Patents by Inventor Charles E. Nakamura

Charles E. Nakamura 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: 9447385
    Abstract: From a bacterial strain isolated from an environmental sample, after enrichment in medium containing 1-butanol as the carbon source, a new enzyme with butanol dehydrogenase activity was identified. The enzyme can convert butyraldehyde to 1-butanol, isobutyraldehyde to isobutanol, as well as 2-butanone to 2-butanol and thus is useful for biosynthesis of butanol in recombinant microbial hosts producing these substrates. The encoding gene, named sadB, was isolated from the strain identified as an isolate of Achromobacter xylosoxidans.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: Butamax Advanced Biofuels LLC
    Inventors: Michael G. Bramucci, Andrew C. Eliot, Lori Ann Maggio-Hall, Charles E. Nakamura
  • Patent number: 9297028
    Abstract: Methods for the fermentive production of four carbon alcohols is provided. Specifically, butanol, preferably 1-butanol is produced by the fermentive growth of a recombinant bacterium expressing a 1-butanol biosynthetic pathway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: Butamax Advanced Biofuels LLC
    Inventors: Gail K. Donaldson, Lixuan Lisa Huang, Lori Ann Maggio-Hall, Vasantha Nagarajan, Charles E. Nakamura, Wonchul Suh
  • Patent number: 8980612
    Abstract: Methods for the fermentive production of four carbon alcohols are provided. Specifically, butanol, preferably 2-butanol is produced by the fermentive growth of a recombinant bacteria expressing a 2-butanol biosynthetic pathway. The recombinant microorganisms and methods of the invention can also be adapted to produce 2-butanone, an intermediate in the 2-butanol biosynthetic pathways disclosed herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Butamax Advanced Biofuels LLC
    Inventors: Gail K. Donaldson, Andrew C. Eliot, Vasantha Nagarajan, Charles E. Nakamura, Jean-Francois Tomb
  • Patent number: 8962298
    Abstract: Methods for the fermentive production of four carbon alcohols are provided. Specifically, butanol, preferably 2-butanol is produced by the fermentive growth of a recombinant bacteria expressing a 2-butanol biosynthetic pathway. The recombinant microorganisms and methods of the invention can also be adapted to produce 2-butanone, an intermediate in the 2-butanol biosynthetic pathways disclosed herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Butamax Advanced Biofuels LLC
    Inventors: Gail K. Donaldson, Andrew C. Eliot, Vasantha Nagarajan, Charles E. Nakamura, Jean-Francois Tomb
  • Patent number: 8828704
    Abstract: Methods for the fermentive production of four carbon alcohols are provided. Specifically, butanol, preferably 2-butanol is produced by the fermentive growth of a recombinant bacteria expressing a 2-butanol biosynthetic pathway. The recombinant microorganisms and methods of the invention can also be adapted to produce 2-butanone, an intermediate in the 2-butanol biosynthetic pathways disclosed herein. Specifically disclosed herein are the use of coenzyme B12-independent butanediol dehydratases that catalyzes the substrate to product conversion of 2,3-butanediol to 2-butanone in the process of producing 2-butanol and 2-butanone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Butamax Advanced Biofuels LLC
    Inventors: Gail K. Donaldson, Andrew C. Eliot, Lori Ann Maggio-Hall, Vasantha Nagarajan, Charles E. Nakamura, Jean-Francois Tomb
  • Publication number: 20140170732
    Abstract: From a bacterial strain isolated from an environmental sample, after enrichment in medium containing 1-butanol as the carbon source, a new enzyme with butanol dehydrogenase activity was identified. The enzyme can convert butyraldehyde to 1-butanol, isobutyraldehyde to isobutanol, as well as 2-butanone to 2-butanol and thus is useful for biosynthesis of butanol in recombinant microbial hosts producing these substrates. The encoding gene, named sadB, was isolated from the strain identified as an isolate of Achromobacter xylosoxidans.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2014
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Applicant: BUTAMAX ADVANCED BIOFUELS LLC
    Inventors: Michael G. Bramucci, Andrew C. Eliot, Lori Ann Maggio-Hall, Charles E. Nakamura
  • Patent number: 8691540
