Patents by Inventor Deborah Hawkins

Deborah Hawkins 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: 7741532
    Abstract: The invention provides diacylglycerol acyltransferase (DAGAT) proteins, wherein said proteins are active in the formation of triacylglycerol from fatty acyl and diacylglycerol substrates. In one aspect, Mortierella ramanniana DAGAT proteins have been isolated and have molecular weights of between approximately 36 and 37 kDa as measured by SDS-PAGE. The invention also provides novel DAGAT polynucleotide and polypeptide sequences and to methods of producing such polypeptides using recombinant techniques. In addition, methods are provided for using such sequences to alter triacylglycerol levels in plants and to treat diseases associated with altered DAGAT activity or expression.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2010
    Assignee: Monsanto Technology LLC
    Inventors: Kathryn Dennis Lardizabal, Gregory A. Thompson, Deborah Hawkins
  • Publication number: 20090146393
    Abstract: A mirror is mounted on the tailgate of a truck and is oriented to reflect the tailgate target to the rear view mirror of the truck whereby a driver can align a trailer and the tailgate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2007
    Publication date: June 11, 2009
    Inventors: Edward Wayne Hawkins, Deborah Hawkins Knight
  • Publication number: 20090151027
    Abstract: The invention provides diacylglycerol acyltransferase (DAGAT) proteins, wherein said proteins are active in the formation of triacylglycerol from fatty acyl and diacylglycerol substrates. In one aspect, Mortierella ramanniana DAGAT proteins have been isolated and have molecular weights of between approximately 36 and 37 kDa as measured by SDS-PAGE. The invention also provides novel DAGAT polynucleotide and polypeptide sequences and to methods of producing such polypeptides using recombinant techniques. In addition, methods are provided for using such sequences to alter triacylglycerol levels in plants and to treat diseases associated with altered DAGAT activity or expression.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2008
    Publication date: June 11, 2009
    Inventors: Kathryn Dennis Lardizabal, Gregory A. Thompson, Deborah Hawkins
  • Patent number: 7135617
    Abstract: The invention provides diacylglycerol acyltransferase (DAGAT) proteins, wherein said proteins are active in the formation of triacylglycerol from fatty acyl and diacylglycerol substrates. In one aspect, Mortierella ramanniana DAGAT proteins have been isolated and have molecular weights of between approximately 36 and 37 kDa as measured by SDS-PAGE. The invention also provides novel DAGAT polynucleotide and polypeptide sequences and to methods of producing such polypeptides using recombinannt techniques. In addition, methods are provided for using such sequences to alter triacylglycerol levels in plants and to treat diseases associated with altered DAGAT activity or expression.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2006
    Assignee: Calgene LLC
    Inventors: Kathryn Dennis Lardizabal, Gregory A. Thompson, Deborah Hawkins
  • Publication number: 20060064776
    Abstract: The present invention relates to polynucleotide molecules for regulating gene expression in plants. In particular, the invention relates to promoters that are useful for regulating gene expression of heterologous polynucleotide molecules in plants. The invention also relates to expression constructs and transgenic plants containing the heterologous polynucleotide molecules.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2005
    Publication date: March 23, 2006
    Inventors: Diane Ruezinsky, Deborah Hawkins, Santiago Navarro, Laurence Parnell
  • Patent number: 6822141
    Abstract: The invention provides diacylglycerol acyltransferase (DAGAT) proteins, wherein said proteins are active in the formation of triacylglycerol from fatty acyl and diacylglycerol substrates. In one aspect, Mortierella ramanniana DAGAT proteins have been isolated and have molecular weights of between approximately 36 and 37 kDa as measured by SDS-PAGE. The invention also provides novel DAGAT polynucleotide and polypeptide sequences and to methods of producing such polypeptides using recombinant techniques. In addition, methods are provided for using such sequences to alter triacylglycerol levels in plants and to treat diseases associated with altered DAGAT activity or expression.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2004
    Assignee: Calgene LLC
    Inventors: Kathryn Dennis Lardizabal, Gregory A. Thompson, Deborah Hawkins
  • Publication number: 20030115632
    Abstract: The invention provides diacylglycerol acyltransferase (DAGAT) proteins, wherein said proteins are active in the formation of triacylglycerol from fatty acyl and diacylglycerol substrates. In one aspect, Mortierella ramanniana DAGAT proteins have been isolated and have molecular weights of between approximately 36 and 37 kDa as measured by SDS-PAGE. The invention also provides novel DAGAT polynucleotide and polypeptide sequences and to methods of producing such polypeptides using recombinannt techniques. In addition, methods are provided for using such sequences to alter triacylglycerol levels in plants and to treat diseases associated with altered DAGAT activity or expression.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2002
    Publication date: June 19, 2003
    Inventors: Kathryn Dennis Lardizabal, Gregory A. Thompson, Deborah Hawkins
  • Publication number: 20030028923
    Abstract: The invention provides diacylglycerol acyltransferase (DAGAT) proteins, wherein said proteins are active in the formation of triacylglycerol from fatty acyl and diacylglycerol substrates. In one aspect, Mortierella ramanniana DAGAT proteins have been isolated and have molecular weights of between approximately 36 and 37 kDa as measured by SDS-PAGE. The invention also provides novel DAGAT polynucleotide and polypeptide sequences and to methods of producing such polypeptides using recombinant techniques. In addition, methods are provided for using such sequences to alter triacylglycerol levels in plants and to treat diseases associated with altered DAGAT activity or expression.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2002
    Publication date: February 6, 2003
    Inventors: Kathryn Dennis Lardizabal, Gregory A. Thompson, Deborah Hawkins
  • Patent number: 6093568
    Abstract: This invention relates to plant LPAATs, means to identify such proteins, amino acid and nucleic acid sequences associated with such protein, and methods to obtain, make and/or use such plant LPAATs. Purification, especially the removal of plant membranes and the substantial separation away from other plant proteins, and use of the plant LPAAT is provided, including the use of the protein as a tool in gene isolation for biotechnological applications. In addition, nucleic acid sequences encoding LPAAT protein regions are provided, and uses of such sequences for isolation of LPAAT genes from plants are considered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2000
    Assignee: Calgene, Inc.
