Macromolecular Compound Containing (i.e., More Than About 100 Atoms) {c30b 29/58} Patents (Class 117/927)
  • Patent number: 8945303
    Abstract: The subject is providing a crystallizing device of a biopolymer, which made to form biopolymer crystal efficiently in crystallization solution of a small amount of biopolymers by applying a low voltage and not to make an electrode disturb but observable a state of crystal formation. As an electrode for applying an electric field to a biopolymer solution, a transparent conductor, which does not disturb crystal formation, is used. Between the transparent conductor electrodes 2s, the electric insulating member 4 is placed and the crystallization solution 1 for a small amount of biopolymers is maintained inter-electrode. A biopolymer is efficiently crystallized by applying a low voltage supplied from the voltage generator 5 to the transparent conductor electrode 2. A crystal formation state of a biopolymer is optically observable from the electrode side of a transparent conductor. Orientation control of the biopolymer can be performed by an electric field formed by the above-mentioned voltage application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Institute of National Colleges of Technology, Japan
    Inventors: Takashi Wakamatsu, Yuki Ohnishi
  • Patent number: 8876972
    Abstract: A crystallization device is for protein crystallization with a small amount of a sample in the liquid to liquid diffusion method. It is easy to fill the device with protein solution and precipitant solution and easy to pick up grown crystals from the device. The device comprises a channel plate made of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and the first and second cover sheets made of polyethylene terephthalate. The channel plate includes at least one elongated channel having one side which extends in the longitudinal direction of the channel, the one side being exposed at the bottom surface of the channel plate. The channel has both ends which communicate with a protein solution inlet and a precipitant solution inlet respectively. The channel also communicates midway with a gel inlet and a vent hole. When picking up grown crystals from the device, the second cover sheet is cut off with a cutter knife so that the channel is exposed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignees: Rigaku Corporation, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency
    Inventors: Tomokazu Hasegawa, Kensaku Hamada, Masaru Sato, Moritoshi Motohara
  • Patent number: 8016940
    Abstract: The short-pulse laser light 9 emitted from the short-pulse laser light source 1 is focused on and caused to irradiate an organic crystal 8 contained in a sample container 6 via a shutter 2, intensity adjusting element 3, irradiation position control mechanism 4, and focusing optical system 5. The sample container 6 is carried on a stage 7, and can be moved in three dimensions along the x axis, y axis and z axis in an x-y-z orthogonal coordinate system with the direction of the optical axis being taken as the z axis; furthermore, the sample container 6 can be rotated about the z axis. Working of the organic crystal 8 is performed by means of short-pulse laser light that is focused on and caused to irradiate the surface of the organic crystal 8. Prior to working, nitrogen is caused to jet onto the sample container 6 by a low-temperature gas jet device C that is a cooling device; consequently, the organic crystal 8 is cooled to ?150° C. or below.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignees: Nikon Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroaki Adachi, Hiroshi Kitano
  • Patent number: 7713351
    Abstract: The objective of the invention is a crystallizing method for macromolecules, especially proteins and polypeptides, in which selected polysaccharides of biological origin, such as alginate, pectin, dextrin or chitosan and hydrolysates thereof, are used as reagents. Sedimentation of the crystals can be prevented and thus the uniformity of the product contributed with the method. The method can be used to prepare new crystal forms of the polypeptide and to improve the stability of crystals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Macrocrystal Oy
    Inventors: Kalevi Visuri, Sinikka Uotila, Katja Palmunen
  • Patent number: 7569391
    Abstract: The present application relates to methods for growing crystals of both the uncomplexed and complexed forms of ?-secretase (BACE) polypeptide. The present application also relates to crystalline forms of uncomplexed BACE and the three-dimensional structure of BACE, as determined from the crystals. In addition, the present application relates to the use of crystalline forms of BACE to identify ligands, preferably inhibitors (antagonists), which bind to, and preferably inhibit the enzymatic activity of, BACE. Furthermore, the present application relates to nucleic acid sequences encoding human BACE polypeptide, and methods for making BACE in greater quantity than prior methods, resulting in more effective crystallization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2009
    Assignee: Schering Corporation
    Inventors: Brian M. Beyer, Bruce A. Malcolm, Corey O. Strickland, Wenyan Wang, Eileen Wilson
