Patents by Inventor Derek H. Wells

Derek H. Wells 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: 9752161
    Abstract: The invention features methods producing isoprene and a co-product, such as ethanol, 1,3-propanediol, or hydrogen from cultured cells. The invention also provides compositions that include these cultured cells. The invention provides compositions comprising isoprene and ethanol, isoprene and 1,3-propanediol, and isoprene and hydrogen. Additionally, the invention provides methods of co-producing isoprene and ethanol, isoprene and 1,3-propanediol, and isoprene and hydrogen by culturing cells under conditions suitable for co-production of isoprene and ethanol, isoprene and 1,3-propanediol, and isoprene and hydrogen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignees: Danisco US Inc., The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
    Inventors: Gopal K. Chotani, Joseph C. McAuliffe, Caroline M. Peres, Karl J. Sanford, Derek H. Wells
  • Patent number: 9752162
    Abstract: The invention features compositions and methods for the increased production of mevalonate, isoprene, isoprenoid precursor molecules, and/or isoprenoids in microorganisms via the heterologous expression of the mvaE and mvaS genes from the organisms Listeria grayi DSM 20601, Enterococcus faecium, Enterococcus gallinarum EG2, and Enterococcus casseliflavus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignees: Danisco US Inc., The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
    Inventors: Zachary Q. Beck, Michael C. Miller, Caroline M. Peres, Yuliya A. Primak, Jeff P. Pucci, Derek H. Wells
  • Publication number: 20170159074
    Abstract: The invention features compositions and methods for the increased production of mevalonate, isoprene, isoprenoid precursor molecules, isoprenoids, and/or acetyl-CoA-derived products in recombinant microorganisms by engineering the microorganisms to comprise one or more acetylating proteins such that the expression and/or activity of the one or more acetylating proteins is modulated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2015
    Publication date: June 8, 2017
    Applicant: Danisco US Inc.
    Inventors: Marguerite A. CERVIN, Michael C. MILLER, Derek H. WELLS, Alan J. WOLFE, Madhukar S. DASIKA
  • Patent number: 9388431
    Abstract: This invention relates to recombinant microorganisms capable of producing isoprene and isoprene production with the use of such recombinant microorganism with good efficiency. In this invention, functional activity of the ispA gene is altered to reduce the production of isoprenoid molecules in recombinant cells engineered to produce isoprene or in cells otherwise susceptible to isoprenoid accumulation during fermentation. This decreased ispA gene functional activity enables enhanced synthesis of isoprene in a host microorganism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignees: Danisco US Inc., The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
    Inventors: Joseph C. McAuliffe, Rachel E. Muir, Alex T. Nielsen, Caroline M. Peres, Dmitrii V. Vaviline, Derek H. Wells
  • Publication number: 20160138030
    Abstract: The invention provides compositions and methods for clostridial bacteria that have been engineered to produce and/or to improve efficiency of production of industrial bioproducts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2014
    Publication date: May 19, 2016
    Inventors: Miles C. SCOTCHER, Derek H. WELLS
  • Publication number: 20160068831
    Abstract: This present invention relates to cultured recombinant cells comprising a heterologous phosphoketolase (PKL) polypeptide that are capable of increased production of acetyl coenzyme A-derived metabolites, as well as methods for producing and using the same. In some embodiments, the recombinant cells further comprise one or more mevalonate (MVA) pathway polypeptides for the production of isoprenoid precursors, isoprene and isoprenoids.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2014
    Publication date: March 10, 2016
    Inventors: Zachary Q. BECK, Jeffrey W. MUNOS, Derek H. WELLS, Jian YAO
  • Patent number: 9273298
    Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions comprising at least one isoprene synthase enzyme with improved specific productivity. In particular, the present invention provides variant plant isoprene synthases for increased isoprene production in host cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignees: DANISCO US INC., THE GOODYEAR TIRE & RUBBER COMPANY
    Inventors: Zachary Q. Beck, David A. Estell, Jeffrey V. Miller, Christopher L. Rife, Derek H. Wells
  • Patent number: 9273299
    Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions of variant polypeptides having isoprene synthase activity with improved solubility. In particular, the present invention provides isoprene synthase variant for increased isoprene production in recombinant host cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignees: DANISCO US INC., THE GOODYEAR & TIRE RUBBER COMPANY
    Inventors: Christopher L. Rife, Derek H. Wells
  • Publication number: 20160032323
    Abstract: The invention features compositions and methods for the increased production of mevalonate, isoprene, isoprenoid precursor molecules, and/or isoprenoids in microorganisms by engineering a microorganism for increased carbon flux towards mevalonate production in the following enzymatic pathways: (a) citrate synthase, (b) phosphotransacetylase, (c) acetate kinase, (d) lactate dehydrogenase, (e) malic enzyme, and (f) pyruvate dehydrogenase such that one of more of the enzyme activity is modulated. In addition, production of mevalonate, isoprene, isoprenoid precursor molecules, and/or isoprenoids can be further enhanced by the heterologous expression of the mvaE and mvaS genes (such as, but not limited to, mvaE and mvaS genes from the organisms Listeria grayi DSM 20601, Enterococcus faecium, Enterococcus gallinarum EG2, and Enterococcus casseliflavus).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2015
    Publication date: February 4, 2016
    Inventors: Zachary Q. Beck, Michael C. Miller, Caroline M. Peres, Yuliya A. Primak, Jeff P. Pucci, Derek H. Wells
  • Patent number: 9175313
    Abstract: The present invention provides a three-dimensional structures of P. tremuloides isoprene synthase and P. alba isoprene synthase. The invention also provides methods of using the three-dimensional structure to design isoprene synthases with improved activity for increased isoprene production in microbial host cells. Biosynthetically produced isoprene of the present invention finds use in the manufacture of rubber and elastomers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignees: Danisco US Inc., The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
    Inventors: Zachary Q. Beck, Richard R. Bott, Jeffrey V. Miller, Christopher L. Rife, Derek H. Wells
  • Patent number: 9163263
    Abstract: The invention provides for compositions and methods for producing isoprene using isoprene synthase variants with improved properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignees: The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company, Danisco US Inc.
    Inventors: Zachary Q. Beck, David A. Estell, Jeffrey V. Miller, James Ngai, Christopher L. Rife, Derek H. Wells
  • Patent number: 9121038
    Abstract: The invention features compositions and methods for the increased production of mevalonate, isoprene, isoprenoid precursor molecules, and/or isoprenoids in microorganisms by engineering a microorganism for increased carbon flux towards mevalonate production in the following enzymatic pathways: (a) citrate synthase, (b) phosphotransacetylase, (c) acetate kinase, (d) lactate dehydrogenase, (e) malic enzyme, and (f) pyruvate dehydrogenase such that one of more of the enzyme activity is modulated. In addition, production of mevalonate, isoprene, isoprenoid precursor molecules, and/or isoprenoids can be further enhanced by the heterologous expression of the mvaE and mvaS genes (such as, but not limited to, mvaE and mvaS genes from the organisms Listeria grayi DSM 20601, Enterococcus faecium, Enterococcus gallinarum EG2, and Enterococcus casseliflavus).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignees: The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company, Danisco US Inc.
