Involving Luciferase Patents (Class 435/8)
  • Patent number: 12131807
    Abstract: A method of analyzing biological data containing expression values of a plurality of polypeptides in the blood of a subject. The method comprises: calculating a distance between a segment of a curved line and an axis defined by a direction, the distance being calculated at a point over the curved line defined by a coordinate along the direction. The method further comprises correlating the distance to the presence of, absence of, or likelihood that the subject has, a bacterial infection. The coordinate is defined by a combination of the expression values, wherein at least 90% of the segment is between a lower bound line and an upper bound line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2023
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2024
    Assignee: MeMed Diagnostics Ltd.
    Inventors: Eran Eden, Kfir Oved, Roy Navon, Assaf Cohen-Dotan, Olga Boico
  • Patent number: 12091718
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to high-throughput detection of polyketides using genetically encoded biosensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2024
    Assignee: North Carolina State University
    Inventors: Gavin J. Williams, Christian Kasey, Yiwei Li
  • Patent number: 11999958
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods for the production of Cannabis meristem explants from dry seeds. Also described are methods of transforming and gene editing using the Cannabis meristem explants disclosed herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2024
    Assignee: WISCONSIN ALUMNI RESEARCH FOUNDATION
    Inventors: Michael W. Petersen, Edward James Williams, Robert Harnish, Heidi Flewelling Kaeppler, Brian Martinell, Ray Collier, Frank McFarland, Shawn Michael Kaeppler
  • Patent number: 11891634
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems, methods, and compositions for rapidly and reversibly destabilizing a target protein in vitro or in vivo, in the presence or absence of a cell-permeable, synthetic molecule or ligand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE LELAND STANFORD JUNIOR UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Thomas J. Wandless, Ling-Chun Chen, Yusaku Miyamae
  • Patent number: 11860132
    Abstract: A material analysis device for analysing a material sample. The material analysis device is equipped with a—generally temperature-controllable—sample chamber and a sample holder, which, supported by at least one pillar, protrudes into the sample chamber, and a loading shaft, to one end of which force is applied by an exciter, and the other end of which bears a connecting member, with which it transmits force to the sample in a defined manner and loads same thereby.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: NETZSCH-Gerätebau GmbH
    Inventors: Georg Neumann, Marco Zier, Patrick Biermann, Jürgen Tschöpel, Reinhard Gschwendtner, Wiebold Wurpts, Markus Hilmer, Leonhard Faulhammer, Stephan Lauer, Kai Dinges, Claas Luhmann, Michel Bellmann, Georg Storch
  • Patent number: 11767517
    Abstract: Provided herein are enhanced luciferase enzymes for use with thermostable luciferin analogs for bioluminescent assays. In particular, the present disclosure provides compositions, assays, and methods for performing a bioluminescent assay using enhanced, high-activity luciferase enzymes compatible with thermostable luciferins, such as 5,5-disubstituted luciferin analogs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2023
    Assignee: Promega Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Killoran, Ce Shi, Mary Hall, Lance P. Encell, Thomas Kirkland
  • Patent number: 11655247
    Abstract: Compounds that may inhibit Oplophorus-derived luciferases are disclosed as well as compositions and kits comprising the compounds and methods of using the compounds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: Promega Corporation
    Inventors: Brock Binkowski, Mary P. Hall, Thomas Machleidt, Joel Walker, Wenhui Zhou
  • Patent number: 11642107
    Abstract: Disclosed here are kits comprising pre-packed stabilizing solutions for stabilizing combinations of biomarkers at room temperature. Such kits can be better adapted for sample collection at a subject's dwelling, thus easing the burdensome requirement of sample collection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: NEPHROSANT, INC.
