Bio
Adapted from the National Library of Medicine website at https://circulatingnow.nlm.nih.gov/2019/01/24/stanley-n-cohen-papers-open-for-research/
Stanley Norman Cohen is the Kwoh-Ting Li Professor in the School of Medicine, Professor of Genetics, and Professor of Medicine at Stanford University. Stan Cohen and UCSF Professor Herbert Boyer were the first scientists to clone DNA and to transplant genes from one living organism to another, an achievement often considered the birth of genetic engineering and DNA therapies.
In high school, his early scientific focus on physics shifted to biology and medicine, and after graduating from Rutgers University he entered the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, receiving his M.D. in 1960. Beyond Stan?s scientific interests, he was a debater, 5-string banjo player, published pop music composer, and avid skier and sailor.
Upon joining the Stanford faculty in 1968, he began experiments aimed at understanding genetic mechanisms that underlie antibiotic resistance in bacteria. To study plasmids spreading genes that confer resistance, it was necessary to generate and isolate bacterial populations that contain the progeny of single plasmid DNA molecules?i.e., to ?clone? plasmid DNA. Cohen?s lab developed a method of doing this, using mechanical shearing to break plasmid DNA into fragments that might join together in different ways.
In 1972, Cohen met Boyer, whose lab was studying enzymes that cut plasmid DNA molecules more reproducibly than mechanical shearing. The cutting of DNA by one of these enzymes, called EcoRI, is site-specific and the DNA ends it generates can be glued together. They began a collaboration to construct and clone plasmids containing novel combinations of DNA fragments. Their first paper describing how new plasmids can be generated by joining together fragments derived from separate DNA molecules, ?Construction of biologically functional bacterial plasmids in vitro? was published in 1973. In 1974, the Cohen lab reported that plasmid constructs containing DNA fragments from different bacterial species could also be combined and cloned, and that genes carried by such fragments could be expressed functionally in a foreign host. The same year, Stan?s paper with Boyer and others, ?Replication and transcription of eukaryotic DNA in Escherichia coli? demonstrated that genes carried by even DNA from animal species could be isolated by cloning them in bacteria. Important from Stan?s perspective is that the use of DNA cloning methods could produce important insights about the workings of genes and cells in health and disease.
The DNA cloning approaches that Cohen and Boyer invented, which have become known as recombinant DNA technology, were patented by Stanford and UCSF in 1980, leading to what has become known as the biotechnology industry. Before its expiration in 1997 their seminal patent had 461 licensees, the most for any of the more than 30 patents that have resulted from work in the Cohen lab.
Subsequent scientific contributions made by Stan?s lab over multiple decades have extended to the areas of artificial intelligence in medicine, RNA decay, microvesicles, and host-oriented therapeutics. Most recently, his lab has focused on the biological role of nucleotide repeat sequences. His current research interests are indicated elsewhere on this website.
Stan has served on corporate boards and community service organizations. His lab has mentored almost 200 young scientists from around the world who have continued to contribute to medical science in academia, industry, and community service activities.
Cohen has received the Albert Lasker Basic Medical Research Award, the Wolf Foundation Prize, the Shaw Prize, the National Medal of Science, and the National Medal of Technology, and has been elected to the National Academies of Science and of Medicine and to the National Inventors? Hall of Fame, among many other honors.
