Patents Issued in January 30, 2018
  • Patent number: 9879214
    Abstract: A thin film culture device for detecting yeast and mold microorganisms in a sample is provided. The culture device comprises a body comprising a self-supporting substrate having a first major surface and a second major surface; a first adhesive composition disposed on a portion of the first major surface of the substrate; a substantially dry, cold-water-soluble first hydrogel-forming composition adhered to the first adhesive composition; and a plurality of indicator agents. The plurality of indicator agents comprises three indicator agents for detecting distinct glycosidase enzyme activities, an indicator agent for detecting an alkyl esterase enzyme activity, and an indicator agent for detecting a phosphatase enzyme activity, wherein each of the plurality of indicator agents comprises a detectable reporter group. A method of using the culture device is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Sailaja Chandrapati, Tera M. Nordby
  • Patent number: 9879215
    Abstract: A subject moving device includes: a base; a head section provided with vertically movable rods and moving along a prescribed movement path above the base; a first container section which stores a subject of movement; a second container section which receives the subject of movement; a tip stocking section which holds a plurality of tips in a state where the plurality of tips are attachable to the rods, the tips being attachable to and detachable from the rods and being configured to suction the subject of movement and discharge the suctioned subject of movement in accordance with vertical movements of the rods; a tip discarding section which collects the tips having finished the suction and the discharge of the subject of movement and having been detached from the rods; and a control section which controls the vertical movements of the rods and the movement operations of the head section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: YAMAHA HATSUDOKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Saburo Ito
  • Patent number: 9879216
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to an apparatus for monitoring a cell culture comprising a) one or more infrared sensors positioned adjacent to a cell culture, the one or more infrared sensors capable of recording an infrared heat signal from the cell culture; b) a power source in electrical communication with the one or more infrared sensors; c) a data storage and computation device configured to receive and analyze the infrared heat signal from the one or more infrared sensors; and d) a transmitter device in electrical communication with the storage and computation device; wherein the apparatus monitors the pattern of heat production in the cell culture. The present invention is also directed to methods for monitoring and analyzing the metabolic activity of cells using the above apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Amos Cahan, Theodore G. van Kessel
  • Patent number: 9879217
    Abstract: The disclosure provides a cell freezing and storage bag assembly and a method for using the assembly in banking eukaryotic cells for later seed train expansion. The bag is constructed principally of fluorinated ethylene propylene (FEP) fabric, and is designed to be filled such that the cell suspension has a very thin cross-section. The bag design includes at least an inlet conduit and an outlet or inoculation conduit, which can be sterilely welded to the source of the eukaryotic cells. The use of at least two sterile-weldable conduits allows for “closed system” filling of the bags, which significantly reduces the risk of contamination relative to other cell-banking methods. The bag also include a sleeve, which can be thermo-welded to form an enclosure, which protects the inlet and outlet conduits against contamination and mechanical damage during freezing, storage and subsequent thawing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: MERIAL, INC.
