Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center Patent applications |
Patent application number | Title | Published |
20160045594 | DIRECTED IMMUNE STIMULATION - A synthetic polypeptide vaccine is employed for directed targeting of an individual's immune response to an antigen of interest. The synthetic polypeptide contains a carrier epitope specific for open conformers of an individual's MHC-I molecules in the presence of HLA-F, and also contains an effector epitope which elicits an immune response to the antigen of interest. The effect- or epitope may modulates an immune response to a tumor, pathogen, or autoantigen associated with an autoimmune disorder. The present vaccine exploits a role for the interaction between HLA-F and open conformers of MHC-I in the uptake of extracellular antigen for cross presentation. | 02-18-2016 |
20150368646 | COMPOSITIONS AND METHODS FOR TREATING PANCREATIC CANCER - The present disclosure provides compositions and methods for treating or reducing the risk of pancreatic cancer by administering compounds capable of inhibiting the expression or activity of RUNX3. | 12-24-2015 |
20150353890 | COMPOSITIONS AND METHODS FOR EXPANSION OF EMBRYONIC HEMATOPOIETIC STEM CELLS - The present invention relates to methods, kits and compositions for expansion of embryonic hematopoietic stem cells and providing hematopoietic function to human patients in need thereof. In one aspect, it relates to kits and compositions comprising a Notch agonist, one or more growth factors, and, optionally, an inhibitor of the TGFp pathway. Also provided herein are methods for expanding embryonic hematopoietic stem cells using kits and compositions comprising a Notch agonist, one or more growth factors, and, optionally, an inhibitor of the TOPβ pathway. The embryonic hematopoietic stem cells expanded using the disclosed kits, compositions and methods include cells derived from an embryo (e.g., aorta-gonad-mesonephros region of the embryo), embryonic stem cells, induced pluripotent stem cells, or reprogrammed cells of other types. The present invention also relates to administering the embryonic hematopoietic stem cells expanded using a combination of a Notch agonist, one or more growth factors, and, optionally, an inhibitor of the TGFp pathway to a patient for short-term and/or long-term in vivo repopulation benefits. | 12-10-2015 |
20150335734 | ANTIGENIC PEPTIDE OF HSV-2 AND METHODS FOR USING SAME - The invention provides HSV antigens that are useful for the prevention and treatment of HSV infection, including epitopes confirmed to be recognized by T-cells derived from herpetic lesions. T-cells having specificity for antigens of the invention have demonstrated cytotoxic activity against cells loaded with virally-encoded peptide epitopes, and in many cases, against cells infected with HSV. The identification of immunogenic antigens responsible for T-cell specificity provides improved anti-viral therapeutic and prophylactic strategies. Compositions containing antigens or polynucleotides encoding antigens of the invention provide effectively targeted vaccines for prevention and treatment of HSV infection. | 11-26-2015 |
20150044257 | BACULOVIRUS-BASED ENTEROVIRUS 71 VLP AS A VACCINE - An optimized baculovirus/insect cell-mediated system is provided for the production of enterovirus 71 virus-like particles to produce a vaccine against recent EV71 virus outbreaks. Co-expression of the viral capsid polyprotein P1 ORF derived from a fatal case in the Fuyang province of the People's Republic of China plus the 3 CD protease of EV71 prototype strain BrCr resulted in the formation of VLPs. The yields were increased by co-expression of both P1 and 3CD in separate transgene cassettes arranged in opposite orientation in a bicistronic baculovirus vector and by inserting the translational enhancing signal L21 in front of the capsid protein open reading frame. Faster transgene processing was achieved by using insect Sf21 cells instead of Sf9 cells. | 02-12-2015 |
20150032019 | END-TIDAL GAS MONITORING APPARATUS - A non-invasive monitoring apparatus for end-tidal gas concentrations, and a method of use thereof, is described for the detection of endogenous gas concentrations, including respiratory gases, in exhaled breath. | 01-29-2015 |
20150024950 | COMPOSITIONS AND METHODS FOR ACCURATELY IDENTIFYING MUTATIONS - The present disclosure provides compositions and methods for accurately detecting mutations by uniquely tagging double stranded nucleic acid molecules with dual cyphers such that sequence data obtained from a sense strand can be linked to sequence data obtained from an anti-sense strand when sequenced, for example, by massively parallel sequencing methods. | 01-22-2015 |
20150023938 | METHODS OF USING IL-21 FOR ADOPTIVE IMMUNOTHERAPY AND IDENTIFICATION OF TUMOR ANTIGENS - Methods for preparing ex vivo T cell cultures using IL-21 compositions for use in adoptive immunotherapy are described. Addition of IL-21 to cultures of non-terminally differentiated T cells population, either isolated or present in peripheral blood mononuclear cells are exposed to one or more tumor antigens, and in the presence of IL-21 compositions and antigen presenting cells (APCs), the resulting T cell population has an enhanced antigen-specificity, and can be reintroduced into the patient. Methods are also disclosed for identifying tumor antigens by culturing T cell populations exposed to IL-21 compositions and APCs in the presence of tumor material. | 01-22-2015 |
