Patents by Inventor François Voelker
François Voelker 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).
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Patent number: 9617567Abstract: The present invention is relative to a method for producing 1,2-propanediol by fermentation, comprising: cultivating a microorganism producing 1,2-propanediol in an appropriate medium comprising a source of sucrose, and recovering the 1,2-propanediol being produced, wherein the microorganism is able to utilize sucrose as sole carbon source for the production of 1,2-propanediol. In a preferred aspect of the invention, the source of sucrose is obtained from plant biomass, and is in particular sugar cane juice.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 2015Date of Patent: April 11, 2017Assignee: METABOLIC EXPLORERInventors: Francois Voelker, Rainer Figge, Philippe Soucaille
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Publication number: 20150159181Abstract: The present invention is relative to a method for producing 1,2-propanediol by fermentation, comprising: cultivating a microorganism producing 1,2-propanediol in an appropriate medium comprising a source of sucrose, and recovering the 1,2-propanediol being produced, wherein the microorganism is able to utilize sucrose as sole carbon source for the production of 1,2-propanediol. In a preferred aspect of the invention, the source of sucrose is obtained from plant biomass, and is in particular sugar cane juice.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 12, 2015Publication date: June 11, 2015Inventors: Francois VOELKER, Rainer FIGGE, Philippe SOUCAILLE
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Patent number: 9051588Abstract: The present invention concerns a modified microorganism with an increased methylglyoxal reductase activity, and its use for the preparation of 1,2-propanediol and/or acetol. In particular this increased methylglyoxal reductase activity is obtained by increasing the expression of specific genes from microorganisms. This invention is also related to a method for producing 1,2-propanediol and/or acetol by fermentation of a microorganism having an increased methylglyoxal reductase activity.Type: GrantFiled: March 21, 2008Date of Patent: June 9, 2015Assignee: METABOLIC EXPLORERInventors: Philippe Soucaille, Isabelle Meynial Salles, François Voelker, Rainer Figge
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Patent number: 8980604Abstract: The present invention concerns a method for the production of 1,2-propanediol, comprising culturing a microorganism modified for an improved production of 1,2-propanediol in an appropriate culture medium and recovery of the 1,2-propanediol which may be further purified wherein the microorganism expresses a glycerol dehydrogenase (GlyDH) enzyme the inhibition of which activity by NAD+ and/or its substrate and/or its product is reduced. The present invention also relates to a mutant glycerol dehydrogenase (GlyDH) comprising at least one amino acid residue in the protein sequence of the parent enzyme replaced by a different amino acid residue at the same position wherein the mutant enzyme has retained more than 50% of the glycerol dehydrogenase activity of the parent enzyme and the glycerol dehydrogenase activity of the mutant GlyDH is less inhibited by NAD+ and/or by its substrate as compared to the parent enzyme and/or by its product as compared to the parent enzyme.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2010Date of Patent: March 17, 2015Assignee: Metabolic ExplorerInventors: Francois Voelker, Laurence Dumon-Seignovert, Isabelle Meynial-Salles, Philippe Soucaille
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Patent number: 8969053Abstract: The present invention concerns a method for the production of a biochemical selected among acetol and 1,2-propanediol, 1,3-propanediol, ethylene glycol and 1,4-butanediol comprising culturing a microorganism modified for an improved production of the biochemical selected among acetol and 1,2-propanediol, 1,3-propanediol, ethylene glycol and 1,4-butanediol in an appropriate culture medium and recovery of the desired biochemical which may be further purified wherein the microorganism expresses a YqhD enzyme which catalytic efficiency toward NADPH is increased. The present invention also relates to a mutant YqhD enzyme comprising at least one amino acid residue in the protein sequence of the parent enzyme replaced by a different amino acid residue at the same position wherein the mutant enzyme has retained more than 50% of the YqhD activity of the parent enzyme and the catalytic efficiency toward NADPH of the mutant YqhD is increased as compared with the catalytic efficiency toward NADPH of the parent enzyme.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2010Date of Patent: March 3, 2015Assignee: Metabolic ExplorerInventors: François Voelker, Laurence Dumon-Seignovert, Philippe Soucaille
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Patent number: 8497102Abstract: The present invention concerns a method for the production of a biochemical selected among lactic acid, acetol and 1,2-propanediol, comprising culturing a microorganism modified for an improved production of the biochemical selected among lactic acid, acetol and 1,2-propanediol in an appropriate culture medium and recovery of the desired biochemical which may be further purified wherein the microorganism expresses a methylglyoxal synthase (MGS) enzyme which activity is not inhibited by orthophosphate. The present invention concerns a mutant methylglyoxal synthase (MGS) comprising at least one amino acid residue in the protein sequence of the parent enzyme replaced by a different amino acid residue at the same position wherein the mutant enzyme has retained more than 50% of the methylglyoxal synthase activity of the parent enzyme and the methylglyoxal synthase activity of the mutant MGS is not inhibited by orthophosphate as compared to the parent enzyme.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2010Date of Patent: July 30, 2013Assignee: Metabolic ExplorerInventors: François Voelker, Laurence Dumon-Seignovert, Philippe Soucaille
