Patents by Inventor Charles H. Squires

Charles H. Squires 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: 11944083
    Abstract: An apparatus for stowing and/or transporting rod-shaped structures such that the rods are easily insertable into, and removable from, the rod holder when it is located underneath an overhead obstruction that would otherwise prevent insertion or removal of rods into the rod holder. The rod holder rotates away from the receiving structure to which it is attached by operation of a rotatable attachment between the rod holder and a base. The base comprises a latching mechanism to prevent the rod holder from rotating unless it is released using a latch release lever. The rod holder allows insertion of longer rods into the rod holder than would otherwise be possible using rod holders of the prior art. The rod holder increases ease of access to rods stored in the rod holder. An exemplary use case is the storage of fishing rods under a T-top on a fishing boat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Inventors: Michael J. Ottomanelli, Jordan H. Smith, Charles C. Squires
  • Patent number: 10689640
    Abstract: The present invention provides an array for rapidly identifying a host cell population capable of producing a heterologous recombinant protein with improved yield and/or quality. The array comprises one or more host cell populations that have been genetically modified to increase the expression of one or more target genes involved in protein production, decrease the expression of one or more target genes involved in protein degradation, or both. One or more of the strains in the array may express the heterologous recombinant protein of interest in a periplasm compartment or may secrete the heterologous recombinant protein extracellularly through an outer cell wall. The strain arrays are useful for screening for improved expression of any protein of interest including therapeutic proteins, hormones, growth factors, extracellular receptors or ligands, proteases, kinases, blood proteins, chemokines, cytokines, antibodies and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignee: Pfenex Inc.
    Inventors: Diane M. Retallack, Charles H. Squires, Thomas M. Ramseier, Russell J. Coleman, Jane C. Schneider, Charles D. Hershberger
  • Publication number: 20180291412
    Abstract: The invention is a process for improved production of a recombinant mammalian protein by expression in a Pseudomonad, particularly in a Pseudomonas fluorescens organism. The process improves production of mammalian proteins, particularly human or human-derived proteins, over known expression systems such as E. coli in comparable circumstances. Processes for improved production of isolated mammalian, particularly human, proteins are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2018
    Publication date: October 11, 2018
    Inventors: Diane M. Retallack, Charles H. Squires, David C. Watkins, Stacey L. Lee, Frank H. Gaertner, Robert Shutter
  • Patent number: 10041102
    Abstract: The invention is a process for improved production of a recombinant mammalian protein by expression in a Pseudomonad, particularly in a Pseudomonas fluorescens organism. The process improves production of mammalian proteins, particularly human or human-derived proteins, over known expression systems such as E. coli in comparable circumstances. Processes for improved production of isolated mammalian, particularly human, proteins are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Assignee: PFENEX INC.
    Inventors: Diane M. Retallack, Charles H. Squires, David C. Watkins, Stacey L. Lee, Frank H. Gaertner, Robert Shutter
  • Patent number: 9708616
    Abstract: Provided herein are methods and compositions for expression of a nucleic acid construct comprising nucleic acids encoding a) a recombinant polypeptide, and b) a prototrophy-restoring enzyme in a host cell that is auxotrophic for at least one metabolite. In various embodiments, the host cell is auxotrophic for a nitrogenous base compound or an amino acid. The invention involves introducing an analog into the growth media for the host cell such that the analog is incorporated into the recombinant polypeptide or a nucleic acid coding sequence thereof. In various embodiments, the compositions and methods disclosed herein result in improved recombinant protein expression compared to expression of recombinant protein in an antibiotic selection system, or compared to expression of the recombinant protein in an expression system that lacks a metabolite analog.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: PFENEX, INC.
    Inventors: Diane M. Retallack, Lawrence C. Chew, Charles H. Squires
  • Publication number: 20170183646
    Abstract: The present invention provides an array for rapidly identifying a host cell population capable of producing heterologous protein with improved yield and/or quality. The array comprises one or more host cell populations that have been genetically modified to increase the expression of one or more target genes involved in protein production, decrease the expression of one or more target genes involved in protein degradation, or both. One or more of the strains in the array may express the heterologous protein of interest in a periplasm compartment, or may secrete the heterologous protein extracellularly through an outer cell wall. The strain arrays are useful for screening for improved expression of any protein of interest, including therapeutic proteins, hormones, a growth factors, extracellular receptors or ligands, proteases, kinases, blood proteins, chemokines, cytokines, antibodies and the like.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2016
    Publication date: June 29, 2017
    Inventors: Diane M. Retallack, Charles H. Squires, Thomas M. Ramseier, Russell J. Coleman, Jane C. Schneider, Charles D. Hershberger
  • Patent number: 9580719
    Abstract: The present invention provides an array for rapidly identifying a host cell population capable of producing a heterologous protein with improved yield and/or quality. The array comprises one or more host cell populations that have been genetically modified to increase the expression of one or more target genes involved in protein production, decrease the expression of one or more target genes involved in protein degradation, or both. One or more of the strains in the array may express the heterologous protein of interest in a periplasm compartment or may secrete the heterologous protein extracellularly through an outer cell wall. The strain arrays are useful for screening for improved expression of any protein of interest including therapeutic proteins, hormones, growth factors, extracellular receptors or ligands, proteases, kinases, blood proteins, chemokines, cytokines, antibodies and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: PFENEX, INC.