Academic Appointments
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Professor, Genetics
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Professor, Medicine - Operations
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Member, Bio-X
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Member, Stanford Cancer Institute
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Member, Wu Tsai Neurosciences Institute
Administrative Appointments
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Kwoh-Ting Li Professor, School of Medicine (1993 - Present)
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Chair, Department of Genetics, School of Medicine (1978 - 1986)
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Professor of Genetics, School of Medicine (1977 - Present)
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Professor of Medicine, School of Medicine (1975 - Present)
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Associate Professor of Medicine, School of Medicine (1971 - 1975)
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Head, Division of Clinical Pharmacology, School of Medicine (1969 - 1978)
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Assistant Professor of Medicine, School of Medicine (1968 - 1971)
Honors & Awards
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Biotechnology Heritage Award, Science History Institute (2016)
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DiNA Lifetime Achievement Award, BayBio (2013)
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Fellow of the Inaugural Class, Academy of the American Association for Cancer Research (2013)
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Dean?s Medal, Stanford University School of Medicine (2011)
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Double Helix Medal for Scientific Research, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory (2009)
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John Stearns Award for Lifetime Achievement in Medicine, New York Academy of Medicine (2007)
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Member, American Philosophical Society (2006)
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Einstein Professor, Chinese Academy of Sciences (2006)
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Innovation Award in Bioscience, The Economist (2005)
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The Shaw Prize in Life Science and Medicine, The Shaw Prize Secretariat (2004)
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Albany Medical Center Prize in Medicine and Biomedical Research, Albany Medical Center (2004)
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Member, National Inventors Hall of Fame (2001)
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Lemelson-MIT Prize, Lemelson-MIT Program (1996)
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Sc.D., honoris causa, University of Pennsylvania (1995)
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Sc.D., honoris causa, Rutgers University (1994)
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Hall of Distinguished Alumni, Rutgers University (1994)
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Fellow, American Association for the Advancement of Science (1993)
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Helmut Horten Research Award, Helmut Horten Foundation (1993)
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Fellow, American Academy of Microbiology (1992)
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American Chemical Society Special Award, American Chemical Society (1992)
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National Medal of Technology, Presidential Award (1989)
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National Biotechnology Award, National Science Foundation (1989)
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City of Medicine Award, City of Medicine Award Foundation (1988)
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National Medal of Science, Presidential Award (1988)
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Member, Institute of Medicine (now National Academy of Medicine), National Academy of Sciences (1988)
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LVMH Institut de la Vie Prize, LVMH Institut de la Vie (1988)
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ASM/Cetus/Chiron Award, American Society for Microbiology, Cetus, and Chiron (1988)
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Distinguished Graduate Award, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine (1986)
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Distinguished Service Award, Miami Winter Symposium (1986)
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California Inventors Hall of Fame, California Inventors Hall of Fame Foundation (1982)
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Wolf Prize in Medicine, Wolf Foundation (1981)
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Marvin J. Johnson Award, American Chemical Society (1981)
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Lasker Basic Medical Research Award, Albert and Mary Lasker Foundation (1980)
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Inventor of the Year Award, State of California (1980)
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Member, National Academy of Sciences (1979)
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Lecturer, Harvey Society (1979)
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Fellow, American Academy of Arts and Sciences (1978)
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V.D. Mattia Award, Roche Institute of Molecular Biology (1977)
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Fellowship Award, Guggenheim Foundation (1975)
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Faculty Scholar Award, Josiah Macy, Jr. Foundation (1975)
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Scholar Award in Clinical Pharmacology, Burroughs-Wellcome (1970)
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Research Career Development Award, U.S. Public Health Service (1969)
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Baldouin Lucke Research Award, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine (1960)
Boards, Advisory Committees, Professional Organizations
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External Advisory Committee, University of Pennsylvania Orphan Disease Center (2017 - Present)
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Standing Committee on Department of Defense Programs to Counter Biological Threats, National Academy of Sciences (2012 - 2015)
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Albert Lasker Medical Research Awards Jury, Albert and Mary Lasker Foundation (2006 - 2015)
