Patents Issued in March 2, 2017
  • Publication number: 20170058277
    Abstract: Composite liquid cell supports are provided. Aspects of the supports include: a plurality of CLC containers, wherein each CLC container is configured to hold a CLC and comprises a fluorophilic inner surface having a water contact angle of 80 degrees or greater. The fluorophilic inner surface may have a first contact angle with a fluorous carrier liquid which is less than a second contact angle with an encapsulating liquid that is immiscible with the carrier liquid. The supports find use in, among other applications, CLC systems and devices. Also provided are methods of preparing and using CLC arrays that include the CLC supports of the invention.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2016
    Publication date: March 2, 2017
    Inventor: Mark Dalton
  • Publication number: 20170058278
    Abstract: A method of controlling a pathogenically infected mosquito is disclosed. The method comprising administering to a larva of a mosquito an isolated nucleic acid agent comprising a nucleic acid sequence which specifically downregulates an expression of at least one mosquito pathogen resistance gene product of the mosquito, wherein downregulation of the expression of the at least one mosquito pathogen resistance gene in the larvae renders an adult stage of the mosquito lethally susceptible to the pathogen, thereby controlling the pathogenically infected mosquito.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2015
    Publication date: March 2, 2017
    Inventors: Nitzan PALDI, Humberto Freire BONCRISTIANI JUNIOR, Eyal MAORI, Avital WEISS, Emerson Soares BERNARDES
  • Publication number: 20170058279
    Abstract: The present invention relates to methods, compositions and dosages that decrease IOP of the eye, comprising a 19 nucleotide double-stranded RNA molecule.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2015
    Publication date: March 2, 2017
    Applicant: Sylentis SAU
    Inventors: Ana Isabel Jimenez Anton, Victoria Gonzalez Fajardo, Veronica Ruz Palomar
  • Publication number: 20170058280
    Abstract: Presented herein are biocatalysts and methods for converting C1-containing materials to organic acids such as muconic acid or adipic acid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2016
    Publication date: March 2, 2017
    Inventors: Calvin A. HENARD, Michael T. GUARNIERI
  • Publication number: 20170058281
    Abstract: Isolated and/or purified polypeptides and nucleic acid sequences encoding polypeptides from Alicyclobacillus acidocaldarius are provided. Further provided are methods of modulating transcription or transcription or transcriptional control using isolated and/or purified polypeptides and nucleic acid sequences from Alicyclobacillus acidocaldarius.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2016
    Publication date: March 2, 2017
    Inventors: Brady D. Lee, David N. Thompson, William A. Apel, Vicki S. Thompson, David W. Reed, Jeffrey A. Lacey
  • Publication number: 20170058282
    Abstract: Provided herein are microorganisms engineered with heme-responsive transcription factors and genetic circuits. Also provided are methods for using engineered microorganisms to sense bleeding events and treat bleeding in vivo.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2016
    Publication date: March 2, 2017
    Applicant: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Timothy Kuan-Ta Lu, Mark K. Mimee
  • Publication number: 20170058283
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a plant transformation method that is convenient and is widely applicable to various types of plant cells and nucleic acids. The present invention relates to a method for transforming a target plant, comprising the steps of: a) contacting a carrier peptide comprising a cell-penetrating sequence and a polycation sequence with a nucleic acid to form a complex; b) contacting the obtained complex with a cell of a meristem of the target plant to transfer the nucleic acid to the genome; c) allowing the meristem to grow; and d) selecting a plant harboring the transferred nucleic acid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2015
    Publication date: March 2, 2017
    Inventors: Keiji Numata, Takeshi YOSHIZUMI, Yutaka KODAMA
  • Publication number: 20170058284
    Abstract: The invention relates to molecules for controlling plant growth and development. Specifically, the invention relates to molecules comprising a gibberellin activator or a gibberellin inhibitor operably linked to a promoter specific to a lateral organ primordium. The invention also relates to transgenic plants having the transgenic molecules and methods for making such transgenic plants.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2015