    Inventors: Diane M. Retallack, Charles H. Squires, Thomas M. Ramseier, Russell J. Coleman, Jane C. Schneider, Charles D. Hershberger
  • Publication number: 20170051327
    Abstract: The invention is a process for improved production of a recombinant mammalian protein by expression in a Pseudomonad, particularly in a Pseudomonas fluorescens organism. The process improves production of mammalian proteins, particularly human or human-derived proteins, over known expression systems such as E. coli in comparable Circumstances Processes for improved production of isolated mammalian, particularly human, proteins are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2016
    Publication date: February 23, 2017
    Inventors: Diane M. Retallack, Charles H. Squires, David C. Watkins, Stacey L. Lee, Frank H. Gaertner, Robert Shutter
  • Patent number: 9458487
    Abstract: The invention is a process for improved production of a recombinant mammalian protein by expression in a Pseudomonad, particularly in a Pseudomonas fluorescens organism. The process improves production of mammalian proteins, particularly human or human-derived proteins, over known expression systems such as E. coli in comparable circumstances Processes for improved production of isolated mammalian, particularly human, proteins are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: PFENEX, INC.
    Inventors: Diane M. Retallack, Charles H. Squires, David C. Watkins, Stacey L. Lee, Frank H. Gaertner, Robert Shutter
  • Patent number: 9453251
    Abstract: The invention is a process for improved production of a recombinant mammalian protein by expression in a Pseudomonad, particularly in a Pseudomonas fluorescens organism. The process improves production of mammalian proteins, particularly human or human-derived proteins, over known expression systems such as E. coli in comparable circumstances Processes for improved production of isolated mammalian, particularly human, proteins are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: PFENEX INC.
    Inventors: Diane M. Retallack, Charles H. Squires, David C. Watkins, Stacey L. Lee, Frank H. Gaertner, Robert Shutter
  • Publication number: 20160208268
    Abstract: Provided herein are methods and compositions for expression of a nucleic acid construct comprising nucleic acids encoding a) a recombinant polypeptide, and b) a prototrophy-restoring enzyme in a host cell that is auxotrophic for at least one metabolite. In various embodiments, the host cell is auxotrophic for a nitrogenous base compound or an amino acid. The invention involves introducing an analogue into the growth media for the host cell such that the analogue is incorporated into the recombinant polypeptide or a nucleic acid coding sequence thereof. In various embodiments, the compositions and methods disclosed herein result in improved recombinant protein expression compared to expression of recombinant protein in an antibiotic selection system, or compared to expression of the recombinant protein in an expression system that lacks a metabolite analogue.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2015
    Publication date: July 21, 2016
    Inventors: Diane M. Retallack, Lawrence C. Chew, Charles H. Squires
  • Patent number: 9394571
    Abstract: The present invention provides an array for rapidly identifying a host cell population capable of producing a heterologous protein with improved yield and/or quality. The array comprises one or more host cell populations that have been genetically modified to increase the expression of one or more target genes involved in protein production, decrease the expression of one or more target genes involved in protein degradation, or both. One or more of the strains in the array may express the heterologous protein of interest in a periplasm compartment or may secrete the heterologous protein extracellularly through an outer cell wall. The strain arrays are useful for screening for improved expression of any protein of interest including therapeutic proteins, hormones, growth factors, extracellular receptors or ligands, proteases, kinases, blood proteins, chemokines, cytokines, antibodies and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: PFENEX INC.
    Inventors: Thomas M. Ramseier, Russell J. Coleman, Jane C. Schneider, Charles D. Hershberger, Diane M. Retallack, Charles H. Squires
  • Patent number: 9243253
    Abstract: Provided herein are methods and compositions for expression of a nucleic acid construct comprising nucleic acids encoding a) a recombinant polypeptide, and b) a prototrophy-restoring enzyme in a host cell that is auxotrophic for at least one metabolite. In various embodiments, the host cell is auxotrophic for a nitrogenous base compound or an amino acid. The invention involves introducing an analogue into the growth media for the host cell such that the analogue is incorporated into the recombinant polypeptide or a nucleic acid coding sequence thereof. In various embodiments, the compositions and methods disclosed herein result in improved recombinant protein expression compared to expression of recombinant protein in an antibiotic selection system, or compared to expression of the recombinant protein in an expression system that lacks a metabolite analogue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: Pfenex, Inc.