20140377266 | Methods and Compositions Involving NKG2D Inhibitors and Cancer - Embodiments methods and compositions involving inhibitors of the immunoreceptor Natural Killer Group 2, Member D, (NKG2D) for inhibiting tumor progression and treating cancer. | 12-25-2014 |
20140369973 | COMPOSITIONS AND METHODS FOR ENHANCED GENERATION OF HEMATOPOIETIC STEM/PROGENITOR CELLS - The present invention relates to methods, kits and compositions for expansion of hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells and providing hematopoietic function to human patients in need thereof. In one aspect, it relates to kits and compositions comprising a Notch agonist and an aryl hydrocarbon receptor antagonist. Also provided herein are methods for expanding the hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells using kits and compositions comprising a Notch agonist and an aryl hydrocarbon receptor antagonist. The hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells expanded using the disclosed kits, compositions and methods include human umbilical cord blood stem/progenitor cells, placental cord blood stem/progenitor cells and peripheral blood stem cells. The present invention also relates to administering hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells expanded using a combination of a Notch agonist and an aryl hydrocarbon receptor antagonist to a patient for short-term and/or long-term in vivo repopulation benefits. | 12-18-2014 |
20140314795 | METHOD AND COMPOSITIONS FOR CELLULAR IMMUNOTHERAPY - The present invention provides methods and compositions to confer and/or augment immune responses mediated by cellular immunotherapy, such as by adoptively transferring genetically modified tumor specific CD8+ T cells in the presence of tumor-specific, subset specific genetically modified CD4+ T cells, wherein the CD4+ T cells confer and/or augment a CD8+ T cells ability to sustain anti-tumor reactivity and increase and/or maximize tumor-specific proliferation of the tumor-specific CD8+ T cells of interest. Pharmaceutical formulations produced by the method, and methods of using the same, are also described. | 10-23-2014 |
20140309590 | NEEDLE ARRAY ASSEMBLY AND METHOD FOR DELIVERING THERAPEUTIC AGENTS - A fluid delivery device includes an array of needles, each in fluid communication with a respective reservoir. Respective actuators are coupled so as to be operable to drive fluid from the reservoirs via needle ports. Each needle can have a plurality of ports, and the ports can be arranged to deliver a substantially equal amount of fluid at any given location along its length. A driver is coupled to the actuators to selectively control the rate, volume, and direction of flow of fluid through the needles. The device can simultaneously deliver a plurality of fluid agents along respective axes in solid tissue in vivo. If thereafter resected, the tissue can be sectioned for evaluation of an effect of each agent on the tissue, and based on the evaluation, candidate agents selected or deselected for clinical trials or therapy, and subjects selected or deselected for clinical trials or therapeutic treatment. | 10-16-2014 |
20140256567 | Method of Measuring Adaptive Immunity - A method of measuring immunocompetence is described. This method provides a means for assessing the effects of diseases or conditions that compromise the immune system and of therapies aimed to reconstitute it. This method is based on quantifying T-cell diversity by calculating the number of diverse T-cell receptor (TCR) beta chain variable regions from blood cells. | 09-11-2014 |
20140242093 | METHODS AND COMPOSITIONS FOR MODULATING THE INNATE IMMUNE RESPONSE AND/OR MYOGENESIS IN A MAMMALIAN SUBJECT - In one aspect, the present invention relates to methods for increasing, decreasing or maintaining the innate immune response in a mammalian subject comprising modulating the expression of DUX4-fl, or modulating the expression of beta-defensin 3 (DEFB103). In another aspect, the present invention relates to methods for increasing, decreasing or maintaining myogenesis or muscle differentiation in a mammalian subject comprising modulating the expression of beta-defensin 3 (DEFB103). In additional aspects, the present invention involves diagnostic methods based on assessment of identified biomarkers. | 08-28-2014 |
20140241993 | FLUORESCENT CHLOROTOXIN CONJUGATE AND METHOD FOR INTRA-OPERATIVE VISUALIZATION OF CANCER - A chlorotoxin conjugate detectable by fluorescence imaging that allows for intra-operative visualization of cancerous tissues, compositions that include the chlorotoxin conjugate, and methods for using the chlorotoxin conjugate. | 08-28-2014 |
20140221220 | METHOD OF MEASURING ADAPTIVE IMMUNITY - A method of measuring immunocompetence is described. This method provides a means for assessing the effects of diseases or conditions that compromise the immune system and of therapies aimed to reconstitute it. This method is based on quantifying T-cell diversity by calculating the number of diverse T-cell receptor (TCR) beta chain variable regions from blood cells. | 08-07-2014 |
20140220161 | COMPOSITIONS AND METHODS TO MODULATE ANGIOGENESIS - The present invention provides methods of stimulating angiogenesis and the growth or migration of cells associated with angiogenesis, by contacting animals, tissues, or cells with sulfide, alone or in combination with nitric oxide. These methods may be used for a variety of purposes, including promoting wound healing, increasing blood flow, and for the treatment and prevention of diseases and disorders associated with decreased blood flow, including ischemic or hypoxic injury. | 08-07-2014 |
