Patents by Inventor Bertrand Vick

Bertrand Vick 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).

  • Patent number: 9783812
    Abstract: Provided herein are exemplary isolated nucleotide sequences encoding polypeptides having elongase activity, which utilize fatty acids as substrates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: Aurora Algae, Inc.
    Inventors: Oliver Kilian, Bertrand Vick
  • Patent number: 9376687
    Abstract: Provided herein are exemplary isolated nucleotide sequences encoding polypeptides having elongase activity, which utilize fatty acids as substrates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: Aurora Algae, Inc.
    Inventors: Oliver Kilian, Bertrand Vick
  • Publication number: 20160053273
    Abstract: Provided herein are exemplary isolated nucleotide sequences encoding polypeptides having elongase activity, which utilize fatty acids as substrates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2015
    Publication date: February 25, 2016
    Inventors: OLIVER KILIAN, Bertrand Vick
  • Patent number: 9187778
    Abstract: Various aspects provide for genetically modifying photosynthetic cells. In some cases, an integrated light harvesting efficiency of photosynthetic cells may be increased by reducing the amount of incident light that is absorbed but not used for photosynthesis. In some cases, an increased transparency may be associated with an increased light harvesting efficiency when absorption due to non-photosynthetic processes is reduced. A reduced capacity of various light-harvesting antenna apparatus may increase transparency. In some cases, a capacity of an organism to adapt to varying light levels may be reduced, and in certain cases, a modified organism may have a reduced ability to acclimate to a low light irradiance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: Aurora Algae, Inc.
    Inventors: Shaun Bailey, Yuen Yee Tam, Bertrand Vick
  • Patent number: 9029137
    Abstract: Isolated nucleotide sequences encoding a promoter of the Acyl Carrier Protein (“ACP”).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Aurora Algae, Inc.
    Inventors: Oliver Kilian, Bertrand Vick
  • Publication number: 20150104875
    Abstract: Provided herein are exemplary isolated nucleotide sequences encoding polypeptides having elongase activity, which utilize fatty acids as substrates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2014
    Publication date: April 16, 2015
    Inventors: OLIVER KILIAN, Bertrand Vick
  • Publication number: 20150093830
    Abstract: Exemplary methods include a method for transforming an algal cell by preparing a transformation construct, preparing a particle for bombarding the algal cell, adhering the transformation construct to the particle, bombarding the algal cell with the particle, and growing the algal cell into a colony. The transformation construct is replicated within a nuclear genome of the algal cell and the growing of the algal cell is in a nutrient medium. Another exemplary method may include a method for genetically modifying an algal cell, by adding nucleic acid to the algal cell while the algal cell is suspended in a solution of low conductivity, introducing the nucleic acid into the algal cell by application of an electrical pulse resulting in a transformed algal cell, and selecting a colony that includes the transformed algal cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2014
    Publication date: April 2, 2015
    Inventors: BERTRAND VICK, Oliver Kilian
  • Patent number: 8865468
    Abstract: Exemplary transformation methods are provided for introducing deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) into the nucleus of an algal cell. A transformation construct may be prepared, with the transformation construct having a first sequence of DNA similar to a corresponding first sequence of nuclear DNA, a second sequence of DNA similar to a corresponding second sequence of the nuclear DNA, and a sequence of DNA of interest inserted between the first and second sequences of DNA of the transformation construct. A target sequence of DNA inserted between the first and second corresponding sequences of the nuclear DNA may be transformed, resulting in replacement of the target sequence of DNA with the sequence of DNA of interest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Aurora Algae, Inc.
    Inventors: Oliver Kilian, Bertrand Vick
  • Publication number: 20140288014
    Abstract: The present invention provides compositions for a crude algal oil and methods of making thereof. The compositions can be used to produce a highly pure omega-3 eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) formulation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2014
    Publication date: September 25, 2014
    Inventors: Bertrand Vick, Andrew Thompson, Michelle L. Collins, Jeffrey Gerard Hippler, James Astwood
  • Publication number: 20140273113
    Abstract: Chlorophyll deficient algal strains, methods of making chlorophyll deficient algal strains, and methods of their use are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Aurora Algae, Inc.
    Inventors: Bertrand Vick, Yuen Yee Tam
  • Patent number: 8809046
    Abstract: Provided herein are exemplary isolated nucleotide sequences encoding polypeptides having elongase activity, which utilize fatty acids as substrates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Aurora Algae, Inc.
    Inventors: Oliver Kilian, Bertrand Vick
  • Patent number: 8785610
    Abstract: Provided herein are exemplary isolated nucleotide sequences encoding polypeptides having desaturase activity, which utilize fatty acids as substrates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Aurora Algae, Inc.