    Publication date: March 2, 2017
    Inventors: Doris Wagner, Nobutoshi YAMAGUCHI
  • Publication number: 20170058285
    Abstract: A method for producing a plant cell comprising a mutation introduced in a target DNA comprises: a step of introducing into plant cells a DNA construct comprising a DNA homologous to a target DNA, wherein a desired mutation is introduced and a piggyBac transposon containing a marker gene is inserted in the homologous DNA; a step of selecting a plant cell, in which the mutation and the piggyBac transposon are introduced in the target DNA via homologous recombination, based on an expression of the marker gene; and a step of removing the piggyBac transposon from the target DNA by constitutively expressing a piggyBac transposase in the cell selected in the above step.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2015
    Publication date: March 2, 2017
    Applicant: NATIONAL RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT AGENCY NATIONAL AGRICULTURE AND FOOD RESEARCH ORGANIZATION
    Inventors: Ayako YOKOI, Seiichi TOKI
  • Publication number: 20170058286
    Abstract: This disclosure concerns compositions and methods for targeting peptides, polypeptides, and proteins to plastids of plastid-containing cells. In some embodiments, the disclosure concerns chloroplast transit peptides that may direct a polypeptide to a plastid, and nucleic acid molecules encoding the same. In some embodiments, the disclosure concerns methods for producing a transgenic plant material (e.g., a transgenic plant) comprising a chloroplast transit peptide, as well as plant materials produced by such methods, and plant commodity products produced therefrom.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2016
    Publication date: March 2, 2017
    Inventors: Justin M. Lira, Robert Cicchillo, Carla N. Yerkes, Andrew E. Robinson
  • Publication number: 20170058287
    Abstract: The present invention relates nucleic acid molecules that are modulated (e.g., upregulated) by nitrogen in corn, to proteins or polypeptides encoded by these nucleic acid molecules, and promoters of these nucleic acid molecules. The present invention relates to a nucleic acid construct having a nucleic acid molecule that is modulated by nitrogen in corn, as well as to expression systems, host cells, plants, and plant seeds having the nucleic acid construct. The present invention also relates to a method of expressing the nucleic acid molecule that is modulated by nitrogen in a plant by growing a transgenic plant or a plant grown from a transgenic seed transformed with the construct. The present invention further relates to an isolated DNA promoter that can be used to direct nitrogen-regulated expression of an isolated nucleic acid in plants.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2016
    Publication date: March 2, 2017
    Inventors: Patrick S. SCHNABLE, Sudhansu DASH
  • Publication number: 20170058288
    Abstract: A method for enhancing resistance of a plant to abiotic stress includes transforming a plant cell with a recombinant vector which contains a gene encoding NF-YA7 (nuclear factor Y, subunit A7) protein derived from rice (Oryza sativa), and the gene encoding NF-YA7 protein derived from rice of the present invention can be advantageously used for development of a transgenic plant having enhanced resistance to drought resistance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2014
    Publication date: March 2, 2017
    Inventors: Ju-Kon KIM, Geupil JANG, Hyung il KIM
  • Publication number: 20170058289
    Abstract: The invention relates to methods of producing a desired phenotype in a plant by manipulation of gene expression within the plant. The method relates to means which inhibit the level of PK220 gene expression or activity, wherein a desired phenotype such as increased water use efficiency relative to a wild type control plant. The invention also relates to nucleic acid sequences and constructs useful such methods and methods of generating and isolating plants having decreased PK220 expression or activity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2016
    Publication date: March 2, 2017
    Inventors: Jiangxin Wan, Yafan Huang, Shujun Yang, Monika Kuzma
  • Publication number: 20170058290
    Abstract: The invention relates to biotechnology and provides novel recombinant DNA molecules and engineered proteins for conferring tolerance to protoporphyrinogen oxidase-inhibitor herbicides. The invention also provides herbicide tolerant transgenic plants, seeds, cells, and plant parts containing the recombinant DNA molecules, as well as methods of using the same.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2016
