Patents by Inventor Douglas Higgins

Douglas Higgins 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: 11993778
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for generating and utilizing a bacterial composition that comprises at least one genetically engineered bacterial strain that fixes atmospheric nitrogen in an agricultural system that has been fertilized with more than 20 lbs of Nitrogen per acre.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2024
    Assignee: Pivot Bio, Inc.
    Inventors: Alvin Tamsir, Sarah Bloch, Douglas Higgins
  • Patent number: 11565979
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for generating and utilizing a bacterial composition that comprises at least one genetically engineered bacterial strain that fixes atmospheric nitrogen in an agricultural system that has been fertilized with more than 20 lbs of Nitrogen per acre.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: Pivot Bio, Inc.
    Inventors: Karsten Temme, Alvin Tamsir, Sarah Bloch, Rosemary Clark, Emily Tung, Kevin Hammill, Douglas Higgins, Austin Davis-Richardson
  • Publication number: 20220127627
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides guided microbial remodeling (GMR) methods for the rational improvement of plant-associated microbes to perform plant-beneficial functions. The GMR methods described herein allow for non-intergeneric genetic optimization of key regulatory networks within the microbes, which improve plant-beneficial functions over wild-type microbes but don't have the risks associated with transgenic approaches (e.g., unpredictable gene function, public and regulatory concerns, etc.). The present disclosure also provides remodeled microbes and compositions thereof. The utilization of remodeled microbes and compositions thereof will enable farmers to realize more productive and predictable crop yields without the nutrient degradation, leaching, or toxic runoff associated with traditional synthetically derived fertilizers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2019
    Publication date: April 28, 2022
    Inventors: Sarah BLOCH, Karsten TEMME, Alvin TAMSIR, Douglas HIGGINS, Austin DAVIS-RICHARDSON, Rosemary CLARK, Shayin GOTTLIEB
  • Publication number: 20220090095
    Abstract: The present disclosure is drawn to methods of utilizing nucleic acid barcodes and corresponding amplifying sites in cells in which the barcodes naturally occur. These barcodes and amplifying sites are reconfigured into a single nucleic acid cassette that provides for ease of use in tagging particular species, strains, or variants of cells, each with a different barcode. These barcodes can be used to track the colonization capabilities of the barcoded cells. The present disclosure further provides for assays that utilize natural barcodes to measure relative microbial colonization ability of a plant root system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2020
    Publication date: March 24, 2022
    Inventors: Douglas HIGGINS, Andrew Abel PRIOR
  • Publication number: 20210345618
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for increasing the phosphate solubilization activity of a microbe. Microbes identified through the use of the disclosed methods and systems are also provided. The methods include the steps of and the systems include instructions for identifying a coding sequence associated with phosphate solubilization, altering the coding sequence associated with phosphate solubilization, functionally linking the altered coding sequence associated with phosphate solubilization to a promoter, and introducing the altered coding sequence associated with phosphate solubilization under the control of the promoter into the microbe. Alterations to the coding sequence can include, e.g., codon randomization of native codons, deletion of coding sequence, and insertion of regulatory sequences.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2019
    Publication date: November 11, 2021
    Inventors: Sarah Bloch, Karsten Temme, Alvin Tamsir, Douglas Higgins, Austin Davis-Richardson, Rosemary Clark, Shayin Gottlieb, James Gerard Lorigan
  • Publication number: 20210009483
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for generating and utilizing a bacterial composition that comprises at least one genetically engineered bacterial strain that fixes atmospheric nitrogen in an agricultural system that has been fertilized with more than 20 lbs of Nitrogen per acre.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2020
    Publication date: January 14, 2021
    Inventors: Karsten Temme, Alvin Tamsir, Sarah Bloch, Rosemary Clark, Emily Tung, Kevin Hammill, Douglas Higgins, Austin Davis-Richardson
  • Publication number: 20200308594
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for generating and utilizing a bacterial composition that comprises at least one genetically engineered bacterial strain that fixes atmospheric nitrogen in an agricultural system that has been fertilized with more than 20 lbs of Nitrogen per acre.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2018
    Publication date: October 1, 2020
    Inventors: Alvin Tamsir, Sarah Bloch, Douglas Higgins
  • Patent number: 10370418
    Abstract: The present invention provides for a method of genetically modifying microorganisms to enhance resistance to ionic liquids using a yeast Major Facilitator Superfamily (MFS), or a Salmonella MFS SmvA Pump or SmvR Regulator, a Small Multidrug Resistance Family (SMR), or Saccharomyces cerevisiae YDR090C, polypeptide, host cells genetically modified in accordance with the methods, and methods of using the host cells in a reaction comprising biomass that has been pretreated with ionic liquids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC
    Inventors: Michael P. Thelen, Douglas A. Higgins, Thomas L. Ruegg
  • Publication number: 20190144352