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Patent number: 8298807Abstract: The present invention concerns a new method combining evolution and rational design for the preparation of a strain of micro-organism for the production of 1,2-propanediol from a carbon source. The said method comprises growing an initial strain under selection pressure in an appropriate growth medium, said initial bacterial strain comprising an attenuation of the expression of the tpiA gene and an attenuation the expression of at least one gene involved in the conversion of methylglyoxal to lactate, in order to promote evolution in said initial strain; then selecting and isolating the evolved strain having an increased 1,2 propanediol production rate; then reconstructing a functional tpiA gene in the evolved strain. The present invention also concerns the evolved strain such as obtained, that may be furthermore genetically modified in order to optimize the conversion of a carbon source into 1,2-propanediol without bv-products and with the best possible yield.Type: GrantFiled: March 21, 2008Date of Patent: October 30, 2012Assignee: Metabolic ExplorerInventors: Philippe Soucaille, Francois Voelker, Rainer Figge
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Publication number: 20120135487Abstract: The present invention concerns a method for the production of 1,2-propanediol, comprising culturing a microorganism modified for an improved production of 1,2-propanediol in an appropriate culture medium and recovery of the 1,2-propanediol which may be further purified wherein the microorganism expresses a glycerol dehydrogenase (GlyDH) enzyme the inhibition of which activity by NAD+ and/or its substrate and/or its product is reduced. The present invention also relates to a mutant glycerol dehydrogenase (GlyDH) comprising at least one amino acid residue in the protein sequence of the parent enzyme replaced by a different amino acid residue at the same position wherein the mutant enzyme has retained more than 50% of the glycerol dehydrogenase activity of the parent enzyme and the glycerol dehydrogenase activity of the mutant GlyDH is less inhibited by NAD+ and/or by its substrate as compared to the parent enzyme and/or by its product as compared to the parent enzyme.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 30, 2010Publication date: May 31, 2012Applicant: METABOLIC EXPLORERInventors: Francois Voelker, Laurence Dumon-Seignovert, Isabelle Meynial-Salles, Philippe Soucaille
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Publication number: 20120122169Abstract: The present invention concerns a method for the production of a biochemical selected among acetol and 1,2-propanediol, 1,3-propanediol, ethylene glycol and 1,4-butanediol comprising culturing a microorganism modified for an improved production of the biochemical selected among acetol and 1,2-propanediol, 1,3-propanediol, ethylene glycol and 1,4-butanediol in an appropriate culture medium and recovery of the desired biochemical which may be further purified wherein the microorganism expresses a YqhD enzyme which catalytic efficiency toward NADPH is increased. The present invention also relates to a mutant YqhD enzyme comprising at least one amino acid residue in the protein sequence of the parent enzyme replaced by a different amino acid residue at the same position wherein the mutant enzyme has retained more than 50% of the YqhD activity of the parent enzyme and the catalytic efficiency toward NADPH of the mutant YqhD is increased as compared with the catalytic efficiency toward NADPH of the parent enzyme.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 30, 2010Publication date: May 17, 2012Applicant: METABOLIC EXPLORERInventors: Francois Voelker, Laurence Dumon-Seignovert, Philippe Soucaille
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Publication number: 20120122166Abstract: The present invention concerns a method for the production of a biochemical selected among lactic acid, acetol and 1,2-propanediol, comprising culturing a microorganism modified for an improved production of the biochemical selected among lactic acid, acetol and 1,2-propanediol in an appropriate culture medium and recovery of the desired biochemical which may be further purified wherein the microorganism expresses a methylglyoxal synthase (MGS) enzyme which activity is not inhibited by orthophosphate. The present invention concerns a mutant methylglyoxal synthase (MGS) comprising at least one amino acid residue in the protein sequence of the parent enzyme replaced by a different amino acid residue at the same position wherein the mutant enzyme has retained more than 50% of the methylglyoxal synthase activity of the parent enzyme and the methylglyoxal synthase activity of the mutant MGS is not inhibited by orthophosphate as compared to the parent enzyme.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 30, 2010Publication date: May 17, 2012Applicant: METABOLIC EXPLORERInventors: Francois Voelker, Laurence Dumon-Seignovert, Philippe Soucaille