    Publication date: March 2, 2017
    Inventors: Artem G. Evdokimov, Clayton T. Larue, Farhad Moshiri, Joel E. Ream, Xuefeng Zhou
  • Publication number: 20170058291
    Abstract: Compositions and methods comprising polynucleotides and polypeptides having 4-hydroxyphenylpyruvate dioxygenase (HPPD) activity and having insensitivity to an HPPD inhibitor are provided. Further provided are nucleic acid constructs, plants, plant cells, explants, seeds and grain having the HPPD sequences. Various methods of employing the HPPD sequences are provided. Such methods include, for example, methods for producing an HPPD inhibitor tolerant plant, plant cell, explant or seed and methods of controlling weeds in a field containing a crop employing the plants and/or seeds disclosed herein. Methods are also provided to identify additional HPPD variants. Further provided are various methods and compositions that allow the various HPPD polypeptides and variant and fragments thereof to be expressed in a chloroplast or transported to a chloroplast.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2015
    Publication date: March 2, 2017
    Inventors: Daniel Siehl, Phillip A. Patten, Yumin Tao, Ericka Bermudez, Linda A. Castle, Yuxia Dong, Andrew Duncan Satterfield, Henrik Albert
  • Publication number: 20170058292
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the finding that an until now orphan protein named receptor-like protein 1 (RLP1) in plants mediates an immune response to bacterial infections. Specifically, the invention relates to RLP1, now named receptor of enigmatic microbe-associated molecular pattern (MAMP) of Xanthomonas (REMAX), in Arabidopsis thaliana REMAX was found to recognise the presence of Xanthomonas and to initiate an immune signalling that eventually yields into a typical plant immune responses to bacterial infections. Furthermore, the invention relates to chimeric pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) composed of the extracellular domain of REMAX, which is the recognition site for sensing infection, and c-terminal portions of PRRs of other plant species. Also provided is a method to modulate the immune response of a plant to a bacterial infection by either increasing or decreasing the expression of REMAX or REMAX-like proteins, or the inventive chimeric PRRs in plants.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2013
    Publication date: March 2, 2017
    Applicant: Eberhard Karls Universitaet Tuebingen
    Inventors: Anna Kristina Jehle, Martin Lipschis, Markus Albert, Georg Felix
  • Publication number: 20170058293
    Abstract: Insecticidal toxins derived from Bacillus thuringiensis, polynucleotides encoding such toxins, use of such toxins to control plant pests, and transgenic plants that produce, and are protected, by these toxins are described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2016
    Publication date: March 2, 2017
    Inventors: Timothy D. Hey, Janna Mai Armstrong, Ted Letherer, Audrey Jane Etter, Meghan L. Frey, Haley Ellis, Kenneth Narva, Xiaoping Xu, Krishna M. Madduri, Sek Yee Tan, Premchand Gandra
  • Publication number: 20170058294
    Abstract: Pesticidal proteins exhibiting toxic activity against Lepidopteran pest species are disclosed, and include, but are not limited to, TIC6757, TIC6757PL, TIC7472, TIC7472PL, TIC7473, and TIC7473PL. DNA constructs are provided which contain a recombinant nucleic acid sequence encoding one or more of the disclosed pesticidal proteins. Transgenic plants, plant cells, seed, and plant parts resistant to Lepidopteran infestation are provided which contain recombinant nucleic acid sequences encoding the pesticidal proteins of the present invention. Methods for detecting the presence of the recombinant nucleic acid sequences or the proteins of the present invention in a biological sample, and methods of controlling Lepidopteran species pests using any of the TIC6757, TIC6757PL, TIC7472, TIC7472PL, TIC7473, and TIC7473PL pesticidal proteins are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2016
    Publication date: March 2, 2017
    Applicant: Monsanto Technology LLC
    Inventors: David J. BOWEN, Catherine A. CHAY, Todd A. CICHE, Uma R. KESANAPALLI, Jennifer L. LUTKE
  • Publication number: 20170058295
