Patents Issued in December 26, 2017
  • Patent number: 9850504
    Abstract: Described is a method for the production of 3-buten-2-one comprising the enzymatic conversion of 4-hydroxy-2-butanone into 3-buten-2-one by making use of an enzyme catalyzing 4-hydroxy-2-butanone dehydration, wherein said enzyme catalyzing 4-hydroxy-2-butanone dehydration is (a) a 3-hydroxypropiony-CoA dehydratase (EC 4.2.1.116), (b) a 3-hydroxybutyryl-CoA dehydratase (EC 4.2.1.55), (c) an enoyl-CoA hydratase (EC 4.2.1.17), (d) a 3-hydroxyoctanoyl-[acyl-carrier-protein] dehydratase (EC 4.2.1.59), (e) a crotonyl-[acyl-carrier-protein] hydratase (EC 4.2.1.58), (f) a 3-hydroxydecanoyl-[acyl-carrier-protein] dehydratase (EC 4.2.1.60), (g) a 3-hydroxypalmitoyl-[acyl-carrier-protein] dehydratase (EC 4.2.1.61), (h) a long-chain-enoyl-CoA hydratase (EC 4.2.1.74), or (i) a 3-methylglutaconyl-CoA hydratase (EC 4.2.1.18). The produced 3-buten-2-one can be further converted into 3-buten-2-ol and finally into 1,3-butadiene.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignees: Scientist of Fortune, S.A., Global Bioenergies
    Inventors: Philippe Marliere, Maria Anissimova, Mathieu Allard
  • Patent number: 9850505
    Abstract: Microorganisms comprising modifications for producing pyruvate, ethanol, and other compounds. The microorganisms comprise modifications that reduce or ablate activity of one or more of pyruvate dehydrogenase, 2-oxoglutarate dehydrogenase, phosphate acetyltransferase, acetate kinase, pyruvate oxidase, lactate dehydrogenase, cytochrome terminal oxidase, succinate dehydrogenase, 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase, glutamate dehydrogenase, pyruvate formate lyase, pyruvate formate lyase activating enzyme, and isocitrate lyase. The microorganisms optionally comprise modifications that enhance expression or activity of pyruvate decarboxylase and alcohol dehydrogenase. The microorganisms are optionally evolved in defined media to enhance specific production of one or more compounds. Methods of producing compounds with the microorganisms are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: WISCONSIN ALUMNI RESEARCH FOUNDATION
    Inventors: Jennifer L. Reed, Xiaolin Zhang
  • Patent number: 9850506
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a modified microorganism having, compared to its wild-type, a reduced activity of the enzyme that is encoded by the fruA-gene. The present invention also relates to a method for producing an organic compound and to the use of modified microorganisms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: BASF SE
    Inventors: Joanna Martyna Krawczyk, Stefan Haefner, Hartwig Schröder, Esther Dantas Costa, Oskar Zelder, Gregory Von Abendroth
  • Patent number: 9850507
    Abstract: Yeast cells having a reductive TCA pathway from pyruvate or phosphoenolpyruvate to succinate, and which include at least one exogenous gene overexpressing an enzyme in that pathway, further contain an exogenous transhydrogenase gene.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignees: Cargill, Incorporated, BioAmber Inc.
    Inventors: Brian J. Rush, Kevin T. Watts, Vernon L. McIntosh, Jr., Arlene M. Fosmer, Gregory M. Poynter, Thomas W. McMullin
  • Patent number: 9850508
    Abstract: Several embodiments of the invention relate generally to a system and methods for the treatment of gaseous emissions comprising methane and one or more non-methane compounds that can influence the metabolism of methane-oxidizing microorganisms. In several embodiments, there is provided a system and methods for the treatment of methane emissions through the use of methanotrophic microorganisms to generate functionally consistent and harvestable products. Certain embodiments of the invention are particularly advantageous because they reduce environmentally-destructive methane emissions and produce harvestable end-products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: Newlight Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Markus Donald Herrema, Kenton Kimmel
  • Patent number: 9850509
    Abstract: Provided are an oleaginous microorganism disruption process using a supersonic disperser and a method for producing bio-oil using the same. The method for producing bio-oil according to the present invention induces a cell disruption of oleaginous microorganisms without a separate drying process, thereby providing a method for continuously producing bio-oil in an economical and simple manner. In addition, the method of the present invention induces a cell disruption of oleaginous microorganisms without a heating process, thereby producing bio-oil without a change in physical properties due to the heat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignees: SK Innovation Co., Ltd., SK Global Chemical Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chang Kuk Kim, Yeon Hwa La, Joong Min Park, Hong Seung Yeon, Cher Hee Park
  • Patent number: 9850510
    Abstract: Provided is a method of producing L-amino acids by using a recombinant coryneform microorganism in which the expression of a target gene is weakened by using a gene transcription inhibition method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: CJ CHEILJEDANG CORP.