20140213463 | Method of Measuring Adaptive Immunity - A method of measuring immunocompetence is described. This method provides a means for assessing the effects of diseases or conditions that compromise the immune system and of therapies aimed to reconstitute it. This method is based on quantifying T-cell diversity by calculating the number of diverse T-cell receptor (TCR) beta chain variable regions from blood cells. | 07-31-2014 |
20140206549 | METHOD OF MEASURING ADAPTIVE IMMUNITY - A method of measuring immunocompetence is described. This method provides a means for assessing the effects of diseases or conditions that compromise the immune system and of therapies aimed to reconstitute it. This method is based on quantifying T-cell diversity by calculating the number of diverse T-cell receptor (TCR) beta chain variable regions from blood cells. | 07-24-2014 |
20140206548 | METHOD OF MEASURING ADAPTIVE IMMUNITY - A method of measuring immunocompetence is described. This method provides a means for assessing the effects of diseases or conditions that compromise the immune system and of therapies aimed to reconstitute it. This method is based on quantifying T-cell diversity by calculating the number of diverse T-cell receptor (TCR) beta chain variable regions from blood cells. | 07-24-2014 |
20140194295 | Method of Measuring Adaptive Immunity - A method of measuring immunocompetence is described. This method provides a means for assessing the effects of diseases or conditions that compromise the immune system and of therapies aimed to reconstitute it. This method is based on quantifying T-cell diversity by calculating the number of diverse T-cell receptor (TCR) beta chain variable regions from blood cells. | 07-10-2014 |
20140193525 | METHODS FOR TREATING OR PREVENTING RADIOCONTRAST AGENT INDUCED KIDNEY INJURY - Methods for treating or preventing radiocontrast agent induced kidney injury in a mammal are disclosed, the methods comprising administering to the mammal a first effective amount of a chalcogenide composition prior to administering a radiocontrast agent to the mammal. | 07-10-2014 |
20140186957 | ENGINEERED TAL EFFECTOR PROTEINS WITH ENHANCED DNA TARGETING CAPACITY - The present invention provides compositions and methods for DNA targeting using TAL effectors and TAL effector based proteins, including but not limited to targeted gene regulation and targeted cleavage of cellular chromatin in a region of interest and/or homologous recombination at a predetermined site in cells. Compositions include fusion polypeptides comprising a TAL effector or a TAL effector binding domain in combination with other domains, including but not limited to a cleavage domain. The TAL effector binding domain includes modifications that increase activity of the same and also remove the constraints that the DNA target sequence be preceded by a thymine. | 07-03-2014 |
20140186848 | Quantification of Adaptive Immune Cell Genomes in a Complex Mixture of Cells - Compositions and methods are described for highly sensitive quantification of the relative representation of DNA from adaptive immune cells (e.g., T and/or B lymphocytes) in DNA extracted from complex mixtures of cells that include cells which are not adaptive immune cells. Included are methods for determining the relative presence in a tumor of tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL), the relative presence of lymphocytes infiltrating a somatic tissue that is the target of an autoimmune disease, and the relative presence of lymphocytes infiltrating a transplanted organ. | 07-03-2014 |
20140179560 | DRUG DISCOVERY METHODS AND PLATFORMS - Methods and systems for discovering drug candidates are disclosed. Methods and systems can include generating libraries of potential drug candidates (e.g., libraries of peptides) that can be screened to identify sub-libraries of potential drug candidates (e.g., sub-libraries of peptides) having selected pharmacological properties. Methods of making and using peptide libraries are also provided. D-amino acid chlorotoxins and D-amino acid chlorotoxin variants are also provided. | 06-26-2014 |
20140162901 | NEEDLE ARRAY ASSEMBLY AND METHOD FOR DELIVERING THERAPEUTIC AGENTS - A fluid delivery device includes an array of needles, each in fluid communication with a respective reservoir. Respective actuators are coupled so as to be operable to drive fluid from the reservoirs via needle ports. Each needle can have a plurality of ports, and the ports can be arranged to deliver a substantially equal amount of fluid at any given location along its length. A driver is coupled to the actuators to selectively control the rate, volume, and direction of flow of fluid through the needles. The device can simultaneously deliver a plurality of fluid agents along respective axes in solid tissue in vivo. If thereafter resected, the tissue can be sectioned for evaluation of an effect of each agent on the tissue, and based on the evaluation, candidate agents selected or deselected for clinical trials or therapy, and subjects selected or deselected for clinical trials or therapeutic treatment. | 06-12-2014 |
