Michael M West

US Patent:

6368789, Apr 9, 2002

Filed:

Jun 5, 1995

Appl. No.:

08/464011

Inventors:

Michael D. West - Belmont CA 94002
Jerry Shay - Dallas TX 75209
Woodring Wright - Arlington TX 76011
Elizabeth H. Blackburn - San Francisco CA 94127

International Classification:

C12Q 168

US Classification:

435 6, 435 721, 435 722, 435 74, 435 772, 435 9131

Abstract:

Method and compositions are provided for the determination of telomere length and telomerase activity, as well as the ability to inhibit telomerase activity in the treatment of proliferative diseases. Particularly, primers are elongated under conditions which minimize interference from other genomic sequences, so as to obtain accurate determinations of telomeric length or telomerase activity. In addition, compositions are provided for intracellular inhibition of telomerase activity and means are shown for slowing the loss of telomeric repeats in aging cells.

US Patent:

6551774, Apr 22, 2003

Filed:

Aug 20, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/378535

Inventors:

Michael D. West - San Carlos CA
Calvin B. Harley - Palo Alto CA
Scott L. Weinrich - San Francisco CA
Catherine M. Strahl - San Francisco CA
Michael J. McEachern - San Francisco CA
Jerry Shay - Dallas TX
Woodring E. Wright - Arlington TX
Elizabeth H. Blackburn - San Francisco CA
Nam Woo Kim - Sunnyvale CA
Homayoun Vaziri - Toronto, CA

Assignee:

Board of Regents, The University of Texas System - Dallas TX
The Regents of the University of California - Oakland CA
Geron Corporation - Menlo Park CA

International Classification:

C12Q 168

US Classification:

435 6, 435 71, 435 15, 435 912, 435 915

Abstract:

Method and compositions are provided for the determination of telomere length and telomerase activity, as well as the ability to increase or decrease telomerase activity in the treatment of proliferative diseases. Particularly, primers are elongated under conditions which minimize interference from other genomic sequences, so as to obtain accurate determinations of telomeric length or telomerase activity. In addition, compositions are provided for intracellular inhibition of telomerase activity and means are shown for slowing or reversing the loss of telomeric repeats in aging cells.

US Patent:

6800480, Oct 5, 2004

Filed:

Aug 29, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/530346

Inventors:

Andrea G. Bodnar - Oshawa, CA
Joseph D. Gold - San Francisco CA
Margaret Inokuma - San Jose CA
James T. Murai - San Bruno CA
Michael D. West - Boston MA

Assignee:

Geron Corporation - Menlo Park CA

International Classification:

C12N 500

US Classification:

435325, 435 11, 424 931, 424 9321

Abstract:

Methods and materials for culturing primate-derived primordial stem cells are described. In one embodiment, a cell culture medium for growing primate-derived primordial stem cells in a substantially undifferentiated state is provided which includes a low osmotic pressure, low endotoxin basic medium that is effective to support the growth of primate-derived primordial stem cells. The basic medium is combined with a nutrient serum effective to support the growth of primate-derived primordial stem cells and a substrate selected from the group consisting of feeder cells and an extracellular matrix component derived from feeder cells. The medium further includes non-essential amino acids, an anti-oxidant, and a first growth factor selected from the group consisting of nucleosides and a pyruvate salt.

US Patent:

6998095, Feb 14, 2006

Filed:

Aug 15, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/641480

Inventors:

Marc R. Anderson - Sunnyvale CA, US
Michael J. West - Sunnyvale CA, US
James Tappan - Sunnyvale CA, US

Assignee:

Metara, Inc. - Sunnyvale CA

International Classification:

B01L 11/00

US Classification:

422103, 422 81

Abstract:

A loop dilution system includes a dual-loop multi-way valve. In a first configuration of the multi-way valve, a first loop may be filled with a first solution and a second loop may be filled with a second solution. In a second configuration of the multi-way valve, the first and second loops are serially connected with a pump so that their contents may be mixed with a diluent. In another aspect of the invention, an in-process mass spectrometry (IPMS) system is disclosed that uses an internal standard to determine the concentration of an analyte in a sample. The internal standard has a different molecular composition than the analyte but is sufficiently similar chemically and physically to the analyte such that it behaves substantially the same as the analyte during an ionization process in the mass spectrometer.