    Inventors: Robert Zawada, Corinne Mark, Christopher Goulart
  • Patent number: 11619628
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a device including a reagent portion in which a chemiluminescent indicator and a chemiluminescent substrate for the indicator are disposed, and a base on which the reagent portion is formed. The chemiluminescent indicator and the chemiluminescent substrate are disposed independently from each other in the reagent portion in such a manner that the chemiluminescent indicator and the chemiluminescent substrate can react with each other when a sample is supplied to the reagent portion. The present disclosure also relates to a remote diagnosis system including an imaging terminal for detecting a luminescent signal generated when a reagent is supplied to the device and an information processing unit for processing luminescent signal data obtained by the imaging terminal. The imaging terminal and the information processing unit can bi-directionally communicate with each other via a network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: Osaka University
    Inventors: Takeharu Nagai, Yoshiyuki Arai, Megumi Iwano
  • Patent number: 11549926
    Abstract: A compact explosive detecting system collects explosive residues in the form of vapor powder. The residues are accumulated on a desorber which is subjected to pyrolysis to release a gaseous sample. The sample is pumped to a detecting system through a metering valve. A luminol cell reacts with the gaseous sample to create chemiluminescence, the light output of which is measured by a photo multiplier tube. The light intensity is indicative of the amount of explosive present. Based on the amount of explosive present, a metering valve is adjusted to pass the gaseous sample into a highly sensitive metal oxide sensor array to detect NO2 from nitrogen containing explosive and CO/CO2 from non nitrogen containing explosive. The metal oxide sensor array reliably selects explosives from those compounds indicating chemiluminescence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: SCINTREX TRACE CORPORATION
    Inventor: Dao Hinh Nguyen
  • Patent number: 11505793
    Abstract: Provided is a method for depleting host nucleic acid in a biological sample, said sample having been previously obtained from an animal host, said method comprising the steps of (a) adding a cytolysin, or an active variant thereof, to said sample; and (b) carrying-out a process to physically deplete nucleic acid released from host cells within said sample or otherwise render such nucleic acid unidentifiable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: UEA ENTERPRISES LIMITED
    Inventors: Justin Joseph O'Grady, John Richard Wain, Solomon Mwaigwisya, Gemma Louise Kay
  • Patent number: 11421260
    Abstract: Provided is a method for detecting the presence of bacterial spores by measuring adenosine diphosphate (ATP) production over time. Spores are detected by converting adenosine monophosphate (AMP) and adenosine diphosphate (ADP) to ATP.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: ECOLAB USA INC.
    Inventors: Wenli Tu, Zhi Chen
  • Patent number: 11306347
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are means for the detection and characterization of neurotoxins such as botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT) or tetanus neurotoxin. The present disclosure provides methods for determining potency and activity of neurotoxins in vitro and in vivo. Also disclosed are polypeptides comprising N- and C-terminal fragments of a reporter protein that are split by a linker comprising a neurotoxin cleavage site. Cleavage of the linker by a neurotoxin decreases reporter protein activity, thereby indicating activity of the neurotoxin. Compositions and kits comprising the disclosed polypeptides, nucleic acids comprising nucleotide sequences encoding such polypeptides, and cells expressing such polypeptides are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: President and Fellows of Harvard College
    Inventors: Min Dong, Feifan Yu
  • Patent number: 11034886
    Abstract: Novel compounds in the classes of Imidazo[1,2-?]pyrazines and Imidazo[1,2-?]quinoxalines with a methoxy group modification show unique spectral properties when used as a substrate for luciferases and photo-proteins. Methoxy e-Coelenterazine, an Imidazo[1,2-?] quinoxaline shifts the emission wavelength by 80 nm to blue light compared to e-Coelenterazine, using Renilla reniformis luciferase. The novel analogues described here are useful in combination with fluorescent proteins to create BRET (bioluminescent resonance energy transfer) and for other luminescent assays. In addition these novel compounds can be used to enhance, dazzle, amaze, startle, and otherwise entertain an audience by their direct application on to the audience, surroundings, the actors, or sprayed on settings as in the newer 4D movies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: Prolume, LTD.
    Inventors: Bruce Bryan, Hendrik Schmidt, Millard Cull
  • Patent number: 10962512
    Abstract: A pathogen surrogate, formed by a DNA tag or bar code and a carrier, is described for use in the validation and verification of sanitation, such as in food processing operations and for wash water systems for fresh produce. The carrier material is selected so that the pathogen surrogate mimics the behavior of a pathogen when subjected to a sanitation operation. One or more surrogates can be introduced in to an environment, which is then subjected to sanitation process, followed by a detection process using the DNA tag of the surrogate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: Safetraces, Inc.