    Inventor: Hervé François Coupier
  • Patent number: 9879218
    Abstract: The invention relates to methods of producing a diatom biomass. More particularly, the invention relates to methods to produce a diatom biomass using a continuous culture to produce a volumetric production rate of biomass of at least 20 g dry weight/L/day, wherein the culture medium is designed to provide the essential nutrients to maintain the diatom in log phase growth. In a preferred embodiment the biomass comprises highly unsaturated fatty acid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: FERMENTALG
    Inventors: Mark Humphrey Dines, Hywel David Griffiths, Moreland David Gibbs
  • Patent number: 9879219
    Abstract: The process of growing a homogeneous polymer matrix comprising the steps of growing a viable mycelium in a liquid suspension; extracting mycelium from the liquid suspension; thereafter incubating the mycelium for a period of time sufficient to induce mycelium cohesion and to form a solid material; and thereafter drying the solid material to remove moisture and to inactivate the mycelium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: Ecovative Design, LLC
    Inventors: Gavin McIntyre, Eben Bayer, Daniel Flagg
  • Patent number: 9879220
    Abstract: Implementations herein relate to systems and methods for removal of tebuconazole from water using a duplex reactor. Water samples containing tebuconazole enter a double sandwich of the duplex reactor, and then enter a reactor inner shell of the duplex reactor through a water distributor. In the duplex reactor, the tebuconazole is removed by adsorption resins loaded with microorganisms. After the removal, a concentration of the tebuconazole in adsorption effluent is below the standard limit of the national pesticide wastewater discharge. The microorganisms loaded on the resins use organic carbon (e.g., tebuconazole) in water as a carbon source and degrade tebuconazole that is absorbed by the resins. The systems and methods not only solve problems associated with conventional techniques (e.g., poor water quality fluctuations and lacking of time long degradation), but also address issues associated with resin adsorption methods (e.g., secondary pollution derived from resins regeneration).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: Beijing University of Technology
    Inventors: Jinnan Wang, Chen Chen, Dadao Wang, Shuyan Tian
  • Patent number: 9879221
    Abstract: An IVF system for successfully utilizing spermatozoa separated into X-chromosome bearing and into Y-chromosome bearing population for insemination. The IVF system includes fertilization medium that can shorten the time from insemination to cleavage and a portable incubator for the transportation of maturing oocytes and inseminated oocytes comprising a straw (19) and an incubation element (20) that can be sealed with a cap (22).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: XY, LLC
    Inventors: George E. Seidel, Tae Kwang Suh, Kehuan Lu
  • Patent number: 9879222
    Abstract: Disclosed are sperm cells or embryos comprising a labeled oligonucleotide bound to a gender-specific repeat sequence. Methods for separating sperm cells or embryos containing a labeled oligonucleotide from sperm cells not containing the labeled oligonucleotide produce gender-enriched sperm cell fractions. The separated fractions are useful in producing offspring of a predetermined sex.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: MofA Group LLC
    Inventors: Bradley Didion, Whitney Erwin, Reiner Bleher
  • Patent number: 9879223
    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: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: Fenwal, Inc.
    Inventors: Yoshikazu Mizobuchi, JoAnne B. Alfaro
  • Patent number: 9879224
    Abstract: Methods are disclosed for isolation of a stem-cell derived differentiated cell, which method entails illuminating an incident light onto a plurality of stem-cell derived cells that comprise at least an undifferentiated cell and a differentiated cell possessing a noncentrosymmetric structure, wherein the differentiated cell generates second-harmonic light from the incident light; and isolating the differentiated cell identified by the second-harmonic light. Devices for carrying out the methods are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignees: The Regents of the University of California, Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC
    Inventors: James W. Chan, Deborah Lieu
  • Patent number: 9879225
    Abstract: An isolated human cell and populations thereof is provided comprising at least one astrocytic phenotype and at least one mesenchymal stem cell phenotype, wherein the mesenchymal stem cell phenotype is not an astrocytic phenotype.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: Ramot at Tel-Aviv University Ltd.
    Inventors: Daniel Offen, Merav Bahat-Stromza, Eldad Melamed
  • Patent number: 9879226
    Abstract: Disclosed is a basic culture medium for mesenchymal stem cells, and a cell therapeutic agent cultured and differentiated using same. The basic culture medium reduces the time taken from collection to mass culturing by increasing the proliferation rate of undifferentiated mesenchymal stem cells derived from an adult tissue such as human marrow and adipose tissue, and also is capable of various differentiations into treating agents for bone-forming cells, for cartilage cells, or for fat cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: SEWON CELLONTECH CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Dong-Sam Suh, Jun Keun Lee, Dong Il Chang, Min Jung Choi, Jang Hoon Kim, Ga Ram Kim, Cheong Ho Chang
  • Patent number: 9879227
    Abstract: The present invention relates to modified cancer cells that are defective in the production of diffusible factors (e.g., growth factors), and to the use of such cells for impairing the growth of a population of human cells, in particular wherein the cells are human cancer cells and the population of cells is a neoplasm, tumor or cancer. The invention preferably comprises the step of modifying tumor cells by deleting or modifying endogenous genes that code for (or affect the production of), diffusible growth factors that promote cell survival and proliferation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Inventor: Marco Archetti
  • Patent number: 9879228
    Abstract: The present invention relates in part to methods for producing tissue-specific cells from patient samples, and to tissue-specific cells produced using these methods. Methods for reprogramming cells using RNA are disclosed. Therapeutics comprising cells produced using these methods are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: FACTOR BIOSCIENCE INC.