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Publication number: 20110262980Abstract: The present invention concerns a new method combining evolution and rational design for the preparation of a strain of micro-organism for the production of acetol from a simple carbon source. The said method comprises: growing an initial strain under selection pressure in an appropriate growth medium, said initial bacterial strain comprising an attenuation of the expression of the tpiA gene and an attenuation the expression of at least one gene involved in the conversion of methylglyoxal to lactate, in order to promote evolution in said initial strain, then selecting and isolating the evolved strain having an increased acetol or 1,2-propanediol production rate, then reconstructing a functional tpiA gene in the evolved strain. The present invention also concerns the evolved strain such as obtained, that may be furthermore genetically modified in order to optimize the conversion of a simple carbon source into acetol without by-products and with the best possible yield.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 21, 2008Publication date: October 27, 2011Inventors: Philippe Soucaille, Francois Voelker, Rainer Figge
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Publication number: 20110217744Abstract: The present invention is relative to a method for producing 1,2-propanediol by fermentation, comprising: cultivating a microorganism producing 1,2-propanediol in an appropriate medium comprising a source of sucrose, and recovering the 1,2-propanediol being produced, wherein the microorganism is able to utilize sucrose as sole carbon source for the production of 1,2-propanediol. In a preferred aspect of the invention, the source of sucrose is obtained from plant biomass, and is in particular sugar cane juice.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 7, 2008Publication date: September 8, 2011Applicant: METABOLIC EXPLORERInventors: Francois Voelker, Rainer Figge, Philippe Soucaille
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Publication number: 20110201070Abstract: The present invention concerns a modified microorganism with an increased methylglyoxal reductase activity, and its use for the preparation of 1,2-propanediol and/or acetol. In particular this increased methylglyoxal reductase activity is obtained by increasing the expression of specific genes from microorganisms. This invention is also related to a method for producing 1,2-propanediol and/or acetol by fermentation of a microorganism having an increased methylglyoxal reductase activity.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 21, 2008Publication date: August 18, 2011Applicant: METABOLIC EXPLORERInventors: Philippe Soucaille, Salles Isabelle Meynial, Francois Voelker, Rainer Figge
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Publication number: 20110014666Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel polypeptide having the enzymatic activity of conversion of methylglyoxal to lactic acid in a single step (known as glyoxalase III activity), a polynucleotide having a nucleotide sequence encoding such polypeptide and uses thereof. The invention relates to the modulation of the glyoxalase III activity in a microorganism by varying the expression level of the polynucleotide coding for such polypeptide. The invention also relates to the production of commodity chemicals, especially 1,2-propanediol, acetol, and lactic acid by fermenting microorganisms wherein their glyoxalase III activity is modulated.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 16, 2009Publication date: January 20, 2011Applicant: Metabolic ExplorerInventors: Francois Voelker, Philippe Soucaille
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Publication number: 20100285547Abstract: The present invention concerns a new method combining evolution and rational design for the preparation of a strain of micro-organism for the production of 1,2-propanediol from a carbon source. The said method comprises: growing an initial strain under selection pressure in an appropriate growth medium, said initial bacterial strain comprising an attenuation of the expression of the tpiA gene and an attenuation the expression of at least one gene involved in the conversion of methylglyoxal to lactate, in order to promote evolution in said initial strain, then selecting and isolating the evolved strain having an increased 1,2 propanediol production rate, then reconstructing a functional tpiA gene in the evolved strain; The present invention also concerns the evolved strain such as obtained, that may be furthermore genetically modified in order to optimize the conversion of a carbon source into 1,2-propanediol without by-products and with the best possible yield.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 21, 2008Publication date: November 11, 2010Applicant: METALBOLIC EXPLORERInventors: Philippe Soucaille, Francois Voelker, Rainer Figge
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Publication number: 20100279369Abstract: This invention concerns a microorganism useful for the production of acetol from a simple carbon source, wherein said microorganism is characterized by: an improved activity of the biosynthesis pathway from dihydroxyacetone phosphate to acetol, and an attenuated activity of the glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase This invention also concerns a method for producing acetol by fermentating a microorganism according to the invention.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 21, 2008Publication date: November 4, 2010Applicant: Metabolic ExplorerInventors: Philippe Soucaille, Francois Voelker, Rainer Figge
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Publication number: 20100261239Abstract: Microorganism useful for the production of 1,2-propanediol from a carbon source, wherein said microorganism is characterized by: an improved activity of the biosynthesis pathway from dihydroxyacetone phosphate to 1,2-propanediol, and an attenuated activity of the glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase The invention is also related to a method for producing 1,2-propanediol by fermentation with a microorganism according to the invention.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 21, 2008Publication date: October 14, 2010Applicant: Metalbolic ExplorerInventors: Philippe Soucaille, Francois Voelker, Rainer Figge