Joan E Mcewen

US Patent:

7217519, May 15, 2007

Filed:

Nov 21, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/718955

Inventors:

Clayton H. Johnson - Little Rock AR, US
Joan E. McEwen - Little Rock AR, US

Assignee:

The Board of Trustees of the University of Arkansas - Little Rock AR

International Classification:

C12Q 1/68
C12P 19/34
C07H 21/04

US Classification:

435 6, 435 911, 435 912, 536 231, 536 237, 536 241, 536 243, 536 2432

Abstract:

The present invention describes chitin synthase nucleic acid and protein sequences as reagents for the detection of infection. Specifically, the invention describes intron sequences from the chitin synthase gene which can be used for hybridization-based and PCR-based detection of infection. In another embodiment, assays for chitin synthase 2 polypeptide and/or mRNA used as a diagnostic test for infection and/or histoplasmosis. Also described is the differentiation of from based on detection of intron 1 sequences specific to chitin synthase 2. The present invention also comprises the production of strains lacking functional chitin synthase 2 as a means to produce having reduced pathogenicity.

US Patent:

20030082569, May 1, 2003

Filed:

Mar 13, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/099352

Inventors:

Clayton Johnson - Little Rock AR, US
J. York - Little Rock AR, US
Joan McEwen - Little Rock AR, US

International Classification:

C12Q001/68
G01N033/554
G01N033/569
C07H021/04
C12P019/34
C12N001/20

US Classification:

435/006000, 435/091200, 435/007320, 435/252100, 536/023700

Abstract:

The present invention describes catalase A and catalase P nucleic acid and protein sequences as reagents for the detection of infection. Specifically, the invention describes intron sequences from the catalase A (CATA) and catalase P (CATP) genes which can be used for hybridization and PCR based detection of infection. In another embodiment, assays for catalase P or catalase A polypeptides are used as diagnostic tests for infection and histoplasmosis, respectively. Also described is the differentiation of from based on a catalase P PCR based assay.