20140162360 | NEEDLE ARRAY ASSEMBLY AND METHOD FOR DELIVERING THERAPEUTIC AGENTS - A fluid delivery device includes an array of needles, each in fluid communication with a respective reservoir. Respective actuators are coupled so as to be operable to drive fluid from the reservoirs via needle ports. Each needle can have a plurality of ports, and the ports can be arranged to deliver a substantially equal amount of fluid at any given location along its length. A driver is coupled to the actuators to selectively control the rate, volume, and direction of flow of fluid through the needles. The device can simultaneously deliver a plurality of fluid agents along respective axes in solid tissue in vivo. If thereafter resected, the tissue can be sectioned for evaluation of an effect of each agent on the tissue, and based on the evaluation, candidate agents selected or deselected for clinical trials or therapy, and subjects selected or deselected for clinical trials or therapeutic treatment. | 06-12-2014 |
20140127127 | HEPSIN INHIBITORS - Compositions and methods are provided for preventing or attenuating cancer progression or blocking metastasis in prostate cancer and other cancers (e.g., ovarian carcinoma, endometrial cancer, renal cell carcinoma) that are characterized by overexpression of the type II cell surface serine protease hepsin, based on the discovery of multiple disclosed compounds having activity as specific hepsin inhibitors. | 05-08-2014 |
20140093588 | COMBINATIONS OF NITRIC OXIDE AND SULFIDE AND METHODS OF USE AND MANUFACTURE THEREOF - The present invention provides methods of reducing the cytotoxic effects of nitric oxide and sulfides comprising coadministering nitric oxide with sulfide. In addition, the present invention provides novel pharmaceutical compositions comprising both nitric oxide and sulfide. The methods and compositions of the present invention may be used in the treatment or prevention of a variety of diseases and disorders, and also in the prevention of cell or tissue damage, including that resulting from ischemia or hypoxia. | 04-03-2014 |
20130296409 | COMPOSITIONS AND METHODS FOR GENERATING ADENO-ASSOCIATED VIRAL VECTORS WITH UNDETECTABLE CAPSID GENE CONTAMINATION - In one aspect, the present invention provides an intron-modified cap expression cassette useful for generating adeno-associated virus (AAV) vector particles. In another aspect, the present invention provides a method of reducing the immune response in a mammalian subject undergoing treatment with an AAV vector. | 11-07-2013 |
20130288976 | Methods for Determining the Presence or Risk of Developing Facioscapulohumeral Dystrophy (FSHD) - In one aspect, the invention provides a method of screening a human subject to determine if said subject has a genetic predisposition to develop, or is suffering from Facioscapulohumeral Dystrophy (FSHD), said method comprising: (a) providing a biological sample comprising genomic DNA from the subject; and (b) analyzing the portion of the genomic DNA in the sample corresponding to the distal D4Z4-pLAM region on chromosome 4 and determining the presence or absence of a polymorphism resulting in a functional polyadenylation sequence operationally linked to exon 3 of the DUX4 gene, wherein a determination of the absence of a functional polyadenylation sequence operationally linked to exon 3 of the DUX4 gene indicates that the subject does not have a genetic predisposition to develop, and is not suffering from FSHD, and/or wherein a determination of the presence of a functional polyadenylation sequence operationally linked to exon 3 of the DUX4 gene indicates that the subject has a genetic predisposition to develop, or is suffering from Facioscapulohumeral Dystrophy (FSHD). | 10-31-2013 |
20130288237 | QUANTIFICATION OF ADAPTIVE IMMUNE CELL GENOMES IN A COMPLEX MIXTURE OF CELLS - Compositions and methods are described for highly sensitive quantification of the relative representation of DNA from adaptive immune cells (e.g., T and/or B lymphocytes) in DNA extracted from complex mixtures of cells that include cells which are not adaptive immune cells. Included are methods for determining the relative presence in a tumor of tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL), the relative presence of lymphocytes infiltrating a somatic tissue that is the target of an autoimmune disease, and the relative presence of lymphocytes infiltrating a transplanted organ. | 10-31-2013 |
20130280755 | THERAPEUTIC METHODS FOR SOLID DELIVERY - A fluid-delivery device includes an array of needles. The needle can deposit a hollow and/or porous tube into a tissue of a subject, and the porous tube can contain one or more fluid agents. The hollow and/or porous tube can control the rate at which the agents diffuse into the tissue. The device can simultaneously deliver a plurality of porous tubes along parallel axes in a tissue in vivo. If thereafter resected, the tissue can be sectioned for evaluation of an effect of each agent on the tissue; based on the evaluation, candidate agents or subjects can be selected or deselected for clinical trials or therapy. | 10-24-2013 |
20130252897 | Methods and Compositions Regarding Polychalcogenide Compositions - The present invention concerns the use of polychalcogenide compositions on cells, tissue, organs, and organisms to enhance their survivability. It includes compositions, compounds, methods, articles of manufacture and apparatuses for enhancing survivability and for protecting them from or treating them for injury or damage. In specific embodiments, there are also therapeutic methods and apparatuses for hypoxic/ischemic injury, organ transplantation, hyperthermia, wound healing, hemorrhagic shock, cardioplegia for bypass surgery, neurodegeneration, hypothermia, and cancer using the polychalcogenide compositions described. | 09-26-2013 |
