Omega Optics of Austin, Texas, has received US Patent No. 8,580,200, "Method for label-free multiple analyte sensing, biosensing and diagnostic assay." The patent claims an on-chip integrated microarray device that enables detection and identification of multiple species to be performed simultaneously using optical techniques leading to a high throughput device for chemical sensing, biosensing and medical diagnostics. According to the patent, the array consists of photonic crystal microcavities patterned along a single photonic crystal waveguide.
The Ohio State University has received US Patent No. 5,580.500, "Methods for diagnosing lung cancer using microRNAs." The patent concerns a method of diagnosing a subject having lung cancer. After a lung cancer tissue sample is obtained, miR-21, miR-210, and miR-205 gene products are reverse transcribed and hybridized to an array containing miRNA-specific probe oligonucleotides. The test results are compared to a control hybridization profile. If the subject's miR product levels are higher than the control, the subject is considered to have lung cancer.
DeCode Genetics of Reykjavik, Iceland, has received US Patent No. 8,580,501, "Genetic variants on chr 5p12 and 10q26 as markers for use in breast cancer risk assessment, diagnosis, prognosis and treatment." The patent relates to a method of using microarrays to identify certain genetic variants on Chr5p12 and Chr10q26 as susceptibility variants of breast cancer. Methods of disease management, including diagnosing increased and decreased susceptibility to breast cancer, and methods of predicting response to therapy and methods of predicting prognosis using such variants, are also described. The invention further relates to kits useful in the methods of the invention.
Rosetta Genomics of Rehovot, Israel, and Mor Research Applications of Tel Aviv have received US Patent No. 8,580,503, "Methods and compositions for diagnosing complications of pregnancy." The patented method relies on using a microRNA microarray to assess the expression profiles of subjects. If specific sequences are found to be increased in the profile of a pregnant female subject relative to the profile of a woman of the same age with no evidence of hypertensive disorder of pregnancy, the inventors claim the subject is determined to be at risk of developing preeclampsia.
National Taiwan University of Taipei has received US Patent No. 8,580,514, "Microchip for identifying Phellinus species and the method thereof." The patent described an oligonucleotide array for the identification of multiple crucial forest Phellinus pathogens by using reverse-dot hybridization. According to the inventors, the chip can "identify and diagnose seventeen Phellinus species, including the notorious hardwood and conifer tree killers, P. Noxius and P. Weirii."
Cancer Genetics of Rutherford, NJ, has received US Patent No. 8,580,713, "Tool for diagnosis and prognosis of mature B-cell neoplasms." The patent provides a microarray for diagnosing diagnosis and assessing certain types of cancers, particularly mature B-cell neoplasms. The methods include contacting a sample to the array, allowing any genetic material in the sample to hybridize to the genomic regions on the array, analyzing the hybridizations, and correlating the hybridizations to certain cancer types.
Nuclea Biomarkers of Pittsfield, Mass., has received US Patent No. 8,580,926, "Gene and protein expression profiles associated with the therapeutic efficacy of irinotecan." The patented method relies on screening tissue microarrays to obtain gene and protein expression profiles that are indicative of whether a cancer patient is likely to respond to treatment with irinotecan. By identifying such responsiveness, a treatment provider may determine in advance those patients who would benefit from such treatment, as well as identify alternative therapies for non-responders.