David Rigney of Austin, Tex., has received US Patent No. 7,289,911, “System, methods, and computer program product for analyzing microarray data.” The patent describes systems, methods, and computer programs for analyzing gene expression data, especially data that have been acquired using microarray technologies. The patent also claims methods for a) partitioning a set of genes into clusters, based on the similarity of the genes' rates of messenger RNA synthesis; b) annotating clusters with words or phrases that are extracted from documents associated with genes in the clusters; c) evaluating the quality of clustering based on the extend to which documents associated with genes in a cluster collectively distinguish that cluster from all the other clusters; and d) evaluating the extent to which some words and phrases, present in documents associated with genes in the cluster, collectively distinguish that cluster from all the other clusters.
Commissariat Energie Atomique, Kris Richard, Stephen Felder, University of Chicago, Ambergen, Probiox, David Rigney
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Commissariat Energie Atomique of Paris has received European Patent No. 1846759, “Method for the photochemical attachment of biomolecules to a substrate.” The patent claims methods and devices for attaching biomolecules to a solid substrate surface, such as to the inner surface of a capillary. The patent also describes compounds and methods for creating patterned arrays of biomolecules inside fused silica capillaries so that several bioassays can be conducted simultaneously.
Kris Richard and Stephen Felder of Tucson, Ariz., have received European Patent No. 1847619, “High throughput assay system.” The patent claims compositions, apparatus, and methods useful for concurrently performing multiple, high-throughput biological or chemical assays using repeated arrays of probes. The described apparatus includes a surface containing test regions where each of the test regions is composed of an array of generic anchor molecules. The anchors are associated with bi-functional linker molecules, each containing a portion that is specific for one of the anchors and a portion that is specific for a target of interest. The resulting array of probes is used to analyze the presence or test the activity of one or more target molecules that specifically interact with the probes.
The University of Chicago has received US Patent No. 7,288,227, “Biochip reader with enhanced illumination and bioarray positioning apparatus.” The patent describes a method of illumination and an illumination apparatus that are used in a biochip reader. Illumination is provided by a non-collimated laser source or a light-emitting diode. The light is directed to opposing sides of a bioarray-containing glass substrate by a pair of optical fiber bundles. Each of the optical fiber bundles are splayed out to make a fan, the fan being one fiber thick and defining a line of optical fiber faces. This process randomizes any non-uniformity in the illumination source, the patent states. This method of illumination provides a superior signal-to-noise ratio as compared with conventional illumination systems, the patent claims.
Ambergen of Waltham, Mass., has received US Patent No. 7,288,372, “Methods for the preparation of chemically misaminoacylated tRNA via protective groups.” The patent describes methods for preparing chemically aminoacylated tRNAs for introducing markers into nascent proteins. The patent also claims methods for the non-radioactive labeling, detection, quantitation, and isolation of nascent proteins translated in a cellular or cell-free translation system utilizing chemically aminoacylated tRNAs. Additionally, the patent describes the post-labeling attachment of affinity linkers and binding partners to surfaces, such as microarrays or microtiter plates, for detecting and purifying nascent proteins produced by chemical misaminoacylation.
Probiox of Liege, Belgium, has received US Patent No. 7,288,374, “Process for the detection of oxidative stress and kit for its implementation.” The patent claims a method for the detection of oxidative stress in an individual carrying a risk factor for oxidative stress by: a) determining the risk factor for oxidative stress of the individual; b) selecting at least two oxidative stress markers being increased or decreased for the risk factor relative to healthy individuals; and c) measuring the amount of the oxidative stress markers in a sample obtained from the individual using microarray technology.