  • Patent number: 7470324
    Abstract: A method for the crystallization of macromolecules in a three-phase system using a vessel containing a lower aqueous phase, a middle phase and an upper hydrophobic phase having a lower density than that of the lower aqueous phase, wherein an aqueous solution of the macromolecules is added to the middle phase to form a fourth phase, followed by incubation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2008
    Inventor: Kurt Hoffmann
  • Patent number: 7368012
    Abstract: A method, apparatus, and system are described to generate a single-crystal film formed of an organic material in a microstructure chamber having a growth zone with defined dimensions. A flow of at least one of a 1) saturated solution of organic crystalline molecules or 2) molten organic crystalline molecules may be controlled to the growth zone to achieve a balance between crystal-film growth and the flow of the at least one of 1) additional saturated solution of organic crystalline molecules or 2) additional molten organic crystalline molecules into the growth zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2008
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Achintya K. Bhowmik, Shida Tan
  • Patent number: 7314516
    Abstract: A device and process for crystallizing a compound using hydrodynamic cavitation comprising the steps of mixing at least one stream of a feed solution of such compound to be crystallized with at least one stream of an anti-solvent in a nucleating section via collision of the feed solution and the anti-solvent, passing the mixed streams at an elevated pressure through at least one local constriction of flow to create hydrodynamic cavitation thereby causing nucleation and the production of seed crystals, passing the fluid stream containing the seed crystals through an intermediate section to a crystal growth section, passing the fluid stream containing the seed crystals through the crystal growth section at an elevated pressure through at least one local constriction of flow to create hydrodynamic cavitation thereby causing further crystallization of the compound contained in the solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2008
    Assignees: Five Star Technologies, Inc., Illinois Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Oleg V. Kozyuk, Allan S. Myerson, Roger Weinberg
  • Patent number: 7291223
    Abstract: The present invention relates to layered organic structures in which anisotropic crystalline seed layers control crystalline structure of the subsequent epitaxial organic layers. The structure comprises in sequence a substrate, a globally ordered crystalline seed layer with intermolecular spacing of 3.4±0.3 ?, and at least one epitaxial layer of an organic compound. The seed layer is comprised of disc-shaped molecules of at least one polycyclic organic compound with conjugated ?-system. At least one layer of an organic compound is epitaxially deposited onto the seed layer. The present invention also provides a method for obtaining a layered organic structure. The method comprises forming of a globally ordered anisotropic crystalline seed layer on a substrate by means of the Cascade Crystallization Process. The seed layer has an intermolecular spacing of 3.4±0.3 ? and it is formed by rodlike supramolecules comprised of disc-shaped molecules of at least one polycyclic organic compound with conjugated ?-system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2007
    Assignee: Nitto Denko Corporation
    Inventor: Pavel I. Lazarev
  • Patent number: 7279146
    Abstract: High throughput screening of crystallization of a target material is accomplished by simultaneously introducing a solution of the target material into a plurality of chambers of a microfabricated fluidic device. The microfabricated fluidic device is then manipulated to vary the solution condition in the chambers, thereby simultaneously providing a large number of crystallization environments. Control over changed solution conditions may result from a variety of techniques, including but not limited to metering volumes of crystallizing agent into the chamber by volume exclusion, by entrapment of volumes of crystallizing agent determined by the dimensions of the microfabricated structure, or by cross-channel injection of sample and crystallizing agent into an array of junctions defined by intersecting orthogonal flow channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2007
    Assignee: Fluidigm Corporation
    Inventors: Hany Ramez Nassef, Geoffrey Facer, Joseph W. Barco
  • Patent number: 7258745
    Abstract: The present invention comprises a method for fabricating hafnia film comprising the steps of providing a substrate having a surface that allows formation of a self-assembled monolayer thereon via covalent bonding; providing an aqueous solution that provides homogeneous hafnium ionic complexes and hafnium nanoclusters wherein the aqueous solution is capable of undergoing homogeneous precipitation under controlled conditions for a desired period of time at a controlled temperature and controlled solution acidity for desired nanocluster nucleation and growth kinetics, desired nanocluster size, desired growth rate of film thickness and desired film surface characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2007