    Inventors: Zachary Q. Beck, Michael C. Miller, Caroline M. Peres, Yuliya A. Primak, Jeff P. Pucci, Derek H. Wells
  • Publication number: 20150218590
    Abstract: This invention relates to recombinant microorganisms capable of producing isoprene and isoprene production with the use of such recombinant microorganism with good efficiency. In this invention, functional activity of the ispA gene is altered to reduce the production of isoprenoid molecules in recombinant cells engineered to produce isoprene or in cells otherwise susceptible to isoprenoid accumulation during fermentation. This decreased ispA gene functional activity enables enhanced synthesis of isoprene in a host microorganism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2015
    Publication date: August 6, 2015
    Inventors: Joseph C. MCAULIFFE, Rachel E. Muir, Alex T. Nielsen, Caroline M. Peres, Dmitrii V. Vaviline, Derek H. Wells
  • Publication number: 20150191712
    Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions comprising at least one isoprene synthase enzyme with improved catalytic activity and/or solubility. In particular, the present invention provides variant plant isoprene synthases for increased isoprene production in microbial host cells. Biosynthetically produced isoprene of the present invention finds use in the manufacture of rubber and elastomers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2014
    Publication date: July 9, 2015
    Inventors: Richard R. BOTT, Marguerite A. Cervin, James T. Kellis, JR., Joseph C. Mcauliffe, Andrei Miasnikov, Caroline M. Peres, Christopher L. Rife, Derek H. Wells, Walter Weyler, Gregory M. Whited
  • Patent number: 8975051
    Abstract: This invention relates to recombinant microorganisms capable of producing isoprene and isoprene production with the use of such recombinant microorganism with good efficiency. In this invention, functional activity of the ispA gene is altered to reduce the production of isoprenoid molecules in recombinant cells engineered to produce isoprene or in cells otherwise susceptible to isoprenoid accumulation during fermentation. This decreased ispA gene functional activity enables enhanced synthesis of isoprene in a host microorganism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignees: Danisco US Inc., The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
    Inventors: Joseph C. McAuliffe, Rachel E. Muir, Alex T. Nielsen, Caroline M. Peres, Dmitrii V. Vaviline, Derek H. Wells
  • Publication number: 20150037861
    Abstract: The invention features compositions and methods for the increased production of mevalonate, isoprene, isoprenoid precursor molecules, and/or isoprenoids in microorganisms via the heterologous expression of the mvaE and mvaS genes from the organisms Listeria grayi DSM 20601, Enterococcus faecium, Enterococcus gallinarum EG2, and Enterococcus casseliflavus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2014
    Publication date: February 5, 2015
    Inventors: Zachary Q. BECK, Michael C. Miller, Caroline M. Peres, Yuliya A. Primak, Jeff P. Pucci, Derek H. Wells
  • Patent number: 8916370
    Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions comprising at least one isoprene synthase enzyme with improved catalytic activity and/or solubility. In particular, the present invention provides variant plant isoprene synthases for increased isoprene production in microbial host cells. Biosynthetically produced isoprene of the present invention finds use in the manufacture of rubber and elastomers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignees: Danisco US Inc., The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
    Inventors: Richard R. Bott, Marguerite A. Cervin, James T. Kellis, Jr., Joseph C. McAuliffe, Andrei Miasnikov, Caroline M. Peres, Christopher Lee Rife, Derek H. Wells, Walter Weyler, Gregory M. Whited
  • Patent number: 8895288
    Abstract: The invention features methods producing isoprene and a co-product, such as ethanol, 1,3-propanediol, or hydrogen from cultured cells. The invention also provides compositions that include these cultured cells. The invention provides compositions comprising isoprene and ethanol, isoprene and 1,3-propanediol, and isoprene and hydrogen. Additionally, the invention provides methods of co-producing isoprene and ethanol, isoprene and 1,3-propanediol, and isoprene and hydrogen by culturing cells under conditions suitable for co-production of isoprene and ethanol, isoprene and 1,3-propanediol, and isoprene and hydrogen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignees: Danisco US Inc., The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
    Inventors: Gopal K. Chotani, Caroline M. Peres, Derek H. Wells, Karl J. Sanford, Joseph C. McAuliffe
  • Patent number: 8895277
    Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions of polypeptides having isoprene synthase activity with improved performance characteristics. In particular, the present invention provides legume isoprene synthases for increased isoprene production in recombinant host cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignees: Danisco US Inc., The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
    Inventors: Mary K. Beatty, Kevin Hayes, Zhenglin Hou, David J. Meyer, Kishore Nannapaneni, Christopher L. Rife, Derek H. Wells, Gina M. Zastrow-Hayes
  • Patent number: 8889383
    Abstract: The invention features compositions and methods for the increased production of mevalonate, isoprene, isoprenoid precursor molecules, and/or isoprenoids in microorganisms via the heterologous expression of the mvaE and mvaS genes from the organisms Listeria grayi DSM 20601, Enterococcus faecium, Enterococcus gallinarum EG2, and Enterococcus casseliflavus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignees: Danisco US Inc., The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
    Inventors: Zachary Q. Beck, Michael C. Miller, Caroline M. Peres, Yuliya A. Primak, Jeff P. Pucci, Derek H. Wells