated cells with an encapsulation medium to form a cell encapsulation mixture. Polymerizing, gelling, or cross-linking the cell encapsulation mixture to form an encapsulated cell product.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2015
    Publication date: February 4, 2016
    Applicant: GEOSYNFUELS, LLC
    Inventors: Lisa Beckler Andersen, John H. Evans, Christine A. Singer
  • Publication number: 20160032271
    Abstract: A method of preserving organisms in viable form, the method comprising: suspending organisms in a solution of electrospinnable polymer; drawing droplets of said solution through a spinneret; applying an electrostatic field to said droplets under electrospinning conditions; so as to form fibers having a diameter no greater than about 5 ?m within which distinct organisms are encapsulated in viable form.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2015
    Publication date: February 4, 2016
    Applicant: Technion Research & Development Foundation Limited
    Inventors: Jonathan Charles KUHN, Eyal ZUSSMAN
  • Publication number: 20160032272
    Abstract: Provided is a preparation method of a yeast cell immobilization medium, which comprises the following steps: (1) boiling a fiber material in boiling water and drying the fiber material; (2) soaking the fiber material in a surface modified aqueous solution with a concentration of 1-100 g/L, using hydrochloric acid to adjust a PH of the solution to 7.0, fully rinsing the fiber material in deionized water and drying the fiber material; (3) soaking the fiber material in a cross-linking agent aqueous solution with a concentration of 1-100 g/L, fully rinsing the fiber material in deionized water and drying the fiber material; and (4) attaching the fiber material to supporting framework. Also provided is the yeast cell immobilization medium prepared using the preparation method and a method for producing ethanol using the yeast cell immobilization medium.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2012
    Publication date: February 4, 2016
    Inventors: Hanjie YING, Yong CHEN, Qingguo LIU, Jinglan WU, Xiaochun CHEN, Jingjing XIE
  • Publication number: 20160032273
    Abstract: The present invention describes methods for the characterization of mRNA molecules during mRNA production. Characterizing mRNA includes processes such as oligonucleotide mapping, reverse transcriptase sequencing, charge distribution analysis, and detection of RNA impurities. Oligonucleotide mapping includes using an RNase to digest antisense duplexes from an RNA transcript, and then subjecting the digested RNA to reverse phase HPLC, anion exchange HPLC, and/or mass spectrometry analysis. Reverse transcriptase sequencing involves reverse transcription of an RNA transcript followed by DNA sequencing. Charge distribution analysis can comprise procedures such as anion exchange HPLC, or capillary electrophoresis. Detection of impurities includes detecting short mRNA transcripts, RNA-RNA hybrids, and RNA-DNA hybrids.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Publication date: February 4, 2016
    Inventors: Zahra SHAHROKH, Ingo RÖHL, Vlad Boris SPIVAK, Tirtha CHAKRABORTY, John Grant AUNINS
  • Publication number: 20160032274
    Abstract: A method of altering a eukaryotic cell is provided including transfecting the eukaryotic cell with a nucleic acid encoding RNA complementary to genomic DNA of the eukaryotic cell, transfecting the eukaryotic cell with a nucleic acid encoding an enzyme that interacts with the RNA and cleaves the genomic DNA in a site specific manner, wherein the cell expresses the RNA and the enzyme, the RNA binds to complementary genomic DNA and the enzyme cleaves the genomic DNA in a site specific manner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2013
    Publication date: February 4, 2016
    Inventors: George M. Church, Prashant Mali, Luhan Yang
  • Publication number: 20160032275
    Abstract: Described herein are devices and methods for extracting cellular material from living cells and then depositing them into to a receptacle in a nanoliter scale. Using a nanopipette integrated into a scanning ion conductance microscope (SICM), extraction of mitochondrial DNA from human BJ fibroblasts and Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP) transcripts from HeLa/GFP cells was achieved with minimal disruption to the cellular milieu and without chemical treatment prior to obtaining the isolated sample. Success of the extraction was confirmed by fluorescence microscopy and PCR analysis of the extracted material. The method and apparatus may be applied to many different cell types and intracellular targets, allowing not only single cell analysis, but single subcellular compartment analysis of materials extracted in their native state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Publication date: February 4, 2016
    Inventors: Paolo ACTIS, Michelle M. MAALOUF, Nader POURMAND
  • Publication number: 20160032276
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for nucleic acid isolation. In particular, the present disclosure provides systems and methods for purifying nucleic acids for downstream applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2014
    Publication date: February 4, 2016
    Applicant: IBIS BIOSCIENCES, INC.