    Assignee: UT-Battelle, LLC
    Inventor: Michael Z. Hu
  • Patent number: 7255741
    Abstract: A method is provided for the isolation of high purity crystalline citalopram (1-[3-dimethylamino)propyl}-1-(4-fluorophenyl)-1, 3-dihydro-5-isobenzofurancarbonitrile) base directly from the alkylation reaction mixture of 5-cyanophthalane with N,N-dimethylaminoprpylchloride in a polar aprotic solvent using a strong base. The method comprises: (a) diluting the reaction mixture with ice cold water and extracting the resulting mixture with a water-immiscible organic solvent; (b) re-extracting the water-immiscible organic solvent extract with an aqueous acid; (c) diluting the aqueous acid extract with a substantially equal volume of a water miscible organic solvent, based on the volume of water in the aqueous acid extract; (d) adjusting the pH to basic with an inorganic base to precipitate free crystalline base and (e) further isolating the precipitated free crystalline base by filration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Assignee: Jubilant Organosys Limited
    Inventors: Vuddamari Srinivas Goud, Santosh Laxman Gaonkar, Saji Thomas, Sulur G Manjunatha, Ashok Krishna Kulkarni, Ambati Narahari Babu
  • Patent number: 7247203
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for producing high-quality crystals of protein or organic substances easily and efficiently. A solution of protein or an organic substance is prepared and then is cooled slowly to be supersaturated to a low degree. This supersaturated solution is irradiated with a femtosecond laser 10. A local explosion phenomenon occurs at the focal point of the laser and thereby a crystalline nucleus is generated. A high-quality crystal is obtained when a crystal is grown on the crystalline nucleus over a long period of time. The femtosecond laser to be used herein can be a titanium:sapphire laser having a wavelength of 800 nm, a duration of 120 fs, a frequency of 1 kHz, and an output of 400 mW.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Assignee: Osaka Industrial Promotion Organization
    Inventors: Takatomo Sasaki, Yusuke Mori, Masashi Yoshimura, Hiroaki Adachi, Hiroshi Masuhara, Youichiroh Hosokawa, Kazufumi Takano
  • Patent number: 7166161
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an anisotropic films and method for obtaining the same. The film comprises substrate and at least one modified conjugated aromatic crystalline layer deposited onto said substrate. The said layer is characterized by globally ordered crystalline structure with intermolecular spacing of 3.4±0.3 ? along one of optical axes. The modified conjugated aromatic crystalline layer is formed by rodlike supramolecules, which comprise at least one polycyclic organic compound with conjugated ?-system. At least part of the modified conjugated aromatic crystalline layer has electric conductivity and is slightly soluble or insoluble in polar solvents. The films are useful in optical applications, such as polarizers and retarders, and in electronic and light emitting devices, such as fiber optics modulators and switches, solar cells, charge-coupled device (CCD), thin film transistor integrated circuits, light emitting diodes, and light emitting displays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2007
    Assignee: Nitto Denko Corporation
    Inventors: Pavel I. Lazarev, Victor V. Nazarov
  • Patent number: 7161029
    Abstract: A diL-lysine monosulfate trihydrate crystal which has a large tabular form and is more easily separable from the mother liquor. The crystal is obtained by a novel process of conducting crystallization at a lower temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: Ajinomoto Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Takeshi Kushiku, Dave Steckelberg, Toshiya Tanabe, Jirou Haga
  • Patent number: 7156917
    Abstract: An apparatus for growing a biological macromolecular crystal by vaporizing biological macromolecular solution into an oversaturated state. The apparatus includes a first sealed room that receives first crystallizing agent solution, and a communicating tube that communicates with the first sealed room and has a small sectional area for suppressing convection of air. A plurality of droplets of solution dissolving a biological macromolecule and a crystallizing agent therein are held in the communicating tube with the plurality of droplets being separated from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignees: IHI Aerospace Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideaki Moriyama, Norio Sugi, Kazunori Kawasaki, Shoji Muramatsu
  • Patent number: 7014705
    Abstract: A microfluidic method is provided that comprises: delivering a first fluid to a first lumen of a microfluidic device and a second, different fluid to a second lumen of the microfluidic device, the first and second lumens sharing a common wall which allows for diffusion between the lumens over at least a portion of the length of the lumens; and having the first and second fluids diffuse between the first and second lumens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2006
    Assignee: Takeda San Diego, Inc.