    Inventors: Jun Ok Moon, Sang Jo Lim, Do Hyun Kwon, Kwang Ho Lee, Hyun Won Bae
  • Patent number: 9850511
    Abstract: A hydrothermal decomposition apparatus 17 as a biomass processing apparatus that decomposes a biomass material 11 into cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin under a high temperature and high pressure condition to remove a lignin component and a hemicellulose component, a biomass solid discharging unit 18 that discharges a biomass solid (a hot-water insoluble component) 20 processed in the hydrothermal decomposition apparatus 17, and a slurrying vessel 21 communicating with the biomass solid discharging unit 18, into which water 19 is injected and the discharged biomass solid 20 is added to make it slurried are provided to an apparatus body 13, which is a processing vessel having a gas-liquid interface 13a.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI HITACHI POWER SYSTEMS ENVIRONMENTAL SOLUTIONS, LTD.
    Inventors: Hideo Suzuki, Yoshio Kuromi, Yoshitaka Kimura
  • Patent number: 9850512
    Abstract: A method for processing a stream of cellulosic fines containing inorganic particles, to increase a hydrolysis yield of polysaccharide degradation enzymes, such fines in a waste stream from a recycled packaging paper mill to produce a stream of fermentable sugars, comprising treating the fines with a surfactant which selectively binds to the inorganic particles and which reduces binding to the inorganic particles by the polysaccharide degradation enzymes, and degrading polysaccharides in the waste stream with the polysaccharide degradation enzymes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: The Research Foundation For The State University of New York
    Inventors: Byeong Cheol Min, Bhavin V. Bhayani, Bandaru V. Ramarao
  • Patent number: 9850513
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a recombinant protein in cells with a cell wall, comprising the step of increasing the secretion of the recombinant protein through the cell wall by expression of the protein in the cells in a culture medium containing a combination of a surface-active polymer and monovalent metal ions and with an osmolarity at least 0.32 osmol/L, said invention further relating to culture media and nutrient mixtures for the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: GREENOVATION BIOTECH GMBH
    Inventors: Wolfgang Jost, Mathias Knappenberger, Doreen Claussnitzer, Andreas Schaaf
  • Patent number: 9850514
    Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and compositions for preventing incorporation of norleucine into proteins during recombinant protein production in bacteria. The present invention also provides microorganism host cells and nucleic acid molecules for use with the methods and compositions provided herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: Genentech, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael W. Laird, Karthik Veeravalli
  • Patent number: 9850515
    Abstract: The present invention provides methods of detecting a target molecule in a sample comprising incubating the sample with two or more detectably labeled probes, partitioning the sample into multiple partitions, and detecting the presence of the two or more probes in the same partition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Adam M. McCoy, Svilen Tzonev, Frank Hsiung
  • Patent number: 9850516
    Abstract: A system and method of detecting spores includes a light source configured to emit a light pulse within a first wavelength range, and a light sensor configured to detect a resulting phosphorescence emitted from one or more desiccated spores phosphorescing within a second wavelength range in a vicinity of the light pulse. The spore detector also includes circuitry configured to trigger emission of the light pulse and record the emitted phosphorescence at a pre-determined time after the light pulse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Inventor: John Arthur Wood
  • Patent number: 9850517
    Abstract: Biological cells in a liquid suspension are counted in an automated cell counter that focuses an image of the suspension on a digital imaging sensor that contains at least 4,000,000 pixels each having an area of 2×2 ?m or less and that images a field of view of at least 3 mm2. The sensor enables the counter to compress the optical components into an optical path of less than 20 cm in height when arranged vertically with no changes in direction of the optical path as a whole, and the entire instrument has a footprint of less than 300 cm2. Activation of the light source, automated focusing of the sensor image, and digital cell counting are all initiated by the simple insertion of the sample holder into the instrument. The suspension is placed in a sample chamber in the form of a slide that is shaped to ensure proper orientation of the slide in the cell counter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Tom McCollum, Paul Patt, Frank Shen, Daniel Y. Chu, Don Flory, Mike Griffin, Xin Heng, Eli Hefner
  • Patent number: 9850518
