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).

  • Publication number: 20140315275
    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: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2014
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Applicants: THE GOODYEAR TIRE & RUBBER COMPANY, DANISCO US INC.
    Inventors: Christopher L. RIFE, Derek H. WELLS
  • Publication number: 20140234926
    Abstract: This invention provides for recombinant anaerobic acetogenic bacterial cells having one or more nucleic acids whereby isoprene, mevalonate and/or other industrial bio-products are produced in a substantially oxygen-free culture condition using synthesis gas as energy and/or carbon source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2013
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Applicants: E I Du Pont De Nemours And Company, The Goodyear Tire And Rubber Company, Danisco US Inc
    Inventors: ZACHARY Q. BECK, Marguerite A. Cervin, Gopal K. Chotani, Bruce A. Diner, Janine Fan, Caroline M. Peres, Karl J. Sanford, Miles C. Scotcher, Derek H. Wells, Gregory M. Whited
  • Patent number: 8735134
    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: October 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignees: Danisco US Inc., The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
    Inventors: Christopher L. Rife, Derek H. Wells
  • Publication number: 20140127770
    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: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2014
    Publication date: May 8, 2014
    Applicants: The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company, Danisco US Inc.
    Inventors: Gopal K. CHOTANI, Joseph C. MCAULIFFE, Caroline M. PERES, Karl J. SANFORD, Derek H. WELLS
  • Publication number: 20130330709
    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: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Publication date: December 12, 2013
    Applicants: The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company, Danisco US Inc.
    Inventors: Mary K. BEATTY, Kevin HAYES, Zhenglin HOU, David J. MEYER, Kishore NANNAPANENI, Christopher L. RIFE, Derek H. WELLS, Gina M. ZASTROW-HAYES
  • Publication number: 20130330796
    Abstract: The invention provides for compositions and methods for producing isoprene using isoprene synthase variants with improved properties.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Publication date: December 12, 2013
    Applicants: 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
  • Publication number: 20130295632
    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: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2012
    Publication date: November 7, 2013
    Applicants: The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company, Danisco US Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher L. RIFE, Derek H. WELLS
  • Publication number: 20130260432
    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: March 30, 2012
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Applicant: Danisco US Inc.
    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
  • Publication number: 20130252303
    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: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2013
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Applicants: THE GOODYEAR TIRE & RUBBER COMPANY, DANISCO US INC.
    Inventors: Zachary Q. BECK, Richard R. BOTT, Jeffrey V. MILLER, Christopher L. RIFE, Derek H. WELLS
  • Patent number: 8518686
    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: April 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignees: Danisco US Inc., The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
    Inventors: Zachary Quinn Beck, Richard R. Bott, Christopher Lee Rife, Derek H. Wells, Jeffrey V. Miller
  • Publication number: 20130045891
    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: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2011
    Publication date: February 21, 2013
    Inventors: ZACHARY Q. BECK, DAVID A. ESTELL, JEFFREY V. MILLER, CHRISTOPHER L. RIFE, DEREK H. WELLS
  • Publication number: 20120276603
    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: April 27, 2012
    Publication date: November 1, 2012
    Applicant: Danisco US Inc.
    Inventors: Zachary Q. Beck, Michael C. Miller, Caroline M. Peres, Yuliya A. Primak, Jeff P. Pucci, Derek H. Wells
  • Publication number: 20120276587
    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: April 27, 2012
    Publication date: November 1, 2012
    Applicant: Danisco US Inc.
    Inventors: Zachary Q. Beck, Michael C. Miller, Caroline M. Peres, Yuliya A. Primak, Jeff P. Pucci, Derek H. Wells
  • Patent number: 8173410
    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: April 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Danisco US Inc.
    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
  • Publication number: 20110076743
    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: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2010
    Publication date: March 31, 2011
    Inventors: Zachary Quinn Beck, Richard R. Bott, Christopher Lee Rife, Derek H. Wells, Jeffrey V. Miller
  • Publication number: 20100196977
    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: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2009
    Publication date: August 5, 2010
    Inventors: Gopal K. Chotani, Caroline M. Peres, Derek H. Wells, Karl J. Sanford, Joseph C. McAuliffe
  • Publication number: 20100184178
    Abstract: The invention features methods for producing isoprene from cultured cells having increased expression levels and/or activity levels of a mevalonate kinase polypeptide and an isoprene synthase polypeptide. The invention also provides methods for producing isoprene from cultured cells having reduced accumulation of intermediates (such as mevalonate, isopentenyl diphosphate, 3,3-dimethylallyl diphosphate, geranyl diphosphate, or farnesyl diphosphate) in the biosynthesis of isoprene or isoprenoids that may otherwise cause undesirable amounts of growth inhibition, toxicity, or cell death. The resulting isoprene compositions may have increased yields and/or purity of isoprene.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2009
    Publication date: July 22, 2010
    Inventors: Zachary Quinn Beck, Anthony Rudolf Calabria, Michael Charles Miller, Dmitrii V. Vaviline, Derek H. Wells
  • Publication number: 20100003716
    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: April 23, 2009
    Publication date: January 7, 2010
    Inventors: Marguerite A. Cervin, Gregory M. Whited, Andrei Miasnikov, Caroline M. Peres, Walter Weyler, Derek H. Wells, Richard R. Bott
  • Patent number: 7390646
    Abstract: The present invention provides a live, attenuated, invasive bacterium that infects a mammalian host cell, and releases exogenous RNA into the cytoplasm of the host cell. The present invention further provides compositions, including immunogenic compositions, comprising a subject bacterium. The present invention provides methods of delivering an RNA to a eukaryotic host cell in vitro, ex vivo, or in vivo. The present invention provides methods of delivering a protein to a host cell in vitro, ex vivo, or in vivo. The present invention provides methods of controlling expression of a target gene in a eukaryotic host cell. The present invention provides methods of inducing an immune response in a mammalian host to a polypeptide antigen, the method involving administering to the host a subject bacterium, wherein the antigen is encoded by the exogenous RNA produced by the bacterium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Raul Andino-Pavlovsky, Marco Vignuzzi, Derek H. Wells