    Inventors: Antonios Zografos, George Roy Farquar, John Mark Carter
  • Patent number: 10648026
    Abstract: This invention provides nucleoside polyphosphate analogs each of which comprises a tag comprising a plurality of Raman-scattering moieties; compounds comprising said nucleoside polyphosphate analogs; and methods for determining the sequence of a single-stranded DNA or RNA using said nucleoside polyphosphate analogs. This invention also provides methods for detecting the interaction of a plurality of predetermined compounds, at least one of which having attached thereto a tag comprising a plurality of Raman-scattering moieties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: THE TRUSTEES OF COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK
    Inventors: Jingyue Ju, Shiv Kumar, Mirkó Palla, James J. Russo
  • Patent number: 10556032
    Abstract: A sanitation management system maintains records of exemplary locations on an item to be sanitized and indicates those locations to a person or system charged with applying a pathogen surrogate prior to a sanitation process. The sanitation management system maintains records of where the pathogen surrogate was applied prior to the sanitation process. Following the sanitation process, the sanitation management system indicates to an inspector, or an inspection system, locations of where the pathogen surrogate was applied for the purpose of facilitating testing of the sanitation process by checking for the presence of the pathogen surrogate at some or all of those locations. This can ensure that the inspection process is relevant to the sanitation process and less likely to generate false negatives where the inspection finds a lack of the pathogen surrogate not due to cleaning, but due to lack of application of the pathogen surrogate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2020
    Assignee: SafeTraces, Inc.
    Inventors: Antonios Zografos, Laurie M. Clotilde, Peter Mattei
  • Patent number: 10308975
    Abstract: Described are substituted imidazo[1,2-a]pyrazine compounds, which are coelenterazine analogs, kits comprising the compounds, and methods of using the compounds for the detection of luminescence in luciferase-based assays. Also described are methods for making the compounds, such as a method using aminopyrazine acetophosphonates as synthesis intermediates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: Promega Corporation
    Inventors: Anton Shakhmin, Thomas Kirkland, Joel Walker, Thomas Machleidt, Mary Hall, Keith V. Wood
  • Patent number: 10214766
    Abstract: The invention relates to a bioluminescent substrate suitably usable in a series of artificial luciferases (ALuc), and the invention provides a wavelength-shifted spectrum with a selective high intensity luminescence and high luminescence stability obtained by the use of the substrate together with ALuc. The luminescent substrate for ALuc obtained by the invention can be included together with a suitable luminescence solution in a luminescence kit. The bioluminescent substrate for ALuc of the invention can exhibit unprecedented excellent luminescence specificity and functionality in the conventional bioluminescence probe, two-hybrid assay, bioluminescent capsule, and reporter gene assay.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ADVANCED INDUSTRIAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Sung Bae Kim, Hiroshi Izumi, Hiroaki Tao, Masaki Torimura, Akihiro Wakisaka
  • Patent number: 10131931
    Abstract: A method for determining whether bacteria in a sample obtained from a subject at a point of care in a clinical setting is susceptible to an antibiotic, within a time period associated with a point of care. The method includes measuring a bioluminescent indication from a first test sample based on released ATP to determine a characteristic associated with the bioluminescent indication and comparing the characteristic associated with the bioluminescent indication to a first threshold. The method includes determining whether a bacteria is present by comparing the difference between a characteristic associated with a first confirmatory bioluminescent signal and a characteristic associated with a second confirmatory bioluminescent signal to an confirmatory threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: RONALD TURNER
    Inventor: Ronald Turner
  • Patent number: 10067149
    Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods for detection and analysis of intracellular binding of a bioactive agent to a cellular target. In particular, provided herein are bioactive agents tethered to fluorophores, cellular targets fused to bioluminescent reporters, and methods of detecting and analyzing the interaction of bioactive agents with cellular targets therewith.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: Promega Corporation
    Inventors: Carolyn W. Hitko, Thomas Kirkland, Thomas Machleidt, Rachel Friedman Ohana, Matt Robers, Keith Wood
  • Patent number: 10024862
    Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods for detection and analysis of intracellular binding of a bioactive agent to a cellular target. In particular, provided herein are bioactive agents tethered to fluorophores, cellular targets fused to bioluminescent reporters, or portions, components, or subunits of bioluminescent reporters, and methods of detecting and analyzing the interaction of bioactive agents with cellular targets therewith.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: Promega Corporation
    Inventors: Carolyn W. Hitko, Thomas Kirkland, Thomas Machleidt, Rachel Friedman Ohana, Matt Robers, Keith Wood
  • Patent number: 9988663
    Abstract: Provided is a device for collecting biological material from a microbe, the device including: a collection container that is used to collect a microbe from a liquid sample containing the microbe and to extract the biological material from the microbe; and a temperature control mechanism that controls a temperature of the collection container. Herein, the temperature control mechanism controls a temperature of the collection container so that the microbe is collected at a first temperature and the biological material is extracted from the microbe at a second temperature higher than the first temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: HITACHI, LTD.
