Harvard faculty Arlene Sharpe, Don Ingber, George Whitesides, Matthew Shair, George Church, David Liu, Piotr Sliz, and Peng Yin are among the inventors issued U.S. patents in June 2018.

The innovations recognized are as follows:

Antibody molecules to PD-L1 and uses thereof
U.S. Patent 9,988,452 (June 5, 2018)

Gordon James Freeman, Arlene Helen Sharpe, Gerhard Johann Frey, Hwai Wen Chang, Jennifer Marie Mataraza, and Glenn Dranoff

Abstract: Antibody molecules that specifically bind to PD-L1 are disclosed. Combination therapies comprising the anti-PD-L1 antibody molecules are also disclosed. The anti-PD-L1 antibody molecules can be used to treat, prevent and/or diagnose cancerous or infectious conditions and disorders.

Engineered heme-binding compositions and uses thereof
U.S. Patent 9,988,617 (June 5, 2018)

Michael Super, Alexander L. Watters, Philip T. Snell, and Donald E. Ingber

Abstract: Described herein are heme-binding compositions and methods relating to their use, e.g. methods of treatment of, for example, sepsis and rhabdomyolysis.

Cellulose and cellulosic substrate-based device
U.S. Patent 9,992,867 (June 5, 2018)

Joshua Aaron Lessing, Ana C. Glavan, S. Brett Walker, Christoph Matthias Keplinger, and George M. Whitesides

Abstract: A cellulosic substrate-based device is described, including a cellulosic substrate comprising a functionalized surface covalently functionalized by a chemical moiety in an amount sufficient to provide an omniphobic or hydrophobic surface; and a material printed on the functionalized surface, wherein the printed material has a line edge roughness of less than about 15 μm and/or a line lateral resolution of less than about 50 μm.

Flexible and stretchable electronic strain-limited layer for soft actuators
U.S. Patent 9,993,921 (June 12, 2018)

Joshua Aaron Lessing, Ramses V. Martinez, Alok Suryavamsee Tayi, Jason Ming Ting, and George M. Whitesides

Abstract: A soft robot having an integrated electrical component includes an expandable or collapsible body, the body comprising an inlet that is configured to communicate with a fluid source and a flexible strain limited layer secured to a portion of the expandable or collapsible body, wherein the strain limited layer includes at least one electrical component.

Cortistatin analogues and syntheses and uses thereof
U.S. Patent 9,994,582 (June 12, 2018)

Matthew D. Shair, Juergen Ramharter, Henry Efrem Pelish, Brian Bor-Jen Liau, and Jae Young Ahn

Abstract: Provided herein are compounds of Formula (A), (B), (C), (D) and (E), pharmaceutically acceptable salts, quaternary amine salts, and N-oxides thereof, and pharmaceutical compositions thereof.

Compounds of Formula (A), (B), (C), (D), and (E) are contemplated useful as therapeutics for treating a wide variety of conditions, e.g., including but not limited to, conditions associated with angiogenesis and with CDK8 and/or CDK19 kinase activity. Further provided are methods of inhibiting CDK8 and/or CDK19 kinase activity, methods of modulating the .quadrature.-catenin pathway, methods of modulating STAT1 activity, methods of modulating the TGFβ/BMP pathway, methods of modulating HIF-1-alpha activity in a cell, and methods of increasing BIM expression to induce apoptosis, using a compound of Formula (A), (B), (C), (D), or (E). Further provided are CDK8 and CDK19 point mutants and methods of use thereof.

Methods of storing information using nucleic acids
U.S. Patent 9,996,778 (June 12, 2018)

George M. Church

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of storing data using one or more nucleic acids.

Delivery of negatively charged proteins using cationic lipids
U.S. Patent 9,999,671 (June 19, 2018)

David R. Liu, David B. Thompson, and John Anthony Zuris

Abstract: Compositions, methods, strategies, kits, and systems for the delivery of negatively charged proteins, protein complexes, and fusion proteins, using cationic polymers or lipids are provided. Delivery of proteins into cells can be effected in vivo, ex vivo, or in vitro. Proteins that can be delivered using the compositions, methods, strategies, kits, and systems provided herein include, without limitation, enzymes, transcription factors, genome editing proteins, Cas9 proteins, TALEs, TALENs, nucleases, binding proteins (e.g., ligands, receptors, antibodies, antibody fragments; nucleic acid binding proteins, etc.), structural proteins, and therapeutic proteins (e.g., tumor suppressor proteins, therapeutic enzymes, growth factors, growth factor receptors, transcription factors, proteases, etc.), as well as variants and fusions of such proteins.

Lin28/let-7 crystal structures, purification protocols, and molecular probes suitable for screening assays and therapeutics
U.S. Patent 10,000,756 (June 19, 2018)

Piotr Sliz and Yunsun Nam

Abstract: The invention provides compositions and methods for regulating microRNA (miRNA) biogenesis. The invention also relates to compositions and methods for treating or preventing cancer in a subject in need thereof.

Manufacturing soft devices out of sheet materials
U.S. Patent 10,001,149 (June 19, 2018)

Kevin C. Galloway

Abstract: A soft composite actuator is described, including a first elastomeric layer; a strain limiting layer; and a first radially constraining layer, wherein the first elastomeric layer is disposed between the first radially constraining layer and the strain limiting layer; and the elastomeric layer, the strain limiting layer, and the radially constraining layer are bonded together to form at least one bladder for holding pressurized fluid. Methods of using and making of the soft composite actuator are described.

High throughput fabrication of soft machines
U.S. Patent 10,006,444 (June 26, 2018)

Jason Ming Ting, Alok Suryavamsee Tayi, Bobak Mosadegh, and George M. Whitesides

Abstract: A soft robot device includes at least a first thermoplastic layer and a second thermoplastic layer, wherein at least one layer is comprised of an extensible thermoplastic material; at least one layer is an inextensible layer; and at least one layer comprises a pneumatic network, wherein the pneumatic network is configured to be in fluidic contact with a pressurizing source, wherein the first and second thermoplastic layers are thermally bonded to each other.

Methods and compositions relating to super-resolution imaging and modification
U.S. Patent 10,006,917 (June 26, 2018)

Mingjie Dai and Peng Yin

Abstract: This disclosure provides methods for generating super-resolution patterns of molecules on substrates.