20130202622 | METHOD FOR THE TREATMENT OF OBESITY - The present invention relates to therapeutic compositions for treating or preventing obesity and obesity-related disorders in a subject using immunotherapy to target and eliminate adipocytes. | 08-08-2013 |
20130195760 | CHLOROTOXIN VARIANTS, CONJUGATES, AND METHODS FOR THEIR USE - Chlorotoxin variants, chlorotoxin variant conjugates, compositions that include the chlorotoxin variants or conjugates, and methods for using the chlorotoxin variants, conjugates, and compositions. | 08-01-2013 |
20130115309 | METHODS FOR IDENTIFYING AND USING INHIBITORS OF CASEIN KINASE 1 EPSILON ISOFORM FOR INHIBITING THE GROWTH AND/OR PROLIFERATION OF MYC-DRIVEN TUMOR CELLS - In one aspect, the invention provides a method for inhibiting the growth and/or proliferation of a myc-driven tumor cell comprising the step of contacting the tumor cells with a CSNK1ε inhibitor. In another aspect, the invention provides a method of treating a subject suffering from a tumor comprising myc-driven tumor cells, comprising administering to the subject an amount of a composition comprising a CSNK1ε inhibitor effective to inhibit the growth and/or proliferation of the tumor cells. | 05-09-2013 |
20130115232 | Methods for detecting graft-versus-host disease - The disclosure relates to the development of methods for detecting or predicting graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) and for detecting or predicting response to treatment for GVHD. More particularly, the disclosure provides new biomarkers and combinations of biomarkers for detecting or predicting gastrointestinal GI GVHD and for predicting and analyzing response to treatment for acute GVHD. | 05-09-2013 |
20130108657 | CONDITIONAL SUPERAGONIST CTL LIGANDS FOR THE PROMOTION OF TUMOR-SPECIFIC CTL RESPONSES | 05-02-2013 |
20130095079 | COMPOSITIONS AND METHODS FOR PROVIDING HEMATOPOIETIC FUNCTION WITHOUT HLA MATCHING - The present invention relates to methods and compositions for providing hematopoietic function in immunodeficient human patients, by selecting an expanded human umbilical cord blood stem/progenitor cell sample without taking into account the HLA-type of the expanded human cord blood stem/progenitor sample or the HLA-type of the patient; and administering the selected expanded human cord blood stem/progenitor cell sample to the patient. Methods for obtaining the expanded human cord blood stem/progenitor cell samples, banks of frozen expanded human cord blood stem/progenitor cell samples, and methods for producing such banks are also provided herein. | 04-18-2013 |
20120282353 | METHODS, COMPOSITIONS AND ARTICLES OF MANUFACTURE FOR HIF MODULATING COMPOUNDS - The present invention generally relates to the modulation of hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF) using the compounds and methods disclosed herein. These compounds and methods can be applied to the prevention, pretreatment, and/or treatment of conditions or states associated with HIF, such as hypoxia- and ischemia-related conditions and the induction of stasis. | 11-08-2012 |
20120252839 | GAIN-OF-FUNCTION BCL-2 INHIBITORS - Compounds are described that are useful for treating an apoptosis-associated disease, which are specifically cytotoxic to tumor cells that are overexpressing Bcl-x | 10-04-2012 |
20120244067 | METHODS FOR INDUCING REVERSIBLE STASIS - The present invention concerns compositions and methods involving incubating biological materials under hypoxic or anoxic conditions to induce stasis or suspended animation. Methods of screening for compounds that induce stasis or compounds that increase the ability to undergo stasis are included. Such methods have ramifications for preserving biological materials as well as reducing or preventing trauma to biological materials. Also contemplated are methods for screening compounds that are active or more active under hypoxic conditions than normoxic conditions. Such methods can be used to identify antitumor compounds that would operate under hypoxic conditions in which tumor cells survive. | 09-27-2012 |
20120192314 | METHODS FOR INCREASING PLANT CELL PROLIFERATION BY FUNCTIONALLY INHIBITING A PLANT CYCLIN INHIBITOR GENE - The present invention provides methods for modulating the growth and/or yield of plants. In particular the methods comprises the use of agents which functionally inhibit the expression of plant D-like cyclin inhibitors including isolated polynucleotide sequences which interact with DNA or RNA encoding proteins capable of binding plant D-like cyclins. Further, the present invention provides recombinant polynucleotide sequences, vectors and host cells which encode proteins capable of binding to and inactivating the activity of plant D-like cyclin/cyclin dependent kinase complexes preventing plant cells from exiting the cell cycle. Methods for determining and agents which are inhibitors of the BRO cyclin dependent kinase inhibitor proteins which are capable of modulating plant cell cycle progression are also provided. Methods for the production of transgenic plant cells and plants with increased growth rates and yields when compared to wild-type plants are also provided. | 07-26-2012 |
20120164118 | COCAL VESICULOVIRUS ENVELOPE PSEUDOTYPED RETROVIRAL VECTORS - Provided herein are Cocal vesiculovirus envelope pseudotyped retroviral vectors that exhibit high titers, broad species and cell-type tropism, and improved serum stability. Disclosed Cocal vesiculovirus envelope pseudotyped retroviral vectors may be suitably employed for gene therapy applications and, in particular, for the ex vivo and in vivo delivery of a gene of interest to a wide variety of target cells. | 06-28-2012 |