    Inventors: Noe Miyashita, Shuichi Mori, Yuta Nakatsuka
  • Patent number: 9924073
    Abstract: Described are substituted imidazo[1,2-a]pyrazine compounds, which are coelenterazine analogs, kits comprising the compounds, and methods of using the compounds for the detection of luminescence in luciferase-based assays. Also described are methods for making the compounds, such as a method using aminopyrazine acetophosphonates as synthesis intermediates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: PROMEGA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Anton Shakhmin, Thomas Kirkland, Joel Walker, Thomas Machleidt, Mary Hall, Keith V. Wood
  • Patent number: 9676997
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are compositions and methods for stabilizing a luminogenic substrate such as coelenterazine or a functional analog thereof. The functional analog may be furimazine. The composition may include the luminogenic substrate, a thionucleoside, and an organic solvent, in which the thionucleoside is present in an amount effective to stabilize the luminogenic composition against decomposition. The method provided herein stabilizes the luminogenic substrate against decomposition by contacting the luminogenic substrate with an effective amount of the thionucleoside in the presence of the organic solvent. Also provided herein is a kit containing the composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: PROMEGA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Thomas Kirkland, Keith V. Wood, Mary Hall, Marie Schwinn
  • Patent number: 9499809
    Abstract: The invention relates to a chimeric protein comprising or consisting of, from N-terminal to C-terminal, (a) a N-terminal part of a Bordetella CyaA protein (b) a heterologous polypeptide, and (c) a C-terminal part of a Bordetella CyaA protein. The invention also relates to a polynucleotide encoding a deleted version of a Bordetella CyaA, as well as a polynucleotide encoding this chimeric protein. A composition comprising at least one chimeric protein(s) of the invention and the prophylactic and/or therapeutic uses of said composition are also part of the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: GENTICEL
    Inventors: Yolande Misseri, Michael Esquerre, Etienne Joly
  • Patent number: 9447450
    Abstract: Novel red-shifted luciferin derivatives and uses of those compounds are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: PROMEGA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Carolyn Woodroofe Hitko
  • Patent number: 9422591
    Abstract: Methods and kits for determining if one or more animals have mastitis and for monitoring animals and the quality of the milk they produce are disclosed. Kits and test assays disclosed are used to determine the quantity of proteasomes and proteins thereof, the activity of proteasome enzymes, the quantity of proteasome bound and regulating proteins, and the quantity of ubiquinated protein. Components and reagents for use in the kits and assays are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: RUTGERS, THE STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW JERSEY
    Inventor: Kiran Madura
  • Patent number: 9328326
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for isolating cells from a complex sample comprising the steps of: a) providing a complex sample, b) incubating said sample with: at least one chaotrope, a buffer and at least one detergent, c) isolating said cells from the resulting mixture by centrifugation or filtration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: MERCK PATENT GMBH
    Inventors: Peter Rossmanith, Ingeborg Hein, Martin Wagner
  • Patent number: 9273343
    Abstract: The present invention provides compounds and methods for assaying redox state of metabolically active cells and methods for assaying enzyme activity and/or metabolite level by coupling to redox defining co-factor NAD(P)/NAD(P)H measurement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: PROMEGA CORPORATION
    Inventors: James J. Cali, Sarah Duellman, Dieter Klaubert, Donna Leippe, Martha O'Brien, John Shultz, Jolanta Vidugiriene, Wenhui Zhou, Mary Sobol
  • Patent number: 9234186
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a luciferase derived from a star-worm belonging to genus Diplocladon, the luciferase inducing luminescence such that a maximum luminous wavelength falls within a range of 557 to 562 nm over the entire pH range of 5.5 to 8.0, or the luciferase inducing luminescence having 1.5 times the luminous intensity of luminescence induced by Photinus pyralis firefly luciferase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignees: OLYMPUS CORPORATION, NIMURA GENETIC SOLUTIONS CO., LTD., PERAK STATE DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ryutaro Akiyoshi, Katsunori Ogo, Hirobumi Suzuki
  • Patent number: 9138439
