Michael G Conrad

US Patent:

6635435, Oct 21, 2003

Filed:

Jul 9, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/350461

Inventors:

Michael J. Conrad - Escondido CA
Liyan He - Escondido CA

Assignee:

Chromagen, Inc. - San Diego CA

International Classification:

C12Q 134

US Classification:

435 18, 435 23, 536 41

Abstract:

The subject invention provides compounds useful as fluorogenic substrates. Upon hydrolysis of a hydrolyzable group, a halo-pyrene substituted molecule is developed which is highly fluorescent, water soluble and exhibits several desirable characteristics, including a large Stokers shift.

US Patent:

6654119, Nov 25, 2003

Filed:

Apr 20, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/552803

Inventors:

Gene Gould - Cardiff CA
Michael J. Conrad - Escondido CA

Assignee:

Chromagen, Inc. - San Diego CA

International Classification:

G01N 2164

US Classification:

356318, 356333, 2504581

Abstract:

A fluorescence spectrophotometer having an excitation double monochromator, a coaxial excitation/emission light transfer module, and an emission double monochromator. Each monochromator includes a pair of holographic concave gratings mounted to precisely select a desired band of wavelengths from incoming broadband light without using other optical elements, such as mirrors. Selected excitation light is directed into a sample well by a light transfer module that includes a coaxial excitation mirror positioned to direct excitation light directly to the bottom of a well of a multi-well plate. Fluorescence emission light that exits the well opening is collected by a relatively large coaxial emission mirror. The collected emission light is wavelength selected by the emission double monochromator. Selected emission light is detected by a photodetector module.

US Patent:

6949632, Sep 27, 2005

Filed:

Aug 27, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/229628

Inventors:

Michael J. Conrad - Escondido CA, US
Liyan He - Escondido CA, US

Assignee:

Chromagen, Inc. - Escondido CA

International Classification:

C07G011/00

US Classification:

536 41, 435 18, 435 23

Abstract:

The subject invention provides compounds useful as fluorogenic substrates for the hydrolytic enzymes. Upon hydrolysis of the hydrolyzable group, a halo-pyrene substituted molecule is developed which is highly fluorescent, water soluble and exhibits several desirable characteristics, including a large Stokes' shift.

US Patent:

7317111, Jan 8, 2008

Filed:

Sep 23, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/669584

Inventors:

Ram Bhatt - San Diego CA, US
Michael J. Conrad - Escondido CA, US
Azzouz Bencheikh - San Diego CA, US
Yifeng Xiong - San Diego CA, US

Assignee:

Aries Associates, Inc. - San Diego GA

International Classification:

C07C 309/50
C07C 331/24
C07D 207/404
G01N 21/00

US Classification:

548528, 558 17, 562 52, 562 55, 436172, 436800

Abstract:

The present invention provides novel fluorescent compounds and covalent attachment chemistries which facilitate the use of these compounds as labels for ultrasensitive and quantitative fluorescent detection of low levels of biomolecules. In a preferred embodiment, the fluorescent labels of this invention are novel derivatives of the hydroxy-pyrene trisulphonic and disulphonic acids which may be used in any assay in which radioisotopes, colored dyes or other fluorescent molecules are currently used. Thus, for example, any assay using labeled antibodies, proteins, oligonucleotides or lipids, including fluorescent cell sorting, fluorescence microscopy (including dark-field microscopy), fluorescence polarization assays, ligand, receptor binding assays, receptor activation assays and diagnostic assays can benefit from use of the compounds disclosed herein.

US Patent:

7352459, Apr 1, 2008

Filed:

Dec 31, 2001

Appl. No.:

10/039769

Inventors:

Gene Gould - Cardiff CA, US
Michael J. Conrad - Escondido CA, US

Assignee:

Chromagen, Inc. - Escondido CA

International Classification:

G01J 3/18
G01N 21/64

US Classification:

356318, 356333, 2504581

Abstract:

A fluorescence spectrophotometer system may be implemented in scanning fluorescence polarization detection applications. A wavelength and area scanning fluorescence spectrophotometer system may include a light source, an excitation double monochromator, an excitation/emission light transfer module, an emission double monochromator, a high speed timer-counter circuit board, a precision positioning apparatus for positioning a sample relative to the focal plane of the excitation light, and polarizing filters at the excitation side and the emission side. The system may be operative to analyze more than one fluorescent compound in the sample; additionally or alternatively, the system enables analysis of samples from selected ones of a plurality of samples.

US Patent:

7411673, Aug 12, 2008

Filed:

Sep 8, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/658363

Inventors:

Gene Gould - Cardiff CA, US
Michael J. Conrad - Escondido CA, US

Assignee:

Chromagen, Inc. - San Diego CA

International Classification:

G01N 21/64

US Classification:

356317, 2504581, 356318

Abstract:

A fluorescence spectrophotometer having an excitation double monochromator, a coaxial excitation/emission light transfer module, and an emission double monochromator. Each monochromator includes a pair of holographic concave gratings mounted to precisely select a desired band of wavelengths from incoming broadband light without using other optical elements, such as mirrors. Selected excitation light is directed into a sample well by a light transfer module that includes a coaxial excitation mirror positioned to direct excitation light directly to the bottom of a well of a multi-well plate. Fluorescence emission light that exits the well opening is collected by a relatively large coaxial emission mirror. The collected emission light is wavelength selected by the emission double monochromator. Selected emission light is detected by a photodetector module.

US Patent:

7667048, Feb 23, 2010

Filed:

Dec 29, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/967134

Inventors:

Ram Bhatt - San Diego CA, US
Michael J. Conrad - Escondido CA, US
Azzouz Bencheikh - Rancho Santa Fe CA, US
Yifeng Xiong - San Diego CA, US

Assignee:

Aries Associates, Inc. - Escondido CA

International Classification:

C07C 309/50
C07C 309/51
C07C 311/29
C07C 331/20
C07D 207/404

US Classification:

548528, 558 17, 562 52, 562 55, 436172, 436800

Abstract:

The present invention provides novel fluorescent compounds and covalent attachment chemistries which facilitate the use of these compounds as labels for ultrasensitive and quantitative fluorescent detection of low levels of biomolecules. In a preferred embodiment, the fluorescent labels of this invention are novel derivatives of the hydroxy-pyrene trisulphonic and disulphonic acids which may be used in any assay in which radioisotopes, colored dyes or other fluorescent molecules are currently used. Thus, for example, any assay using labeled antibodies, proteins, oligonucleotides or lipids, including fluorescent cell sorting, fluorescence microscopy (including dark-field microscopy), fluorescence polarization assays, ligand, receptor binding assays, receptor activation assays and diagnostic assays can benefit from use of the compounds disclosed herein.

US Patent:

20080225289, Sep 18, 2008

Filed:

Mar 31, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/060170

Inventors:

Gene Gould - Cardiff CA, US
Michael J. Conrad - Escondido CA, US

Assignee:

CHROMAGEN, INC. - San Diego CA

International Classification:

G01J 3/40

US Classification:

356303

Abstract:

A fluorescence spectrophotometer system may be implemented in scanning fluorescence polarization detection applications. A wavelength and area scanning fluorescence spectrophotometer system may include a light source, an excitation double monochromator, an excitation/emission light transfer module, an emission double monochromator, a high speed timer-counter circuit board, a precision positioning apparatus for positioning a sample relative to the focal plane of the excitation light, and polarizing filters at the excitation side and the emission side. The system may be operative to analyze more than one fluorescent compound in the sample; additionally or alternatively, the system enables analysis of samples from selected ones of a plurality of samples.