20120096590 | METHODS FOR INCREASING PLANT CELL PROLIFERATION BY FUNCTIONALLY INHIBITING A PLANT CYCLIN INHIBITOR GENE - The present invention provides methods for modulating the growth and/or yield of plants. In particular the methods comprise the use of agents which functionally inhibit the expression of plant D-like cyclin inhibitors including isolated polynucleotide sequences which interact with DNA or RNA encoding proteins capable of binding plant D-like cyclins. Further, the present invention provides recombinant polynucleotide sequences, vectors and host cells which encode proteins capable of binding to and inactivating the activity of plant D-like cyclin/cyclin dependent kinase complexes preventing plant cells from exiting the cell cycle. Methods for determining and agents which are inhibitors of the BRO cyclin dependent kinase inhibitor proteins which are capable of modulating plant cell cycle progression are also provided. Methods for the production of transgenic plant cells and plants with increased growth rates and yields when compared to wild-type plants are also provided. | 04-19-2012 |
20120027789 | ANTIGENIC PEPTIDE OF HSV-2 AND METHODS FOR USING SAME - The invention provides HSV antigens that are useful for the prevention and treatment of HSV infection. Disclosed herein are epitopes confirmed to be recognized by T-cells derived from herpetic lesions. T-cells having specificity for antigens of the invention have demonstrated cytotoxic activity against cells loaded with virally-encoded peptide epitopes, and in many cases, against cells infected with HSV, The identification of immunogenic antigens responsible for T-cell specificity provides improved anti-viral therapeutic and prophylactic strategies. Compositions containing antigens or polynucleotides encoding antigens of the invention provide effectively targeted vaccines for prevention and treatment of HSV infection. | 02-02-2012 |
20110294217 | DNA NICKING ENZYME FROM A HOMING ENDONUCLEASE THAT STIMULATES SITE-SPECIFIC GENE CONVERSION - An engineered highly specific DNA-cleavage enzyme delivers a site-specific nick in a double stranded DNA, to cleave one DNA strand within its target site while leaving the opposing DNA strand intact. The engineered enzyme provides the ability to induce a gene conversion event in a mammalian cell. An engineered sequence-specific nickase derived from a LAGLIDADG homing endonuclease is altered by a single amino acid residue, wherein the amino acid residue is involved in the polarization of solvent molecules and acid-base catalysis in the active site without affecting direct contacts between the enzyme and either the bound DNA or bound metal ions. Engineered, site-specific nickase variants, such as of I-AniI and other homing endonucleases, are particularly useful in targeted genome engineering as well as therapeutic, targeted gene repair. | 12-01-2011 |
20110250146 | MAGNETIC NANOPARTICLE AND METHOD FOR IMAGING T CELLS - The present invention provides nanoparticles having a core comprising a magnetic material and having a surface, where the surface may be operatively linked to an antigenic peptide-major histocompatibility complex (MHC) monomer. The antigenic peptide-MHC monomer may then be recognized by a T cell receptor. These nanoparticles may further comprise a signal-generating label, such as a fluorophore. Methods employing nanoparticles of the present invention may involve magnetic resonance imaging and/or fluorescence detection, such that cell imaging and localization are performed. | 10-13-2011 |
20110230839 | Needle Array Assembly and Method for Delivering Therapeutic Agents - A fluid delivery device includes an array of needles, each in fluid communication with a respective reservoir. Respective actuators are coupled so as to be operable to drive fluid from the reservoirs via needle ports. Each needle can have a plurality of ports, and the ports can be arranged to deliver a substantially equal amount of fluid at any given location along its length. A driver is coupled to the actuators to selectively control the rate, volume, and direction of flow of fluid through the needles. The device can simultaneously deliver a plurality of fluid agents along respective axes in solid tissue in vivo. If thereafter resected, the tissue can be sectioned for evaluation of an effect of each agent on the tissue, and based on the evaluation, candidate agents selected or deselected for clinical trials or therapy, and subjects selected or deselected for clinical trials or therapeutic treatment. | 09-22-2011 |
20110224911 | METHODS AND MATERIALS FOR CANINE BREED IDENTIFICATION - In one aspect, the invention provides methods for determining the contributions of canid populations to a canid genome. The methods comprise the steps of: (a) obtaining the identity of one or both alleles in a test canid genome for each of a set of markers; and (b) determining the contributions of canid populations to the test canid genome by comparing the alleles in the test canid genome to a database comprising canid population profiles, wherein each canid population profile comprises genotype information for the set of markers in the canid populations. | 09-15-2011 |
