US Patent No. 6,759,191, “Use of nernstein voltage sensitive dyes in measuring transmembrane voltage.”
Inventors: Farinas, Javier Anibal; Wada, H. Garrett
Assignee: Caliper Life Sciences
Description: According to its abstract, the patent provides transmembrane potential measurement methods using cationic and anionic dyes. Compositions of the cationic and anionic dyes, and microfluidic systems which include the dyes and membranes, are provided in conjunction with processing elements for transmembrane potential measurements.
US Patent No. 6,759,207, “Fluorogenic or fluorescent reporter molecules and their applications for whole-cell fluorescence screening assays for caspases and other enzymes and the use thereof.”
Inventors: Weber, Eckard; Cai, Sui Xiong; Keana, John F.W.; Drewe, John; Zhang, Han-Zhong
Assignee: Cytovia
Description: According to its abstract, the patent describes an invention relating to novel fluorescent dyes, novel fluorogenic and fluorescent reporter molecules, and new enzyme assay processes that can be used to detect the activity of caspases and other enzymes involved in apoptosis in whole cells, cell lines, and tissue samples derived from any living organism or organ. The reporter molecules and assay processes can be used in drug screening procedures to identify compounds which act as inhibitors or inducers of the caspase cascade in whole cells or tissues, the patent’s abstract states. The invention also relates to novel fluorogenic and fluorescent reporter molecules, as well as new enzyme assay processes, that can be used to detect the activity of type 2 methionine aminopeptidase, dipeptidyl peptidase IV, calpain, aminopeptidase, HIV protease, adenovirus protease, HSV-1 protease, HCMV protease, and HCV protease, the patent’s abstract states.
US Patent No. 6,759,519, “Antibodies to human G-protein chemokine receptor HDGNR10 (CCR5 receptor).”
Inventors: Li, Yi; Ruben, Steven
Assignee: Human Genome Sciences
Description: According to its abstract, the patent describes antibodies against human G-protein chemokine receptor polypeptides, the polypeptides themselves, DNA (RNA) encoding such polypeptides, and a procedure for producing such polypeptides by recombinant techniques. Also disclosed are methods for utilizing such polypeptides for identifying antagonists and agonists to such polypeptides and methods of using the agonists and antagonists therapeutically to treat conditions related to the underexpression and overexpression of the G-protein chemokine receptor polypeptides, respectively, the patent abstract states. In addition, diagnostic methods for detecting a mutation in the G-protein chemokine receptor nucleic acid sequences and detecting a level of the soluble form of the receptors in a sample derived from a host are disclosed.