    Inventor: Peter R. David
  • Patent number: 6994749
    Abstract: A microfluidic device is provided that comprises: a substrate; and a plurality of microvolumes at least partially defined by the substrate, each microvolume comprising a first submicrovolume and a second submicrovolume in fluid communication with the first submicrovolume when the device is rotated about a first rotational axis; wherein rotation of the device about the first rotational axis causes a fixed volume to be transported to each of the second submicrovolumes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2006
    Assignee: SYRRX, Inc.
    Inventor: Peter R. David
  • Patent number: 6955717
    Abstract: The present invention provides machine readable media embedded with the three-dimensional atomic structure coordinates of Synagis Fab, and subsets thereof, and methods of using them.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2005
    Assignees: Medimmune Inc., Bowie State University
    Inventors: Leslie S. Johnson, Bradford Braden
  • Patent number: 6840999
    Abstract: Amorphous or polycrystalline films have been recrystallized into single-crystal thin films (of micrometer thickness) by a zone melting technique, in which an electrically heated wire generated a narrow heated or molten zone (0.5-2 mm wide) on the substrate sandwiched between two pieces of glass or indium-tin-oxide-coated glass. The substrate can be either an organic or inorganic compound. When the molten zone was moved slowly (3-120 ?m/min) across the layer from one end of the cell to the other, a single-crystal film was produced after a single pass. This technique allows for thin film purification and an improvement in electronic, optical, and optoelectronic properties of the thin film. After this treatment, the steady-state short-circuit photocurrent can be improved by several orders of magnitude. These films are useful in the fields of optics and electronics for improving the performance in devices such as thin-film transistors and organic light-emitting diodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2005
    Assignee: Board of Regents The University of Texas System
    Inventors: Chongyang Liu, Allen J. Bard
  • Patent number: 6837927
    Abstract: A microfluidic device is provided that comprises: a substrate; and a plurality of microvolumes at least partially defined by the substrate, each microvolume comprising a first submicrovolume and a second submicrovolume that is in fluid communication with the first submicrovolume when the device is rotated, the plurality of microvolumes being arranged in the device such that fluid in the first submicrovolumes of multiple of the microvolumes are transported to second submicrovolumes of the associated microvolumes when the device is rotated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2005
    Assignee: Syrrx, Inc.
    Inventor: Peter R. David
  • Patent number: 6837926
    Abstract: A microfluidic device is provided that comprises: a card shaped substrate having first and second opposing faces; one or more microvolumes at least partially defined by a first face of the card shaped substrate; and one or more grooves at least partially defined by a second face of the card shaped substrate; wherein a lateral footprint of at least a portion of the one or more grooves overlaps with a lateral footprint of at least one of the one or more microvolumes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2005
    Assignee: Syrrx, Inc.
    Inventor: Peter R. David
  • Patent number: 6811608
    Abstract: Disclosed is a system and a method for depositing crystallization observations into a relational database. The system includes a computer, microscope, and a headset having a microphone and headphones. Crystallization observations are deposited into the database by verbal commands. Verbal commands also drive the crystallization apparatus plates to position the apparatus wells within the microscope field of vision. The system is integrated with a software application which enables the user to build the trials, matrices, solutions, and macromolecules to be used in the crystallization trials. The user is guided through the crystallization trial setup by a multitude of managers and builders of the software application. The software application also provides numerous tools to query the database and display results in a multitude of formats.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: Emerald Biostructures, Inc.
    Inventors: Lansing J. Stewart, Hidong Kim, Lucius B. C. A. Fleuchaus, Paul M. Dunn
  • Patent number: 6797056
    Abstract: A microfluidic method is provided that comprises: delivering first and second fluids to a lumen of a microfluidic device such that the first and second fluids flow adjacent to each other within the lumen without mixing except for diffusion at an interface between the first and second fluids, wherein the first fluid is different than the second fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2004
    Assignee: Syrrx, Inc.