    Inventor: Mark W. Eshoo
  • Publication number: 20160032277
    Abstract: Methods for isolating circulating small RNAs, e.g., microRNA (miRNA), from plasma samples, e.g., that comprise using an alkaline phenol:chloroform extraction, and methods of use thereof, including for the detection, prognosis, and/or monitoring of disease in a subject.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2015
    Publication date: February 4, 2016
    Inventors: Victor Ambros, Rosalind Lee, Anthony Patrick Fusco
  • Publication number: 20160032278
    Abstract: The present invention relates to scaffold proteins derived from plant cystatins and to nucleic acids encoding them. The scaffolds are highly stable and have the ability to display peptides. The scaffolds are particularly well suited for constructing libraries, e.g., in phage display or related systems. The invention also relates to various uses of the scaffolds, including in therapy, diagnosis, environmental and security monitoring, synthetic biology and research, and to cells and cell cultures expressing the scaffold proteins.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2014
    Publication date: February 4, 2016
    Inventors: Michael McPherson, Darren Tomlinson
  • Publication number: 20160032279
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are expression vectors which display a passenger polypeptide on the outer surface of a biological entity. As disclosed herein the displayed passenger polypeptide is capable of interacting or binding with a given ligand. Also disclosed are methods of making and using the expression vectors. N/C terminal fusion expression vectors and methods of making and using are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2015
    Publication date: February 4, 2016
    Inventors: Patrick S. Daugherty, Paul H. Bessette, Jeffrey Rice
  • Publication number: 20160032280
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an efficient method of generating a library of variants of a sequence of interest, such as may be used in directed evolution, in one embodiment, the method includes an amplification reaction, e.g. error-prone PCR, to generate double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) variants of a sequence of interest, after which one strand of the dsDNA variants may be selectively degraded to produce single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) variants. The ssDNA variants may be hybridized to ssDNA intermediaries, e.g., uracilated circular ssDNA intermediaries, to form heteroduplex DNA, which may be transformed into cells, such as E. coli cells, yielding a library of variants. This method eliminates the inefficient sub-cloning steps and the need for costly primer sets required by many prior methods.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2014
    Publication date: February 4, 2016
    Inventors: Michael WEINER, Margaret KISS
  • Publication number: 20160032281
    Abstract: A functionalized specimen support for use in charged particle microscopy is provided that includes a specimen support surface configured to support specimens during an interrogation of the specimens with a charged particle microscope, the specimen support surface having functionalized sites, each functionalized site configured to maintain position of a portion of one of the specimens at the functionalized site by way of attachment, attraction, or a combination thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2014
    Publication date: February 4, 2016
    Applicant: FEI Company
    Inventors: Mark Utlaut, N. William Parker
  • Publication number: 20160032282
    Abstract: Provided herein are methods and composition for immune repertoire sequencing and single cell barcoding. The methods and compositions can be used to heavy and light chain antibody sequences originating from a single cell, antibody discovery, disease and immune diagnostics, and low error sequencing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Publication date: February 4, 2016
    Inventors: Francois VIGNEAULT, Adrian WRANGHAM BRIGGS
  • Publication number: 20160032283
    Abstract: This invention provides expression vectors for a ribonucleic acid (RNA) molecule comprising a double-stranded region of random sequence, sets and libraries of same, methods of generating same, and methods for identifying an RNA therapeutic or RNA molecule that has an ability to affect a biological parameter, for identifying a drug target for a disease or disorder of interest, and for identifying a variant of an RNA molecule that has an altered ability to affect a biological parameter of interest.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2015