    Abstract: A diagnostic assay for detecting an occurrence of a stroke event in a mammalian subject. The assay comprises the steps of: (i) separating a plasma fraction from a blood sample collected from the mammalian subject; (ii) quantifying in the plasma fraction a L-glutamine hydroxylamine glutamyl transferase (L-GHGT) activity; (iii) quantifying in the plasma fraction a gamma glutamyl hydroxamate synthetase (GGHS) activity; (iv) adding together or alternatively calculating the combinatorial probability for the quantified L-GHGT activity and the quantified GGHS activity to produce a value for the net glutamine synthetase activity, and (v) correlating the net glutamine synthetase activity value with net glutamine synthetase activity values from healthy subjects to detect an occurrence of a stroke event in the mammalian subject. Also disclosed are kits comprising reagents and instructions for performing a diagnostic assay to detect and quantify L-GHGT activity and/or GGHS activity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: Kunjumon Ittira Vadakkan
    Inventor: Kunjumon Ittira Vadakkan
  • Patent number: 9850519
    Abstract: A method for producing alpha-glucosidase inhibitors utilizing Paenibacillus sp., wherein utilizing a Paenibacillus sp. strain which is deposited at Deutsche Sammlung von Mikroorganismen and Zellkulturen GmbH (DSMZ) and numbered No. DSM 32521 to produce the alpha-glucosidase inhibitors, the Paenibacillus sp. Strain is cultivated in a commercial culture medium or a shrimp/crab residue-contained culture medium, and the alpha-glucosidase inhibitors is separated from a fermented supernatant. The alpha-glucosidase inhibitors have strong inhibitory activity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: TAMKANG UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: San-Lang Wang, Yao-Haur Kuo, Po-Hao Shih, Van-Bon Nguyen, Anh-Dzung Nguyen
  • Patent number: 9850520
    Abstract: An electrochemical method for measuring the activity of enzymes using nanoelectrode arrays fabricated with vertically aligned carbon nanofibers. Short peptide substrates specific to disease-related enzymes are covalently attached to the exposed nanofiber tips. A redox moiety, such as ferrocene, can be linked at the distal end of the nanofibers. Contact of the arrays with a biological sample containing one or more target enzymes results in cleavage of the peptides and changes the redox signal of the redox moiety indicating the presence of the target enzymes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: Kansas State University Research Foundation
    Inventors: Jun Li, Duy Hua, Lateef Uddin Syed, Allan Prior, Luxi Swisher
  • Patent number: 9850521
    Abstract: Provided herein is a reaction mixture comprising Cas9 and a non-ionic surfactant, e.g., a polyoxyethylene surfactant. In certain embodiments, the reaction mixture may comprise a Cas9 protein, a guide RNA, a salt, a buffering agent, a nucleic acid target and a non-ionic surfactant. Kits are also provided. In certain embodiments, a kit may comprise: a Cas9 protein; and a concentrated reaction buffer comprising salt, a buffering agent and a non-ionic surfactant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: Agilent Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Carl Braman, Yuchu Grace Hsiung, Katherine Felts
  • Patent number: 9850522
    Abstract: A device and method for the rapid on-site detection of inhibitors of enzymes, such as acetylcholinesterase, is described wherein the device contains all reagents added to a sample pad containing dried releasable enzyme creating a reaction mixture wherein inhibitor deactivates the enzyme, while said reaction mixture travels via a longitudinal membrane to a distal porous pad containing a substrate for the enzyme. The reaction of the enzyme and the substrate results in a product that can generate a measurable signal such as color, fluorescence or luminescence to serve as a reporter. Signal that is generated at this reaction zone is inversely proportional to inhibitor concentration in the test sample. A device containing two such strips, one for a test sample, the other for a negative control fluid as an onboard comparator is described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: ANP Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Yli Remo Vallejo, Jr., David Milunic, Ray Yin, Renee Street, De Chen
  • Patent number: 9850523
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method for enriching for multiple genomic regions using a first bait set that selectively hybridizes to a first set of genomic regions of a nucleic acid sample and a second bait set that selectively hybridizes to a second set of genomic regions of the nucleic acid sample. These bait set panels can selectively enrich for one or more nucleosome-associated regions of a genome, said nucleosome-associated regions comprising genomic regions having one or more genomic base positions with differential nucleosomal occupancy, wherein the differential nucleosomal occupancy is characteristic of a cell or tissue type of origin or disease state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: Guardant Health, Inc.