    Inventor: Peter R. David
  • Patent number: 6770133
    Abstract: A homogeneous crystal having excellent stability which is suitable for the industrial-scale production of 5-[(2,4-dioxothiazolidin-5-yl)methyl]-2-methoxy-N-[[4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]methyl]benzamide (KRP-297). The novel crystal of KRP-297 is produced through recrystallization from an alcohol solvent. It is characterized by having diffraction angles (2&thgr;) at at least 9.7°, 15.0°, and 22.5° in X-ray powder diffractometry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2004
    Assignee: Kyorin Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Michiro Ohnota, Kazuo Orita
  • Patent number: 6764545
    Abstract: The present invention provides a production method including adding water to a solution of (2R,3S)-3-tert-butoxycarbonylamino-1,2-epoxy-4-phenylbutane ((2R,3S)-epoxide compound) or (2S,3R)-3-tert-butoxycarbonylamino-1,2-epoxy-4-phenylbutane ((2S,3R)-epoxide compound) in a polar solvent to allow crystallization, whereby to produce crystals of the (2R,3S)-epoxide compound or the (2S,3R)-epoxide compound conveniently in a high yield by an industrial production method without requiring an extremely low temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2004
    Assignee: Ajinomoto Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Yuichi Suzuki, Naoko Hirose, Tomoyuki Onishi, Kunisuke Izawa
  • Patent number: 6752868
    Abstract: A three dimensional photonic crystal and layer-by-layer processes of fabricating the photonic crystal. A templated substrate is exposed to a plurality of first microspheres made of a first material, the first material being of a type that will bond to the templated substrate and form a self-passivated layer of first microspheres to produce a first layer. The first layer is exposed to a plurality of second microspheres made of a second material, the second material being of a type that will bond to the first layer and form a self-passivated layer of second microspheres. This layering of alternating first and second microspheres can be repeated as desired to build a three dimensional photonic crystal of desired geometry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2004
    Assignee: MCNC Research & Development Institute
    Inventors: John South Lewis, III, Scott Halden Goodwin-Johansson, Brian Rhys Stoner, Sonia Grego, David Edward Dausch
  • Patent number: 6743290
    Abstract: Disclosed are compositions comprising one or more undecamantanes. Specifically disclosed are compositions comprising 25 to 100 weight percent of one or more undecamantanes. Also disclosed are novel processes for the separation and isolation of undecamantane components into recoverable fractions from a feedstock containing at least a higher diamondoid component which contains one or more undecamantane components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2004
    Assignee: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventors: Jeremy E. Dahl, Robert M. Carlson
  • Patent number: 6656267
    Abstract: A crystallization tray includes a plurality of crystallization cells, each cell having a reservoir adapted to receive an equilibrating solution, a shelf located adjacent to the reservoir and adapted for use as a temporary cryogenic holding area for a crystallized substance and/or a sample holding area, and a sample drop receptacle carried by the shelf and adapted to receive a sample drop including a crystallizable substance. A related method for forming macromolecular crystals includes dispensing an equilibrating solution in the reservoirs, dispensing a plurality of macromolecular solution droplets in the sample drop receptacles, covering the cells with a cover; and crystallizing the crystallizable substance by vapor diffusion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2003
    Assignee: Structural Genomix, Inc.