    Abstract: From a bacterial strain isolated from an environmental sample, after enrichment in medium containing 1-butanol as the carbon source, a new enzyme with butanol dehydrogenase activity was identified. The enzyme can convert butyraldehyde to 1-butanol, isobutyraldehyde to isobutanol, as well as 2-butanone to 2-butanol and thus is useful for biosynthesis of butanol in recombinant microbial hosts producing these substrates. The encoding gene, named sadB, was isolated from the strain identified as an isolate of Achromobacter xylosoxidans.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Butamax Advanced Biofuels LLC
    Inventors: Michael G. Bramucci, Andrew C. Eliot, Lori Ann Maggio-Hall, Charles E. Nakamura
  • Publication number: 20120231515
    Abstract: From a bacterial strain isolated from an environmental sample, after enrichment in medium containing 1-butanol as the carbon source, a new enzyme with butanol dehydrogenase activity was identified. The enzyme can convert butyraldehyde to 1-butanol, isobutyraldehyde to isobutanol, as well as 2-butanone to 2-butanol and thus is useful for biosynthesis of butanol in recombinant microbial hosts producing these substrates. The encoding gene, named sadB, was isolated from the strain identified as an isolate of Achromobacter xylosoxidans.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2012
    Publication date: September 13, 2012
    Applicant: Butamax(TM) Advanced Biofuels LLC
    Inventors: MICHAEL G. BRAMUCCI, Andrew C. Eliot, Lori Ann Maggio-Hall, Charles E. Nakamura
  • Publication number: 20120196341
    Abstract: Methods for the fermentive production of four carbon alcohols are provided. Specifically, butanol, preferably 2-butanol is produced by the fermentive growth of a recombinant bacteria expressing a 2-butanol biosynthetic pathway. The recombinant microorganisms and methods of the invention can also be adapted to produce 2-butanone, an intermediate in the 2-butanol biosynthetic pathways disclosed herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2011
    Publication date: August 2, 2012
    Applicant: BUTAMAX(TM) ADVANCED BIOFUELS LLC
    Inventors: Gail K. Donaldson, Andrew C. Eliot, Vasantha Nagarajan, Charles E. Nakamura, Lixuan Lisa Huang
  • Patent number: 8188250
    Abstract: From a bacterial strain isolated from an environmental sample, after enrichment in medium containing 1-butanol as the carbon source, a new enzyme with butanol dehydrogenase activity was identified. The enzyme can convert butyraldehyde to 1-butanol, isobutyraldehyde to isobutanol, as well as 2-butanone to 2-butanol and thus is useful for biosynthesis of butanol in recombinant microbial hosts producing these substrates. The encoding gene, named sadB, was isolated from the strain identified as an isolate of Achromobacter xylosoxidans.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: Butamax(TM) Advanced Biofuels LLC
    Inventors: Michael G. Bramucci, Andrew C. Eliot, Lori Ann Maggio-Hall, Charles E. Nakamura
  • Publication number: 20090305369
    Abstract: An E. coli host strain was engineered wherein genes adhE, IdhA, frdB, and pfIB were disrupted and novel butanol dehydrogenase gene, sadB, from Achromobacter xylosoxidans, was added to produce the isobutanol production host.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2009
    Publication date: December 10, 2009
    Applicant: E.I.DU PONT DE NEMOURS AND COMPANY
    Inventors: Gail K. Donaldson, Lori Ann Maggio-Hall, Charles E. Nakamura
  • Publication number: 20090269823
    Abstract: From a bacterial strain isolated from an environmental sample, after enrichment in medium containing 1-butanol as the carbon source, a new enzyme with butanol dehydrogenase activity was identified. The enzyme can convert butyraldehyde to 1-butanol, isobutyraldehyde to isobutanol, as well as 2-butanone to 2-butanol and thus is useful for biosynthesis of butanol in recombinant microbial hosts producing these substrates. The encoding gene, named sadB, was isolated from the strain identified as an isolate of Achromobacter xylosoxidans.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2009
    Publication date: October 29, 2009
    Applicant: E.I. DU PONT DE NEMOURS AND COMPANY
    Inventors: Michael G. Bramucci, Andrew C. Eliot, Lori Ann Maggio-Hall, Charles E. Nakamura
  • Publication number: 20090239275
    Abstract: Methods for the fermentive production of four carbon alcohols are provided. Specifically, butanol, preferably 2-butanol is produced by the fermentive growth of a recombinant bacteria expressing a 2-butanol biosynthetic pathway. The recombinant microorganisms and methods of the invention can also be adapted to produce 2-butanone, an intermediate in the 2-butanol biosynthetic pathways disclosed herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2009
