The Spanish Scientific Research Council of Madrid, Spain, has received US Patent No. 8,608,919, "Impedimetric sensor and applications thereof." The patent describes a highly sensitive impedimetric sensor in which the highly conductive electrodes are separated by a barrier of insulating material. According to the inventors, the sensor is used to determine directly the presence of analytes in a biological sample of human, veterinary, or environmental origin.
The University of Connecticut of Farmington has received US Patent No. 8,608,922,
"Biosensor for continuous monitoring of metabolites and proteins and methods of manufacture thereof." The sensor consists of a substrate, a reference electrode, a working electrode, and a number of permeability adjusting spacers. The electrodes and spacers are disposed on the substrate to create enzyme containing porous sections. The differential concentration of a target enzyme or protein is determined by monitoring the changes on its metabolite substrates.
Callida Genomics of Sunnyvale, Calif., has received US Patent No. 8,609,335, "Self-assembled single molecule arrays and uses thereof." The patent provides methods of making and using self-assembled arrays of single polynucleotide molecules for carrying out a variety of large-scale genetic measurements, such as gene expression analysis and gene copy number assessment. These random arrays are self-assembled in the sense that they are formed by deposition of polynucleotide molecules onto a surface where they become fixed at random locations. The polynucleotide molecules fixed on the surface are then identified by direct sequence determination of component nucleic acids, such as incorporated probe sequences, or by other decoding schemes.
Firefly BioWorks of Cambridge, Mass., has received US Patent No. 8,609,337, "Nucleic acid detection and quantification by post-hybridization labeling and universal encoding." The method includes providing a particle consisting of two or more encoding regions, where each encoding region bearing one or more anchor oligonucleotides and where the encoding regions are separated by an inert region; providing labeled and unlabeled encoding adapters at a ratio to achieve a desired detectable signal level in each encoding region, where each individual encoding adapter is designed to specifically bind an individual anchor oligonucleotide and where a labeled encoding adapter consists of a detectable moiety; incubating the particle with the labeled and unlabeled encoding adapters, encoding the substrate by the desired detectable signal level in the each encoding region.
Harvard University of Cambridge, Mass., has received US Patent No. 8,609,344, "Nucleic-acid programmable protein arrays." The patent claims method of evaluating a protein interaction. A substrate is provided with a number of addresses, each consisting of a first nucleic acid encoding a hybrid amino acid sequence made up of a first amino acid sequence and an affinity tag; a binding agent that recognizes the affinity tag; and a second nucleic acid encoding a second amino acid sequence. Each address on the array is contacted with a cell-free transcription/translation effector to translate the first nucleic acid and the second nucleic acid. The substrate is maintained under conditions that allow for the hybrid amino acid sequence to bind the binding agent. The presence of the second amino acid sequence at each of the addresses is then detected.
Nestec of Vevey, Switzerland, has received US Patent No. 8,609,349, "Drug selection for breast cancer therapy using antibody-based arrays." The patent proves antibody array-based methods for detecting the activation states of components of signal transduction pathways in tumor cells. Information on the activation states of components of signal transduction pathways derived from use of the arrays can be used for cancer diagnosis, prognosis, and in the design of cancer treatments, according to the inventors.
The Catholic University Industry Academic Cooperation Foundation of Seoul, South Korea, has received US Patent No. 8,609,626, "NLK as a marker for diagnosis of liver cancer and as a therapeutic agent thereof." A marker for diagnosis of liver cancer using over-expression of neuro-like kinase in liver cancer cell is provided, along with a composition for diagnosis of liver cancer, a kit, a microarray, and a method for diagnosing liver cancer using the marker. Additionally, a method for screening a substance to prevent or treat liver cancer by decreasing expression of the marker gene or protein, and a composition for preventing or treating liver cancer including such substances are both provided.
Lawrence Livermore National Security of Livermore, Calif., and the University of California of Oakland have received US Patent No. 8,610,032, "Laser heating of aqueous samples on a micro-optical-electro-mechanical system." The system consists of a polymer array slide with an array surface; a number of probes connected to the surface; a light source; and a delivery system that delivers the light rays onto the array's probes.