Practice Areas:
Patent Prosecution: Biotechnology and Chemistry

Summary of Practice:
Darla Graff is an associate with extensive patent prosecution experience in the general areas of biotechnology and biochemistry. Her practice includes all aspects of patent prosecution in specific areas including molecular biology, pharmaceutical products and methods, chemistry, nanotechnology, biochemistry, plant genetic engineering, nutraceuticals, therapeutic methods, and diagnostic methods. Darla has significant experience in both U.S. and foreign patent preparation and prosecution, as well as in the preparation of patentability, validity and infringement opinions. She also has experience preparing and prosecuting trademark applications.

Darla obtained her Ph.D. in Chemistry and Biochemistry in Dr. Marvin Caruthers’ laboratory at the Boulder campus of the University of Colorado, studying the biophysical and biochemical properties of DNA analogs. Darla also worked as a postdoctoral researcher, investigating detection of DNA analogs by antibodies, and the formation of DNA adducts.

Bar Admissions:
Colorado, 2000
United States Patent and Trademark Office, 2001

Presentations, Articles, Publications:
Co-author, The Annual Survey of Colorado Law, Intellectual Property Law Chapter, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, and 2005 editions.

The 1996 San Diego Conference, Nucleic Acids Integrating Molecular Diagnosis and Therapy (Abstract 49, Clinical Chemistry, 42: p.1897, 1996), November 23, 1996.

Reactions of BHT Metabolites with 2'-Deoxynucleosides and DNA: Determination of Quinone Methide Alkylation Sites. M. A. Lewis, D. Graff Yoerg, J. L. Bolton, and J. A. Thompson, Chemical Research in Toxicology, 9, 1368-1374, (1996).

Biochemical and Biophysical Properties of Phosphorodithioate DNA. L. Cummins, D. Graff, G. Beaton, W. S. Marshall, and M. H. Caruthers, Biochemistry, 35, 8734, (1996).