Innovations in pathogen capture, DNA sequencing and data storage, soft robotics, and more
To realize its overarching goal to invent and commercialize disruptive solutions for healthcare, energy, architecture, robotics, and manufacturing, the Wyss Institute is creating a patent portfolio in relevant areas that are or can become an essential basis for specific business development and commercialization efforts. To learn more about these innovations, contact our Business Development Team.
The Wyss Institute’s U.S. patents issued between October and December 2019 are as follows:
CRP capture/detection of gram positive bacteria
U.S. Patent 10,513,546 (December 24, 2019)
Alexander L. Watters, Donald E. Ingber, Mark J. Cartwright, Michael Super, Martin Rottman, Evangelia Murray, and Brendon Dusel
Described herein are engineered microbe-targeting molecules, microbe-targeting particles, kits comprising the same, and uses thereof. Such microbe-targeting molecules, microbe-targeting articles, or the kits comprising the same can bind or capture of a microbe or microbial matter thereof, and can thus be used in various applications, such as diagnosis or treatment of an infection caused by microbes in a subject or any environmental surface.
Engineered heme-binding compositions and uses thereof
U.S. Patent 10,501,729 (December 10, 2019)
Michael Super, Alexander L. Watters, Philip T. Snell, and Donald E. Ingber
Described herein are heme-binding compositions and methods relating to their use, for example methods of treatment of sepsis and rhabdomyolysis.
Sequencing by Structure Assembly
U.S. Patent 10,501,791 (December 10, 2019)
George M. Church, Richard C. Terry, Fredric Vigneault, Francois Vigneault
A method of sequencing nucleic acids is provided using sequencing by ligation and/or sequencing by hybridization.
Method for Generating a Three-Dimensional Nucleic Acid Containing Matrix
U.S. Patent 10,494,662 (December 3,2019)
George M. Church, Je-Hyuk Lee, Richard C. Terry, Evan R. Daugharthy
Methods of making a three-dimensional matrix of nucleic acids within a cell is provided.
Cell culture system
U.S. Patent 10,472,612 (November 12, 2019)
Donald E. Ingber and Hyun Jung Kim
The embodiments of the invention described herein relate to systems and methods for culturing and/or maintaining intestinal cells, tissues and/or organoids in vitro. The cells, tissues and/or organoids cultured according to the methods and systems described herein can mimic or reproduce natural intestinal epithelial structures and behavior as well as support co-culture of intestinal microflora.
Methods of storing information using nucleic acids
U.S. Patent 10,460,220 (October 29, 2019)
George M. Church
The present invention relates to methods of storing data using one or more nucleic acids.
Sanitation systems and components thereof having a slippery surface
U.S. Patent 10,450,467 (October 22, 2019)
Joanna Aizenberg, Michael Aizenberg, Sung Hoon Kang, Philseok Kim, Sing Wong
The present disclosure describes a strategy to create self-healing, slippery liquid-infused porous surfaces. Roughened (e.g., porous) surfaces can be utilized to lock in place a lubricating fluid, referred to herein as Liquid B to repel a wide range of materials, referred to herein as Object A (Solid A or Liquid A). Slippery liquid-infused porous surfaces outperforms other conventional surfaces in its capability to repel various simple and complex liquids (water, hydrocarbons, crude oil and blood), maintain low-contact-angle hysteresis (<2.5º), quickly restore liquid-repellency after physical damage (within 0.1-1 s), resist ice, microorganisms and insects adhesion, and function at high pressures (up to at least 690 atm). Some exemplary application where slippery liquid-infused porous surfaces will be used include energy-efficient fluid handling and transportation, optical sensing, medicine, and as self-cleaning, and anti-fouling materials operating in extreme environments.
Soft exosuit for assistance with human motion
U.S. Patent 10,434,030 (October 8, 2019)
Alan T. Asbeck, Ye Ding, Ignacio Galiana Bujanda, Sangjun Lee, Diana A. Wagner, and Conor J. Walsh
Systems and methods for providing assistance with human motion, including hip and ankle motion, are disclosed. Sensor feedback is used to determine an appropriate profile for actuating a wearable robotic system to deliver desired joint motion assistance. Variations in user kinetics and kinematics, as well as construction, materials, and fit of the wearable robotic system, are considered in order to provide assistance tailored to the user and current activity.
RNA-guided human genome engineering
U.S. Patent 10,435,708 (October 8, 2019)
Prashant G. Mali, George M. Church, and Luhan Yang
A method of altering a eukaryotic cell is provided including transfecting the eukaryotic cell with a nucleic acid encoding RNA complementary to genomic DNA of the eukaryotic cell, transfecting the eukaryotic cell with a nucleic acid encoding an enzyme that interacts with the RNA and cleaves the genomic DNA in a site specific manner, wherein the cell expresses the RNA and the enzyme, the RNA binds to complementary genomic DNA and the enzyme cleaves the genomic DNA in a site specific manner.
Mutant Cas9 proteins
U.S. Patent 10,435,679 (October 8, 2019)
Alejandro Chavez, Frank J. Poelwijk, and George M. Church
Methods of making mutant Cas9 proteins are described.
Microbe-binding molecules and uses thereof
U.S. Patent 10,435,457 (October 8, 2019)
Alexander Watters, Brendon Dusel, Michael Super, Mark Cartwright, Donald E. Ingber
Described herein are engineered microbe-targeting molecules, microbe-targeting articles, kits comprising the same, and uses thereof. Such microbe-targeting molecules, microbe-targeting articles, or the kits comprising the same can not only bind or capture of a microbe or microbial matter thereof, but they also have improved capability (e.g., enhanced sensitivity or signal intensity) of detecting a microbe or microbial matter. Thus, the microbe-targeting molecules, microbe-targeting articles, and/or the kit described herein can be used in various applications, e.g., but not limited to assays for detection of a microbe or microbial matter, diagnostic and/or therapeutic agents for diagnosis and/or treatment of an infection caused by microbes in a subject or any environmental surface, and/or devices for removal of a microbe or microbial matter from a fluid.
Soft exosuit for assistance with human motion
U.S. Patent 10,427,293 (October 1, 2019)
Alan Thomas Asbeck, Ignacio Galiana Bujanda, Ye Ding, Robert Joseph Dyer, Arnar Freyr Larusson, Brendan Thomas Quinlivan, Kai Schmidt, Diana Wagner, Conor J. Walsh, and Michael Wehner
In at least one aspect, there is provided a system for generating force about one or more joints including a soft exosuit having a plurality of anchor elements and at least one connection element disposed between the plurality of anchor elements. The system also includes at least one sensor to determine a force the at least one connection element or at least one of the plurality of anchor elements and to output signals relating to the force, at least one actuator configured to change a tension in the soft exosuit and at least one controller configured to receive the signals output from the at least one sensor and actuate the at least one actuator responsive to the received signals.