20110135756 | COMPOSITIONS AND METHODS FOR PROTECTING SENSORY HAIR CELLS - The invention provides compounds, compositions and methods that can be used for the attenuation of damage to sensory hair cells and symptoms thereof. More particularly, the invention identifies drugs that can be used to protect sensory hair cells from ototoxic medications, noise-induced damage and age-related loss. | 06-09-2011 |
20110088106 | COMPOSITIONS AND METHODS FOR MEDIATING CELL CYCLE PROGRESSION - Hypercellular nonhuman organisms have functionally inactivated expression of a cyclin inhibitor gene, especially p27. The growth rate of nonhuman organisms are increased such that a desired size is attained more quickly than as compared to nonvariant organisms. Inhibitors of the p27 cyclin dependent kinase inhibitor protein or sequences encoding the protein modulate vertebrate cell cycle progression and increase the proportion of dividing cells to non-dividing cells in a population of treated cells. As the proportion of dividing cells increases, the cell population, e.g., hematopoietic progenitor (stem) cells, is more efficiently used for gene therapy applications. Transgenic animals and plants, and knockout alleles are provided. | 04-14-2011 |
20110059012 | IDENTIFICATION OF CD8+ T CELLS THAT ARE CD161HI AND/OR IL18R (ALPHA) HI AND HAVE RAPID DRUG EFFLUX CAPACITY - This invention provides, among other things, methods for the identification and isolation of viable putative long-lived antigen-specific memory CD8 | 03-10-2011 |
20100316650 | SOLUBLE MIC POLYPEPTIDES AS MARKERS FOR DIAGNOSIS, PROGNOSIS AND TREATMENT OF CANCER AND AUTOIMMUNE DISEASES OR CONDITIONS - The present invention provides prognostic and diagnostic methods for cancer, as well as methods for monitoring or staging cancer. Methods involve assaying for tumor-derived soluble MIC polypeptide—either MICA or MICB or both—in a sample from a subject. Assays can be implemented with a MIC polypeptide binding agent such as a MIC polypeptide antibody or recombinantNKG2D. An ELISA sandwich assay is employed in some embodiments of the invention to identify a soluble MIC polypeptide. In additional embodiments, a sample is assayed for tumor cell-surface bound MIC in addition to assaying for soluble MIC. The invention also provides methods of cancer therapy involving detecting cancer in the subject by assaying for soluble MIC polypeptide and then administering a cancer therapy. | 12-16-2010 |
20100273169 | QUANTITATIVE PCR-BASED COMPOSITIONS AND METHODS FOR THE DIAGNOSIS OF INVASIVE PULMONARY ASPERGILLOSIS - Provided are quantitative PCR-based compositions and methods for the diagnosis of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) in a patient sample, such as bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid. The methods presented herein involve isolating a patient sample, optionally extracting DNA from the sample, carrying out a quantitative PCR (qPCR) reaction on the sample to generate an amplicon that includes a region of an | 10-28-2010 |
20100273151 | GENOME-WIDE ANALYSIS OF PALINDROME FORMATION AND DNA METHYLATION - The present disclosure provides methods for detecting the genome-wide presence of methylated DNA and palindrome formation. The present disclosure also provides methods for specific enrichment of methylated DNA or DNA having a DNA palindrome. These methods have demonstrated that somatic palindromes and methylated DNA occur frequently and are widespread in human cancers. Individual tumor types have a characteristic non-random distribution of palindromes in their genome and a small subset of the palindromic loci are associate with gene amplification. The disclosed method can be used to define the plurality of genomic DNA palindromes and regions having methylated DNA associated with various tumor types and can provide methods for the classification of tumors, and the diagnosis, early detection of cancer as well as the monitoring of disease recurrence and assessment of residual disease. | 10-28-2010 |
20100221709 | METHODS FOR IDENTIFYING AGENTS THAT MODULATE APOPTOSIS IN CELLS THAT OVER-EXPRESS A BCL-2 FAMILY MEMBER PROTEIN - The present invention provides methods and combinations of methods for identifying agents that modulate the apoptotic state of a cell by binding to the hydrophobic groove of a Bcl-2 family member anti-apoptotic protein. In certain embodiments, the methods generally comprise the use of Bcl-2 family member proteins having one or more mutations in the hydrophobic groove that, relative to a corresponding protein lacking the mutation, affect, e.g., binding of desired agents or in vitro antimycin sensitivity without substantially altering tertiary protein structure. In these embodiments, the methods comprise the identification of agents that exhibit reduced binding affinities and/or other biological activities for the mutant proteins relative to the corresponding Bcl-2 family member lacking the mutation. In other embodiments, the methods generally comprise the detection of the ability of an agent to induce increased glucose uptake or lactate production in proportion to the level of expression of an anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 family member protein. | 09-02-2010 |
20100217534 | METHODS AND MATERIALS FOR CANINE BREED IDENTIFICATION - In one aspect, the invention provides methods for determining the contributions of canid populations to a canid genome. The methods comprise the steps of: (a) obtaining the identity of one or both alleles in a test canid genome for each of a set of markers; and (b) determining the contributions of canid populations to the test canid genome by comparing the alleles in the test canid genome to a database comprising canid population profiles, wherein each canid population profile comprises genotype information for the set of markers in the canid populations. | 08-26-2010 |
