Patents by Inventor Joshua H. Wong

Joshua H. Wong 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: 7179964
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a transgenic plant wherein at least a part of said plant includes a recombinant nucleic acid with a promoter active in the part operably linked to a nucleic acid encoding a thioredoxin polypeptide wherein the promoter is a seed or grain maturation-specific promoter and the thioredoxin polypeptide includes the amino acid sequence WCGPC. The present invention is further directed to transgenic plants that overexpress thioredoxin in seed wherein the overexpression of thioredoxin h effects a significant increase in the reduction of proteins (—SH as compared to S—S) of the albumin fraction of the seed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2007
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Myeong-Je Cho, Joshua H. Wong, Peggy G. Lemaux, Bob B. Buchanan
  • Patent number: 7074900
    Abstract: Thioredoxin, a small dithiol protein, is a specific reductant for allergenic proteins and particularly allergenic proteins present in pollen and animal and plant sources. All targeted proteins contain disulfide (S—S) bonds that are reduced to the sulfhydryl (SH) level by thioredoxin. The proteins are allergenically active and less digestible in the oxidized (S—S) state. When reduced (SH state), they lose their allergenicity and/or become more digestible. Thioredoxin achieved this reduction when activated (reduced) either by NADPH via NADP-thioredoxin reductase (physiological conditions) or by lipoic acid chemical reductant. Skin tests carried out with sensitized dogs showed that treatment of the pollens with reduced thioredoxin prior to injection eliminated or decreased the allergenicity of the pollen. Studies showed increased digestion of the pollen proteins by pepsin following reduction by thioredoxin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2006
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Bob B. Buchanan, Gregorio del Val, Rosa M. Lozano, Joshua H. Wong, Boihan C. Yee, Oscar L. Frick
  • Patent number: 6838113
    Abstract: Thioredoxin, a small dithiol protein, is a specific reductant for major food proteins, allergenic proteins and particularly allergenic proteins present in widely used foods from animal and plant sources. All targeted proteins contain disulfide (S—S) bonds that are reduced to the sulfhydryl (SH) level by thioredoxin. The proteins are allergenically active and less digestible in the oxidized (S—S) state. When reduced (SH state), they lose their allergenicity and/or become more digestible. Thioredoxin achieved this reduction when activated (reduced) either by NADPH via NADP-thioredoxin reductase (physiological conditions) or by dithiothreitol, a chemical reductant. Skin tests and feeding experiments carried out with sensitized dogs showed that treatment of the food with reduced thioredoxin prior to ingestion eliminated or decreased the allergenicity of the food. Studies showed increased digestion of food and food proteins by pepsin and trypsin following reduction by thioredoxin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2005
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Bob B. Buchanan, Gregorio del Val, Rosa M. Lozano, Jin-an Jiao, Joshua H. Wong, Boihon C. Yee
  • Publication number: 20040071738
    Abstract: Thioredoxin, a small dithiol protein, is a specific reductant for allergenic proteins and particularly allergenic proteins present in pollen and animal and plant sources. All targeted proteins contain disulfide (S—S) bonds that are reduced to the sulfhydryl (SH) level by thioredoxin. The proteins are allergenically active and less digestible in the oxidized (S—S) state. When reduced (SH state), they lose their allergenicity and/or become more digestible. Thioredoxin achieved this reduction when activated (reduced) either by NADPH via NADP-thioredoxin reductase (physiological conditions) or by lipoic acid chemical reductant. Skin tests carried out with sensitized dogs showed that treatment of the pollens with reduced thioredoxin prior to injection eliminated or decreased the allergenicity of the pollen. Studies showed increased digestion of the pollen proteins by pepsin following reduction by thioredoxin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2003
    Publication date: April 15, 2004
    Inventors: Bob B. Buchanan, Gregorio del Val, Rosa M. Lozano, Joshua H. Wong, Boihon C. Yee, Oscar L. Frick
  • Publication number: 20030215542
    Abstract: Methods of reducing cystine containing animal and plant proteins, and improving dough and baked goods' characteristics is provided which includes the steps of mixing dough ingredients with a thiol redox protein to form a dough and baking the dough to form a baked good. The method of the present invention preferably uses reduced thioredoxin with wheat flour which imparts a stronger dough and higher loaf volumes. Methods for reducing snake, bee and scorpion toxin proteins with a thiol redox (SH) agent and thereby inactivating the protein or detoxifying the protein in an individual are also provided. Protease inhibitors, including the Kunitz and Bowman-Birk trypsin inhibitors of soybean, were also reduced by the NADP/thioredoxin system (NADPH, thioredoxin, and NADP-thioredoxin reductase) from either E. coli or wheat germ. When reduced by thioredoxin, the Kunitz and Bowman-Birk soybean trypsin inhibitors lose their ability to inhibit trypsin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2003
    Publication date: November 20, 2003
    Inventors: Bob B. Buchanan, Boihon C. Yee, Joshua H. Wong, Rosa M. Lozano, Karoly Kobrehel, Jin-An Jiao, Sungho Shin
  • Patent number: 6600021