    Publication date: September 24, 2009
    Applicant: E.I. DU PONT DE NEMOURS AND COMPANY
    Inventors: Gail K. Donaldson, Andrew C. Eliot, Vasantha Nagarajan, Charles E. Nakamura, Jean-Francois Tomb
  • Publication number: 20090155870
    Abstract: Methods for the fermentive production of four carbon alcohols are provided. Specifically, butanol, preferably 2-butanol is produced by the fermentive growth of a recombinant bacteria expressing a 2-butanol biosynthetic pathway. The recombinant microorganisms and methods of the invention can also be adapted to produce 2-butanone, an intermediate in the 2-butanol biosynthetic pathways disclosed herein. Specifically disclosed herein are the use of coenzyme B12-independent butanediol dehydratases that catalyzes the substrate to product conversion of 2,3-butanediol to 2-butanone in the process of producing 2-butanol and 2-butanone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2008
    Publication date: June 18, 2009
    Inventors: GAIL K. DONALDSON, Andrew C. Eliot, Lori Ann Maggio-Hall, Vasantha Nagarajan, Charles E. Nakamura, Jean-Francois Tomb
  • Publication number: 20080182308
    Abstract: Methods for the fermentive production of four carbon alcohols is provided. Specifically, butanol, preferably 1-butanol is produced by the fermentive growth of a recombinant bacterium expressing a 1-butanol biosynthetic pathway.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2006
    Publication date: July 31, 2008
    Inventors: Gail K. Donaldson, Lixuan Lisa Huang, Lori Ann Maggio-Hall, Vasantha Nagarajan, Charles E. Nakamura, Wonchul Suh
  • Patent number: 6013494
    Abstract: Recombinant organisms are provided comprising genes encoding glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase, glycerol-3-phosphatase, glycerol dehydratase and 1,3-propanediol oxidoreductase activites useful for the production of 1,3-propanediol from a variety of carbon substrates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2000
    Assignees: E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company, Genencor International
    Inventors: Charles E. Nakamura, Anthony A. Gatenby, Amy Kuang-Hua Hsu, Richard D. La Reau, Sharon L. Haynie, Maria Diaz-Torres, Donald E. Trimbur, Gregory M. Whited, Vasantha Nagarajan, Mark S. Payne, Stephen K. Picataggio, Ramesh V. Nair
  • Patent number: 5633362
    Abstract: A process is provided for the bioconversion of glycerol to 1,3-propanediol in which genes from a bacteria known to possess a diol dehydratase enzyme for 1,2-propanediol degradation are cloned into a bacterial host and the host is grown in the presence of glycerol; expression of the foreign genes in the host cell facilitates the enzymatic conversion of glycerol to 1,3-propanediol which is isolated from the culture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 27, 1997
    Assignee: E. I. Du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Vasantha Nagarajan, Charles E. Nakamura
  • Patent number: 5466801
    Abstract: A process for the preparation of 3- and/or 6-substituted 2,5-morpholinediones is disclosed. Such morpholinediones are useful as precursors for the preparation of depsipeptide polymers and copolymers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 14, 1995
    Assignee: E. I. Du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Charles E. Nakamura, Robert Di Cosimo, John R. Moran
  • Patent number: 5371001
    Abstract: This invention concerns esters of unsymmetrically 2-substituted glycolic acid dimers, a process for their preparation and their use in the preparation of unsymmetrically 3,6-substituted 1,4-dioxane-2,5-diones.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 6, 1994
    Assignee: E. I. Du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: David L. Anton, Charles E. Nakamura
  • Patent number: 5326887
    Abstract: This invention relates to a process for preparing 1,4-dioxane-2,5-diones comprising reacting an .alpha.-hydroxy acid oligomer or an ester of an .alpha.-hydroxy acid oligomer over a fixed bed catalyst system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 5, 1994
    Assignee: E. I. Du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Robert Di Cosimo, John R. Moran, Charles E. Nakamura