Seymour Carol Benzer

US Patent:

6623937, Sep 23, 2003

Filed:

Nov 21, 1996

Appl. No.:

08/754311

Inventors:

Nancy M. Bonini - Pasadena CA
Seymour Benzer - San Marino CA
William M. Leiserson - North Haven CT

Assignee:

California Institute of Technology - Pasadena CA

International Classification:

C12N 1512

US Classification:

435 691, 4353201, 435325, 4352523, 43525411, 435 692, 536 231, 536 232, 536 235, 536243, 536 2431

Abstract:

Programmed cell death antagonist proteins and nucleic acids are provided, as well as expression vectors and host cells which contain the nucleic acids encoding the programmed cell death antagonist proteins.

US Patent:

6664039, Dec 16, 2003

Filed:

Oct 14, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/418963

Inventors:

Seymour Benzer - San Marino CA

Assignee:

California Institute of Technology - Pasadena CA

International Classification:

C12Q 100

US Classification:

435 4, 435183, 435184

Abstract:

Disclosed are polypeptides and polynucleotides having very long chain fatty acid coA synthetase activity. The polypeptides and polynucleotides are useful in identifying and modulating neurodegeneration.

US Patent:

6815575, Nov 9, 2004

Filed:

Aug 14, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/639207

Inventors:

Parsa Kazemi-Esfarjani - Williamsville NY
Seymour Benzer - San Marino CA

Assignee:

California Institute of Technology - Pasadena CA

International Classification:

A01K 67033

US Classification:

800 13, 800 3, 800 9

Abstract:

The present invention is based on an in vivo animal model that mimics human cellular and tissue degenerative disorders. The animal model exhibits cellular toxicity in response to expanded polyglutamine repeat sequences. The animal model is therefore useful for identifying genes or other compounds that modulate cellular and tissue degeneration and cell survival, for example, in neural, muscle, mesoderm, kidney and other tissues associated with frontotemporal dementia, prion diseases, polyglutamine disorders and protein aggregation disorders, Genes that suppress degeneration identified using the animal model include HDJ1, TPR2 and MLF. These genes, and their human homologues, functional fragments and probes are therefore useful in treating such disorders and for diagnostic purposes. Accordingly, methods for identifying nucleic acids and other compounds that modulate frontotemporal dementia, prion diseases, polyglutamine disorders and protein aggregation disorders is therefore provided. Pharmaceutical compositions comprising HDJ1, TPR2 and, MLF genes, and subsequences encoding functional polypeptides are also provided, as they are useful in treating such degenerative disorders.

US Patent:

6906181, Jun 14, 2005

Filed:

Oct 15, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/978486

Inventors:

Seymour Benzer - San Marino CA, US

Assignee:

California Institute of Technology - Pasadena CA

International Classification:

C07K016/00
C07K014/00
G01N033/53

US Classification:

5303879, 5303881, 5303891, 530350, 435 71

Abstract:

Disclosed are polypeptides and polynucleotides having stress and life span modulating activity. The polypeptides and polynucleotides are useful in identifying and modulating stress-associated disorders.

US Patent:

7018617, Mar 28, 2006

Filed:

Jul 16, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/907155

Inventors:

Seymour Benzer - San Marino CA, US

Assignee:

California Institute of Technology - Pasadena CA

International Classification:

A61K 49/00
A01K 67/00
A01K 67/033

US Classification:

424 92, 800 8, 800 9, 800 13

Abstract:

Provided are methods and compositions corresponding to a genetic locus associated with nociceptive pain. In addition, method of identifying or modulating nociceptive pain and associated disorders is also provided.

US Patent:

20020120008, Aug 29, 2002

Filed:

Jun 29, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/895141

Inventors:

Seymour Benzer - San Marino CA, US

International Classification:

A61K031/22
A61K031/192
A61K031/16

US Classification:

514/547000, 514/570000, 514/625000

Abstract:

The present invention provides methods for extending the life span of a subject and methods for inducing molecular changes within a whole organism that are responsible for the extended life span of the organism; therefore, providing a whole organism system to identify molecules involved in the ageing process.

US Patent:

20030204859, Oct 30, 2003

Filed:

Jun 18, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/465217

Inventors:

Seymour Benzer - San Marino CA, US

Assignee:

California Institute of Technology, a California corporation

International Classification:

A01K067/033

US Classification:

800/003000, 800/008000

Abstract:

The present invention is based on an in vivo animal model that mimics human cellular and tissue degenerative disorders. The animal model exhibits cellular toxicity in response to expanded polyglutamine repeat sequences. The animal model is therefore useful for identifying genes or other compounds that modulate cellular and tissue degeneration and cell survival, for example, in neural, muscle, mesoderm, kidney and other tissues associated with frontotemporal dementia, prion diseases, polyglutamine disorders and protein aggregation disorders. Genes that suppress degeneration identified using the animal model include HDJ1, TPR2 and MLF. These genes, and their human homologues, functional fragments and probes are therefore useful in treating such disorders and for diagnostic purposes. Accordingly, methods for identifying nucleic acids and other compounds that modulate frontotemporal dementia, prion diseases, polyglutamine disorders and protein aggregation disorders is therefore provided. Pharmaceutical compositions comprising HDJ1, TPR2 and MLF genes, and subsequences encoding functional polypeptides are also provided, as they are useful in treating such degenerative disorders.

US Patent:

20040077581, Apr 22, 2004

Filed:

Nov 14, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/713810

Inventors:

Seymour Benzer - San Marino CA, US

Assignee:

California Institute of Technology, a California corporation

International Classification:

C12Q001/68
C07H021/04
C12P021/02
C12N005/06

US Classification:

514/044000, 435/006000, 435/069100, 435/193000, 435/320100, 435/325000, 536/023200

Abstract:

Disclosed are polypeptides and polynucleotides having very long chain fatty acid coA synthetase activity. The polypeptides and polynucleotides are useful in identifying and modulating neurodegeneration.