Patents by Inventor James C. Liao

James C. Liao 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: 20160024533
    Abstract: The disclosure provides a process that converts CO2 to higher alcohols (e.g. isobutanol) using electricity as the energy source. This process stores electricity (e.g. from solar energy, nuclear energy, and the like) in liquid fuels that can be used as high octane number gasoline substitutes. Instead of deriving reducing power from photosynthesis, this process derives reducing power from electrically generated mediators, either H2 or formate. H2 can be derived from electrolysis of water. Formate can be generated by electrochemical reduction of CO2. After delivering the reducing power in the cell, formate becomes CO2 and recycles back. Therefore, the biological CO2 fixation process can occur in the dark.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2015
    Publication date: January 28, 2016
    Applicant: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA
    Inventors: James C. Liao, Kwang Myung Cho
  • Publication number: 20160017339
    Abstract: Provided are microorganisms that catalyze the synthesis of chemicals and biochemicals from a suitable carbon source. Also provided are methods of generating such organisms and methods of synthesizing chemicals and biochemicals using such organisms.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Publication date: January 21, 2016
    Inventors: James C. LIAO, Igor BOGORAD
  • Publication number: 20150376656
    Abstract: Provided herein are metabolically-modified microorganisms useful for producing biofuels. More specifically, provided herein are methods of producing high alcohols including isobutanol, 1-butanol, 1-propanol, 2-methyl-1-butanol, 3-methyl-1-butanol and 2-phenylethanol from a suitable substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2015
    Publication date: December 31, 2015
    Inventors: James C. Liao, Shota Atsumi, Kevin M. Smith, Roa Pu Claire Shen, Anthony F. Cann, Michael R. Connor
  • Patent number: 9200288
    Abstract: Provided herein are metabolically-modified microorganisms useful for producing 1,4-butanediol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: James C. Liao, Yajun Yan
  • Patent number: 9193965
    Abstract: Provided herein are metabolically-modified microorganisms useful for producing biofuels. More specifically, provided herein are methods of producing high alcohols including isobutanol, 1-butanol, 1-propanol, 2-methyl-1-butanol, 3-methyl-1-butanol, and 2-phenylethanol from a suitable substrate and a recombinant acetolactate synthase having both synthase and decarboxylase activity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: James C. Liao, Shota Atsumi
  • Patent number: 9187774
    Abstract: Healthcare costs are a significant worldwide, with many patients being denied medications because of their high prices. One approach to addressing this problem involves the biosynthesis of chiral drug intermediates, an environmentally friendly solution that can be used to generate pharmaceuticals at much lower costs than conventional techniques. In this context, embodiments of the invention comprise methods and materials designed to allow microorganisms to biosynthesize the nonnatural amino acid L-homoalanine. As is known in the art, L-homoalanine is a chiral precursor of a variety of pharmaceutically valuable compounds including the anticonvulsant medications levetiracetam (sold under the trade name Keppra®) and brivaracetam, as well as ethambutol, a bacteriostatic antimycobacterial drug used to treat tuberculosis. Consequently, embodiments of the invention can be used in low cost, environmentally friendly processes to generate these and other valuable compounds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: James C. Liao, Kechun Zhang, Kwang Myung Cho
  • Patent number: 9150889
    Abstract: The disclosure provides a process that converts CO2 to higher alcohols (e.g. isobutanol) using electricity as the energy source. This process stores electricity (e.g. from solar energy, nuclear energy, and the like) in liquid fuels that can be used as high octane number gasoline substitutes. Instead of deriving reducing power from photosynthesis, this process derives reducing power from electrically generated mediators, either H2 or formate. H2 can be derived from electrolysis of water. Formate can be generated by electrochemical reduction of CO2. After delivering the reducing power in the cell, formate becomes CO2 and recycles back. Therefore, the biological CO2 fixation process can occur in the dark.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: James C. Liao, Kwang Myung Cho
  • Patent number: 9145542
    Abstract: The invention provides recombinant microorganisms capable of producing isobutyraldehyde using CO2 as a carbon source. The invention further provides methods of preparing and using such microorganisms to produce isobutyraldehyde.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2015
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: James C. Liao, Shota Atsumi
  • Patent number: 8975049
    Abstract: Provided herein are metabolically-modified microorganisms useful for producing biofuels. More specifically, provided herein are methods of producing high alcohols including isobutanol, 1-butanol, 1-propanol, 2-methyl-1-butanol, 3-methyl-1-butanol and 2-phenylethanol from a suitable substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: James C. Liao, Shota Atsumi, Kevin M. Smith, Roa Pu Claire Shen, Anthony F. Cann, Michael R. Connor
  • Publication number: 20140377857
    Abstract: The disclosure provides a process and bioreactor that converts CO2 to higher alcohols (e.g. isobutanol) using electricity as the energy source. This process stores electricity (e.g. from solar energy, nuclear energy, and the like) in liquid fuels that can be used as high octane number gasoline substitutes. Instead of deriving reducing power from photosynthesis, this process derives reducing power from electrically generated mediators, either H2 or formate. H2 can be derived from electrolysis of water. Formate can be generated by electrochemical reduction of CO2. After delivering the reducing power in the cell, formate becomes CO2 and recycles back. Therefore, the biological CO2 fixation process can occur in the dark.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2013