    Inventor: Janet Newman
  • Patent number: 6623708
    Abstract: A protein crystal growth assembly including a crystal growth cell and further including a cell body having a top side and a bottom side and a first aperture defined therethrough, the cell body having opposing first and second sides and a second aperture defined therethrough. A cell barrel is disposed within the cell body, the cell barrel defining a cavity alignable with the first aperture of the cell body, the cell barrel being rotatable within the second aperture. A reservoir is coupled to the bottom side of the cell body and a cap having a top side is disposed on the top side of the cell body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2003
    Assignee: UAB Research Foundation
    Inventors: Lawrence Delucas, Robyn Rouleau, Kenneth Banasiewicz
  • Patent number: 6579564
    Abstract: A polarized organic photonics device, including an LED or photovoltaic device, is comprised of a first conductive layer or electrode coated with a friction transferred alignment material, a photoactive material, and a second electrically conductive layer or electrode. The alignment material provides for the orientation of the subsequently deposited photoactive material such that the photoactive material interacts with or emits light preferentially along a selected polarization axis. Additional layers and sublayers optimize and tune the optical and electronic responses of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2003
    Assignee: Lucent Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Xiaochun Linda Chen, Zhenan Bao
  • Patent number: 6558736
    Abstract: Methods for preparing organic thin films on substrates, the method comprising the steps of providing a plurality of organic precursors in the vapor phase, and reacting the plurality or organic precursors at a sub-atmospheric pressure. Also included are thin films made by such a method and apparatuses used to conduct such a method. The method is well-suited to the formation of organic light emitting devices and other display-related technologies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: The Trustees of Princeton University
    Inventors: Stephen R. Forrest, Paul E. Burrows, Vladimir S. Ban
  • Patent number: 6503320
    Abstract: A blocking device for remote, selective blocking of a cold stream used in a protein crystal annealing process during X-ray protein crystallography includes a blocking member adapted to be selectively moved between at least a blocking position where the blocking member blocks the cold stream and a non-blocking position where the blocking member does not block the cold stream, and an actuation mechanism adapted to impart movement to the blocking member to cause the blocking member to be selectively moved between at least the blocking position and the non-blocking position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2003
    Assignee: Structural Genomix, Inc.
    Inventors: Janet Newman, Jon A. Christopher, Brian L. Ganz, James A. Benjamin
  • Patent number: 6495189
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method of producing a fat and oil composition comprising the steps of melting a fat and oil, or emulsion comprising fat and oil, and crystallizing the above-mentioned fat and oil by cooling to produce a fat and oil composition in paste form or plastic form. The molten fat and oil, or emulsion comprising fat and oil, is pressurized under force at a pressure of 10 to 150 MPa during the above-mentioned crystallization in the production of fat and oil compositions such as fat and oil processed foods, etc. As a result the crystallization speed of the fat and oil is markedly increased and post-crystallization can be prevented. Thus, improvement in quality of the fat and oil processed food and improved efficiency of the production process in terms of time and energy is achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2002
    Assignee: Kaneka Corporation
    Inventors: Yasuharu Nosho, Kazuhiro Ueshima, Toshinori Ikehara, Shinichi Hashimoto, Masakazu Kato
  • Patent number: 6319315
    Abstract: Provided is a method which can facilitate crystallization of a biological macromolecule such as protein. A silicon crystal whose valence electrons are controlled so that the concentration of holes or electrons in the surface part can be controlled in response to the environment of a buffer solution containing a biological macromolecule such as protein is brought into contact with the solution, for depositing a crystal of the biological macromolecule on the surface of the silicon crystal. A plurality of grooves or holes whose sizes differ from each other are formed on the silicon crystal, and the valence electrons are so controlled that crystallization of the biological macromolecule is facilitated inside rather than outside the grooves or holes. The crystal of the biological macromolecule grows in the grooves or holes coming into contact with the solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2001
    Assignee: Sumitomo Metal Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Akira Sanjoh
  • Patent number: 6296700
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a structured layer of defined functional molecules on the surface of a flat substrate, on the surface of which structures having different surface properties, at least as regards their hydrophobicity, are produced. A monolayer of a protein-containing crystalline cell surface layer (S layer) is deposited by recrystallization on said structured surface. Said S Layer binds only to those structured areas of the surface characterized by raised hydrophobicity. Alternatively, a structured S-layer may also be produced on the basis of a monolayer of an S layer deposited on a substrate by irradiating predefined sections of said layer to be structured with radiation of a predetermined intensity and energy. In the irradiated sections of the S-layer this suppresses the binding or intercalating ability of at least one surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2001
