Patents by Inventor Catherine Asleson Dundon

Catherine Asleson Dundon 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: 8017376
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to recombinant microorganisms comprising one or more dihydroxyacid dehydratase (DHAD)-requiring biosynthetic pathways and methods of using said recombinant microorganisms to produce beneficial metabolites derived from said DHAD-requiring biosynthetic pathways. In various aspects of the invention, the recombinant microorganisms may be engineered to overexpress one or more polynucleotides encoding one or more Aft proteins or homologs thereof. In some embodiments, the recombinant microorganisms may comprise a cytosolically localized DHAD enzyme. In additional embodiments, the recombinant microorganisms may comprise a mitochondrially localized DHAD enzyme.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Gevo, Inc.
    Inventors: Catherine Asleson Dundon, Aristos Aristidou, Andrew Hawkins, Doug Lies, Lynne H. Albert
  • Publication number: 20110201090
    Abstract: The present invention relates to recombinant microorganisms comprising biosynthetic pathways and methods of using said recombinant microorganisms to produce various beneficial metabolites. In various aspects of the invention, the recombinant microorganisms may further comprise one or more modifications resulting in the reduction or elimination of 3 keto-acid (e.g., acetolactate and 2-aceto-2-hydroxybutyrate) and/or aldehyde-derived by-products. In various embodiments described herein, the recombinant microorganisms may be microorganisms of the Saccharomyces clade, Crabtree-negative yeast microorganisms, Crabtree-positive yeast microorganisms, post-WGD (whole genome duplication) yeast microorganisms, pre-WGD (whole genome duplication) yeast microorganisms, and non-fermenting yeast microorganisms.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2011
    Publication date: August 18, 2011
    Applicant: GEVO, INC.
    Inventors: Thomas Buelter, Andrew Hawkins, Stephanie Porter-Scheinman, Peter Meinhold, Catherine Asleson Dundon, Aristos Aristidou, Jun Urano, Doug Lies, Matthew Peters, Melissa Dey, Justas Jancauskas, Kent Evans, Julie Kelly, Ruth Berry
  • Publication number: 20110201073
    Abstract: The present invention relates to recombinant microorganisms comprising biosynthetic pathways and methods of using said recombinant microorganisms to produce various beneficial metabolites. In various aspects of the invention, the recombinant microorganisms may further comprise one or more modifications resulting in the reduction or elimination of 3 keto-acid (e.g., acetolactate and 2-aceto-2-hydroxybutyrate) and/or aldehyde-derived by-products. In various embodiments described herein, the recombinant microorganisms may be microorganisms of the Saccharomyces clade, Crabtree-negative yeast microorganisms, Crabtree-positive yeast microorganisms, post-WGD (whole genome duplication) yeast microorganisms, pre-WGD (whole genome duplication) yeast microorganisms, and non-fermenting yeast microorganisms.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2011
    Publication date: August 18, 2011
    Applicant: GEVO, INC.
    Inventors: Thomas Buelter, Andrew Hawkins, Stephanie Porter-Scheinman, Peter Meinhold, Catherine Asleson Dundon, Aristos Aristidou, Jun Urano, Doug Lies, Matthew Peters, Melissa Dey, Justas Jancauskas, Julie Kelly, Ruth Berry
  • Publication number: 20110183393
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to recombinant microorganisms comprising one or more dihydroxyacid dehydratase (DHAD)-requiring biosynthetic pathways and methods of using said recombinant microorganisms to produce beneficial metabolites derived from said DHAD-requiring biosynthetic pathways. In various aspects of the invention, the recombinant microorganisms may be engineered to overexpress one or more polynucleotides encoding one or more Aft proteins or homologs thereof. In some embodiments, the recombinant microorganisms may comprise a cytosolically localized DHAD enzyme. In additional embodiments, the recombinant microorganisms may comprise a mitochondrially localized DHAD enzyme.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2010
    Publication date: July 28, 2011
    Applicant: GEVO, INC.