    Inventors: Darya Chudova, Helmy Eltoukhy, Stefanie Ann Ward Mortimer, Diana Abdueva
  • Patent number: 9850524
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the detection of a target nucleic acid sequence by a POCH (PO Cleavage and Hybridization) assay on a solid substrate. The present invention detects the target nucleic acid sequence by use of in which the PO (Probing Oligonucleotide) hybridized with the target nucleic acid sequence is cleaved and the cleavage of the PO is detected by hybridization with the CO (Capturing Oligonucleotide). In the present invention, an uncleaved PO is hybridized with the CO immobilized onto the solid substrate. The designs of the PO and the CO are convenient and the optimization of reaction conditions is routinely easy in the present invention. Where the detection of signal on the solid substrate is continuously performed along with repetition of cleavage of the POs in the present invention, the number of the POs cleaved is increased upon the repetition number of the cleavage reaction and the signal is changed in parallel with the number of the POs cleaved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: SEEGENE, INC.
    Inventors: Jong Yoon Chun, Young Jo Lee
  • Patent number: 9850525
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an isothermal method for detecting in a sample a target nucleic acid strand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: Agilent Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Carsten-Peter Carstens
  • Patent number: 9850526
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to droplets and/or emulsions, such as multiple emulsions. In some cases, the droplets and/or emulsions may be used in assays, and in certain embodiments, the droplet or emulsion may be hardened to form a gel. In some aspects, a heterogeneous assay can be performed using a gel. For example, a droplet may be hardened to form a gel, where the droplet contains a cell, DNA, or other suitable species. The gel may be exposed to a reactant, and the reactant may interact with the gel and/or with the cell, DNA, etc., in some fashion. For example, the reactant may diffuse through the gel, or the hardened particle may liquefy to form a liquid state, allowing the reactant to interact with the cell. As a specific example, DNA contained within a gel particle may be subjected to PCR (polymerase chain reaction) amplification, e.g., by using PCR primers able to bind to the gel as it forms. As the DNA is amplified using PCR, some of the DNA will be bound to the gel via the PCR primer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: President and Fellows of Harvard College
    Inventors: Jeremy Agresti, Liang-Yin Chu, David A. Weitz, Jin-Woong Kim, Amy Rowat, Morten Sommer, Gautam Dantas, George Church
  • Patent number: 9850527
    Abstract: There is provided a method for detecting a target RNA molecule in a sample comprising reverse transcription, amplification of the reverse transcription product, and detection of the amplification product, involving the use of (i) an RT oligonucleotide comprising a stem-loop portion containing one or more nucleotides modified or modifiable to block DNA polymerase extension and a target annealing portion that is complementary to a downstream portion of the target RNA, the target annealing portion located 3? to the stem-loop portion, (ii) a first amplification primer that anneals to a downstream portion of a 3? extended region of the reverse transcription product and (ii) a second amplification primer that anneals to an interface portion of a DNA strand complementary to the reverse transcription product, the interface portion comprising a region that is complementary to a 3? portion of the RT oligonucleotide and a 5? portion of the 3? extended region in the reverse transcription product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: National University of Singapore
    Inventors: Heng Phon Too, Azlinda B. Anwar
  • Patent number: 9850528
    Abstract: The present invention provides oligonucleotides and processes for determining the normalized methylation level of DNA, and for determining the relative methylation level of DNA between at least two samples. The invention makes use of the random distribution of transposons in the genome. The disclosed oligonucleotides and processes are of importance, in particular, for clinical diagnostics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: HEINRICH-HEINE-UNIVERSITÄT DÜSSELDORF