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Editorial Board, Current Opinion in Microbiology (2000 - 2015)
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Biomedical Sciences International Advisory Council, Singapore Economic Development Board (2000 - 2004)
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Committee on Biotechnology, Hong Kong Council of Advisors on Innovation and Technology (2000 - 2001)
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Board of Trustees, University of Pennsylvania (1997 - 2002)
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Editorial Board, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (1996 - 2015)
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Advisory Board, Program in the History of the Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, The Bancroft Library, University of California-Berkeley (1996 - Present)
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Experimental Therapeutics Advisory Committee, Burroughs Wellcome Fund (1992 - 1997)
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Board of Trustees and Board of Overseers, University of Pennsylvania Medical Center (1989 - 1997)
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Scientific Advisory Board, Palo Alto Medical Research Foundation (1987 - 1990)
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Committee on Biotechnology Nomenclature, National Research Council (1986 - 1986)
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Scientific Advisory Board, Life Technologies, Inc. (1984 - 2000)
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Albert Lasker Medical Research Awards Jury, Albert and Mary Lasker Foundation (1981 - 1988)
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Committee on Genetic Experimentation (COGENE), International Council of Scientific Unions (1977 - 1995)
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Scientific Review Committee on Microbiology and Virology, American Cancer Society (1979 - 1982)
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Committee on Recombinant DNA Molecules, National Academy of Sciences and National Research Council (1974 - 1974)
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International Committee on Plasmid Nomenclature, American Society for Microbiology (1970 - 1973)
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Chemical/Biological Information Handling Review Committee, Division of Research Resources, National Institutes of Health (1970 - 1974)
Professional Education
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Postdoctoral Fellow, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, Molecular Biology (1967)
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Senior Resident, Duke University Hospital, Durham, NC, Medicine (1965)
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Clinical Associate, National Institute for Arthritis and Metabolic Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, Molecular Biology (1964)
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Senior Assistant Surgeon, Reserve Corps of the Public Health Service, Molecular Biology (1964)
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Resident, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, Medicine (1962)
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Intern, Mount Sinai Hospital, New York, NY, Medicine (1961)
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M.D., University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, Medicine (1960)
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Summer Student, Laboratory of Peter Medawar, University College London, UK, Transplantation Immunology (1959)
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B.S., Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, Biological Sciences (1956)
Patents
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Stanley N. Cohen, Ning Deng, Yanan Feng, Tzu-Hao Cheng, Yun-Yun Wu, Wen-Chieh Hsieh. "United States Patent 10,675,293 Nucleoside agents for the reduction of the deleterious activity of extended nucleotide repeat containing genes", The Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University and National Yang-Ming University, Jun 9, 2020
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Quan Lu, Qiyu Wang, Stanley N. Cohen. "United States Patent 10,260,055 Delivery of cargo proteins via ARRDC1-mediated microvesicles (ARMMs)", President and Fellows of Harvard College and The Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University, Apr 16, 2019
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Tzu-Hao Cheng, Chia-Rung Liu, Tzu-Han Wang, Stanley N. Cohen. "United States Patent 9,862,947 Selective reduction of the deleterious activity of extended tri-nucleotide repeat containing genes", The Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University and National Yang-Ming University, Jan 9, 2018
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Quan Lu, Qiyu Wang, Stanley N. Cohen. "United States Patent 9,816,080 Delivery of CAS9 via ARRDC1-mediated microvesicles (ARMMs)", President and Fellows of Harvard College and The Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University, Nov 14, 2017
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Quan Lu, Joseph F. Nabhan, Stanley N. Cohen. "United States Patent 9,737,480 ARRDC1-mediated microvesicles (ARMMs) and uses thereof", President and Fellows of Harvard College and The Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University, Aug 22, 2017
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Tzu-Hao Cheng, Chia-Rung Liu, Tzu-Han Wang, Stanley N. Cohen. "United States Patent 9,637,741 Methods for identifying agents useful for modulating the expression and aggregation of CAG-expanded gene product in cells", National Yang-Ming University and The Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University, May 2, 2017
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Tzu-Hao Cheng, Chia-Rung Lu, Tzu-Han Wang, Stanley N. Cohen. "United States Patent 9,226,935 Methods for modulating the expression and aggregation of a CAG-expanded gene product in cells and methods for identifying agents useful for doing the same", National Yang-Ming University and The Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University, Jan 5, 2016
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Tzu-Hao Cheng, Chia-Rung Liu, Tzu-Han Wang, Stanley N. Cohen. "United States Patent 9,211,303 Selective reduction of the deleterious activity of extended tri-nucleotide repeat containing genes", National Yang-Ming University and The Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University, Dec 15, 2015