    Inventors: Matthew Angel, Christopher Rohde
  • Patent number: 9879229
    Abstract: A method of using a cell to produce virus is provided involving growing cells under hyperosmotic conditions during a growth phase of the cells, infecting or transfecting the cells grown under hyperosmotic conditions with a virus, and maintaining the infected or transfected cells under less stressful conditions during a production phase of the infected or transfected cells to produce more of the virus. Viral productivity is improved by this method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: National Research Council of Canada
    Inventors: Chun Fang Shen, Amine Kamen
  • Patent number: 9879230
    Abstract: Novel nucleic acids include non-integrative chimeric retroviral genomes including the 5? and 3? long terminal repeat sequences (LTRs) of the caprine lentivirus: the Caprine Arthritis Encephalitis Virus (CAEV) or of another retrovirus not integrating human cells and at least one viral gene of another retrovirus. A vector including such a nucleic acid, an immunogenic or vaccinal composition including the vector or the nucleic acid, as well as their use for treating and/or preventing an infection by a retrovirus or a disease induced by a pathogenic agent are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: CENTRE NATIONAL DE LA RECHERCHE SCIENTIFIQUE (C.N.R.S)
    Inventors: Yahia Chebloune, Delphine Aldebert, Géraldine Arrode-Bruses
  • Patent number: 9879231
    Abstract: The present invention relates to recombinant modified vaccinia Ankara (MVA) virus containing restructured sites useful for the integration of heterologous nucleic acid sequences into an intergenic region (IGR) of the virus genome, where the IGR is located between two adjacent, essential open reading frames (ORFs) of the vaccinia virus genome, wherein the adjacent essential ORFs are non-adjacent in a parental MVA virus used to construct the recombinant MVA virus, and to related nucleic acid constructs useful for inserting heterologous DNA into the genome of a vaccinia virus, and further to the use of the disclosed viruses as a medicine or vaccine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: The United States of America, as represented by the Secretary, Department of Health and Human Services
    Inventors: Bernard Moss, Linda S. Wyatt, Patricia L. Earl
  • Patent number: 9879232
    Abstract: The attenuated vaccinia virus strain KVAC103 was obtained by subculturing a vaccinia virus strain 103 times in VERO cells. The attenuated vaccinia virus strain KVAC103 has significantly low toxicity, shows reduced skin lesions, and, at the same time, induces effectively immune responses to poxvirus. Thus, it can be used as a poxvirus vaccine while causing less side effects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: KOREA CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION
    Inventors: Sang Gu Yeo, Ho Sun Son, June Woo Lee, Seung Bin Cha, Sun Hwa Lee, Kwi Sung Park, Sang Won Lee
  • Patent number: 9879233
    Abstract: The present application relates to the field of Parkinson's disease (PD), particularly sporadic PD or PD associated with mutations in the mitochondrial kinase PINK1. A new substrate for this kinase, NdufA10, is identified herein. In Parkinson's disease, this protein is dephosphorylated, which is linked to a loss of mitochondrial membrane potential. It is shown that restoring or mimicking phosphorylation of NdufA10 restores the phenotypic defects associated with Parkinson's disease and is thus a new therapeutic paradigm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignees: VIB VZW, KATHOLIEKE UNIVERSITEIT LEUVEN
    Inventors: Bart De Strooper, Patrik Verstreken, Vanessa Morais Epifânio
  • Patent number: 9879234
    Abstract: The invention provides nucleic acid molecules which encodes a novel fatty acid desaturase, KCS, KCR and/or LACS from Thraustochytrium aureum and Sphaeroforma arctica. The invention also provides recombinant expression vectors containing the nucleic acid molecules, host cells into which the expression vectors have been introduced, and methods for large-scale production of long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFAs), e.g., ARA, EPA and DHA and for screening for delta-4 desaturases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: BASF PLANT SCIENCE COMPANY GMBH
    Inventors: Laurent Marty, Toralf Senger
  • Patent number: 9879235
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to wheat plants having increased resistance to an imidazolinone herbicide. More particularly, the present invention includes wheat plants containing one or more IMI nucleic acids such as an Einkorn IMI cultivar. The present invention also includes seeds produced by these wheat plants and methods of controlling weeds in the vicinity of these wheat plants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: University of Saskatchewan
