Company Filing History:
2 out of 151 
1 out of 16 Years Active: 2007-2015
Title: Smita Chitnis: Innovator in Inflammatory Disease Research
Introduction
Smita Chitnis is a prominent inventor based in San Diego, CA, known for her significant contributions to the field of inflammatory diseases. With a focus on the Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) promoter polymorphism, her work has implications for understanding disease severity in conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis. She holds 2 patents that reflect her innovative research.
Latest Patents
Chitnis's latest patents include a detailed exploration of a novel CATT-tetranucleotide repeat polymorphism at position -817 of the human Mif gene. This polymorphism functionally affects the activity of the MIF promoter in gene reporter assays. Four genotypes are described, comprising 5, 6, 7, or 8-CATT repeat units. Notably, the 5-CATT allele exhibits the lowest level of basal and stimulated MIF promoter activity in vitro. The presence of this low expressing allele correlates with reduced disease severity in a cohort of rheumatoid arthritis patients. Additionally, her patents disclose methods, compositions, and apparatus for detecting this polymorphism and assessing predisposition to severe inflammatory diseases.
Career Highlights
Throughout her career, Smita Chitnis has worked with notable companies such as Baxalta GmbH and Cytokine Pharmasciences, Inc. Her experience in these organizations has contributed to her expertise in the field of inflammatory diseases and genetic research.
Collaborations
Chitnis has collaborated with esteemed colleagues, including John A. Baugh and Richard J. Bucala, further enhancing her research and contributions to the scientific community.
Conclusion
Smita Chitnis is a trailblazer in the study of inflammatory diseases, with her patents paving the way for future research and potential therapeutic applications. Her work continues to impact the understanding of genetic factors in disease severity.