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Chih Jian Lih, Stanley N. Cohen. "United States Patent 8,691,780 Txr1 and enhanced taxane sensitivity based on the modulation of a pathway mediated thereby", The Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University, Apr 8, 2014
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Tzu-Hao Cheng, Chia-Rung Lu, Tzu-Han Wang, Stanley N. Cohen. "United States Patent 8,569,254 Methods for modulating the expression and aggregation of CAG-expanded gene product in cells and methods for identifying agents useful for doing the same", National Yang Ming University, Oct 29, 2013
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Stanley N. Cohen, Limin Li. "United States Patent 8,404,807 Mammalian tumor susceptibility genes and their uses", The Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University, Mar 26, 2013
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Stanley N. Cohen, Wensheng Wei. "United States Patent 7,838,252 Methods and compositions for treating a subject having an anthrax toxin mediated condition", The Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University, Nov 23, 2010
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Limin Li, Stanley N. Cohen. "United States Patent 7,714,108 Mammalian tumor susceptibility gene products and their uses", The Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University, May 11, 2010
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Christine A. Miller, Ronen Mosseri, Stanley N. Cohen. "United States Patent 7,592,154 Modulating SOS response induction by antimicrobial agents", The Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University, Sep 22, 2009
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Carol Carter, Arthur Goff, Lorna Ehrlich, Stanley N. Cohen. "United States Patent 7,494,767 Assay for TSG101 as inhibitors of HIV production", Functional Genetics, Inc., Feb 24, 2009
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Stanley N. Cohen, Limin Li. "United States Patent 6,835,816 Mammalian tumor susceptibility genes and their uses", The Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Jr. University, Dec 28, 2004
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Stanley N. Cohen, Limin Li. "United States Patent 7,973,130 Mammalian tumor susceptibility genes and their uses", The Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University, Oct 29, 2003
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Stanley N. Cohen, Limin Li. "United States Patent 6,248,523 Mammalian tumor susceptibility genes and their uses", The Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Jr. University, Jun 19, 2001
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Limin Li, Stanley N. Cohen. "United States Patent 5,891,668 Mammalian tumor susceptibility genes and their uses", The Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University, Apr 6, 1999
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Stanley N. Cohen, Limin Li. "United States Patent 5,807,995 Mammalian tumor susceptibility genes and their uses", The Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University, Sep 15, 1998
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Limin Li, Stanley N. Cohen. "United States Patent 5,679,523 Method for concurrent disruption of expression of multiple alleles of mammalian genes", The Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University, Oct 21, 1997
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Stanley N. Cohen, Martin Vogtli. "United States Patent 5,607,842 Use of tRNA genes to stabilize the inheritance of unstable plasmids in populations of growing cells", The Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University, Mar 4, 1997
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Jack H. Nunberg, Annie C. Y. Chang, Stanley N. Cohen, Robert T. Schimke. "United States Patent 5,422,275 Protein production at synthetic start site", The Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Jr University, Jun 6, 1995
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Stanley N. Cohen, Herbert W. Boyer. "United States Patent 4,740,470 Biologically functional molecular chimeras", The Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford, Jr. University, Apr 26, 1988
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Stanley N. Cohen, Annie C. Y. Chang. "United States Patent 4,732,852 Site directed peptidase cleavage", Cetus Corporation, Mar 22, 1988
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Chun-Ming Huang, Stanley N. Cohen. "United States Patent 4,623,627 Monoclonal antibody having specificity for the double-stranded conformation of native DNA and diagnostic methods using same", Cetus Corporation, Nov 18, 1986
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Chun-Ming Huang, Stanley N. Cohen. "United States Patent 4,623,627 Monoclonal antibody having specificity for the double-stranded conformation of native DNA and diagnostic methods using same", Cetus Corporation, Nov 18, 1986
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Hermann G. Bujard, Annie C. Y. Chang, Stanley N. Cohen. "United States Patent 4,495,280 Cloned high signal strength promoters", The Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Jr. University, Jan 22, 1985
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Stanley N. Cohen, Herbert W. Boyer. "United States Patent 4,468,464 Biologically functional molecular chimeras", The Board of Trustees of The Leland Stanford Junior University, Aug 28, 1984
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Alan S. Michaels, Channing R. Robertson, Stanley N. Cohen, Douglas S. Inloes, William J. Smith. "United States Patent 4,442,206 Method of using isotropic, porous-wall polymeric membrane, hollow-fibers for culture of microbes", Stanford University, Apr 10, 1984
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Alan S. Michaels, Channing R. Robertson, Stanley N. Cohen. "United States Patent 4,440,853 Microbiological methods using hollow fiber membrane reactor", Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University, Apr 3, 1984
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John J. Sninsky, Stanley N. Cohen. "United States Patent 4,374,927 Extrachromosomal regulation of expression", The Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Jr. University, Feb 22, 1983
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Stanley N. Cohen, Herbert W. Boyer. "United States Patent 4,237,224 Process for producing biologically functional molecular chimeras", Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Jr. University, Dec 2, 1980
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Stanley N. Cohen, Myron Tannenbaum. "United States Patent 3,730,352 Filtration Apparatus", New Brunswick Scientific Co., Inc., May 1, 1973