    Abstract: Methods of making a targeted modification in a male fertility gene in the genome of a plant are disclosed. The methods involve contacting a plant cell with an engineered double-strand-break-inducing agent capable of inducing a double-strand break in a target sequence in the male fertility gene and identifying a cell comprising an alteration in the target sequence. Also disclosed are plants, plant cells, plant parts, and seeds comprising a male fertility gene with an alteration in a male fertility gene. Nucleic acid molecules comprising male fertility genes with at least one targeted modification therein, optimized nucleic acid molecules encoding endonucleases that are engineered double-strand-break-inducing agents and expression cassettes, host cells, and plants comprising one or more of the nucleic acid molecules are further disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2016
    Publication date: March 2, 2017
    Inventors: DENNIS L. BIDNEY, Andrew Mark Cigan, Saverio Carl Falco, Huirong Gao, Derek Jantz, Michael Lassner, Keith S. Lowe, Leszek Aleksander Lyznik, James Jefferson Smith
  • Publication number: 20170058296
    Abstract: The present invention provides for a process for transferring biomolecules such as polynucleotides and protein from cell to cell, eventually resulting in the transport of a biomolecular cargo throughout the entirety of one or more of a cell culture, tissue, organ, organ system, or organism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2016
    Publication date: March 2, 2017
    Inventor: William Douglas Meadow, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20170058297
    Abstract: The present invention relates to enzymes, compositions and methods for catalyzing site specific recombination at asymmetric sites.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2016
    Publication date: March 2, 2017
    Inventors: James J. Havranek, Chi Zhang, Joseph C. Corbo, Connie A. Myers, Robi D. Mitra, Zongtai Qi
  • Publication number: 20170058298
    Abstract: The present invention relates to guide RNAs comprising adaptor segments having one or more modifications, and their use in homologous recombination by CRISPR:Cas systems. The modified adaptor segments are resistant to degradation by RNaseH. The present invention also relates to a dual guide RNA strategy in which a first guide RNA directs a Cas enzyme to make a double-strand break at a first target sequence, and a second guide RNA comprises an adaptor segment attached to a donor polynucleotide, and binds a second target sequence that is offset from the first target sequence.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2016
    Publication date: March 2, 2017
    Inventors: Andrew Kennedy, Gusti Zeiner, Subhadeep Roy, Chong Wing Yung
  • Publication number: 20170058299
    Abstract: Provided herein are methods of integrating one or more exogenous nucleic acids into one or more selected target sites of a host cell genome. In certain embodiments, the methods comprise contacting the host cell genome with one or more integration polynucleotides comprising an exogenous nucleic acid to be integrated into a genomic target site, a nuclease capable of causing a break at the genomic target site, and a linear nucleic acid capable of homologous recombination with itself or with one or more additional linear nucleic acids contacted with the population of cells, whereupon said homologous recombination results in formation of a circular extrachromosomal nucleic acid comprising a coding sequence for a selectable marker. In some embodiments, the methods further comprise selecting a host cell that expresses the selectable marker.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2016
    Publication date: March 2, 2017
    Applicant: Amyris, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Horwitz, Kristy Michelle Hawkins, Max Schubert, Wayne Szeto
  • Publication number: 20170058300
    Abstract: A method of processing spent grains by removing suspended solids from the spent grains to produce a stream low in suspended solids, directing the stream low in suspended solids to an anaerobic digester, converting at least some soluble compounds to biogas, and producing a biogas. A method of processing spent grain, by separating a first stream consisting of spent grains into a second stream and a third stream wherein the second stream contains a majority of suspended solids, separating the third stream into a fourth stream and a fifth stream wherein the fifth stream is lower in suspended solids than the fourth stream, directing the fifth stream to an anaerobic digester, and converting at least some organic compounds to a biogas. A method of fermenting a grain product.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2016
    Publication date: March 2, 2017
    Applicant: Valicor, Inc.
