Harvard faculty Andy Myers, Arlene Sharpe, Vijay Sankaran, Ronald Walsworth, Hongkun Park, Mikhail Lukin, Jennifer Lewis, George Church, Daniel Kahne, Suzanne Walker, Charles Lieber, and Roy Gordon are among the inventors issued U.S. patents in February 2018.

The innovations recognized are as follows:

Synthesis of tetracyclines and analogues thereof
U.S. Patent 9,884,830 (February 6, 2018)

Andrew G. Myers, Mark G. Charest, Christian D. Lerner, Jason D. Brubaker, and Dionicio R. Siegel

Abstract: The tetracycline class of antibiotics has played a major role in the treatment of infectious diseases for the past 50 years. However, the increased use of the tetracyclines in human and veterinary medicine has led to resistance among many organisms previously susceptible to tetracycline antibiotics. The modular synthesis of tetracyclines and tetracycline analogs described provides an efficient and enantioselective route to a variety of tetracycline analogs and polycyclines previously inaccessible via earlier tetracycline syntheses and semi-synthetic methods. These analogs may be used as anti-microbial agents or anti-proliferative agents in the treatment of diseases of humans or other animals.

Compositions and methods for modulating an immune response
U.S. Patent 9,885,016 (February 6, 2018)

Arlene H. Sharpe, Peter T. Sage, and Loise M. Francisco

Abstract: The invention provides methods of modulating follicular regulatory T (TFR) cell-mediated immune responses, follicular helper T (TFH) cell-mediated immune responses or both, and the use of those methods in the treatment of diseases or conditions mediated by TFR or TFH cells. The invention also provides novel methods for identifying TFR and TFH cells in a population of cells. The invention also provides compositions comprising TFR cells that have enhanced suppressive activity as compared wild type TFR cells. The invention also provides compositions comprising T follicular regulatory (TFR) cells isolated from the peripheral blood of a subject wherein the composition is enriched for TFR cells. Methods of making and using the compositions of the invention to modulate an immune response are also provided.

Modulation of BCL11A for treatment of hemoglobinopathies
U.S. Patent 9,885,041 (February 6, 2018)

Stuart H. Orkin and Vijay G. Sankaran

Abstract: The invention relates to methods and uses of modulating fetal hemoglobin expression (HbF) in a hematopoietic progenitor cells via inhibitors of BCL11A expression or activity, such as RNAi and antibodies.

Magnetic sensing and imaging using interactions between surface electron spins and solid state spins
U.S. Patent 9,891,297 (February 13, 2018)

Alexander Sushkov, Igor Lovchinsky, Nicholas Chisholm, Ronald L. Walsworth, Hongkun Park, and Mikhail D. Lukin

Abstract: Systems and methods for magnetic sensing and imaging include a sensor having a network of isolated electron-spin quantum bits (qubits) disposed on the surface of the sensor; and a solid state electronic spin system disposed below the surface of the sensor, wherein the solid state electronic spin system has a spin-state dependent fluorescence; a source of light; a source of first external perturbation, wherein the source of first external perturbation generates a magnetic field; a source of second external perturbation; wherein, the source of light and the first and second external perturbations are configured to coherently and independently manipulate the spin states of at least one qubit and at least one solid state electronic spin system; and a detector to optically measure the solid-state electronic spins spin-state dependent fluorescence.

Methods for preparation of concentrated graphene ink compositions and related composite materials
U.S. Patent 9,902,866 (February 27, 2018)

Mark C. Hersam, Yu Teng Liang, Ethan B. Secor, Pradyumna L. Prabhumirashi, Kanan P. Puntambekar, Michael L. Geier, Bok Y. Ahn, and Jennifer A. Lewis

Abstract: A rapid, scalable methodology for graphene dispersion and concentration with a polymer-organic solvent medium, as can be utilized without centrifugation, to enhance graphene concentration.

High-throughput single cell barcoding
U.S. Patent 9,902,950 (February 27, 2018)

George M. Church and Francois Vigneault

Abstract: Methods and compositions for high-throughput, single cell analyzes are provided. The methods and compositions can be used for analysis of genomes and transcriptomes, as well as antibody discovery, HLA typing, haplotyping and drug discovery.

Chemoenzymatic methods for synthesizing moenomycin analogs
U.S. Patent 9,902,985 (February 27, 2018)

Daniel Evan Kahne, Suzanne Walker Kahne, Emma Doud, Christian M. Gampe, and Hirokazu Tsukamoto

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of synthesizing moenomycin analogs of Formula (I). The present invention also provides compositions comprising a compound of Formula (I) and kits for synthesizing compounds of Formula (I).

Nanosensors and related technologies
U.S. Patent 9,903,862 (February 27, 2018)

Charles M. Lieber, Ying Fang, and Fernando Patolsky

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to nanotechnology and sub-microelectronic circuitry, as well as associated methods and devices, for example, nanoscale wire devices and methods for use in determining nucleic acids or other analytes suspected to be present in a sample. For example, a nanoscale wire device can be used in some cases to detect single base mismatches within a nucleic acid. In one aspect, dynamical information such as a binding constant, an association rate, and/or a dissociation rate, can be determined between a nucleic acid or other analyte, and a binding partner immobilized relative to a nanoscale wire. In some cases, the nanoscale wire includes a first portion comprising a metal-semiconductor compound, and a second portion that does not include a metal-semiconductor compound. The binding partner, in some embodiments, is immobilized relative to at least the second portion of the nanoscale wire.

Vapor deposition of metal oxides, silicates and phosphates, and silicon dioxide
U.S. Patent 9,905,414 (February 27, 2018)

Roy Gerald Gordon, Jill S. Becker, Dennis Hausmann, and Seigi Suh

Abstract: Metal silicates or phosphates are deposited on a heated substrate by the reaction of vapors of alkoxysilanols or alkylphosphates along with reactive metal amides, alkyls or alkoxides. For example, vapors of tris(tert-butoxy)silanol react with vapors of tetrakis(ethylmethylamido) hafnium to deposit hafnium silicate on surfaces heated to 300ºC. The product film has a very uniform stoichiometry throughout the reactor. Similarly, vapors of diisopropylphosphate react with vapors of lithium bis(ethyldimethylsilyl)amide to deposit lithium phosphate films on substrates heated to 250ºC. Supplying the vapors in alternating pulses produces these same compositions with a very uniform distribution of thickness and excellent step coverage.