    Inventor: Pierre Hucl
  • Patent number: 9879236
    Abstract: A method for increasing growth or biomass of a plant in a shorter period of time, compared to a control plant, includes transforming a plant cell using a recombination vector including a geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate synthase (GGPS) gene. A method for preparing a transgenic plant having higher growth or biomass in a shorter period of time, compared to a control plant, includes transforming a plant cell using the recombination vector having the GGPS gene. A composition for promoting higher growth or biomass of a plant, compared to a plant body, includes a GGPS gene. A plant or seed of the plant having higher growth or biomass, compared to the control plant, is prepared using the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: KOREA RESEARCH INSTITUTE OF BIOSCIENCE AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Beung Tae Ryu, Kumar Tata Sandeep
  • Patent number: 9879237
    Abstract: Disclosed are mutant DNA polymerases having increased 3?-mismatch discrimination relative to a corresponding, unmodified polymerase. The mutant polymerases are useful in a variety of disclosed primer extension methods. Also disclosed are related compositions, including recombinant nucleic acids, vectors, and host cells, which are useful, e.g., for production of the mutant DNA polymerases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: Roche Molecular Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Keith Bauer, Fred Reichert, Thomas W. Myers
  • Patent number: 9879238
    Abstract: Polypeptides having phytase activity and polynucleotide sequences encoding the phytases are provided. The gene expresses the phytase at a level of at least 7 g/L to 40 g/L. The phytase have higher specific activity, retain activity at low pH, and retain activity at high temperature. The phytase can be used in a variety of compositions including food, feed, pharmaceuticals, and cleaning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: BASF Enzymes LLC
    Inventors: Xuqiu Tan, Arne I. Solbak, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9879239
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to enzyme variants with improved ester synthase properties for the production of fatty acid esters. Further contemplated are recombinant host cells that express such variants, cell cultures comprising the recombinant host cells and fatty acid ester compositions produced by such recombinant host cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: REG LIFE SCIENCES, LLC
    Inventors: Andrew M. Shumaker, Bernardo M. Da Costa, Kevin Holden, Louis G. Hom, Tarah S. Baron, Noah Helman
  • Patent number: 9879240
    Abstract: The Bacterial cocaine esterase (CocE) mutants disclosed herein each have enhanced catalytic efficiency for (?)-cocaine, as compared to CocE mutants in the prior art, including CocE mutant E172-173. The presently-disclosed subject matter further includes a pharmaceutical composition including a mutant of bacterial cocaine hydrolase, as described herein, and a suitable pharmaceutical carrier. The presently-disclosed subject matter further includes a method of treating a cocaine-induced condition comprising administering to an individual an effective amount of a mutant of bacterial cocaine hydrolase variant, as disclosed herein, to accelerate cocaine metabolism and produce biologically inactive metabolites.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: University of Kentucky Research Foundation
    Inventors: Chang-Guo Zhan, Fang Zheng, Lei Fang
  • Patent number: 9879241
    Abstract: The present invention relates to variants of a parent glucoamylase. The present invention also relates to polynucleotides encoding the variants; nucleic acid constructs, vectors, and host cells comprising the polynucleotides; and methods of using the glucoamylase variants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: NOVOZYMES A/S
    Inventors: Jesper Vind, Esben Peter Friis, Thomas Agsersten Poulsen, Michael Skjøt, Peter Kamp Hansen, Frank Winther Rasmussen, Steen Krogsgaard, Joyce Craig, Guillermo Coward-Kelly, Keiichi Ayabe
  • Patent number: 9879242
    Abstract: The present invention relates to isolated polypeptides having endoglucanase activity and isolated polynucleotides encoding the polypeptides. The invention also relates to nucleic acid constructs, vectors, and host cells comprising the polynucleotides as well as methods of producing and using the polypeptides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: Novozymes Inc.