    Assignee: IMS-Ionen Mikrofabrikations Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Uwe B. Sleytr, Dietmar Pum, Hans Loschner
  • Patent number: 6297021
    Abstract: X-ray crystallography can be used to screen compounds that are not known ligands of a target biomolecule for their ability to bind the target biomolecule. The method includes obtaining a crystal of a target biomolecule; exposing the target biomolecule crystal to one or more test samples; and obtaining an X-ray crystal diffraction pattern to determine whether a ligand/receptor complex is formed. The target is exposed to the test samples by either co-crystallizing a biomolecule in the presence of one or more test samples or soaking the biomolecule crystal in a solution of one or more test samples. In another embodiment, structural information from ligand/receptor complexes are used to design ligands that bind tighter, that bind more specifically, that have better biological activity or that have better safety profile. A further embodiment of the invention comprises identifying or designing biologically-active moieties by the instant process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2001
    Assignee: Abbott Laboratories
    Inventors: Vicki L. Nienaber, Jonathan Greer, Celerino Abad-Zapatero, Daniel W. Norbeck
  • Patent number: 6221153
    Abstract: Compressed gases, liquefied gases, or supercritical fluids are utilized as anti-solvents in a crystal growing process for complex molecules. Crystals of the present invention exhibit greater crystal size and improved morphology over crystals obtained by conventional methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Inventors: Trevor Percival Castor, Matthew Albert Britz, Maury David Cosman, Peter Richard d'Entremont, Glenn Thomas Hong
  • Patent number: 6207437
    Abstract: A method for preparing a crystalline protease is provided which comprises preparing an aqueous solution containing the protease enzyme and adding to the aqueous solution sodium sulfate, allowing the crystallization to take place at a temperature between 10° C. and 60° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2001
    Assignee: Genencor International, Inc.
    Inventors: Ernst Hakan Gros, Jerry L. Cunefare
  • Patent number: 6203612
    Abstract: An alternative and improved method for cleaning cooling and/or crystallization surfaces of a crystallizer fouled with a crystallized bisphenol as a result of processing a slurry derived from the production of bisphenol is provided. The method includes the steps of: (a) draining from 20 to 80%, and preferably about 50% of the slurry from the crystallizer; (b) replacing the drained slurry with a solvent comprising phenol, thereby forming a diluted slurry; (c) increasing the temperature in the crystallizer to a temperature at which the crystallized bisphenol is dissolved in the diluted slurry, and then rapidly cooling the diluted slurry to a temperature of 45 to 55° C.; and (d) adding a seed slurry containing solid bisphenol at a concentration of 5 to 30%. The seed slurry has a temperature of 45 to 55° C. and is added until conditions are established at which bisphenol crystals added to the crystallizer do not redissolve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2001
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Rudy Peemans, Jan Huibert Weijland, Mourice Van Sintemaartensdijk
  • Patent number: 6123769
    Abstract: A method which can control crystallization of a biopolymer such as protein is provided. A silicon crystal (15) whose valence electrons are controlled to be capable of controlling the concentration of holes or electrons of the surface part in response to the environment of a buffer solution (14) containing the biopolymer such as protein is brought into contact with the solution (14), for getting a crystal of the biopolymer deposited on the surface of the silicon crystal (15). Crystallization is controlled by an electrical state which is generated by the controlled valence electrons on the surface of the silicon crystal (15).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2000
    Assignee: Sumitomo Metal Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Akira Sanjoh
  • Patent number: 6117232
    Abstract: A method which can control crystallization of a biopolymer such as protein is provided. A silicon crystal (15) whose valence electrons are controlled to be capable of controlling the concentration of holes or electrons of the surface part in response to the environment of a mother liquor (14) containing the biopolymer such as protein is brought into contact with a buffer solution (12), for getting a crystal of the biopolymer deposited on the surface of the silicon crystal (15). Crystallization is controlled by an electrical state which is generated by the controlled valence electrons on the surface of the silicon crystal (15).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2000
    Assignee: Sumitomo Metal Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Akira Sanjoh
  • Patent number: 6110273