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for identifying compounds that modulate the activity of p300/CBP. Compounds of the invention are identified by designing or screening for a compound which binds to at least one amino acid residue of the newly identified lysine-CoA inhibitor binding site, L1 loop, electronegative pocket, or electronegative groove of the HAT domain of p300/CBP and testing the compound for its ability to modulate the activity of p300/CBP. Compositions and methods for preventing or treating diseases or disorders associated with p300/CBP are also provided as is a method for producing a semi-synthetic HAT domain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignees: The Wistar Institute, The Johns Hopkins University
    Inventors: Ronen Marmorstein, Xin Liu, Philip A. Cole, Ling Wang, Erin M. Bowers, David J. Meyers, Chandrani Mukherjee
  • Patent number: 9107953
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a sustained release composition containing SDF-1. The present invention provides a sustained release composition containing (1) SDF-1 and (2) a hydrogel containing modified gelatin having a carboxyl group and/or a sulfo group. Since the composition can release SDF-1, a chemokine which is a capable of promoting accumulation of vascular progenitor cells in vivo, in the sustained manner, it can be useful for treatment and/or suppression of symptom progression of ischemic disease or bone disease, as pharmaceutical preparations in various formulations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignees: Ono Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yasuhiko Tabata
  • Patent number: 9046523
    Abstract: An assay is provided for detecting the activity of a reporter kinase comprising (i) adding said reporter kinase to an assay mixture wherein said reporter kinase is contacted with bioluminescent reagent no more than 5 minutes after being contacted with ADP, and wherein, prior to contacting the reporter kinase with ADP, the assay mixture is substantially free from kinase other than reporter kinase; and (ii) detecting light output from the assay mixture. Methods for detecting the presence of an analyte in a sample and methods for validating a treatment process using the above assay are also provided. Further provided are devices for conducting these assays and methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR HEALTH
    Inventors: Mark J. Sutton, Toryn Poolman, Richard J. Hesp
  • Publication number: 20150148256
    Abstract: A bioluminescence imaging-based high-throughput assay for inhibitors of ABCG2 is described. Compositions of inhibitors of ABCG2 and methods of using ABCG2 inhibitors are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2014
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Applicant: THE JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: MARTIN GILBERT POMPER, YIMAO ZHANG, JOHN LATERRA
  • Publication number: 20150140583
    Abstract: A rapid, sensitive method of separating and detecting microorganisms from a sample containing microorganisms, such as but not limited to bacteria, fungi, yeast, viruses, and the like. The method relies on separation techniques to separate and concentrate the cells from the sample, together with chemical techniques to amplify the amount of detectable signal from low numbers of cells to provide a rapid and sensitive method of detecting microorganisms. This detection method may utilize: a filtration device; a centrifugation device; a system; a swab device; and kit comprising one or more of the devices and components to perform the present method of separating and detecting microorganisms in a sample containing microorganisms. The sample may be a chemical, cosmetic, personal care, pharmaceutical, or consumable good in its raw material, in-process, and/or finished product states that needs to be tested for any contaminating microorganisms prior to shipment to the consumer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2013
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Applicant: Celsis International Limited
    Inventors: Andrew Hearn, Lori Daane
  • Patent number: 9029097
    Abstract: The present invention relates to novel biosensors that are based on bioluminescence resonance energy transfer (BRET). These biosensors may be used to monitor rapid interaction and conformational changes within G protein-coupled receptor/G protein complexes and, in this way, reflect the activation status of the receptor. Advantageously, the biosensors may be used as a highly sensitive and quantitative assay for the identification of ligands (agonists, antagonists, inverse agonists, partial agonists, etc.) targeting G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) as well as for the analysis of the activation status of these receptors. Moreover, multiplexing different biosensors within receptors/G protein complexes allows for mapping ligand textures. Additionally, the biosensors permit the direct, real-time examination of interactions between receptors and G protein in their natural environment, the living cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Universite de Montreal