    Inventor: Simeon Santourlidis
  • Patent number: 9850529
    Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods for nucleic acid based diagnostic assays. In particular, the present invention provides primers for asymmetric PCR and other amplification modalities. In some embodiments, the present invention provides multiple primers for amplification of related nucleic acid targets in a single reaction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: Brandeis University
    Inventors: Kenneth E. Pierce, John E. Rice, Lawrence J. Wangh
  • Patent number: 9850530
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an automatic real-time quantitative amplification system which can perform analysis of various biological samples, and more particularly to an automatic real-time quantitative amplification system in which a plurality of decks for respectively accommodating biological samples are put in a deck storing/transferring device, whereby it is possible to automatically analyze an amount or existence of a target substance containing a target nucleic acid in the biologic sample, such as a particular gene, a particular, a particular pathogenic bacterium and a particular protein, by amplifying the target nucleic acid purified by some processes of purification, purification after culture, or purification after reaction of the target substance contained in the biological sample and then checking an amount of the amplified target nucleic acid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: BIONEER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Han Oh Park, Kwon Sic Kim, Yang Won Lee, Jin Il Lee, Byung Rae Jeong, Jong Hoon Kim
  • Patent number: 9850531
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for protecting and. recovering nucleic acids. This method may be applied in a verification method of products using molecular code systems or it may be applied in a storage method for nucleic acids. The invention further provides specific particles, their use in secure marking; products suitable for such verification method, to processes for manufacturing such products and methods for reading the information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: ETH Zurich
    Inventors: Robert N. Grass, Wendelin Jan Stark
  • Patent number: 9850532
    Abstract: The invention provides methods, nucleic acids and kits for detecting prostate cell proliferative disorders. The invention discloses genomic sequences the methylation patterns of which have utility for the improved detection of said disorder, thereby enabling the improved diagnosis and treatment of patients.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: EPIGENOMICS AG
    Inventors: Andrew Z. Sledziewski, Catherine E. Lofton-Day, Reimo Tetzner, Juergen Distler, Fabian Model, Shannon Payne
  • Patent number: 9850533
    Abstract: The reaction-medicated amplification methods and applications include a new type of ligase. The general amplification and detection of the downstream with the ligase reaction includes 3 linking probes. It achieves the effect of eliminating nonspecific signal interference by respectively filling the detection tag sequence, upstream primer tag sequence, and downstream primer combination tag sequence into 3 different linking probes. Wherein the linking probe containing detection tag sequence forms a cystic structure and the specific hybridization sequences on both sides of the cystic structure form a “hybridization community” when being hybrid to the target sequences. Being hybrid closely at the adjacent positions to the target sequences, 3 linking probes finally form a complete probe chain containing 3 “tag” sequences with the effect of ligase. This technique achieves the goals of reducing reaction background, enhancing signal-noise-ration and avoiding false positive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: Xiamen Jike Biotechnology Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Xiabo Wang
  • Patent number: 9850534
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides biochips and methods for making biochips. A biochip can comprise a nanopore in a membrane (e.g., lipid bilayer) adjacent or in proximity to an electrode. Methods are described for forming the membrane and inserting the nanopore into the membrane. The biochips and methods can be used for nucleic acid (e.g., DNA) sequencing. The present disclosure also describes methods for detecting, sorting, and binning molecules (e.g., proteins) using biochips.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Inventors: Randall Davis, Roger Chen
