Patents Examined by Richard Ekstrom
  • Patent number: 9243269
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides for an expression system for the production of blue pigment indigoidine. The system comprises a heterologous host cell, a DNA sequence encoding a Sc-IndB protein, and a DNA sequence encoding a Sc-IndC protein. The system may be configured for the co-expression of the Sc-IndB and Sc-IndC. DNA sequences encoding the Sc-IndB and Sc-IndC may be provided on at least one vector. Alternatively, the DNA sequences encoding the Sc-IndB and Sc-IndC may optionally be integrated into the genome of the heterologous host genome. The expression system may further comprise a sfp gene or a PPTase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: Utah State University
    Inventor: Jixun Zhan
  • Patent number: 9243233
    Abstract: A restriction endonuclease with a recognition sequence 5?-TCGA-3?. The restriction endonuclease is sensitive to the presence of a modified cytosine residue in the recognition sequence. Methods and kits using the restriction endonuclease with a recongition sequence 5?-TCGA-3? are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: Thermo Fisher Scientific UAB
    Inventors: Renata Rim{hacek over (s)}elienė, Remigijus Skirgaila, Arvydas Lubys
  • Patent number: 9234186
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a luciferase derived from a star-worm belonging to genus Diplocladon, the luciferase inducing luminescence such that a maximum luminous wavelength falls within a range of 557 to 562 nm over the entire pH range of 5.5 to 8.0, or the luciferase inducing luminescence having 1.5 times the luminous intensity of luminescence induced by Photinus pyralis firefly luciferase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignees: OLYMPUS CORPORATION, NIMURA GENETIC SOLUTIONS CO., LTD., PERAK STATE DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ryutaro Akiyoshi, Katsunori Ogo, Hirobumi Suzuki
  • Patent number: 9217138
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a mutant microorganism, which is selected from the group consisting of genus Mannheimia, genus Actinobacillus and genus Anaerobiospirillum, producing homo-succinic acid and a method for producing homo-succinic acid using the same, and more particularly to a mutant microorganism producing succinic acid at a high concentration while producing little or no other organic acids in anaerobic conditions, which is obtained by disrupting a gene encoding lactate dehydrogenase (ldhA), a gene encoding phosphotransacetylase (pta), and a gene encoding acetate kinase (ackA), without disrupting a gene encoding pyruvate formate lyase (pfl), as well as a method for producing succinic acid using the same. The inventive mutant microorganism has the property of having a high growth rate and succinic acid productivity while producing little or no organic acids, as compared to the prior strains producing succinic acid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2015
    Assignee: KOREA ADVANCED INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Sang Yup Lee, Sung Won Lim, Hyohak Song
  • Patent number: 9206401
    Abstract: The invention provides for nucleotide sequences encoding for a chimeric sulfatase, viral vectors expressing such sequences for gene therapy and pharmaceutical uses of the chimeric expressed protein. The invention is particularly applied in the therapy of mucopolysaccharidosis, preferably type IIIA.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: FONDAZIONE TELETHON
    Inventors: Andrea Ballabio, Alessandro Fraldi
  • Patent number: 9206443
    Abstract: An improved process for alcohol production includes microbial fermentation using a genetically modified microorganism to produce substantial quantities of aldehydes that are stripped from the fermentation medium and condensed. So produced aldehydes are converted in an ex vivo process to corresponding alcohols.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: Easel Biotechnologies, LLC
    Inventors: Wendy M. Higashide, Kwang Myung Cho, Shahrooz Rabizadeh
  • Patent number: 9200306
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for production and purification of polypeptides. In particular, the present invention relates to a fusion protein comprising a solubility-enhancing peptide tag moiety, a self-aggregating peptide moiety and a moiety of target peptide and to a method for production and purification of target peptides through expressing said fusion protein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Assignee: TSINGHUA UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Zhanglin Lin, Wanghui Xu, Lei Xing, Lingli Zeng, Bihong Zhou, Qing Zhao, Wei Wu
  • Patent number: 9187772
    Abstract: A process for the production of malic acid in commercially significant quantities from the carbon compounds by genetically modified bacterial strains (GMBS; also referred to as biocatalysts or genetically modified microorganisms) is disclosed. Microorganisms suitable for the production of malic acid can be cultured in one or two-step processes as disclosed herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA RESEARCH FOUNDATION, INC.