    Inventors: Michel Bouvier, Céline Gales, Billy Breton
  • Publication number: 20150126438
    Abstract: The invention provides diagnostic and prognostic methods and methods of evaluating treatment protocols for disorders such as obesity, diabetes, metabolic syndrome, cancer and vascular disease by detecting the levels of a novel isoform of ChREBP, termed ChREBP ?. The invention also provides nucleic acids, proteins, reporter constructs based on ChREBP ? and methods of identifying one or more agents that modulate the expression of a ChREBP ? target gene.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2013
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Inventors: Mark A. Herman, Barbara B. Kahn
  • Publication number: 20150111229
    Abstract: It is intended to identify a substance inhibiting an odor caused by 2,5-dimethyl-4-hydroxy-3(2H)-furanone. The present invention provides a method for searching for an inhibitor of an odor caused by 2,5-dimethyl-4-hydroxy-3(2H)-furanone, comprising: adding a test substance and 2,5-dimethyl-4-hydroxy-3(2H)-furanone to an olfactory receptor OR5K1 or a polypeptide having at least 80% amino acid sequence identity thereto; measuring the response of the olfactory receptor or the polypeptide to 2,5-dimethyl-4-hydroxy-3(2H)-furanone; and identifying a test substance inhibiting the response of the olfactory receptor or the polypeptide, on the basis of the measured response.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2014
    Publication date: April 23, 2015
    Applicant: Kao Corporation
    Inventors: Aya NAMBA, Naoko Saito, Michiaki Inoue, Tsuyoshi Toyabe
  • Publication number: 20150111233
    Abstract: Luciferases which are different from those known heretofore have been desired. A luciferase mutant comprising an amino acid sequence in which at least one amino acid selected from the group consisting of valine at the position of 44, alanine at the position of 54 and tyrosine at the position of 138 is substituted with other amino acid(s) in the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2014
    Publication date: April 23, 2015
    Inventors: Satoshi INOUYE, Junichi SATO
  • Patent number: 9012164
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods for determining the amount or activity of one or more luciferases and methods for measuring the luminescent signal generated by one or more luciferases in a sample, the methods comprising incubating the sample with a reactive substrate(s) of the luciferase(s) to be analyzed and a reducing agent to inactivate a first luciferase, wherein the first luciferase, in its native form, is a secreted luciferase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Inventors: Marco Peter Leu, John Michael Daly
  • Publication number: 20150104787
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for packaging reporter nucleic acid molecules into non-replicative transduction particles for use as reporter molecules. The non-replicative transduction particles can be constructed from viruses and use viral transduction and replication systems. The reporter nucleic acid molecules include a reporter gene, such as a reporter molecule or selectable marker, for detecting target genes or cells. Methods and systems are provided for detection of cells and target nucleic acid molecules using the non-replicative transduction particles as reporter molecules.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2014
    Publication date: April 16, 2015
    Inventors: Diego Ariel Rey, Nikol DeForest, Heather Cox, Soni Shukla
  • Patent number: 8999896
    Abstract: Screening assays that allow for the identification of agents that modulate the activity of N-terminal acetylation of a polypeptide and the Doa10 branch of the N-end rule pathway are provided. Also provided are methods of using an agent that modulates the activity of N-terminal acetylation of a polypeptide and the Doa10 branch of the N-end rule pathway to increase or decrease protein degradation in a cell, and to modulate physiologic and pathologic associated with N-terminal acetylation of a polypeptide and the Doa10 branch of the N-end rule pathway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Cheol-Sang Hwang, Anna Shemorry, Alexander Varshavsky
  • Patent number: 8986940
    Abstract: Provided is a method of detecting infection in a wound caused by an infecting organism at a wound site. Also provided is a system for detecting an infection in a wound at a wound site. Additionally, a porous pad comprising luciferase is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: KCI Licensing, Inc.