    Inventors: Yu Zhang, Ye Liu, Junxin Duan, Lan Tang
  • Patent number: 9879243
    Abstract: The present invention is directed generally to cell culture media useful for introducing macromolecules and compounds (e.g., nucleic acid molecules) into cells (e.g., eukaryotic cells) in the presence of said media. Cells containing introduced materials can be further cultured in the media. In particular, the invention allows introduction of nucleic acid molecules (e.g., vectors) into cells (particularly eukaryotic cells) and expression of proteins encoded by the nucleic acid molecules in the cells. The invention obviates the need to change the cell culture medium each time a different procedure is performed with the cells (e.g., culturing cells vs. transfecting cells). The invention thus provides efficient and high throughput methods to transform/transfect culture and cells avoiding the need for multiple manipulations and transfers of cells during transfection and expression studies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: LifeTechnologies Corporation
    Inventors: Valentina C. Ciccarone, Dale Gruber, Shelly Bennett
  • Patent number: 9879244
    Abstract: The present invention relates to xylanase variants. The present invention also relates to polynucleotides encoding the variants; nucleic acid constructs, vectors, and host cells comprising the polynucleotides; and methods of using the variants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: NOVOZYMES A/S
    Inventor: Mark Wogulis
  • Patent number: 9879245
    Abstract: The present compositions and methods relate to a beta-mannanase from Bacillus hemicellulosilyticus, polynucleotides encoding the beta-mannanase, and methods of make and/or use thereof. Formulations containing the beta-mannanase are suitable for use in hydrolyzing lignocellulosic biomass substrates, especially those comprising a measurable level of galactoglucomannan (GGM) and/or glucomannan (GM).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: DANISCO US INC.
    Inventors: Ling Hua, Rosalyn Lau, Steven Le, Zhen Qian, Zheyong Yu
  • Patent number: 9879246
    Abstract: The present invention provides a fibrinolytic composition useful as a therapeutic for administration to a patient having a thrombotic occlusion. In one aspect of the present invention, the fibrinolytic composition comprises a reversibly inactivated acidified serine protease substantially free of a plasminogen activator, a low buffering capacity buffer, and optionally, a stabilizing agent. In another aspect of the invention, the fibrinolytic composition of the present invention comprises a reversibly inactivated acidified plasmin substantially free of a plasminogen activator, a low buffering capacity buffer, and optionally, a stabilizing agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: Grifols Therapeutics Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas P Zimmerman, Valery Novokhatny, Shan Jiang, James D Colandene
  • Patent number: 9879247
    Abstract: Isolated and/or purified polypeptides and nucleic acid sequences encoding polypeptides from Alicyclobacillus acidocaldarius are provided. Further provided are methods for modulating or altering metabolism in a cell using isolated and/or purified polypeptides and nucleic acid sequences from Alicyclobacillus acidocaldarius.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: Battelle Energy Alliance, LLC
    Inventors: Vicki S. Thompson, William A. Apel, Jeffrey A. Lacey, Brady D. Lee, David William Reed, Francisco F. Roberto, David N. Thompson
  • Patent number: 9879248
    Abstract: The invention relates to engineering microbial cells for utilization of cellulosic materials as a carbon source, including xylose.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Gregory Stephanopoulos, Mitchell Tai
  • Patent number: 9879249
    Abstract: The disclosure provides aldehyde-tagged protein carriers that can be covalently and site-specifically bound to drug to provide a drug-containing scaffold. The invention also encompasses methods of production of such drug-containing scaffolds and intermediates, as well as methods of use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: Redwood Bioscience, Inc.