    Inventors: Jennifer Aurandt, James R. Bleyer
  • Publication number: 20170058301
    Abstract: The invention relates to enzymatic methods for hydroxylation in position 2 or 3 of substituted or unsubstituted, linear or branched aliphatic hydrocarbons.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2016
    Publication date: March 2, 2017
    Applicant: Novozymes A/S
    Inventors: Martin Hofrichter, Katrin Scheibner, Rene Ultrich, Matthias Kinne, Sebastian Peter, Henrik Lund, Lisbeth Kalum
  • Publication number: 20170058302
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for efficient enzymatic hydrolysis of lignocellulosic materials and more particularly, it relates to efficient enzymatic hydrolysis of cellulosic part of lignocellulosic materials like corncob, corn stover, sugarcane/beet bagasse or any similar lignocellulosic materials.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2015
    Publication date: March 2, 2017
    Inventors: Sasisanker PADMANABHAN, Siddhartha PAL, Shereena Panakal JOY
  • Publication number: 20170058303
    Abstract: The present invention provides mutant microorganism that have higher lipid productivity than the wild type microorganisms from which they are derived while biomass at levels that are within approximately 50% of wild type biomass productivities under nitrogen replete conditions. Particular mutants produce at least twice as much FAME lipid as wild type while producing at least 75% of the biomass produced by wild type cells under nitrogen replete conditions. Also provided are methods of producing lipid using the mutant strains.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2016
    Publication date: March 2, 2017
    Inventors: Imad Ajjawi, Eric R. Moellering, Leah Soriaga, Moena Aqui
  • Publication number: 20170058304
    Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of synthesizing long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids, especially eicosapentaenoic acid, docosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid, in recombinant cells such as yeast or plant cells. Also provided are recombinant cells or plants which produce long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a group of new enzymes which possess desaturase or elongase activity that can be used in methods of synthesizing long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2016
    Publication date: March 2, 2017
    Applicant: Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation
    Inventors: Surinder Pal Singh, Stanley Suresh Robert, Peter David Nichols, Susan Irene Ellis Blackburn, Xue-Rong Zhou, James Robertson Petrie, Allan Graham Green
  • Publication number: 20170058305
    Abstract: Novel methods that may be used for the manufacture of plant alkaloid compounds and novel polynucleotide compounds are provided. The plant alkaloid compounds are useful as medicinal compounds.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2015
    Publication date: March 2, 2017
    Applicant: EPIMERON INC.
    Inventor: Peter James Facchini
  • Publication number: 20170058306
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to methods of isolating CDs. The method includes contacting a CD production mixture containing ?CD, ?CD, ?CD, and CD production byproducts with a metal salt; and forming CD-MOF complexes containing at least a metal cation and a plurality of CD components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2016
    Publication date: March 2, 2017
    Inventors: Benjie N. Limketkai, Youssry Y. Botros
  • Publication number: 20170058307
    Abstract: The disclosure pertains to novel eukaryotic cell suitable for recombinant production of a product of interest, wherein the genome of the host cell is altered so that the effect of protein FAM60A is impaired in said cell, e.g. by reducing or eliminating functional expression of gene FAM60A thereby improving the stability characteristics. Furthermore, the present disclosure provides associated technologies wherein such host cells are used in recombinant production technologies.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2014
    Publication date: March 2, 2017
    Inventors: Thomas JOSTOCK, Holger LAUX, Anett RITTER
  • Publication number: 20170058308
    Abstract: The invention is a process and apparatus thereto for the end-to-end and continuous production of a purified protein, the process comprising the use of an integrated apparatus comprising a first and second processing unit having continuous and matched outflow and inflow, thereby providing for a means of integration of a protein cultivation system and chromatographic systems.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2015
    Publication date: March 2, 2017
    Inventors: Mats Aakesson, Martin Heitmann, Peter Tiainen
  • Publication number: 20170058309
    Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for selecting between conditions which enhance cell growth or biomass generation and conditions which affect the N-glycosylation maturity of expressed glycoprotein produced by eukaryotic cells under fermentation culture conditions. Thus, in the methods of the present invention, the glycoprotein producing cells are cultured in a medium which is tailored to a desired end result. The invention also embraces the medium and the use thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2016
    Publication date: March 2, 2017
    Applicant: Hoffmann-La Roche Inc.