    Publication date: December 25, 2014
    Inventors: James C. Liao, Han Li
  • Publication number: 20140273164
    Abstract: Provided are microorganisms that catalyze the synthesis of chemicals and biochemicals from a suitable carbon source. Also provided are methods of generating such organisms and methods of synthesizing chemicals and biochemicals using such organisms.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: James C. Liao, Igor Bogorad
  • Publication number: 20140273165
    Abstract: Provided are microorganisms that catalyze the synthesis of chemicals and biochemicals from a methanol, methane and/or formaldehyde. Also provided are methods of generating such organisms and methods of synthesizing chemicals and biochemicals using such organisms.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: James C. Liao, Igor Bogorad
  • Publication number: 20130288325
    Abstract: Provided herein are metabolically modified microorganisms characterized by having an increased keto-acid flux when compared with the wild-type organism and comprising at least one polynucleotide encoding an enzyme that when expressed results in the production of a greater quantity of a chemical product when compared with the wild-type organism. The recombinant microorganisms are useful for producing a large number of chemical compositions from various nitrogen containing biomass compositions and other carbon sources.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2011
    Publication date: October 31, 2013
    Applicant: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA
    Inventors: James C. Liao, Kwang Myung Cho, Yajun Yan, Yixin Huo
  • Publication number: 20130203141
    Abstract: Provided herein are metabolically-modified microorganisms useful for producing 1,4-butanediol.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2011
    Publication date: August 8, 2013
    Applicant: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA
    Inventors: James C. Liao, Yajun Yan
  • Publication number: 20130130341
    Abstract: The disclosure provides a process that converts CO2 to higher alcohols (e.g. isobutanol) using electricity as the energy source. This process stores electricity (e.g. from solar energy, nuclear energy, and the like) in liquid fuels that can be used as high octane number gasoline substitutes. Instead of deriving reducing power from photosynthesis, this process derives reducing power from electrically generated mediators, either H2 or formate. H2 can be derived from electrolysis of water. Formate can be generated by electrochemical reduction of CO2. After delivering the reducing power in the cell, formate becomes CO2 and recycles back. Therefore, the biological CO2 fixation process can occur in the dark.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2011
    Publication date: May 23, 2013
    Applicant: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA
    Inventors: James C. Liao, Kwang Myung Cho
  • Publication number: 20130029386
    Abstract: Healthcare costs are a significant worldwide, with many patients being denied medications because of their high prices. One approach to addressing this problem involves the biosynthesis of chiral drug intermediates, an environmentally friendly solution that can be used to generate pharmaceuticals at much lower costs than conventional techniques. In this context, embodiments of the invention comprise methods and materials designed to allow microorganisms to biosynthesize the nonnatural amino acid L-homoalanine. As is known in the art, L-homoalanine is a chiral precursor of a variety of pharmaceutically valuable compounds including the anticonvulsant medications levetiracetam (sold under the trade name Keppra®) and brivaracetam, as well as ethambutol, a bacteriostatic antimycobacterial drug used to treat tuberculosis. Consequently, embodiments of the invention can be used in low cost, environmentally friendly processes to generate these and other valuable compounds.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2011
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Applicant: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA
    Inventors: James C. Liao, Kechun Zhang, Kwang Myung Cho
  • Patent number: 8298798
    Abstract: Provided herein are metabolically-modified microorganisms useful for producing biofuels. More specifically, provided herein are methods of producing higher alcohols including C5-C8 alcohol from a suitable substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: James C. Liao, Kechun Zhang
  • Patent number: 8143036
    Abstract: Genetically modified microorganisms that produce itaconic acid at high yields and uses thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: James C. Liao, Pei-Ching Chang
  • Publication number: 20110262982
    Abstract: Provided herein are metabolically-modified microorganisms useful for producing biofuels. More specifically, provided herein are methods of producing high alcohols including isobutanol, 1-butanol, 1-propanol, 2-methyl-1-butanol, 3-methyl-1-butanol, and 2-phenylethanol from a suitable substrate and a recombinant acetolactate synthase having both synthase and decarboxylase activity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2011
    Publication date: October 27, 2011
    Applicant: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA
    Inventors: James C. Liao, Shota Atsumi
  • Publication number: 20110250660
    Abstract: The invention provides recombinant microorganisms capable of producing isobutyraldehyde using CO2 as a carbon source. The invention further provides methods of preparing and using such microorganisms to produce isobutyraldehyde.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2011
    Publication date: October 13, 2011
    Applicant: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA
    Inventors: James C. Liao, Shota Atsumi