Patents by Inventor Peter Meinhold

Peter Meinhold 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: 9145549
    Abstract: Cytochrome P450 BM-3 from Bacillus megaterium was engineered using a combination of directed evolution and site-directed mutagenesis to hydroxylate linear alkanes regio- and enantioselectively using atmospheric dioxygen as an oxidant. Mutant 9-10A-A328V hydroxylates octane primarily at the 2-position to form S-2-octanol (40% ee). Another mutant, 1-12G, hydroxylates alkanes larger than hexane primarily at the 2-position, but forms R-2-alcohols (40-55% ee). These biocatalysts are highly active for alkane substrates and support thousands of product turnovers. These regio- and enantio-selectivities are retained in whole-cell biotransformations with E. coli, where the engineered P450s can be expressed at high levels and the expensive cofactor is supplied endogenously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2015
    Assignee: The California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Frances H. Arnold, Matthew W. Peters, Peter Meinhold
  • Publication number: 20150259710
    Abstract: The present invention relates to recombinant microorganisms comprising an isobutanol producing metabolic pathway and methods of using said recombinant microorganisms to produce isobutanol. In various aspects of the invention, the recombinant microorganisms may comprise at least one nucleic acid molecule encoding a polypeptide with keto-isovalerate decarboxylase (KIVD) activity, wherein said polypeptide is at least about 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99% identical to a polypeptide selected from SEQ ID NOs: 1-214. Also provided are modified decarboxylases exhibiting an improved ability to utilize ?-ketoisovalerate as a substrate in various beneficial enzymatic conversions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2012
    Publication date: September 17, 2015
    Applicant: Gevo, Inc.
    Inventors: Catherine Asleson Dundon, Kevin Roberg-Perez, Christopher Snow, Peter Meinhold
  • Publication number: 20150218596
    Abstract: The present invention provides recombinant microorganisms comprising an isobutanol producing metabolic pathway and methods of using said recombinant microorganisms to produce isobutanol. In various aspects of the invention, the recombinant microorganisms may comprise a modification resulting in the reduction of pyruvate decarboxylase and/or glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase activity. In various embodiments described herein, the recombinant microorganisms may be microorganisms of the Saccharomyces clade, Crabtree-negative yeast microorganisms, Crabtree-positive yeast microorganisms, post-WGD (whole genome duplication) yeast microorganisms, pre-WGD (whole genome duplication) yeast microorganisms, and non-fermenting yeast microorganisms.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2014
    Publication date: August 6, 2015
    Inventors: Reid M. Renny Feldman, Uvini Gunawardena, Jun Urano, Peter Meinhold, Aristos Aristidou, Catherine Asleson Dundon, Christopher Smith
  • Patent number: 9074178
    Abstract: This invention relates to modified hydroxylases. The invention further relates to cells expressing such modified hydroxylases and methods of producing hydroxylated alkanes by contacting a suitable substrate with such cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: The California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Frances Arnold, Peter Meinhold, Matthew W. Peters, Rudi Fasan, Mike M. Y. Chen
  • Patent number: 9012189
    Abstract: The present invention relates to recombinant microorganisms comprising biosynthetic pathways and methods of using said recombinant microorganisms to produce various beneficial metabolites. In various aspects of the invention, the recombinant microorganisms may further comprise one or more modifications resulting in the reduction or elimination of 3 keto-acid (e.g., acetolactate and 2-aceto-2-hydroxybutyrate) and/or aldehyde-derived by-products. In various embodiments described herein, the recombinant microorganisms may be microorganisms of the Saccharomyces clade, Crabtree-negative yeast microorganisms, Crabtree-positive yeast microorganisms, post-WGD (whole genome duplication) yeast microorganisms, pre-WGD (whole genome duplication) yeast microorganisms, and non-fermenting yeast microorganisms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignees: Gevo, Inc., The California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Sabine Bastian, Frances Arnold, Peter Meinhold
  • Publication number: 20150010976
    Abstract: Cytochrome P450 BM-3 from Bacillus megaterium was engineered using a combination of directed evolution and site-directed mutagenesis to hydroxylate linear alkanes regio- and enantioselectively using atmospheric dioxygen as an oxidant. Mutant 9-10A-A328V hydroxylates octane primarily at the 2-position to form S-2-octanol (40% ee). Another mutant, 1-12G, hydroxylates alkanes larger than hexane primarily at the 2-position, but forms R-2-alcohols (40-55% ee). These biocatalysts are highly active for alkane substrates and support thousands of product turnovers. These regio- and enantio-selectivities are retained in whole-cell biotransformations with E. coli, where the engineered P450s can be expressed at high levels and the expensive cofactor is supplied endogenously.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2014
    Publication date: January 8, 2015
    Inventors: Frances H. Arnold, Matthew W. Peters, Peter Meinhold
  • Publication number: 20150004668
    Abstract: This invention relates to modified hydroxylases. The invention further relates to cells expressing such modified hydroxylases and methods of producing hydroxylated alkanes by contacting a suitable substrate with such cells.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2014
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Applicant: The California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Frances Arnold, Peter Meinhold, Matthew W. Peters, Rudi Fasan, Mike M.Y. Chen
  • Patent number: 8895272
    Abstract: Methods for producing a biofuel are provided. Also provided are biocatalysts that convert a feedstock to a biofuel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: GEVO, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew C. Hawkins, David A. Glassner, Thomas Buelter, James L. Wade, Peter Meinhold, Matthew W. Peters, Patrick R. Gruber, William A. Evanko, Aristos A. Aristidou, Marco Landwehr
  • Publication number: 20140308721
    Abstract: The present invention provides recombinant microorganisms comprising isobutanol producing metabolic pathway with at least one isobutanol pathway enzyme localized in the cytosol, wherein said recombinant microorganism is selected to produce isobutanol from a carbon source. Methods of using said recombinant microorganisms to produce isobutanol are also provided. In various aspects of the invention, the recombinant microorganisms may comprise a cytosolically active isobutanol pathway enzymes. In some embodiments, the invention provides mutated, modified, and/or chimeric isobutanol pathway enzymes with cytosolic activity. In various embodiments described herein, the recombinant microorganisms may be microorganisms of the Saccharomyces clade, Crabtree-negative yeast microorganisms, Crabtree-positive yeast microorganisms, post-WGD (whole genome duplication) yeast microorganisms, pre-WGD (whole genome duplication) yeast microorganisms, and non-fermenting yeast microorganisms.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2014
    Publication date: October 16, 2014
    Applicant: Gevo, Inc.