    Publication date: February 4, 2016
    Inventors: Robert B. WILSON, Yongping Wang
  • Publication number: 20160032284
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods of treating heat shock factor 1 (HSF1)-related diseases such as cancer, autoimmune and viral diseases, using a therapeutically effective amount of a RNAi agent to HSF.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2012
    Publication date: February 4, 2016
    Applicant: Arrowhead Research Corportation
    Inventors: Jinyun CHEN, Kalyani GAMPA, Dieter HUESKEN, Frank STEGMEIER, Mark STUMP, Chandra VARGEESE, Jan WEILER, Wenlai ZHOU
  • Publication number: 20160032285
    Abstract: Disclosed are methods for modulating splicing of Tau mRNA in an animal with Tau antisense compounds. Also disclosed herein are methods for reducing expression of Tau mRNA and protein in an animal with Tau antisense compounds. Such compounds and methods are useful to treat, prevent, or ameliorate neurodegenerative diseases in an individual in need thereof. Examples of neurodegenerative diseases that can be treated, prevented, and ameliorated with the administration Tau antisense oligonucleotides include Alzheimer's Disease, Fronto-temporal Dementia (FTD), FTDP-17, Progressive Supranuclear Palsy, Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy, Epilepsy, and Dravet's Syndrome.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Publication date: February 4, 2016
    Applicant: Isis Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank Rigo, C. Frank Bennett
  • Publication number: 20160032286
    Abstract: The present invention provides nucleic acid inhibitors of MYH7B and compositions thereof. The present invention also provides methods of treating or preventing a cardiac disorder such as cardiac hypertrophy, myocardial infarction, or heart failure in a subject by administering to the subject an inhibitor of MYH7B. The present invention further provides methods of modulating the activity or expression of ?-MHC in cardiac cells of a subject by administering to the subject an inhibitor of MYH7B.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2015
    Publication date: February 4, 2016
    Inventors: Rusty MONTGOMERY, Christina Dalby
  • Publication number: 20160032287
    Abstract: A method for producing mature hepatocytes having functional hepatic enzyme activity from human pluripotent cells is disclosed. The method includes the step of transferring an external vector comprising the DNA sequence coding for a microRNA having the seed sequence of the microRNA miR-122, the DNA sequence coding for a microRNA having the seed sequence of the microRNA miR-let-7c, a microRNA having the seed sequence of the microRNA miR-122, a microRNA having the seed sequence of the microRNA miR-let-7c, or a combination thereof into one or more fetal hepatocytes. The resulting cells differentiate into mature hepatocytes that exhibit functional hepatic enzyme activity, and can be used in drug metabolism and toxicity testing, in the study of viruses that target hepatic tissue, and as therapeutics. A related method of maintaining the functional hepatic enzyme activity of primary hepatocytes over time is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2015
    Publication date: February 4, 2016
    Inventors: Srikumar Sengupta, James Thomson
  • Publication number: 20160032288
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a Drosophila in vitro system which was used to demonstrate that dsRNA is processed to RNA segments 21-23 nucleotides (nt) in length. Furthermore, when these 21-23 nt fragments are purified and added back to Drosophila extracts, they mediate RNA interference in the absence of long dsRNA. Thus, these 21-23 nt fragments are the sequence-specific mediators of RNA degradation. A molecular signal, which may be their specific length, must be present in these 21-23 nt fragments to recruit cellular factors involved in RNAI. This present invention encompasses these 21-23 nt fragments and their use for specifically inactivating gene function. The use of these fragments (or chemically synthesized oligonucleotides of the same or similar nature) enables the targeting of specific mRNAs for degradation in mammalian cells, where the use of long dsRNAs to elicit RNAi is usually not practical, presumably because of the deleterious effects of the interferon response.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2015
    Publication date: February 4, 2016
    Inventors: Thomas Tuschl, Phillip D. Zamore, Phillip A. Sharp, David P. Bartel