Patents Examined by Robert Mondesi
  • Patent number: 9751916
    Abstract: The present invention relates to isolated polypeptides having cellulolytic enhancing activity and isolated polynucleotides encoding the polypeptides. The invention also relates to nucleic acid constructs, vectors, and host cells comprising the polynucleotides as well as methods for producing and using the polypeptides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: Novozymes, Inc.
    Inventors: Kimberly Brown, Paul Harris, Elizabeth Zaretsky, Edward Re, Elena Vlasenko, Keith McFarland, Alfredo Lopez de Leon
  • Patent number: 9738915
    Abstract: A novel process is provided for the efficient preparation of an asymmetric compound of structural formula I: employing dynamic kinetic resolution (DKR). The DKR process involves an enzymatic enantioselective amination reaction catalyzed by transaminases. The process can be used to manufacture key intermediates in the preparation of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitors which may be useful for the treatment of cancer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp.
    Inventors: Paul Gerard Bulger, Birgit Kosjek, Nelo Rivera
  • Patent number: 9738877
    Abstract: Disclosed are DNA polymerases having increased reverse transcriptase efficiency relative to a corresponding, unmodified polymerase. The polymerases are useful in a variety of disclosed primer extension methods. Also disclosed are related compositions, including recombinant nucleic acids, vectors, and host cells, which are useful, e.g., for production of the DNA polymerases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: Roche Molecular Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Keith Bauer, Thomas W. Myers, Fred Reichert, Shawn Suko
  • Patent number: 9732366
    Abstract: A thermostable xylanase having a xylanase catalytic domain including: (A) a polypeptide including the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 1, (B) a polypeptide including an amino acid sequence in which at least one amino acid has been deleted, substituted, or added in the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 1, and having xylanase activity at least under conditions of 85° C. and pH 6.0, or (C) a polypeptide including an amino acid sequence having 80% or greater sequence identity with the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 1, and having xylanase activity at least under conditions of 85° C. and pH 6.0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jiro Okuma, Yoshitsugu Hirose, Asuka Yamaguchi, Migiwa Suda, Yasuhiro Kondo, Tomohiko Kato, Daisuke Shibata
  • Patent number: 9732328
    Abstract: The present invention encompasses modified luciferases, methods for making modified luciferases, and assays utilizing modified luciferases. Modified luciferases of the invention show increased activity over wildtype luciferases and also show increased stability of signal. The present invention also encompasses multiplex assays utilizing multiple luciferases with different emission spectra.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: Targeting Systems
    Inventor: Rampyari Walia
  • Patent number: 9725744
    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: June 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: Newlight Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Markus D. Herrema
  • Patent number: 9719072
    Abstract: The present invention relates to isolated polypeptides having peroxygenase 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. A polynucleotide encoding a peroxygenase was isolated from Thielavia hyrcaniae.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Novozymes A/S
    Inventors: Sara Landvik, Lars Henrik Oestergaard, Lisbeth Kalum
  • Patent number: 9719054
    Abstract: The present invention relates to new metalloproteases derived from Alicyclobacillus and the use thereof in cleaning processes, such as laundry and dish wash, and in particular to the use in low temperature wash and in removal of egg stains. The invention also relates to detergent compositions and cleaning compositions comprising Alicyclobacillus sp. metalloproteases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Novozymes A/S
    Inventors: Benie Astrid, Peter Rahbek Oestergaard, Morten Gjermansen
  • Patent number: 9719075
    Abstract: Mutated Staphylococcus sp. RLH1 ?-glucuronidase enzymes with enhanced enzymatic activity and thermostability as compared to wild type enzyme are provided. The enzymes of the invention advantageously allow for accurate analysis of bodily samples for the presence of drugs in 30 minutes or less, as compared to the several hours needed using prior enzyme preparations. Methods of using the mutated enzymes for hydrolysis of glucuronide substrates, including opiates and benzodiazepines, are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: INTEGRATED MICRO-CHROMATOGRAPHY SYSTEMS
    Inventor: Lim Andrew Lee
  • Patent number: 9714418
    Abstract: Provided are modified santalene synthase polypeptides, nucleic acid molecules encoding the modified santalene synthase polypeptides, and methods of using the modified santalene synthase polypeptides. The modified santalene synthase polypeptides include those that catalyze production of increased levels of terpenes or altered profiles thereof or both.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: Evolva, Inc.