    Inventors: Catherine Asleson Dundon, Aristos Aristidou, Andrew Hawkins, Doug Lies, Lynne H. Albert
  • Publication number: 20110183392
    Abstract: There is disclosed a method of producing isobutanol. In an embodiment, the method includes providing a microorganism transformed with an isobutanol producing pathway containing at least one exogenous gene. The microorganism is selected to produce isobutanol from a carbon source at a yield of at least 10 percent theoretical. The method includes cultivating the microorganism in a culture medium containing a feedstock providing the carbon source, until isobutanol is produced. The method includes recovering the isobutanol. In one embodiment, the microorganism is a yeast with a Crabtree-negative phenotype. In another embodiment, the microorganism is a yeast microorganism with a Crabtree-positive phenotype. There is disclosed a microorganism for producing isobutanol. In an embodiment, the microorganism includes an isobutanol producing pathway containing at least one exogenous gene, and is selected to produce a recoverable quantity of isobutanol from a carbon source at a yield of at least 10 percent theoretical.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2010
    Publication date: July 28, 2011
    Applicant: GEVO, INC.
    Inventors: Reid M. Renny Feldman, Uvini Gunawardena, Jun Urano, Peter Meinhold, Aristos Aristidou, Catherine Asleson Dundon, Christopher Smith
  • Publication number: 20110076733
    Abstract: The present invention provides recombinant microorganisms comprising isobutanol producing metabolic pathway with at least one isobutanol pathway enzyme localized in the cytosol, wherein said recombinant microorganism is selected to produce isobutanol from a carbon source. Methods of using said recombinant microorganisms to produce isobutanol are also provided. In various aspects of the invention, the recombinant microorganisms may comprise a cytosolically active isobutanol pathway enzymes. In some embodiments, the invention provides mutated, modified, and/or chimeric isobutanol pathway enzymes with cytosolic activity. In various embodiments described herein, the recombinant microorganisms may be microorganisms of the Saccharomyces clade, Crabtree-negative yeast microorganisms, Crabtree-positive yeast microorganisms, post-WGD (whole genome duplication) yeast microorganisms, pre-WGD (whole genome duplication) yeast microorganisms, and non-fermenting yeast microorganisms.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2010
    Publication date: March 31, 2011
    Applicant: GEVO, INC.
    Inventors: Jun Urano, Catherine Asleson Dundon, Peter Meinhold, Reid M. Renny Feldman, Aristos Aristidou, Andrew Hawkins, Thomas Buelter, Matthew Peters, Doug Lies, Stephanie Porter-Scheinman, Ruth Berry, Ishmeet Kalra
  • Publication number: 20110020889
    Abstract: The present invention provides recombinant mircoorganisms comprising an isobutanol producing metabolic pathway and methods of using said recombinant microorganisms to produce isobutanol. In various aspects of the invention, the recombinant microorganisms may comprise a modification resulting in the reduction of pyruvate decarboxylase and/or glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase activity. In various embodiments described herein, the recombinant microorganisms may be microorganisms of the Saccharomyces clade, Crabtree-negative yeast microorganisms, Crabtree-positive yeast microorganisms, post-WGD (whole genome duplication) yeast microorganisms, pre-WGD (whole genome duplication) yeast microorganisms, and non-fermenting yeast microorganisms.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2010
    Publication date: January 27, 2011
    Inventors: Reid M. Renny Feldman, Uvini Gunawardena, Jun Urano, Peter Meinhold, Aristos Aristidou, Catherine Asleson Dundon, Christopher Smith
  • Publication number: 20100159546
    Abstract: The present invention provides genetically modified yeast cells, and methods of using those yeast cells, to produce 1-butanol. The yeast cell can be selected from the genera Saccharomyces, Candida, Pichia, Kluyveromyces, Issatchenkia, Yarrowia, Rhodotorula, Hansenula, Schizochytrium, or Thraustochytrium. The yeast cell of the invention overexpresses at least one enzyme that catalyzes one or more butanoate pathways selected from the group consisting of pyruvate to acetyl-CoA, acetyl-CoA to acetoacetyl-CoA, acetoacetyl-CoA to 3-hydroxybutanoyl-CoA, 3-hydroxybutanoyl-CoA to crotonoyl-CoA, crotonoyl-CoA to butyryl-CoA to butyraldehyde, and butyraldehyde to 1-butanol. Some embodiments overexpress enzymes that are endogenous to the bacterium Clostridium acetobutylicum. The genetically modified yeast cell can further be subjected to other desired genetic changes, such as deletion or disruption of one or more native PDC genes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2008
    Publication date: June 24, 2010
    Inventors: Aristos Aristidou, Arlene M. Fosmer, Catherine Asleson Dundon, Brian J. Rush
  • Publication number: 20100143997