  • Patent number: 9850535
    Abstract: A method for detecting a target nucleic acid, comprising: (a) contacting a nucleic acid sample comprising a target nucleic acid, comprising a first portion and a second portion, with: (i) a detection probe, wherein the detection probe is labeled with a labeling substance and comprises a nucleic acid sequence that forms a stem-loop structure and having a 5? protruding end or a 3? protruding end that is capable of hybridizing to the second portion, and (ii) a capture probe comprising a nucleic acid sequence capable of hybridizing to the first portion, wherein the capture probe is immobilized to a substrate, under conditions to form a target nucleic acid-detection probe-capture probe complex by hybridizing the second portion to the detection probe and hybridizing the first portion to the capture probe; (b) ligating a first end of the detection probe with an end of the target nucleic acid and ligating a second end of the detection probe with an end of the capture probe; and (c) detecting the labeling substance of
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignees: The University of Tokyo, Nikon Corporation
    Inventors: Taro Ueno, Takashi Funatsu, Takanori Ichiki, Hirofumi Shiono
  • Patent number: 9850536
    Abstract: A method for detecting nucleic acids by (a) providing a sample having target nucleic acids, each nucleic acid having contiguous first, second, and third domains; (b) contacting the sample with probe sets to form hybridization complexes, wherein each probe set includes (i) a first probe having a sequence that is complementary to the first domain; and (ii) a second probe having a sequence substantially complementary to the third domain; (c) extending the first probes along the second domains of the complexes while the complexes are immobilized on a solid support; (d) ligating the extended first probes to the second probes to form templates; (e) amplifying the templates with primers that are complementary to the first and second priming sequences to produce amplicons; and (f) detecting the amplicons on the surface of a nucleic acid array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: Illumina, Inc.
    Inventors: Arnold Oliphant, John R. Stuelpnagel, Mark S. Chee, Scott L. Butler, Jian-Bing Fan, Min-Jui Richard Shen
  • Patent number: 9850537
    Abstract: A method of predicting an effect of a c-Met inhibitor and/or selecting a subject for application of a c-Met inhibitor using TFF1, a method of monitoring an effect of a c-Met inhibitor using TFF1, and a method of treating and/or preventing cancer including administering a c-Met inhibitor to the selected subject.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Bo Gyou Kim, Eunjin Lee, Kyung Ah Kim, Tae Jin Ahn
  • Patent number: 9850538
    Abstract: Methods and kits for diagnosing and treating type I diabetes based upon the expression of macrophage-specific Chymotrypsin-Like Elastase Family, Member 3B, either alone or in combination with sialic acid-binding immunoglobulin-like lectin-1, are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois
    Inventor: Sundararajan Jayaraman
  • Patent number: 9850539
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are biomarkers useful for identifying and/or classifying bacterial infections in a subject.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: Duke University
    Inventors: Ephraim Tsalik, Vance Fowler, Christopher W. Woods, Joseph E. Lucas, Geoffrey S. Ginsburg, Sun Hee Ahn
  • Patent number: 9850540
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for detecting lung cancer using a lung cancer-specific biomarker, and more particularly to a biomarker for lung cancer diagnosis, which can detect methylation of PCDHGA12 gene whose 5?UTR or exon 1 region is specifically methylated in lung cancer cells, and to a method of detecting lung cancer and the stage of its progression using the biomarker. The diagnostic kit according to the present invention makes it possible to diagnose lung cancer at an early stage in an accurate and rapid manner compared to conventional methods and can be used for prognosis and monitoring of lung cancer and the stage of its progression.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: GENOMICTREE, INC.