    Inventors: OLIVER POPP, NICOLA BEAUCAMP, GEORG DRABNER, STEPHANIE ESSLINGER
  • Publication number: 20170058310
    Abstract: A biosensing device, as well as methods of forming a biosensing device and detecting presence of a biofilm are disclosed. The biosensing device may include a substrate, at least one radiation source on the substrate, at least one radiation detector on the substrate, and at least one reflector arranged on the substrate such that radiation emitted from the at least one radiation source is reflected toward the at least one radiation detector. The at least one radiation detector may be configured to detect an intensity of the radiation reflected from the at least one reflector. A biofilm growth on a portion of the at least one reflector may cause a change in the intensity of the radiation reflected from the at least one reflector relative to radiation reflected from the reflector in the absence of the biofilm growth.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2014
    Publication date: March 2, 2017
    Applicant: EMPIRE TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT LLC
    Inventor: Vincenzo CASASANTA, III
  • Publication number: 20170058311
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for manufacturing a microbial detection device, microbial detection method, microbial detection kit and microbial detection device. The manufacturing method includes following steps: defining a sampling portion and a reaction portion on a substrate. Fiber materials are disposed in the reaction portion and a surface of the reaction portion which contacts with the fiber materials comprises abundant hydroxyl groups. Reaction reagents are then added into the fiber materials. An acidic solution is applied to treat the fiber materials and the hydroxyl groups in the reaction portion. The present invention is advantageous for easy operation, safety, and rapid analysis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2016
    Publication date: March 2, 2017
    Inventors: Chen-Meng KUAN, Robert S. LANGER, Chao-Min CHENG
  • Publication number: 20170058312
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a concentration gradient test reagent kit and a testing method for use in bacterial/fungal drug susceptibility testing. The reagent kit includes a test strip unit. The test strip unit includes a strip-shaped culture medium container and a drug container. The culture medium container and the drug container comprise axially-arranged culture medium cells and drug cells, respectively. The culture medium cells can be inserted into corresponding drug cells. The drug container and the culture medium container are stable, easy to preserve and transport, and can be included into a reagent kit for long-term storage. The kit allows for easy and convenient testing operations. Testing results are easy to observe and interpret. The kit can be used in drug susceptibility testing on slow-growing fungi and anaerobic bacteria. Testing procedures and waste processing is biologically very safe.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2014
    Publication date: March 2, 2017
    Inventors: Mingqing TONG, Dong JIN, Yi ZHANG
  • Publication number: 20170058313
    Abstract: Various devices, systems and methods for detecting a susceptibility of an infectious agent to an anti-infective are described herein. A method comprises introducing a fluid sample to a first surface and a second surface; exposing the first surface to a first solution; exposing the second surface to a second solution, wherein the second surface comprises an anti-infective; sampling the first solution after exposing the first solution to the first surface; sampling the second solution after exposing the second solution to the second surface; monitoring a first electrical characteristic of a first sensor exposed to the first solution sampled; monitoring a second electrical characteristic of a second sensor exposed to the second solution sampled; and comparing the first electrical characteristic and the second electrical characteristic to assess the susceptibility of the infectious agent to the anti-infective.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2016
    Publication date: March 2, 2017
    Applicant: eSense, LLC
    Inventors: Oren S. KNOPFMACHER, Meike HERGET, Michael D. LAUFER, August ESTABROOK
  • Publication number: 20170058314
    Abstract: The presently disclosed subject matter provides methods, compositions, and kits for assessing the viability of bacteria from a selected genus, assessing the antibiotic susceptibility of bacteria from the selected genus, and identifying compounds with anti-persister activity for bacteria from the selected genus. The bacteria include, but are not limited to, Borrelia burgdorferi, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumanii, and Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Compositions include compounds with high activity against Borrelia persisters and their combinations with current Lyme antibiotics for more effect treatment of Lyme disease. Methods for inhibiting the growth and/or survival of bacteria from the Borrelia genus and for treating Lyme disease using appropriate drug combinations in a subject are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2016
    Publication date: March 2, 2017
    Inventors: YING ZHANG, JIE FENG, REBECCA YEE, SHUO ZHANG, WENHONG ZHANG
  • Publication number: 20170058315