    Inventors: David Rabuka, Mark Alan Breidenbach
  • Patent number: 9879250
    Abstract: There is provided a protein stabilizer containing a compound represented by Formula (1) as an active ingredient. The protein stabilizer is capable of stabilizing a protein in a solution state for a long period of time without affecting an assay system, the protein being not limited to enzymes, labeling substances such as fluorescent substances and chemiluminescent substances, and assay target substances. There is also provided a protein stabilization method containing making the protein coexist with the compound represented by Formula (1) in a water-containing solution. In Formula (1), X is a hydrogen atom or a methyl group, and n is an integer of 3 to 17.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: NOF CORPORATION
    Inventors: Fumio Nakashima, Masaru Matsuda, Tomozumi Noda, Satoshi Yamada
  • Patent number: 9879251
    Abstract: Methods are provided for microbial electrosynthesis of H2 and organic compounds such as methane and acetate. Method of producing mature electrosynthetic microbial populations by continuous culture is also provided. Microbial populations produced in accordance with the embodiments as shown to efficiently synthesize H2, methane and acetate in the presence of CO2 and a voltage potential. The production of biodegradable and renewable plastics from electricity and carbon dioxide is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: MEDICAL UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA
    Inventors: Harold D. May, Christopher W. Marshall, Edward V. Labelle
  • Patent number: 9879252
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of identifying a protein that binds to a target molecule and has intracellular functionality. This method includes providing a construct comprising a deoxyribonucleic acid molecule encoding the protein which binds to the target molecule, with the deoxyribonucleic acid molecule being coupled to a stall sequence. A host cell is transformed with the construct and then cultured under conditions effective to form, within the host cell, a complex of the protein whose translation has been stalled, the mRNA encoding the protein, and ribosomes. The protein in the complex is in a properly folded, active form and the complex is recovered from the cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: Cornell Research Foundation, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew P. Delisa, Lydia Contreras-Martinez
  • Patent number: 9879253
    Abstract: The present invention provides methods of enhancing the efficacy and specificity of RNAi using single or double blunt-ended siRNA. The invention also provides single and double-blunt ended siRNA compositions, vectors, and transgenes containing the same for mediating silencing of a target gene. Therapeutic methods are also featured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS
    Inventors: Phillip D. Zamore, Dianne Schwarz
  • Patent number: 9879254
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an isolated nucleic acid molecule comprising a first nucleic acid sequence 5?-ACCCTGCCGCCTGGACTCCGCCTGT-3? (SEQ ID NO: 22), or a functional variant thereof, operably linked to a second, heterologous nucleic acid sequence. The isolated nucleic acid molecule can be DNA (in an expression vector) and RNA (mRNA, shRNA, orncRNA). Also disclosed is a microvesicle comprising the nucleic acid molecule and a microvesicle preparation comprising the microvesicle. Also disclosed is an in vitro method of producing a microvesicle preparation enriched for a specific RNA sequence by transfecting cells with the nucleic acid sequence, and isolating microvesicles generated therefrom. Methods of delivering therapeutic RNA to a subject are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: THE GENERAL HOSPTIAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Okay Saydam, Mehmet Fatih Bolukbasi, Arda Mizrak, Xandra O. Breakefield
  • Patent number: 9879255
    Abstract: The present invention provides oligonucleotides that inhibit the binding of miR-27a to VE-cadherin mRNA, particularly in the form of blockmirs. The invention also provides compositions comprising such oligonucleotides and methods of use of such oligonucleotides to modulate the activity of VE-cadherin, inhibit or reduce vascular permeability, treat or prevent a vascular permeability-associated disease or condition, inhibit tumor growth, treat ischaemic injury, enhance recovery from ischaemic injury, treat surgical wounds and/or promotes post-operative recovery, and promote or induce angiogenesis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: University of Newcastle Upon Tyne
    Inventors: Jennifer Gamble, Mathew Vadas, Thorleif Moller
  • Patent number: 9879256
    Abstract: The present invention relates to antisense oligonucleotides that modulate the expression of and/or function of Hepatocyte Growth Factor (HGF), in particular, by targeting natural antisense polynucleotides of Hepatocyte Growth Factor (HGF). The invention also relates to the identification of these antisense oligonucleotides and their use in treating diseases and disorders associated with the expression of HGF.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: CuRNA, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph Collard, Olga Khorkova Sherman