    Inventors: Diane M. Retallack, Lawrence C. Chew, Charles H. Squires
  • Patent number: 9109229
    Abstract: This invention is a process for improving the production levels of recombinant proteins or peptides or improving the level of active recombinant proteins or peptides expressed in host cells. The invention is a process of comparing two genetic profiles of a cell that expresses a recombinant protein and modifying the cell to change the expression of a gene product that is upregulated in response to the recombinant protein expression. The process can improve protein production or can improve protein quality, for example, by increasing solubility of a recombinant protein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: Pfenex Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas M. Ramseier, Hongfan Jin, Charles H. Squires
  • Publication number: 20140162279
    Abstract: This invention is a process for improving the production levels of recombinant proteins or peptides or improving the level of active recombinant proteins or peptides expressed in host cells. The invention is a process of comparing two genetic profiles of a cell that expresses a recombinant protein and modifying the cell to change the expression of a gene product that is upregulated in response to the recombinant protein expression. The process can improve protein production or can improve protein quality, for example, by increasing solubility of a recombinant protein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2013
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Applicant: PFENEX INC.
    Inventors: THOMAS M. RAMSEIER, HONGFAN JIN, CHARLES H. SQUIRES
  • Patent number: 8603824
    Abstract: This invention is a process for improving the production levels of recombinant proteins or peptides or improving the level of active recombinant proteins or peptides expressed in host cells. The invention is a process of comparing two genetic profiles of a cell that expresses a recombinant protein and modifying the cell to change the expression of a gene product that is upregulated in response to the recombinant protein expression. The process can improve protein production or can improve protein quality, for example, by increasing solubility of a recombinant protein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Pfenex, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas M. Ramseier, Hongfan Jin, Charles H. Squires
  • Publication number: 20110020830
    Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions for the generation and identification of expression constructs that can be used to express sufficient levels of a polypeptide of interest. The compositions include a population of expression vectors, wherein members of the population have a type IIS restriction enzyme recognition site adjacent to a regulatory sequence, and wherein the regulatory element is distinct in at least two members of the population of expression vectors. In various embodiments, the expression vectors further comprise a polynucleotide sequence encoding a polypeptide of interest, wherein the polynucleotide encoding the polypeptide, the polynucleotide of the regulatory sequence, or both, are distinct in at least two members of the population. The compositions are useful for identifying a combination of coding sequences and/or regulatory elements useful for the heterologous expression of the polypeptide of interest.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2009
    Publication date: January 27, 2011
    Inventors: Jane C. Schneider, Charles H. Squires, Huizhu Liu
  • Publication number: 20100137162
    Abstract: The present invention provides an array for rapidly identifying a host cell population capable of producing heterologous protein with improved yield and/or quality. The array comprises one or more host cell populations that have been genetically modified to increase the expression of one or more target genes involved in protein production, decrease the expression of one or more target genes involved in protein degradation, or both. One or more of the strains in the array may express the heterologous protein of interest in a periplasm compartment, or may secrete the heterologous protein extracellularly through an outer cell wall. The strain arrays are useful for screening for improved expression of any protein of interest, including therapeutic proteins, hormones, a growth factors, extracellular receptors or ligands, proteases, kinases, blood proteins, chemokines, cytokines, antibodies and the like.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2009
    Publication date: June 3, 2010
    Applicant: Pfenex Biopharmaceuticals, Inc.
    Inventors: Diane M. Retallack, Charles H. Squires, Thomas M. Ramseier, Russell J. Coleman, Jane C. Schneider, Charies D. Hershberger
  • Patent number: 6274372
    Abstract: The invention provides a novel flavin reductase, which has been isolated from Rhodococcus strain sp. IGTS8 and purified to homogeneity. The flavin reductase is of use in the biocatalytic desulfurization of a fossil fuel containing organic sulfur compounds. The method comprises the steps of (1) contacting the fossil fuel with an aqueous phase containing a biocatalyst capable of cleaving carbon—sulfur bonds and a rate-enhancing amount of the flavin reductase of the present invention, thereby forming a fossil fuel and aqueous phase mixture; (2) maintaining the mixture under conditions sufficient for cleavage of the carbon—sulfur bonds of the organic sulfur molecules by the biocatalyst, thereby resulting in a fossil fuel having a reduced organic sulfur content; and (3) separating the fossil fuel having a reduced organic sulfur content from the resulting aqueous phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2001
    Assignee: Enchira Biotechnology Corporation
    Inventors: Kevin A. Gray, John D. Childs, Charles H. Squires
  • Patent number: 6235519
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an isolated nucleic acid molecule which encodes one or more of the enzymes which catalyze one or more steps in the desulfurization of thiophene, or a homologue or active fragment thereof. The invention also includes a recombinant microorganism containing one or more such heterologous nucleic acid molecules. The invention also provides a method for desulfurizing a fossil fuel containing thiophene and/or one or more substituted thiophenes. The method comprises contacting the fossil fuel with an organism containing a recombinant nucleic acid molecule which encodes an enzyme which catalyzes the desulfurization of thiophene.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2001
    Assignee: Energy Biosystems Corporation
    Inventors: Yongzhao Wang, John D. Childs, Charles H. Squires