    Inventors: Jean Davin Amick, Bryan N. Julien
  • Patent number: 9714439
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to the use of an amino acid dehydrogenase in combination with a cofactor regenerating system comprising a ketoreductase. In particular embodiments, the process can be used to prepare L-tert-leucine using a leucine dehydrogenase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: Codexis, Inc.
    Inventors: Fabien Louis Cabirol, Steven J. Collier, Thomas Daussmann, Naga K. Modukuru
  • Patent number: 9708589
    Abstract: The invention relates to biotechnology and provides novel compositions and methods for sequence-specific or sequence-directed transcription activator-like effector recombinases. The invention also provides novel plant transformation vectors and expression cassettes, which include novel combinations of chimeric recombinases with plant expression and transformation elements. Methods for gene-targeting, DNA sequence removal, and molecular breeding are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: Monsanto Technology LLC
    Inventors: Jonathan C. Lamb, Artem G. Evdokimov
  • Patent number: 9708632
    Abstract: A non-naturally occurring microbial organism includes a microbial organism having a 1,3-butanediol (1,3-BDO) pathway having at least one exogenous nucleic acid encoding a 1,3-BDO pathway enzyme expressed in a sufficient amount to produce 1,3-BDO.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: Genomatica, Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony P. Burgard, Mark J. Burk, Robin E. Osterhout, Priti Pharkya
  • Patent number: 9708588
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides engineered transaminase polypeptides for the production of amines, polynucleotides encoding the engineered transaminases, host cells capable of expressing the engineered transaminases, and methods of using the engineered transaminases to prepare compounds useful in the production of active pharmaceutical agents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: Codexis, Inc.
    Inventors: Jovana Nazor, Derek J. Smith, Michael A. Crowe, Shiwei Song, Steven J. Collier
  • Patent number: 9708631
    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: September 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: Easel Biotechnologies, LLC
    Inventors: Wendy M. Higashide, Kwang Myung Cho, Shahrooz Rabizadeh
  • Patent number: 9708586
    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: May 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: Kikkoman Corporation
    Inventors: Atsushi Ichiyanagi, Kozo Hirokawa, Yasuko Tanabe, Yosuke Masakari
  • Patent number: 9701989
    Abstract: Recombinant microbial cells are disclosed herein that produce an oil comprising at least 28 percent eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) measured as a weight percent of dry cell weight. These cells may comprise a polynucleotide sequence encoding an active acyl-CoA:lysophosphatidylcholine acyltransferase (LPCAT) comprising at least one amino acid mutation in a membrane-bound O-acyltransferase motif. In addition, the cells may comprise a down-regulation of an endogenous polynucleotide sequence encoding Sou2 sorbitol utilization protein, and/or one or more polynucleotides encoding phospholipid:diacylglycerol acyltransferase (PDAT), delta-12 desaturase, a dihomo-gamma-linolenic acid (DGLA) synthase multizyme, delta-8 desaturase, malonyl-CoA synthetase (MCS), or acyl-CoA:lysophosphatidic acid acyltransferase (LPAAT). Also disclosed are methods of using the recombinant microbial cells to produce oil containing omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids such as EPA.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: E I DU PONT DE NEMOURS AND COMPANY
    Inventors: Quinn Qun Zhu, Seung-Pyo Hong, Pamela L Sharpe, Narendra S Yadav, Xiaochun Fan, Michael Dauner
  • Patent number: 9688974
    Abstract: An Aspergillus mutant strain characterized in that it is an auxotrophic mutant strain of Aspergillus oryzae strain AOK27L.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Satoru Shinkawa, Shigenobu Mitsuzawa, Maiko Tanaka
  • Patent number: 9683220
    Abstract: The present invention provides improved P450-BM3 variants with improved activity. In some embodiments, the P450-BM3 variants exhibit improved activity over a wide range of substrates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2017
    Assignee: Codexis, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Osborne, Vesna Mitchell, Khin Yu Naing Htwe, Xiyun Zhang, Erika M. Milczek, Jeffrey C. Moore
  • Patent number: 9677091
    Abstract: Provided herein are diterpene synthases (diTPS) and methods for producing diterpenoids. Also provided herein are nucleic acid sequences encoding diTPS, diTPS amino acid sequences, diTPS proteins, vectors, cells, transgenic organisms, uses, compositions, methods, processes, and kits thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: The University of British Columbia
    Inventors: Joerg Bohlmann, Philipp Zerbe