    Inventors: Huw Maelor Davies, Deborah Hawkins, Janet Nelsen
  • Patent number: 5968791
    Abstract: This invention relates to plant LPAATs, means to identify such proteins, amino acid and nucleic acid sequences associated with such protein, and methods to obtain, make and/or use such plant LPAATs. Purification, especially the removal of plant membranes and the substantial separation away from other plant proteins, and use of the plant LPAAT is provided, including the use of the protein as a tool in gene isolation for biotechnological applications. In addition, nucleic acid sequences encoding LPAAT protein regions are provided, and uses of such sequences for isolation of LPAAT genes from plants and for modification of plant triglyceride compositions are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1999
    Assignee: Calgene, Inc.
    Inventors: Huw Maelor Davies, Deborah Hawkins, Janet Nelson, Michael Lassner
  • Patent number: 5910630
    Abstract: This invention relates to plant LPAATs, means to identify such proteins, amino acid and nucleic acid sequences associated with such protein, and methods to obtain, make and/or use such plant LPAATs. Purification, especially the removal of plant membranes and the substantial separation away from other plant proteins, and use of the plant LPAAT is provided, including the use of the protein as a tool in gene isolation for biotechnological applications. In addition, nucleic acid sequences encoding LPAAT protein regions are provided, and uses of such sequences for isolation of LPAAT genes from plants and for modification of plant triglyceride compositions are considered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 8, 1999
    Inventors: Huw Maelor Davies, Deborah Hawkins, Janet Nelsen, Michael Lassner
  • Patent number: 5850022
    Abstract: By this invention, methods to produce C14 fatty acids in plant seed oils are provided. In a first embodiment, this invention relates to particular C14 preferring acyl-ACP thioesterase sequences from Cuphea palustris, camphor and nutmeg, and to DNA constructs for the expression of these thioesterases in host cells for production of C14 fatty acids. Other aspects of this invention relate to methods for using other plant medium-chain thioesterases or medium-chain thioesterases from non-plant sources to provide C14 fatty acids in plant cells. In this regard, the production of C14 fatty acids in plant cells as the result of expression from an elm medium chain acyl-ACP thioesterase and a bacterial luxD gene is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 15, 1998
    Assignee: Calgene, Inc.
    Inventors: Katayoon Dehesh, Toni Voelker, Deborah Hawkins
  • Patent number: 5824858
    Abstract: This invention relates to plant LPAATs, means to identify such proteins, amino acid and nucleic acid sequences associated with such protein, and methods to obtain, make and/or use such plant LPAATs. Purification, especially the removal of plant membranes and the substantial separation away from other plant proteins, and use of the plant LPAAT is provided, including the use of the protein as a tool in gene isolation for biotechnological applications. In addition, nucleic acid sequences encoding LPAAT protein regions are provided, and uses of such sequences for isolation of LPAAT genes from plants and for modification of plant triglyceride compositions are considered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1998
    Assignee: Calgene, Inc.
    Inventors: Huw Maelor Davies, Deborah Hawkins, Janet Nelsen
  • Patent number: 5723761
    Abstract: This invention relates to plant thioesterases, specifically plant acyl-ACP thioesterases having substantial activity on palmitoyl-ACP substrates. DNA constructs useful for the expression of a plant palmitoyl-ACP thioesterase in a plant seed cell are described. Such constructs will contain a DNA sequence encoding the plant palmitoyl-ACP thioesterase of interest under the control of regulatory elements capable of preferentially directing the expression of the plant palmitoyl-ACP thioesterase in seed tissue, as compared with other plant tissues, when such a construct is expressed in a transgenic plant. This invention also relates to methods of using a DNA sequence encoding a plant palmitoyl-ACP thioesterase for the modification of the proportion of free fatty acids produced in a plant seed cell. Plant palmitoyl-ACP thioesterase sequences exemplified herein include Cuphea, leek, mango and elm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 3, 1998
    Assignee: Calgene, Inc.
    Inventors: Toni A. Voelker, Ling Yuan, Jean Kridl, Deborah Hawkins, Aubrey Jones
  • Patent number: 5563058
    Abstract: This invention relates to plant LPAATs, means to identify such proteins, amino acid and nucleic acid sequences associated with such protein, methods to obtain, make and/or use such plant LPAATs. Purification, especially the removal of plant membranes and the substantial separation away from other plant proteins, and use of the plant LPAAT is provided, including the use of the protein as a tool in gene isolation for biotechnological applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 8, 1996
    Assignee: Calgene, Inc.
    Inventors: Huw M. Davies, Deborah Hawkins, Janet Nelsen