    Abstract: Provided are an airborne microbial measurement apparatus and a method of measuring the same. The airborne microbial measurement apparatus includes a particle separation device including a main body having a flow space in which airborne microorganism flows and a collection unit separably coupled to one side of the main body to collect the airborne microorganism, a reagent container in which a lysis reagent reacting with the airborne microorganism collected in the collection unit and a luminous material are stored, and a luminescence measurement device for measuring intensity of light emitted after the airborne microorganism reacts with the lysis reagent and the luminous material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2014
    Publication date: March 2, 2017
    Inventors: Chulwoo PARK, Yeekyeong JUNG, Sunghwa LEE, Jungho HWANG, Jlwoon PARK
  • Publication number: 20170058316
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method and kit for inactivation of acid-fast bacteria. In some embodiments, the method may include: transferring a sample from a liquid culture containing acid-fast bacteria to a first tube, wherein the first tube comprises a body, a first end to the body having an opening, and a second end to the body having a frustoconical portion ending in a concave tip; centrifuging the tube to pellet the acid-fast bacteria in the concave tip and subsequently decanting a supernatant; resuspending the acid-fast bacteria pellet in alcohol; transferring the suspension to a second tube containing beads; agitating the second tube to disrupt acid-fast bacteria cells; and incubating the suspension to inactivate the acid-fast bacteria in the test sample. The method may also include identifying the acid-fast bacteria with mass spectrometry.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2016
    Publication date: March 2, 2017
    Inventors: Parampal Deol, Eric Miller, Erik Moreno, Heather Totty
  • Publication number: 20170058317
    Abstract: A method for distinguishing among a first group of microorganisms belonging to a first taxon of Gram negative bacteria, the first group of bacteria exhibiting a mechanism of resistance to a treatment; a second group of microorganisms belonging to a second taxon of Gram negative bacteria, the second taxon of bacteria being different than said first taxon, and exhibiting a mechanism of resistance to a treatment identical to the mechanism of the first group; and a third group of Gram negative bacteria that is not resistant to the treatment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2016
    Publication date: March 2, 2017
    Applicant: Biomerieux
    Inventors: Sylvain Orenga, Céline Roger-Dalbert, John Perry, Vanessa Chanteperdrix, Gilles Zambardi, Nathalie Bal
  • Publication number: 20170058318
    Abstract: A method for determining the amount of glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c), in which—if required—the erythrocytes in a sample are haemolysed, the haemoglobin that is then released—if required—is contacted with a proteolytic agent and the glycated haemoglobin degradation products obtained in this way or otherwise are quantified is disclosed. In order to provide such a process and reagents employable therein that has/have the property of sufficient stability of the chemical compounds that are essential to the reaction, for the stabilization of the haemoglobin which is unfolded at a very low pH in the range from 1 to 3, at least one suitable stabilizer is present in the haemolysis solution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2015
    Publication date: March 2, 2017
    Inventors: Günther GORKA, Yoshifumi WATAZU, Erwin METZMANN, Alexandra LEIN, Holger MÜLLER, Matthias GRIMMLER
  • Publication number: 20170058319
    Abstract: Constructs and monitoring systems to assess the level of molecules that bind to thrombin (e.g. thrombin regulators and inhibitors) are provided. The constructs are nanosensors comprising i) a thrombin molecule to which is bound a reporter ligand comprising a fluorescent label, ii) a fluorescence-quenching metal nanoparticle, and, optionally iii) a fluorescence-quenching dye molecule attached to one or both of the nanoparticle and the thrombin molecule. The binding of a thrombin regulator or inhibitor to the thrombin molecule displaces the reporter ligand, and the signal from the fluorescent label increases. The increase is proportional to the concentration of thrombin-binding molecule in the sample.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2015
    Publication date: March 2, 2017
    Inventors: Umesh R. Desai, Bruce D. Spiess, Donald F. Brophy, Erika J. Martin, Kuberan Balagurunathan
  • Publication number: 20170058320
    Abstract: The invention provides systems and methods for determining patterns of modification to a genome of a subject by representing the genome using a graph, such as a directed acyclic graph (DAG) with divergent paths for regions that are potentially subject to modification, profiling segments of the genome for evidence of epigenetic modification, and aligning the profiled segments to the DAG to determine locations and patterns of the epigenetic modification within the genome.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2016
    Publication date: March 2, 2017
    Inventors: Devin Locke, Wan-Ping Lee
  • Publication number: 20170058321