    Inventors: Xueli Zhang, Xuan Wang, Keelnatham T. Shanmugam, Lonnie O'Neal Ingram
  • Patent number: 9187775
    Abstract: A method of producing methionine, derivatives or precursors thereof includes culturing a modified microorganism in a culture medium comprising a source of carbon and a source of sulfur; and recovering methionine from the culture medium, wherein said modified microorganism has an increased expression of cysE gene encoding serine acetyltransferase, metH gene encoding methionine synthase and metF gene encoding 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase compared to expression of the cysE, metH and metF genes in an unmodified microorganism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: Metabolic Explorer
    Inventors: Rainer Figge, Fabien Lux, Céline Raynaud, Michel Chateau, Philippe Soucaille
  • Patent number: 9175316
    Abstract: A process for increasing the production of a glycolytic intermediate and/or an organic compound as defined herein by a cell that is able to express a nucleic acid molecule, wherein the expression of the nucleic acid molecule gives the cell the ability to increase the production of a glycolytic intermediate and/or the organic compound and wherein the carbon substrate is sugar and/or protein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: Ebio, LLC
    Inventor: Trent Nguyen
  • Patent number: 9149666
    Abstract: The present invention relates to metalloprotease enzymes isolated from scorpion venom, their nucleic acid and amino acid sequences, and methods of use thereof in the treatment of various diseases, disorders and cosmetic conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignees: East Carolina University, National Institutes of Health
    Inventors: Paul L. Fletcher, Maryann D. Fletcher, Brian M. Martin
  • Patent number: 9127257
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a polypeptide that is modified to have homoserine O-acetyltransferase activity, and in particular, the present invention provides a modified polypeptide having homoserine O-acetyltransferase activity, in which the amino acid at position 111 of a polypeptide having homoserine succinyltransferase activity is substituted with other amino acid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: CJ CHEILJEDANG CORPORATION
    Inventors: So Young Kim, Yong Uk Shin, Chang Il Seo, In Kyung Heo, Ju Eun Kim, Hyun Ah Kim, Han Jin Lee, Kwang Ho Na, Sung Kwang Son
  • Patent number: 9121061
    Abstract: Compositions and methods are provided for discrimination between cytosine and modifications thereof using cytidine deaminases and/or oxygenases. Variants of wild type cytidine deaminases are described which show reduced bias with respect to adjacent nucleotides upstream of the cytosine. The methods provide a rapid and convenient use of enzymes to obtain methylomes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: New England Biolabs, Inc.
    Inventors: Romualdas Vaisvila, Heidi Erika Johnson, Saulius Vainauskas, Theodore B. Davis
  • Patent number: 9115339
    Abstract: The present invention provides novel fatty acid desaturases genes used for synthesis of polyunsaturated fatty acids, especially delta-9 desaturases (FADS9-I). The present invention also provides nucleic acid sequence coding the above-described desaturases, expression vector of the above-described desaturases and recombinant microorganism expressing above-described desaturases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Assignee: UNIVERSITY OF JIANGNAN
    Inventors: Wei Chen, Haiqun Chen, Zhennan Gu, Hao Zhang, Yuanda Song, Jianxin Zhao, Fengwei Tian, Yongquan Chen
  • Patent number: 9085784
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate generally to methods to generate microorganisms and/or microorganism cultures that exhibit the ability to produce polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) from carbon sources at high efficiencies. In several embodiments, preferential expression of, or preferential growth of microorganisms utilizing certain metabolic pathways, enables the high efficiency PHA production from carbon-containing gases or materials. Several embodiments relate to the microorganism cultures, and/or microorganisms isolated therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2015
    Assignee: Newlight Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Markus D. Herrema
  • Patent number: 9080194
    Abstract: The present invention relates to isolated polypeptides having endoglucanase activity and polynucleotides encoding the polypeptides. The invention also relates to nucleic acid constructs, vectors, and host cells comprising the polynucleotides as well as methods of producing and using the polypeptides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignee: Novozymes, Inc.
    Inventor: Nikolaj Spodsberg
  • Patent number: 9080155
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel protein having O-acetylhomoserine sulfhydrylase activity, a mutant protein thereof, a polynucleotide encoding the same, a recombinant vector comprising the polynucleotide, a microorganism transformed with the recombinant vector, and a method for producing methionine or acetic acid using the protein. The production method of the present invention has the advantage of producing L-methionine and acetic acid cost-effectively through having higher conversion rate and reduced reaction time compared to the existing methods, and it can minimize the amount of enzyme homogenate added when using the mutant protein, thereby easily producing L-methionine and acetic acid at high yield.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignee: CJ CHEILJEDANG CORPORATION
    Inventors: So Young Kim, Yong Uk Shin, Chang Il Seo, Sung Kwang Son, In Kyung Heo, Han Jin Lee, Ju Eun Kim, Hyun Ah Kim, Jee Yeon Bae, Kwang Ho Na
  • Patent number: 9062286
    Abstract: This invention provides an amadoriase having high substrate specificity to fructosyl valyl histidine. Such amadoriase comprises substitution of one or more amino acid residues at positions corresponding to amino acids selected from the group consisting of position 98, position 259, position 154, position 125, position 261, position 263, position 106, position 103, position 355, position 96, position 66, position 67, position 70, position 100, position 110, position 113, position 114, and position 156 in the amadoriase derived from the genus Coniochaeta. This invention enables accurate measurement of ?-fructosyl valyl histidine derived from the ?-chain amino terminus in glycated hemoglobin in the presence of ?-fructosyl lysine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2015
    Assignee: Kikkoman Corporation
    Inventors: Atsushi Ichiyanagi, Kozo Hirokawa, Yasuko Tanabe, Yosuke Masakari
  • Patent number: 9045740
    Abstract: The invention relates to modified T7-related RNA polymerases and methods of use thereof. In some embodiments, the invention relates to modified T7-related RNA polymerases that transcribe RNA with reduced abortive cycling and increased efficiency compared with native T7-related RNA polymerases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: University of Massachusetts
    Inventors: Craig T. Martin, Luis Ramirez-Tapia
  • Patent number: 9045789
    Abstract: A target substance can be produced by culturing a bacterium having an ability to produce 2-ketoglutaric acid or a derivative thereof, and an ability to produce xylonic acid from xylose, which is imparted with xylonate dehydratase activity, 2-keto-3-deoxyxylonate dehydratase activity and 2-ketoglutaric semialdehyde dehydrogenase activity, or in which these activities are enhanced, in a medium containing xylose as a carbon source to produce and accumulate the target substance in the medium, and collecting the target substance from the medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: AJINOMOTO CO., INC.
    Inventors: Yousuke Nishio, Youko Yamamoto, Kazuteru Yamada, Kosuke Yokota