Biolog has received US Patent No. 6,727,076, “Comparative phenotype analysis.” The patent describes an invention related to growing and testing microorganisms in a multitest format utilizing a gel forming matrix for the rapid screening of clinical and environmental cultures, the abstract states. The invention is suited for the characterization of commonly encountered microorganisms (e.g., E. coli, S. aureus, etc.), as well as commercially and industrially important organisms from various and diverse environments (e.g., particularly for the growth and characterization of the actinomycetes and fungi). It is also particularly suited for comparative analysis of phenotypic differences between cell types, including strains of microorganisms that have been designated as the same genus and species, as well as other cell types (e.g., mammalian, insect, and plant cells), the abstract states.
Cellomics has received US Patent No. 6,727,071, “System for cell-based screening.” The patent describes an invention that provides systems, methods, and screens for an optical system analysis of cells, to rapidly determine the distribution, environment, or activity of fluorescently labeled reporter molecules. These activities are aimed at screening large numbers of compounds to find ones that specifically affect particular biological functions, the abstract states. The invention involves providing cells containing fluorescent reporter molecules in an array of locations and scanning numerous cells in each location with a high magnification fluorescence optical system, converting the optical information into digital data, and utilizing the digital data to determine the distribution, environment, or activity of the fluorescently labeled reporter molecules in the cells, the abstract states.
GPC Biotech has received US Patent No. 6,727,082, “Assays and reagents for identifying anti-fungal agents, and uses related thereto.” The patent describes an invention for rapid, reliable and effective assays for screening and identifying pharmaceutically effective compounds that specifically inhibit the biological activity of fungal GTPase proteins, particularly GTPases involved in cell wall integrity, hyphael formation, and/or other cellular functions critical to pathogenesis, the abstract states.