US Patent:

7132080, Nov 7, 2006

Filed:

Aug 15, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/641946

Inventors:

Marc R. Anderson - Sunnyvale CA, US
Michael J. West - Sunnyvale CA, US
James Tappan - Sunnyvale CA, US

Assignee:

Metara, Inc. - Sunnyvale CA

International Classification:

B01L 3/00

US Classification:

422 99, 422267, 422100, 422101, 2104161, 210791, 210767, 2101981, 436177, 436188

Abstract:

An automated matrix removal module is configurable to automatically withdraw a portion of sample containing an interferent. The module is further configurable to mix the portion of sample with a precipitating reagent selected to react with the interferent to form a precipitant and then filter mixture of sample and precipitant reagent through a filter. Finally, the module is further configurable to flush the precipitant from the filter.

US Patent:

7413902, Aug 19, 2008

Filed:

Dec 24, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/330873

Inventors:

Andrea G. Bodnar - Oshawa, CA
Joseph D. Gold - San Francisco CA, US
Margaret Inokuma - San Jose CA, US
James T. Murai - San Bruno CA, US
Michael D. West - Boston MA, US

Assignee:

Geron Corporation - Menlo Park CA

International Classification:

C12N 5/02

US Classification:

435377, 435375

Abstract:

Methods and materials for culturing primate-derived primordial stem cells are described. In one embodiment, a cell culture medium for growing primate-derived primordial stem cells in a substantially undifferentiated state is provided which includes a low osmotic pressure, low endotoxin basic medium that is effective to support the growth of primate-derived primordial stem cells. The basic medium is combined with a nutrient serum effective to support the growth of primate-derived primordial stem cells and a substrate selected from feeder cells and an extracellular matrix component derived from feeder cells. The medium further includes non-essential amino acids, an anti-oxidant, and a first growth factor selected from nucleosides and a pyruvate salt.

US Patent:

7531134, May 12, 2009

Filed:

Mar 8, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/094394

Inventors:

Marc R. Anderson - Santa Clara CA, US
Michael J. West - Sunnyvale CA, US
Howard M. Kingston - Pittsburgh PA, US
Larry N. Stewart - San Jose CA, US

Assignee:

Metara, Inc. - Sunnyvale CA

International Classification:

G01N 33/20
G01N 33/44
G01N 30/72
B01D 59/44
H01J 49/26

US Classification:

422 62, 250281, 250282, 422 681, 422 81, 436 43, 436 52, 436 53, 436 56, 436 73, 436 79, 436 80, 436 81, 436 82, 436 83, 436 84, 436 85, 436173, 436174, 436179, 436182

Abstract:

A method of directed automated analysis of a plurality of analytes of a process solution includes providing a sample of the process solution containing a plurality of the analytes, admixing an enriched isotope spike for each of the plurality of analytes to be analyzed with the process solution sample thereby effecting admixture of the enriched ratio of isotopes with the naturally occurring ratio of each analyte to be analyzed, creating ions from the spikes, introducing the ions into a mass spectrometer for determination of the identity and quantity of each analyte and delivering the information to a microprocessor. If desired, the process solution sample may be diluted and/or subjected to the addition of reagents or standards prior to initiation of the analysis. The ions may be created by an atmospheric pressure ionization interface. The information obtained is processed in a computer which serves to control other portions of the practice of the method.

US Patent:

20020127634, Sep 12, 2002

Filed:

Jun 5, 1995

Appl. No.:

08/463404

Inventors:

MICHAEL D. WEST - BELMONT CA, US
JERRY SHAY - DALLS TX, US
WOODRING WRIGHT - ARLINGTON TX, US
ELIZABETH H. BLACKBURN - SAN FRANCISCO CA, US

International Classification:

G01N031/00
G01N035/00
G01N035/02
G01J003/42

US Classification:

435/046000, 356/320000, 436/043000, 436/050000, 436/008000, 436/015000

Abstract:

Method and compositions are provided for the determination of telomere length and telomerase activity, as well as the ability to inhibit telomerase activity in the treatment of proliferative diseases. Particularly, primers are elongated under conditions which minimize interference from other genomic sequences, so as to obtain accurate determinations of telomeric length or telomerase activity. In addition, compositions are provided for intracellular inhibition of telomerase activity and means are shown for slowing the loss of telomeric repeats in aging cells.