    Abstract: The invention relates to an automatic response/light measurement device and a method therefor, and the purpose is to effectively and quickly perform an optical measurement relating to a reaction with high reliability without increasing a device size. The device is configured to have: a container group in which a plurality of reaction containers are arranged; a measurement mount provided with a plurality of coupling ends that are joinable with apertures of the reaction containers, and have light guide portions that optically connect with the interior of the joined reaction containers; a mount transfer mechanism; a measuring device having a measuring end having at least one light guide portion that is optically connectable to the light guide portions of the coupling ends, that is able to receive light based on an optical state within the reaction containers; an on-mount measuring end transfer mechanism; and a measurement control portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2016
    Publication date: March 2, 2017
    Inventor: Hideji Tajima
  • Publication number: 20170058322
    Abstract: The invention relates to an automatic response/light measurement device and a method therefor, and the purpose is to effectively and quickly perform an optical measurement relating to a reaction with high reliability without increasing a device size. The device is configured to have: a container group in which a plurality of reaction containers are arranged; a measurement mount provided with a plurality of coupling ends that are joinable with apertures of the reaction containers, and have light guide portions that optically connect with the interior of the joined reaction containers; a mount transfer mechanism; a measuring device having a measuring end having at least one light guide portion that is optically connectable to the light guide portions of the coupling ends, that is able to receive light based on an optical state within the reaction containers; an on-mount measuring end transfer mechanism; and a measurement control portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2016
    Publication date: March 2, 2017
    Inventor: Hideji Tajima
  • Publication number: 20170058323
    Abstract: The invention relates to an automatic response/light measurement device and a method therefor, and the purpose is to effectively and quickly perform an optical measurement relating to a reaction with high reliability without increasing a device size. The device is configured to have: a container group in which a plurality of reaction containers are arranged; a measurement mount provided with a plurality of coupling ends that are joinable with apertures of the reaction containers, and have light guide portions that optically connect with the interior of the joined reaction containers; a mount transfer mechanism; a measuring device having a measuring end having at least one light guide portion that is optically connectable to the light guide portions of the coupling ends, that is able to receive light based on an optical state within the reaction containers; an on-mount measuring end transfer mechanism; and a measurement control portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2016
    Publication date: March 2, 2017
    Inventor: Hideji Tajima
  • Publication number: 20170058324
    Abstract: Devices, systems and methods for the parallel detection of a set of distinct nucleic acid sequences use multiple sequence amplification and simultaneous hybridization readout. An automated nucleic acid analysis system comprises in microfluidic connection sample lysis, purification, PCR and detection modules configured to detect in parallel distinct nucleic acid sequences via multiple sequence amplification and simultaneous microarray hybridization readout. High performance microfluidic electroactive polymer (?EAP) actuators comprising a dead-end fluid chamber in which the floor of the chamber is an electrode covered with an EAP layer of dielectric elastomer are configured for particle sorting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2015
    Publication date: March 2, 2017
    Inventors: Robert Balog, Nina Sechler
  • Publication number: 20170058325
    Abstract: A method of making optically pure preparations of chiral ?PNA (gamma peptide nucleic acid) monomers is provided. Nano structures comprising chiral ?PNA structures also are provided. Methods of amplifying and detecting specific nucleic acids, including in situ methods are provided as well as compositions and kits useful in those methods. Lastly, methods of converting nucleobase sequences from right-handed helical PNA, nucleic acid and nucleic acid analog structures to left-handed ?PNA, and vice-versa, are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2015
    Publication date: March 2, 2017
    Inventors: Danith H. Ly, Wei-Che Hsieh, Iulia Sacui, Arunava Manna
  • Publication number: 20170058326
    Abstract: The present invention provides a simple and rapid method for preparing purified transposase complexes that are highly suited for fragmenting DNA. The method includes forming transposase complexes with oligonucleotide adapters in cell lysate, then purifying the complexes from the other substance in the cell lysate. Purification is accomplished using a specific binding pair, in which one member of the pair is bound to an oligonucleotide adapter of the complex and the other member of the pair is bound to a solid substrate. The bound complexes can be immediately used in DNA fragmentation reactions to produce solid substrate-bound DNA fragments, which can be used for any number of purposes, including as templates for amplification and sequencing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2016
    Publication date: March 2, 2017
    Applicant: Agilent Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Alexander S. Belyaev