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for generating and utilizing a bacterial composition that comprises at least one genetically engineered bacterial strain that fixes atmospheric nitrogen in an agricultural system that has been fertilized with more than 20 lbs of Nitrogen per acre.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2018
    Publication date: May 16, 2019
    Inventors: Karsten Temme, Alvin Tamsir, Sarah Bloch, Rosemary Clark, Emily Tung, Kevin Hammill, Douglas Higgins, Austin Davis-Richardson
  • Publication number: 20190039964
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for generating and utilizing a bacterial composition that comprises at least one genetically engineered bacterial strain that fixes atmospheric nitrogen in an agricultural system that has been fertilized with more than 20 lbs of Nitrogen per acre.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2018
    Publication date: February 7, 2019
    Inventors: Karsten Temme, Alvin Tamsir, Sarah Bloch, Rosemary Clark, Emily Tung, Kevin Hammill, Douglas Higgins, Austin Davis-Richardson
  • Patent number: 9776034
    Abstract: Muscle resistance apparatus comprising a framework, at least one resistive force and a movable section. The movable section is linked to a resistive force, wherein a first part of the movable section is attached to the framework by a connection whereby it can be temporarily displaced, and a second part of the movable section is connected to the first part of the movable section by a second connection whereby it can be temporarily displaced. The first and second parts of the movable section are independently movable with respect to one another in an angular and/or linear fashion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: MUJO MECHANICS LIMITED
    Inventor: Douglas Higgins
  • Publication number: 20160090405
    Abstract: The present invention provides for a method of genetically modifying microorganisms to enhance resistance to ionic liquids using a yeast Major Facilitator Superfamily (MFS), or a Salmonella MFS SmvA Pump or SmvR Regulator, a Small Multidrug Resistance Family (SMR), or Saccharomyces cerevisiae YDR090C, polypeptide, host cells genetically modified in accordance with the methods, and methods of using the host cells in a reaction comprising biomass that has been pretreated with ionic liquids.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2015
    Publication date: March 31, 2016
    Applicant: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC
    Inventors: Michael P. Thelen, Douglas A. Higgins, Thomas L. Ruegg
  • Publication number: 20140057761
    Abstract: Muscle resistance apparatus comprising a framework, at least one resistive force and a movable section. The movable section is linked to a resistive force, wherein a first part of the movable section is attached to the framework by a connection whereby it can be temporarily displaced, and a second part of the movable section is connected to the first part of the movable section by a second connection whereby it can be temporarily displaced. The first and second parts of the movable section are independently movable with respect to one another in an angular and/or linear fashion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2012
    Publication date: February 27, 2014
    Applicant: Mujo Mechanics Limited
    Inventor: Douglas Higgins
  • Patent number: 8535689
    Abstract: A bacterial autoinducer, CAI-1, was purified and its structure identified. Methods for synthesis of the autoinducer and its analogues were elucidated. Methods of using the autoinducer or its analogues for treating bacterial pathogenicity and bio film formation are described. Methods for prevention and treatment of cholera are described. Synthetic (S)-3-hydroxytridecan-4-one functions as well as natural CAI-1 in repressing production of the virulence factor toxin co-regulated pilus (TCP). Strategies are described to manipulate bacterial quorum sensing in the clinical arena.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: The Trustees of Princeton University
    Inventors: Bonnie Bassler, Martin Semmelhack, Douglas A. Higgins, Megan Eileen Bolitho, Kristina M. Kraml, Wai-Leung Ng
  • Publication number: 20100273890
    Abstract: A bacterial autoinducer, CAI-1, was purified and its structure identified. Methods for synthesis of the autoinducer and its analogues were elucidated. Methods of using the autoinducer or its analogues for treating bacterial pathogenicity and bio film formation are described. Methods for prevention and treatment of cholera are described. Synthetic (S)-3-hydroxytridecan-4-one functions as well as natural CAI-1 in repressing production of the virulence factor toxin co-regulated pilus (TCP). Strategies are described to manipulate bacterial quorum sensing in the clinical arena.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2008
    Publication date: October 28, 2010
    Inventors: Bonnie L. Bassler, Martin Semmelhack, Douglas A. Higgins, Megan A. Pomianek, Kristina M. Kraml, Wai-Leung Ng
  • Publication number: 20070061221
    Abstract: A process for generating revenue whereby customers are enrolled in a subscription program. Under the program, customers are given a free computer and internet access in exchange for agreeing to purchase a minimum amount of products and/or services from vendors associated with the program. Revenue is generated through the collection of money for the products and/or services purchased, at least a portion of which goes to the vendors as full payment for the products and/or services purchased.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2006
    Publication date: March 15, 2007
    Applicant: INMOR CORPORATION
    Inventor: Douglas Higgins
  • Patent number: 5778753
    Abstract: A pneumatic or hydraulic cylinder assembly (10) includes a cylinder (10), a piston (12) axially slidable within the cylinder (10), and structural elements are disposed within the cylinder (10) to issue a piston (12) position signal in response to the piston reaching a predetermined position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 14, 1998
    Assignee: Parker Hannifin Pty Limited
    Inventor: George Douglas Higgins