    Inventors: Amy K. McNulty, Deepak V. Kilpadi, George Hutchinson, Nancy Price
  • Publication number: 20150080256
    Abstract: A luminescence detecting apparatus and method for analyzing luminescent samples is disclosed. Luminescent samples are placed in a plurality of sample wells in a tray, and the tray is placed in a visible-light impervious chamber containing a charge coupled device camera. The samples may be injected in the wells, and the samples may be injected with buffers and reagents, by an injector. In the chamber, light from the luminescent samples pass through a collimator, a Fresnel field lens, a filter, and a camera lens, whereupon a focused image is created by the optics on the charge-coupled device (CCD) camera. The use of a Fresnel field lens, in combination with a collimator and filter, reduces crosstalk between samples below the level attainable by the prior art. Preferred embodiments of the luminescence detecting apparatus and method disclosed include central processing control of all operations, multiple wavelength filter wheel, and robot handling of samples and reagents.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2014
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Inventors: Michael R. GAMBINI, Jeff A. Levi, John C. Voyta, John G. Atwood, Bruce E. DeSimas, II, Edward J. Lakatos, Israel Metal, George Sabak, Yongdong Wang
  • Publication number: 20150071859
    Abstract: The present disclosure encompasses embodiments of nucleic acid minicircle vectors most advantageous for the detection of tumor cells. In particular, the minicircles of the disclosure incorporate a tumor-specific promoter operably linked to a nucleotide sequence desired to be selectively expressed in a tumor cell or a tissue comprising a population of tumor cells. In embodiments of the disclosure, the minicircle vectors comprise a tumor-specific promoter operably linked to a nucleotide sequence encoding a polypeptide useful as a reporter. Accordingly, when expressed by a recipient tumor cell, the reporter may be detectable, thereby providing information such as a visual image of the tumor cell and/or its location in a tissue of the subject human or non-human animal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2014
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Inventors: Sanjiv S. Gambhir, John A. Ronald
  • Patent number: 8975293
    Abstract: This disclosure describes methods of screening for compounds that disrupt the interaction between DNMT1 and the gamma-globin promoter or between LSD-1 and the gamma-globin promoter. This disclosure describes methods of screening for compounds that de-repress the gamma-globin gene.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Regents of the University of Michigan
    Inventors: James Douglas Engel, Osamu Tanabe, Lihong Shi
  • Publication number: 20150064731
    Abstract: The present invention provides, among other things, imidazo[1,2-?]pyrazine derivatives according for Formula (Ia) or Formula (Ib). The derivatives are useful in any method which other coelenterazines have been used. For example, the derivatives may be used in a bioluminogenic method to detect the presence of certain compounds or molecules.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2014
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Inventors: Dieter H. Klaubert, Poncho Meisenheimer, James Unch
  • Publication number: 20150056631
    Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and compositions for diagnosing a disease or disorder in a subject by introducing into cells of the subject a diagnostic gene switch construct and monitoring expression of a reporter gene. The invention further relates to methods and compositions for monitoring the progression of a disease or disorder or the effectiveness of a treatment for a disease or disorder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2014
    Publication date: February 26, 2015
    Inventors: Robert P. BEECH, Thomas D. Reed, Robert Patzig
  • Publication number: 20150044709
    Abstract: The present invention is concerned with test systems for determining the activity of neurotoxin polypeptides. Specifically, it relates to a polynucleotide encoding a single chain luciferase fusion polypeptide comprising: (i) a LuxB subunit, (ii) a linker comprising a neurotoxin cleavage site, and (iii) a LuxA subunit and a polypeptide encoded by the polynucleotide. Further provided in accordance with the invention are a vector and a host cell comprising the polynucleotide. Moreover, the present invention relates to a method for determining a proteolytically active neurotoxin polypeptide in a sample and a kit for carrying out the method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2013
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Inventor: Karl-Heinz Eisele