20100166754 | Methods and Compositions For Treating Autoimmune Diseases or Conditions - The present invention relates to methods of treating immune disorders, particularly autoimmune and inflammatory disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis, and methods of producing antibodies for use in therapeutic strategies for treating such disorders. Generally, the present methods involve the use of antibodies that specifically bind to NKG2D receptors present on the surface of cells underlying the disorders. | 07-01-2010 |
20100129821 | BROAD RANGE PCR-BASED COMPOSITIONS AND METHODS FOR THE DETECTION AND IDENTIFICATION OF FUNGAL PATHOGENS - Disclosed herein are methods for detecting a fungal pathogen in a patient sample, involving isolating the sample, carrying out a PCR reaction on the sample to generate an amplicon that includes a region of the fungal 28S ribosomal RNA gene, and detecting the PCR amplicon. Also disclosed are sequences of primers for specifically detecting a broad range of fungal pathogens in the presence of human ribosomal DNA. In certain embodiments, the amplicon is detected by sequencing or by two-dimensional melt-curve analysis. In yet other embodiments, more than one fungal pathogen is detected in a sample using the methods disclosed herein. | 05-27-2010 |
20100021387 | Methods for Inducing Reversible Stasis - The present invention concerns compositions and methods involving incubating biological materials under hypoxic or anoxic conditions to induce stasis or suspended animation. Methods of screening for compounds that induce stasis or compounds that increase the ability to undergo stasis are included. Such methods have ramifications for preserving biological materials as well as reducing or preventing trauma to biological materials. Also contemplated are methods for screening compounds that are active or more active under hypoxic conditions than normoxic conditions. Such methods can be used to identify antitumor compounds that would operate under hypoxic conditions in which tumor cells survive. | 01-28-2010 |
20090099035 | OLIGONUCLEOTIDE ARRAYS FOR HIGH RESOLUTION HLA TYPING - Arrays of HLA Class I oligonucleotide probes on a solid support are provided, wherein the probes are sufficient to represent at least 80% of the known polymorphisms in exons 2 and 3 of the HLA Class I locus. | 04-16-2009 |
20090068096 | SEQUENCE OF STRO-1 ANTIBODY VARIABLE REGION - The amino acid sequence of the heavy chain polypeptide and the light chain polypeptide of the STRO-1 antibody is disclosed. Also disclosed are methods for detecting and isolating cells expressing the STRO-1 cell surface protein. | 03-12-2009 |
20090023751 | COMPOUNDS THAT PROTECT AGAINST SENSORY HAIR CELL DEATH - The present invention provides methods of identifying compounds that protect against ototoxicity induced by one or more noxious stimuli, and methods of treating an individual with compounds identified using the present screening methods. Also provided are compounds demonstrated to have otoprotective effects. | 01-22-2009 |
20090022696 | METHODS FOR IMMORTALIZING CELLS - The present invention provides methods for immortalizing precursor cells that are non-terminally differentiated cells such as stem cells, said methods comprising culturing the precursor cells in the presence of a Notch agonist and one or more growth factors that support the proliferation but not differentiation of the non-terminally differentiated cells. The present invention further provides methods to induce the differentiation of immortalized cells, comprising growing the cells in the presence of a Notch agonist and at least one growth factor which supports the differentiation of the cell into a more specialized cell type. The immortalized and/or differentiated cells of the invention can be used to repopulate cell populations that have been diminished, for example as a result of infection or exposure to certain drugs. The invention further provides a cell culture comprising a population of non-terminally differentiated cells immortalized by the methods of the present invention and kits comprising reagents that promote the immortalization of precursor cells. The invention further provides methods for screening for Notch modulators and for identifying genes involved in processes of cellular differentiation. | 01-22-2009 |
20080318864 | METHODS AND COMPOSITIONS REGARDING POLYCHALCOGENIDE COMPOSITIONS - The present invention concerns the use of polychalcogenide compositions on cells, tissue, organs, and organisms to enhance their survivability. It includes compositions, compounds, methods, articles of manufacture and apparatuses for enhancing survivability and for protecting them from or treating them for injury or damage. In specific embodiments, there are also therapeutic methods and apparatuses for hypoxic/ischemic injury, organ transplantation, hyperthermia, wound healing, hemorrhagic shock, cardioplegia for bypass surgery, neurodegeneration, hypothermia, and cancer using the polychalcogenide compositions described. | 12-25-2008 |
20080279780 | Fluorescent chlorotoxin conjugate and method for intra-operative visualization of cancer - A chlorotoxin conjugate detectable by fluorescence imaging that allows for intra-operative visualization of cancerous tissues, compositions that include the chlorotoxin conjugate, and methods for using the chlorotoxin conjugate. | 11-13-2008 |