    Abstract: Methods of reducing cystine containing animal and plant proteins, and improving dough and baked goods' characteristics is provided which includes the steps of mixing dough ingredients with a thiol redox protein to form a dough and baking the dough to form a baked good. The method of the present invention preferably uses reduced thioredoxin with wheat flour which imparts a stronger dough and higher loaf volumes. Methods for reducing snake, bee and scorpion toxin proteins with a thiol redox (SH) agent and thereby inactivating the protein or detoxifying the protein in an individual are also provided. Protease inhibitors, including the, Kunitz and Bowman-Birk trypsin inhibitors of soybean, were also reduced by the NADP/thioredoxin system (NADPH, thioredoxin, and NADP-thioredoxin reductase) from either E. coli or wheat germ. When reduced by thioredoxin, the Kunitz and Bowman-Birk soybean trypsin inhibitors lose their ability to inhibit trypsin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2003
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Bob B. Buchanan, Karoly Kobrehel, Boihon C. Yee, Joshua H. Wong, Rosa Lozano, Jin-an Jiao, Sungho Shin
  • Patent number: 6555116
    Abstract: Thioredoxin, a small dithiol protein, is a specific reductant for allergenic proteins and particularly allergenic proteins present in pollen and animal and plant sources. All targeted proteins contain disulfide (S—S) bonds that are reduced to the sulfhydryl (SH) level by thioredoxin. The proteins are allergenically active and less digestible in the oxidized (S—S) state. When reduced (SH state), they lose their allergenicity and/or become more digestible. Thioredoxin achieved this reduction when activated (reduced) either by NADPH via NADP-thioredoxin reductase (physiological conditions) or by lipoic acid chemical reductant. Skin tests carried out with sensitized dogs showed that treatment of the pollens with reduced thioredoxin prior to injection eliminated or decreased the allergenicity of the pollen. Studies showed increased digestion of the pollen proteins by pepsin following reduction by thioredoxin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Bob B. Buchanan, Gregorio del Val, Rosa M. Lozano, Joshua H. Wong, Boihon C. Yee, Oscar L. Frick
  • Patent number: 6114504
    Abstract: Methods of reducing cystine containing animal and plant proteins, and improving dough and baked goods' characteristics is provided which includes the steps of mixing dough ingredients with a thiol redox protein to form a dough and baking the dough to form a baked good. The method of the present invention preferably uses reduced thioredoxin with wheat flour which imparts a stronger dough and higher loaf volumes. Methods for reducing snake, bee and scorpion toxin proteins with a thiol redox (SH) agent and thereby inactivating the protein or detoxifying the protein in an individual are also provided. Protease inhibitors, including the Kunitz and Bowman-Birk trypsin inhibitors of soybean, were also reduced by the NADP/thioredoxin system (NADPH, thioredoxin, and NADP-thioredoxin reductase) from either E. coli or wheat germ. When reduced by thioredoxin, the Kunitz and Bowman-Birk soybean trypsin inhibitors lose their ability to inhibit trypsin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Bob B. Buchanan, Karoly Kobrehel, Boihon C. Yee, Joshua H. Wong, Rosa Lozano, Jin-an Jiao, Sungho Shin
  • Patent number: 6113951
    Abstract: Methods of reducing cystine containing animal and plant proteins, and improving dough and baked goods' characteristics is provided which includes the steps of mixing dough ingredients with a thiol redox protein to form a dough and baking the dough to form a baked good. The method of the present invention preferably uses reduced thioredoxin with wheat flour which imparts a stronger dough and higher loaf volumes. Methods for reducing snake, bee and scorpion toxin proteins with a thiol redox (SH) agent and thereby inactivating the protein or detoxifying the protein in an individual are also provided. Protease inhibitors, including the Kunitz and Bowman-Birk trypsin inhibitors of soybean, were also reduced by the NADP/thioredoxin system (NADPH, thioredoxin, and NADP-thioredoxin reductase). When reduced by thioredoxin, the Kunitz and Bowman-Birk soybean trypsin inhibitors lose their ability to inhibit trypsin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Bob B. Buchanan, Karoly Kobrehel, Boihon C. Yee, Joshua H. Wong, Rosa Lozano, Jin-an Jiao, Sungho Shin
  • Patent number: 5952034
    Abstract: Thioredoxin, a small dithiol protein, is a specific reductant for major food proteins, allergenic proteins and particularly allergenic proteins present in widely used foods from animal and plant sources. All targeted proteins contain disulfide (S--S) bonds that are reduced to the sulfhydryl (SH) level by thioredoxin. The proteins are allergenically active and less digestible in the oxidized (S--S) state. When reduced (SH state), they lose their allergenicity and/or become more digestible. Thioredoxin achieved this reduction when activated (reduced) either by NADPH via NADP-thioredoxin reductase (physiological conditions) or by dithiothreitol, a chemical reductant. Skin tests and feeding experiments carried out with sensitized dogs showed that treatment of the food with reduced thioredoxin prior to ingestion eliminated or decreased the allergenicity of the food. Studies showed increased digestion of food and food proteins by pepsin and trypsin following reduction by thioredoxin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1999
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Bob B. Buchanan, Gregorio del Val, Rosa M. Lozano, Jin-an Jiao, Joshua H. Wong, Boihon C. Yee