    Inventors: Oliver Kilian, Bertrand Vick
  • Patent number: 8759615
    Abstract: Exemplary methods include a method for transforming an algal cell by preparing a transformation construct, preparing a particle for bombarding the algal cell, adhering the transformation construct to the particle, bombarding the algal cell with the particle, and growing the algal cell into a colony. The transformation construct is replicated within a nuclear genome of the algal cell and the growing of the algal cell is in a nutrient medium. Another exemplary method may include a method for genetically modifying an algal cell, by adding nucleic acid to the algal cell while the algal cell is suspended in a solution of low conductivity, introducing the nucleic acid into the algal cell by application of an electrical pulse resulting in a transformed algal cell, and selecting a colony that includes the transformed algal cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Aurora Algae, Inc.
    Inventors: Bertrand Vick, Oliver Kilian
  • Patent number: 8753879
    Abstract: Provided herein are exemplary vectors for transforming algal cells. In exemplary embodiments, the vector comprises a Violaxanthin-chlorophyll a binding protein (Vcp) promoter driving expression of an antibiotic resistance gene in an algal cell. Embodiments of the invention may be used to introduce a gene (or genes) into the alga Nannochloropsis, such that the gene(s) are expressed and functional. This unprecedented ability to transform Nannochloropsis with high efficiency makes possible new developments in phycology, aquaculture and biofuels applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: Aurora Alage, Inc.
    Inventors: Oliver Kilian, Bertrand Vick
  • Patent number: 8722359
    Abstract: Provided herein are exemplary genes, constructs and methods for the formation of triacylglycerols (TAGs). The exemplary genes include a phosphatic acid phosphohydrolase (PA Hydrolase) gene, a diacylglycerol o-acyltransferase (DAGAT2A) gene, and a phospholipid:diacylglycerol acyltransferase (LROI) gene.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Aurora Algae, Inc.
    Inventors: Oliver Kilian, Bertrand Vick
  • Patent number: 8709765
    Abstract: Exemplary methods for increasing TAG production in an algal cell during imbalanced growth conditions are provided. Some methods comprise knocking out an AOX gene, wherein the AOX gene produces an amino acid sequence having substantial similarity to the amino acid sequence of SEQ. ID. NO. 2. In further methods, the algal cell may be of genus Nannochloropsis. The AOX gene may be replaced by a construct having a nucleotide sequence having substantial similarity to SEQ ID. NOS. 3 through 5 (inclusive), wherein each of the sequences are next to or in close proximity to one another in a linear fashion. In some methods, the AOX gene may be replaced via homologous recombination. As a result, lipid production by the selected recombinant algal cell may be increased over that produced by a wild-type algal cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Aurora Algae, Inc.
    Inventors: Shaun Bailey, Bertrand Vick, Jeff Moseley
  • Patent number: 8685723
    Abstract: Provided herein are exemplary vectors for transforming algal cells. In exemplary embodiments, the vector comprises a Violaxanthin-chlorophyll a binding protein (Vcp) promoter driving expression of an antibiotic resistance gene in an algal cell. Embodiments of the invention may be used to introduce a gene (or genes) into the alga Nannochloropsis, such that the gene(s) are expressed and functional. This unprecedented ability to transform Nannochloropsis with high efficiency makes possible new developments in phycology, aquaculture and biofuels applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Aurora Algae, Inc.
    Inventors: Bertrand Vick, Oliver Kilian
  • Publication number: 20130295665
    Abstract: Provided herein are exemplary vectors for transforming algal cells. In exemplary embodiments, the vector comprises a Violaxanthin-chlorophyll a binding protein (Vcp) promoter driving expression of an antibiotic resistance gene in an algal cell. Embodiments of the invention may be used to introduce a gene (or genes) into the alga Nannochloropsis, such that the gene(s) are expressed and functional. This unprecedented ability to transform Nannochloropsis with high efficiency makes possible new developments in phycology, aquaculture and biofuels applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2013
    Publication date: November 7, 2013
    Inventors: Oliver Kilian, Bertrand Vick
  • Publication number: 20130289262
    Abstract: Isolated nucleotide sequences encoding a promoter of the Acyl Carrier Protein (“ACP”).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2013
    Publication date: October 31, 2013
    Inventors: Oliver Kilian, Bertrand Vick
  • Publication number: 20130281683
    Abstract: Provided herein are exemplary isolated nucleotide sequences encoding polypeptides having desaturase activity, which utilize fatty acids as substrates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2013
    Publication date: October 24, 2013
    Inventors: Oliver Kilian, Bertrand Vick