    Abstract: The present invention is generally provides recombinant microorganisms comprising engineered metabolic pathways capable of producing C3-C5 alcohols under aerobic and anaerobic conditions. The invention further provides ketol-acid reductoisomerase enzymes which have been mutated or modified to increase their NADH-dependent activity or to switch the cofactor preference from NADPH to NADH and are expressed in the modified microorganisms. In addition, the invention provides isobutyraldehyde dehydrogenase enzymes expressed in modified microorganisms. Also provided are methods of producing beneficial metabolites under aerobic and anaerobic conditions by contacting a suitable substrate with the modified microorganisms of the present invention.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2009
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Inventors: Thomas Buelter, Peter Meinhold, Reid M. Renny Feldman, Eva Eckl, Andrew Hawkins, Aristos Aristidou, Catherine Asleson Dundon, Doug Lies, Sabine Bastian, Frances Arnold, Jun Urano
  • Publication number: 20100137551
    Abstract: The present invention relates to biocatalysts that are cells, optimally of the Crabtree-negative phenotype, comprising expression vectors encoding genes heterologous to the cell that enable increased production of organic products. More specifically, the invention relates to genetically modified Kluyveromyces cells, methods for making the Kluyveromyces cells, and their use in production of organic products, particularly D-lactic acid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2009
    Publication date: June 3, 2010
    Inventors: Vineet Rajgarhia, Catherine Asleson Dundon, Stacey Olson, Pirkko Suominen, Ben Hause
  • Publication number: 20090253189
    Abstract: Yeast cells having an exogenous lactate dehydrogenase gene ae modified by reducing L- or D-lactate:ferricytochrome c oxidoreductase activity in the cell. This leads to reduced consumption of lactate by the cell and can increase overall lactate yields in a fermentation process. Cells having the reduced I, or D-lactate:ferricytochrome c oxidoreductase activity can be screened for by resistance to organic acids such as lactic or glycolic acid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2006
    Publication date: October 8, 2009
    Inventors: Matthew Miller, Pirkko Suominen, Aristos Aristidou, Benjamin Matthew Hause, Pim Van Hoek, Catherine Asleson Dundon
  • Publication number: 20090226991
    Abstract: There is disclosed a method of producing isobutanol. In an embodiment, the method includes providing a microorganism transformed with an isobutanol producing pathway containing at least one exogenous gene. The microorganism is selected to produce isobutanol from a carbon source at a yield of at least 10 percent theoretical. The method includes cultivating the microorganism in a culture medium containing a feedstock providing the carbon source, until isobutanol is produced. The method includes recovering the isobutanol. In one embodiment, the microorganism is a yeast with a Crabtree-negative phenotype. In another embodiment, the microorganism is a yeast microorganism with a Crabtree-positive phenotype. There is disclosed a microorganism for producing isobutanol. In an embodiment, the microorganism includes an isobutanol producing pathway containing at least one exogenous gene, and is selected to produce a recoverable quantity of isobutanol from a carbon source at a yield of at least 10 percent theoretical.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2008
    Publication date: September 10, 2009
    Applicant: GEVO, INC.
    Inventors: Reid M. Renny FELDMAN, Uvini GUNAWARDENA, Jun URANO, Peter MEINHOLD, Aristos A. ARISTIDOU, Catherine Asleson DUNDON, Christopher SMITH
  • Publication number: 20090053782
    Abstract: Yeast cells are genetically modified to disrupt a native metabolic pathway from dihydroxyacetone to glycerol. In certain aspects, the yeast cell is of the genera Kluyueromyces, Candida or Issatchenkia. In other aspects, the yeast cell is capable of producing at least one organic acid, such as lactate. The yeast cells produce significantly less glycerol than the wild-type strains, and usually produce greater yields of desired fermentation products. Yeast cells of the invention often grow well when cultivated, despite their curtailed glycerol production.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2007
    Publication date: February 26, 2009
    Inventors: Catherine Asleson Dundon, Pirkko Suominen, Aristos Aristidou, Brian J. Rush, Kari Koivuranta, Benjamin Matthew Hause, Thomas William McMullin, Kevin Roberg-Perez
  • Publication number: 20040029256
    Abstract: The present invention relates to biocatalysts that are cells, optimally of the Crabtree-negative phenotype, comprising expression vectors encoding genes heterologous to the cell that enable increased production of organic products. More specifically, the invention relates to genetically modified Kluyveromyces cells, methods for making the Kluyveromyces cells, and their use in production of organic products, particularly D-lactic acid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2003
    Publication date: February 12, 2004
    Inventors: Vineet Rajgarhia, Catherine Asleson Dundon, Stacey Olson, Pirkko Suominen, Ben Hause