    Abstract: Provided is a method which can facilitate crystallization of a biological macromolecule such as protein. A silicon crystal whose valence electrons are controlled so that the concentration of holes or electrons in the surface part can be controlled in response to the environment of a buffer solution containing a biological macromolecule such as protein is brought into contact with the solution, for depositing a crystal of the biological macromolecule on the surface of the silicon crystal. A plurality of grooves or holes whose sizes differ from each other are formed on the silicon crystal, and the valence electrons are so controlled that crystallization of the biological macromolecule is facilitated inside rather than outside the grooves or holes. The crystal of the biological macromolecule grows in the grooves or holes coming into contact with the solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2000
    Assignee: Sumitomo Metal Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Akira Sanjoh
  • Patent number: 6087148
    Abstract: A method for purification, and isolation in crystalline form, of a cellulase from a broth comprises: treating the broth with a crystallization-effective amount of a water-miscible organic solvent (e.g. a lower aliphatic alcohol or ketone); and isolating the cellulase in question in crystalline form.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2000
    Assignee: Novo Nordisk A/S
    Inventors: Anders Rancke-Madsen, Mads Aage Laustsen
  • Patent number: 6039804
    Abstract: The present invention provides a crystallization unit including a solvent reservoir in gaseous communication with a plurality of chambers. Preferably, a plurality of crystallization units are arrayed in the form of a crystallization tray. A first preferred embodiment of the present invention provides a crystallization tray 10 including a rectangular array of crystallization units 26. Each crystallization unit includes a central reservoir 28 and four drop chambers 32 arranged in a cruciform configuration around central reservoir 28. Each drop chamber 32 is connected to central reservoir 28 by a diffusion channel 30. Each drop chamber 32 also includes a shoulder which is capable of supporting a cover slip from which a drop of solution, containing the substance to be crystallized, can be suspended.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2000
    Assignee: Emerald BioStructures, Inc.
    Inventors: Hidong Kim, Lansing Joseph Stewart
  • Patent number: 6027565
    Abstract: An apparatus for producing crystals of a macromolecule in microgravity includes a container 100 which is made of a material having a low thermal conductivity and an open end. A thermally conductive lid 102 is fitted on the open end of the container to close the container and a heat source/sink 114 is provided in thermal contact with the thermally conductive lid to generate a temperature gradient within the container. When a solution of the macromolecule is provided in the container, the temperature gradient induces and control the crystallization of the macromolecule. In operation, a temperature ramp from a start temperature to an end temperature is used to maintain and control the temperature gradient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2000
    Inventors: Charles E. Bugg, Lawrence L. Delucas, Tattanhalli L. Nagabhushan, Paul P. Trotta, Michael D. Harrington, John Bradford Bishop, deceased, by Sue C. Bishop, executrix
  • Patent number: 6022409
    Abstract: A method of optical enantiomer resolution by preferential crystallization involves entering, each time crystallization starts, the two-phase domain containing excess enantiomer and the saturated solution, and cooling according to a well-defined kinetic schedule. A racemic mixture of fine particle size is added to the mother liquors obtained after harvesting the crystals, the mother liquors then being heated to a temperature lower than that of homogenization of the solution so that excess enantiomer is present only in a solid state in equilibrium with the solution. Further cooling produces the other enantiomer and completes the cycle of operations which may then be carried out repetitively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2000
    Assignee: The University of Rouen
    Inventors: Gerard Coquerel, Marie-Noelle Petit, Roger Bouaziz
  • Patent number: 6017390
    Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and compositions for the growth and alignment of crystals at biopolymeric films. The methods and compositions of the present invention provide means to generate a variety of dense crystalline ceramic films, with totally aligned crystals, at low temperatures and pressures, suitable for use with polymer and plastic substrates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2000
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Deborah H. Charych, Amir Berman
  • Patent number: 6001176
    Abstract: A device for specific formation of nuclei or crystals on the surface of a dielectric in contact with a solution, especially on the functional groups of a polymer, in which there is a device for generating an electric field in the dielectric.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1999
    Assignees: Klaus Leiter, Gerhard Walder
    Inventors: Klaus Leiter, Gerhard Walder
  • Patent number: 5997637
    Abstract: A method of producing a semiconducting material comprises reacting one or more of halogenosilanes with an alkali metal and/or an alkaline earth metal in an inert solvent to give a condensate and thermally decomposing the condensate. The condensate is dissolved in a suitable solvent such as toluene and tetrahydrofuran and applied by casting to a suitable substrate. The resulting semiconductor material in its film form has an optical band-gap (EO) of usually 0.1-4.0 eV.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1999
    Assignee: Nippon Oil Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Keizo Ikai, Masaki Minami, Mitsuo Matsuno