Genomic Health of Redwood City, Calif., has received US Patent No. 7,056,674, "Prediction of likelihood of cancer recurrence." The patent claims gene sets that can be expressed and used in the diagnosis and/or prognosis of cancer, particularly breast cancer, specifically with respect to disease-free survival. The patent also describes the use of archived paraffin-embedded biopsy material for assay of all markers in the set, and specifies oligonucleotide sequences that can be used for the gene sets in the test. In one aspect, the patent claims a method of predicting the likelihood of long-term survival of a cancer patient without the recurrence of cancer. It also describes a method for creating a patient profile. Specifically, the method comprises the steps of: a) subjecting RNA extracted from a breast tissue obtained from the patient to gene expression analysis using a microarray; b) determining the expression level in the tissue of one or more genes selected from the breast cancer gene set where the expression level is normalized against a control gene or genes and is compared to the amount found in a breast cancer reference tissue set; and c) creating a report summarizing the data obtained by the gene expression analysis.
BioArray Solutions of Warren, NJ, has received US Patent No. 7,056,746, "Array cytometry." The patent claims a method and apparatus for the manipulation of colloidal particulates and biomolecules at the interface between an insulating electrode, such as silicon oxide, and an electrolyte solution, therefore enabling interactive control over the creation and placement of planar arrays. The patent also claims the ability to enable sample preparation and handling for diagnostic assays and biochemical analysis in an array format, and the functional integration of these operations. In addition, the patent claims a procedure for the creation of material surfaces with desired properties and for the fabrication of surface-mounted optical components.
BioArray Solutions has also received US Patent No. 7,057,704, "System and method for programmable illumination pattern generation." The patent claims an apparatus providing programmable illumination pattern generation for the manipulation of colloidal particulates and biomolecules in suspension between electrodes. The apparatus implements light-controlled electrokinetic assembly of particles near surfaces (LEAPS), to generate patterns of illumination and project them on to planar surfaces. This enables the creation of patterns using graphical design or drawing software on a personal computer and the projection of the patterns, or sequences of patterns onto an interface using a liquid crystal display panel and an optical design which images the LCD panel onto the surface of interest, to provide for arrangements and assembly of particles in such patterns.
The Regents of the University of Michigan of Ann Arbor has received US Patent No. 7,056,741, "Surface transfection and expression procedure." The patent claims a method of transfecting cells by applying cells directly onto nucleic acids which are immobilized in transfection complexes on a surface and which transfect the cells. The patent's abstract states that, preferably, the nucleic acids are immobilized in a microarray. Methods for expressing the nucleic acids in the transfected cells are also claimed.