  • Patent number: 9879257
    Abstract: Disclosed are genes that, when overexpressed in cells expressing alpha-synuclein, either suppress or enhance alpha-synuclein mediated cellular toxicity. Compounds that modulate expression of these genes or activity of the encoded proteins can be used to inhibit alpha-synuclein mediated toxicity and used to treat or prevent synucleinopathies such as Parkinson's disease. Also disclosed are methods of identifying inhibitors of alpha-synuclein mediated toxicity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research
    Inventors: Susan L. Lindquist, Aaron D. Gitler, Anil Cashikar
  • Patent number: 9879258
    Abstract: The present invention relates to modulators, in particular inhibitors, of TSC22D4 activity or expression and their uses for the prevention, treatment, and/or regulation of insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome and/or diabetes and/or for improving insulin sensitivity in mammal. The present invention further relates to screening methods in order to identify these modulators, the use of modulators as identified in the diagnosis of these diseases, as well as kits, comprising materials for performing the methods according to the present invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignees: DEUTSCHES KREBSFORSCHUNGSZENTRUM STIFTUNG DES OFFENTLICHEN RECHTS, RUPRECHT-KARLS-UNIVERSITAT HEIDELBERG
    Inventors: Mauricio Berriel Diaz, Stephan Herzig, Kilian Friedrich, Allan Jones
  • Patent number: 9879260
    Abstract: The use of miR-34a and agonists thereof in the treatment of bone loss diseases is described. Such conditions include osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis and other bone wasting diseases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: The Board of Regents of the University of Texas System
    Inventor: Yihong Wan
  • Patent number: 9879261
    Abstract: The technology described herein relates to double-stranded ribonucleic acid (dsRNA) compositions targeting the Serpina1 gene, and methods of using such dsRNA compositions to inhibit expression of Serpina1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: ALNYLAM PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
    Inventors: Alfica Sehgal, David Bumcrot, Brian Bettencourt
  • Patent number: 9879262
    Abstract: The present invention relates to compounds, compositions, and methods for the study, diagnosis, and treatment of traits, diseases and conditions that respond to the modulation of HBV gene expression and/or activity, and/or modulate a HBV gene expression pathway. Specifically, the invention relates to double-stranded nucleic acid molecules including small nucleic acid molecules, such as short interfering nucleic acid (siNA), short interfering RNA (siRNA), double-stranded RNA (dsRNA), micro-RNA (miRNA), and short hairpin RNA (shRNA) molecules that are capable of mediating or that mediate RNA interference (RNAi) against HBV gene expression.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: Sirna Therapeutics, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven Bartz, Duncan Brown, Michael Robinson
  • Patent number: 9879263
    Abstract: This invention generally relates to a composition and its production method useful for developing drugs/vaccines and/or therapies against a variety of degenerative diseases in humans. Particularly, the present invention teaches the essential steps of production and purification processes necessary for producing small hairpin-like RNA (shRNA) compositions, such as microRNA precursors (pre-miRNA) and short interfering RNAs (siRNA), which are useful for treating human ageing related diseases, such as, but not limited, Alzheimer's diseases, Parkinson's diseases, osteoporosis, diabetes, and cancers. The novelty of the present invention is to create an artificially enhanced adaptation environment for prokaryotic cells to adopt eukaryotic pol-2 and/or pol-2-like promoters for transcribing desired ncRNAs and/or their precursors without going through error-prone prokaryotic promoters, so as to improve the productive efficiency and reading fidelity of the shRNA transcription in the prokaryotic cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignees: MELLO BIOTECHNOLOGY, INC., WJWU & LYNN INSTITUTE FOR STEM CELL RESEARCH
    Inventors: Shi-Lung Lin, Donald Chang, David T S Wu
  • Patent number: 9879264
    Abstract: The present invention relates to antisense oligonucleotides that modulate the expression of and/or function of Membrane Bound Transcription Factor Peptidase, site 1 (MBTPS1), in particular, by targeting natural antisense polynucleotides of Membrane Bound Transcription Factor Peptidase, site 1 (MBTPS1). The invention also relates to the identification of these antisense oligonucleotides and their use in treating diseases and disorders associated with the expression of MBTPS1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: CuRNA, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph Collard, Olga Khorkova Sherman