Affymetrix of Santa Clara, Calif. has received US Patent No. 6,816,867, “System, method, and user interfaces for mining of genomic data.” A data mining tool is described that includes a data structure populator that stores one or more first sets of data selected for querying into a first data structure. The tool also has a query builder that builds at least a first query based, at least in part, on one or more query parameters. Also included in the tool is a query manager that interrogates the first data structure with the first query. The one or more first sets of data are based, at least in part, on experiments using both synthesized probe arrays and spotted probe arrays.
International Business Machines of Armonk, N.Y., has received US Patent No. 6,816,790, “Method and apparatus for determining gene expression levels.” Techniques for analyzing gene expression levels are provided. In one aspect of the invention, the technique provides a method for determining a concentration level of a target nucleic acid, the target nucleic acid comprising at least one target oligonucleotide. The method determines a measure of affinity value of the target oligonucleotide with a probe oligonucleotide, and a hybridization intensity value for the target oligonucleotide and the probe oligonucleotide at a probe spot. The measure of affinity value and the hybridization intensity value are used to determine the concentration level of the target nucleic acid.
NGK Insulators of Nagoya, Japan, has received US Patent No. 6,814,937, “Dispenser and method for pro-ducing DNA chip.” The patent covers a dispenser including a plurality of arranged micropipettes, each including a sample-pouring port for pouring a sample solution from the outside, a cavity for pouring and charging the sample solution, and a sample discharge port, and formed on at least one or more substrates. The micropipette further includes an actuator section disposed on at least one wall surface of the substrate, which forms the cavity so that the sample solution is movable in the cavity, and the sample solution is discharged from the sample discharge port of each of the micropipettes. A pin, which protrudes upward, is provided at the sample-pouring port of each of the micropipettes.
Eastman Kodak of Rochester, N.Y., has received US Patent No. 6,815,078, “Substrate for protein microarray containing functionalized polymer.” The patent covers a gelatin-based substrate for fabricating protein arrays. The substrate comprises gelatin having at least one surface and a polymer scaffold, which is rich in reactive units capable of immobilizing proteins, that are affixed to the gelatin surface.
GeneOhm Sciences of San Diego, has received US Patent No. 6,815,167, “Amplification of DNA to produce single-stranded product of defined sequence and length.” The present disclosure relates to methods for generating single-stranded DNA molecules of defined sequence and length. Specifically, a region of template containing target sequence is amplified by PCR or RCA, exogenous sequence is introduced by primers or probes used in amplification, double-stranded amplification products are converted to single-stranded amplification products, and single-stranded amplification products are trimmed to produce short single-stranded DNA molecules of defined sequence and length.
NuGen Technologies of San Carlos, Calif., has received US Patent No. 6,815,164, “Methods and probes for detection and/or quantification of nucleic acid sequences.” The patent covers nucleic acid detector probes for specific detection and/or quantification of target nucleic acid sequences and detection and/or quantification methods using these probes. In the absence of target nucleic acid sequence, a first oligonucleotide and a third oligonucleotide are bound to each other in a conformation which brings two members of an interacting moiety pair (labels) into close spatial proximity. Cooperative binding of the first oligonucleotide and a second oligonucleotide to a target nucleic acid sequence causes displacement of the third oligonucleotide from the first oligonucleotide probe, resulting in separation of the two members of the interacting moiety pair. The spatial separation of the moieties is detectable and indicates the presence and/or amount of the target nucleic acid sequence. The method is useful for detection and/or quantification of a specific nucleic acid sequence as well as the detection of sequence alteration in the target nucleic acid sequence.