    Inventors: Sung Whan An, Young Ho Moon, Tae Jeong Oh
  • Patent number: 9850541
    Abstract: The present invention relates to agents and methods for screening, diagnosis and surveillance of cancer, in particular pancreatic cancer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: Valley Health System
    Inventor: Ganepola A. P. Ganepola
  • Patent number: 9850542
    Abstract: Methods for identifying and treating cancers that are homologous recombination (HR)-repair defective. In some aspects, HR defective cancers are treated with a PARP inhibitor therapy. Methods for sensitizing cancers to a PARP inhibitor therapy are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: Board of Regents, The University of Texas System
    Inventors: Chun-Jen Lin, Guang Peng, Shiaw-Yih Lin, Gordon B. Mills
  • Patent number: 9850543
    Abstract: The invention provides methods of detecting cancer biomarkers, such as one or more SWI/SNF complex mutations, in order to determine a cancer subject's amenability to therapeutic treatment with a BRM inhibitor. Kits, methods of screening for candidate BRM inhibitors, and associated methods of treatment are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: Novartis AG
    Inventors: Zainab Jagani, Gregory Hoffman, Frank Peter Stegmeier, Craig Stephen Mickanin
  • Patent number: 9850544
    Abstract: We examined IQGAP1 copy gain and its relationship with clinicopathologic outcomes of thyroid cancer and investigated its role in cell invasion and molecules involved in the process. We found IQGAP1 copy number (CN) gain?3 in 1 of 30 (3%) of benign thyroid tumor, 24 of 74 (32%) follicular variant papillary thyroid cancer (FVPTC), 44 of 107 (41%) follicular thyroid cancer (FTC), 8 of 16 (50%) tall cell papillary thyroid cancer (PTC), and 27 of 41 (66%) anaplastic thyroid cancer, in increasing order of invasiveness of these tumors. A similar tumor distribution trend of CN?4 was also seen. IQGAP1 copy gain was positively correlated with IQGAP1 protein expression. It was significantly associated with extrathyroidal and vascular invasion of FVPTC and FTC and, remarkably, a 50%-60% rate of multifocality and recurrence of BRAF mutation-positive PTC (P=0.01 and 0.02, respectively). The siRNA knockdown of IQGAP1 dramatically inhibited thyroid cancer cell invasion and colony formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: The Johns Hopkins University
    Inventor: Michael Mingzhao Xing
  • Patent number: 9850545
    Abstract: Disclosed is a multi-primer amplification assay, method and kits for detecting Mycoplasma species and closely related species utilizing a plurality of oligonucleotide primers in contact with a sample in a single vessel and detecting the amplification product, wherein the presence of an amplification product indicates Mycoplasma in the sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: Life Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Olga Petrauskene, Pius Brzoska, Somaya Bit, Jen-Kuei Liu, Robert Tebbs, Manohar Furtado
  • Patent number: 9850546
    Abstract: A system, device, and method for rapid detection of analytes that includes a living, engineered biosensor cell that is typically a component of the mammalian immune system; a reporter protein that is engineered into and expressed by the living, engineered biosensor cell, wherein the reporter protein emits a detectable signal in response to certain predetermined changes in the cytosol of the living, engineered cell; a signal transduction pathway expressed by the living, engineered biosensor cell, wherein the signal transduction pathway controls a biological process within the cytosol of the living, engineered biosensor cell, and wherein the biochemical process, when it occurs, causes the reporter protein to emit a detectable signal; at least one type of detector molecule that is adapted to bind to a specific analyte; at least one analyte that binds to the detector molecule that is specific to that analyte; a plurality of non-antibody signal transducing elements that are either expressed by the living, engineer
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: Fundamental Solutions Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas J. Zupancic, Lingchun Zeng, Srikanth Vedamoorthy, Joel S. Lwande, Joseph D. Kittle, Min Mo
  • Patent number: 9850547
    Abstract: A system, device, and method for rapid detection of analytes that includes a living, engineered biosensor cell that is typically a component of the mammalian immune system; a reporter protein that is engineered into and expressed by the living, engineered biosensor cell, wherein the reporter protein emits a detectable signal in response to certain predetermined changes in the cytosol of the living, engineered cell; a signal transduction pathway expressed by the living, engineered biosensor cell, wherein the signal transduction pathway controls a biological process within the cytosol of the living, engineered biosensor cell, and wherein the biochemical process, when it occurs, causes the reporter protein to emit a detectable signal; at least one type of detector molecule that is adapted to bind to a specific analyte; at least one analyte that binds to the detector molecule that is specific to that analyte; a plurality of non-antibody signal transducing elements that are either expressed by the living, engineer
