Patents by Inventor Alfred E. Asato

Alfred E. Asato has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Photochromic material comprising a proteorhodopsin apoprotein and a retinal analog
    Patent number: 7638073
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a photochromic material comprising a proteorhodopsin apoprotein and a retinal analog. In one embodiment, the retinal analog is an azulenic retinoid compound. In another embodiment, the retinal analog is a compound that is structurally similarly to all-trans-retinal. The proteorhodopsin apoprotein and the retinal analog form a photochromic material having different spectral properties from those of a corresponding photochromic material formed by the same proteorhodopsin apoprotein and all-trans-retinal. In one embodiment of the application, the retinal analog-containing proteorhodopsin has an absorbance spectrum that does not overlap significantly with that of all-trans-retinal-containing proteorhodopsin. In another embodiment of the application, the retinal analog-containing proteorhodopsin yields a red-shifted visual chromophore compared with the all-trans-retinal-containing proteorhodopsin chromophore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: Genencor International, Inc.
    Inventors: Rasmus B. Jensen, Bradley R. Kelemen, Donald E. Ward, II, Alfred E. Asato
  • Photochromic Material Comprising a Proteorhodopsin Apoprotein and a Retinal Analog
    Publication number: 20080290328
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a photochromic material comprising a proteorhodopsin apoprotein and a retinal analog. In one embodiment, the retinal analog is an azulenic retinoid compound. In another embodiment, the retinal analog is a compound that is structurally similarly to all-trans-retinal. The proteorhodopsin apoprotein and the retinal analog form a photochromic material having different spectral properties from those of a corresponding photochromic material formed by the same proteorhodopsin apoprotein and all-trans-retinal. In one embodiment of the application, the retinal analog-containing proteorhodopsin has an absorbance spectrum that does not overlap significantly with that of all-trans-retinal-containing proteorhodopsin. In another embodiment of the application, the retinal analog-containing proteorhodopsin yields a red-shifted visual chromophore compared with the all-trans-retinal-containing proteorhodopsin chromophore.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2005
    Publication date: November 27, 2008
    Inventors: Rasmus B. Jensen, Bradley R. Kelemen, Donald E. Ward, II, Alfred E. Asato
  • Azulenic retinoid compounds, compositions and methods
    Patent number: 5235076
    Abstract: Novel azulenic retinoid compounds and therapeutic compositions are disclosed, along with method for their production and use as anti-cancer and cancer-prevention agents. The compositions of the present invention will also find use in treating dermatological disorders such as acne and psoriasis, as well as dermatologically-related conditions such as repair and effacement of wrinkles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1993
    Assignee: University of Hawaii
    Inventors: Alfred E. Asato, Robert S. H. Liu