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: Fundamental Solutions Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas J. Zupancic, Lingchun Zeng, Srikanth Vedamoorthy, Joel S. Lwande, Joseph D. Kittle, Min Mo
  • Patent number: 9850548
    Abstract: A system, device, and method for rapid detection of analytes that includes a living, engineered biosensor cell that is typically a component of the mammalian immune system; a reporter protein that is engineered into and expressed by the living, engineered biosensor cell, wherein the reporter protein emits a detectable signal in response to certain predetermined changes in the cytosol of the living, engineered cell; a signal transduction pathway expressed by the living, engineered biosensor cell, wherein the signal transduction pathway controls a biological process within the cytosol of the living, engineered biosensor cell, and wherein the biochemical process, when it occurs, causes the reporter protein to emit a detectable signal; at least one type of detector molecule that is adapted to bind to a specific analyte; at least one analyte that binds to the detector molecule that is specific to that analyte; a plurality of non-antibody signal transducing elements that are either expressed by the living, engineer
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: Fundamental Solutions Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas J. Zupancic, Lingchun Zeng, Srikanth Vedamoorthy, Joel S. Lwande, Joseph D. Kittle, Min Mo
  • Patent number: 9850549
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and kits are provided wherein a temperature-sensitive reagent that emits a luminescent signal is used to adjust the identification of the temperature of a sample or to control thermocycling. In various illustrative embodiments, the sample is a PCR mixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: University of Utah Research Foundation
    Inventors: Lindsay N. Sanford, Carl T. Wittwer
  • Patent number: 9850550
    Abstract: A saccharide recovering method for recovering saccharides from a saccharified slurry obtained after subjecting a slurry of cellulosic biomass to a hot water treatment and to provide a washing device for washing a saccharified slurry residue suited for conducting such a saccharide recovery method is provided. Saccharified slurry of cellulosic biomass is fed on a conveyor having a net conveyor belt, the saccharified slurry is dehydrated, washing water is sprayed to dissolve saccharides remaining in the residue into the washing liquid. The residue is washed by a plurality of washing water spraying units disposed in series in such a manner that the moving direction of the residue and the moving direction of the washing water are opposite to each other. The washing water having washed the residue is used as washing water for washing water spraying unit in the direction opposite to the moving direction of the conveyor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: KAWASAKI JUKOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Shoji Tsujita, Noriaki Izumi, Hironori Tajiri, Hiromasa Kusuda, Masaki Tsuzawa
  • Patent number: 9850551
    Abstract: A saccharified solution production method includes: a saccharifying step of saccharifying hemicellulose or cellulose contained in cellulosic biomass to C5 or C6 saccharides by subjecting a slurry of cellulosic biomass to a hot water treatment in a supercritical state or subcritical state; a washing step of successively washing a solid in the slurry with washing water after the saccharifying step, by using multiple stages of thickeners for washing arranged in series so that the direction of movement of the solid in the slurry and the direction of movement of overflow water are opposite to each other; and a concentration step of removing a solid residue from the washing water recovered in the washing step by using a thickener for still standing that is different from the thickeners for washing, and then concentrating a supernatant of the thickener for still standing by using a concentration device to give a saccharified solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: KAWASAKI JUKOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hiromasa Kusuda, Noriaki Izumi, Hironori Tajiri, Shoji Tsujita, Noriyuki Taniyama
  • Patent number: 9850552
    Abstract: A method of processing ultra high hardness steel is provided to increase its usefulness in armor applications. The method involves slowly cooling the ultra high hardness steel to a cryogenic temperature, slowly returning the steel to an ambient temperature, slowly heating the steel, and again slowly returning it to an ambient temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: INCIDENT CONTROL SYSTEMS
    Inventor: Stephen A. Monette, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9850553
    Abstract: System and methods relating to in-line heat-treating, hardening and tempering of material, such as for example, coiled steel into a roll-formed, hardened and tempered structural member having uniform or different targeted properties in selected zones of the structural member. The different targeted properties may be achieved by heating and/or cooling the material subject to certain parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: Roll Forming Corporation
    Inventors: Matthew Work, William Schooley