    Inventors: Jun Urano, Catherine Asleson Dundon, Peter Meinhold, Reid M. Renny Feldman, Aristos A. Aristidou, Andrew Hawkins, Thomas Buelter, Matthew Peters, Doug Lies, Stephanie Porter-Scheinman, Christopher Smith, Ruth Berry, Ishmeet Kalra
  • Publication number: 20140295512
    Abstract: The present invention relates to recombinant microorganisms comprising at least one nucleic acid molecule encoding a ketol-acid reductoisomerase (KARI) or modified NADH-dependent variant thereof, wherein said KARI is at least about 60% identical to SEQ ID NO: 2. In various aspects of the invention, the recombinant microorganisms may comprise an isobutanol producing metabolic pathway and can be used in methods of making isobutanol.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2012
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Applicants: CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY, GEVO, INC.
    Inventors: Thomas Buelter, Doug Lies, Stephanie Porter-Scheinman, Christopher Smith, Peter Meinhold, Ruth Berry, Christopher Snow, Sabine Bastian
  • Publication number: 20140295513
    Abstract: The present invention relates to recombinant microorganisms comprising at least one nucleic acid molecule encoding a ketol-acid reductoisomerase (KARI) or a modified NADH-dependent variant thereof, wherein said KARI is at least about 80% identical to SEQ ID NO: 2, SEQ ID NO: 4, SEQ ID NO: 6, SEQ ID NO: 8, SEQ ID NO: 10, SEQ ID NO: 28, SEQ ID NO: 40, or SEQ ID NO: 58. The present invention also relates to recombinant microorganisms comprising at least one nucleic acid molecule encoding a ketol-acid reductoisomerase (KARI) or a modified NADH-dependent variant thereof, wherein said KARI is at least about 99% identical to SEQ ID NO: 64. In various aspects of the invention, the recombinant microorganisms may comprise an isobutanol producing metabolic pathway and can be used in methods of making isobutanol.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2012
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Applicants: CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY, GEVO, INC.
    Inventors: Peter Meinhold, Doug Lies, Stephanie Porter-Scheinman, Christopher Smith, Christopher Snow, Sabine Bastian, Sebastian Schoof
  • Publication number: 20140212953
    Abstract: The present invention relates to recombinant microorganisms comprising biosynthetic pathways and methods of using said recombinant microorganisms to produce various beneficial metabolites. In various aspects of the invention, the recombinant microorganisms may further comprise one or more modifications resulting in the reduction or elimination of 3 keto-acid (e.g., acetolactate and 2-aceto-2-hydroxybutyrate) and/or aldehyde-derived by-products. In various embodiments described herein, the recombinant microorganisms may be microorganisms of the Saccharomyces Glade, Crabtree-negative yeast microorganisms, Crabtree-positive yeast microorganisms, post-WGD (whole genome duplication) yeast microorganisms, pre-WGD (whole genome duplication) yeast microorganisms, and non-fermenting yeast microorganisms.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2013
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Applicant: GEVO, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas BUELTER, Andrew Hawkins, Stephanie Porter-Scheinman, Peter Meinhold, Catherine Asleson Dundon, Aristos Aristidou, Jun Urano, Doug Lies, Matthew Peters, Melissa Dey, Justas Jancauskas, Kent Evans, Julie Kelly, Ruth Berry
  • Patent number: 8741616
    Abstract: Cytochrome P450 BM-3 from Bacillus megaterium was engineered using a combination of directed evolution and site-directed mutagenesis to hydroxylate linear alkanes regio- and enantioselectively using atmospheric dioxygen as an oxidant. Mutant 9-10A-A328V hydroxylates octane primarily at the 2-positio to form S-2-octanol (40% ee). Another mutant, 1-12G, hydroxylates alkanes larger than hexane primarily at the 2-position, but forms R-2-alcohols (40-55% ee). These biocatalysts are highly active for alkane substrates and support thousands of product turnovers. These regio- and enantio-selectivities are retained in whole-cell biotransformations with E. coli, where the engineered P450s can be expressed at high levels and the expensive cofactor is supplied endogenously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Frances H. Arnold, Matthew W. Peters, Peter Meinhold
  • Patent number: 8715988
    Abstract: This invention relates to modified hydroxylases. The invention further relates to cells expressing such modified hydroxylases and methods of producing hydroxylated alkanes by contacting a suitable substrate with such cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Frances Arnold, Peter Meinhold, Matthew W. Peters, Rudi Fasan, Mike M. Y. Chen
  • Publication number: 20140080188
    Abstract: The present invention relates to recombinant microorganisms comprising biosynthetic pathways and methods of using said recombinant microorganisms to produce various beneficial metabolites. In various aspects of the invention, the recombinant microorganisms may further comprise one or more modifications resulting in the reduction or elimination of an acetolactate-derived by-product such as 2,3-butanediol. In various embodiments described herein, the recombinant microorganisms may be microorganisms of the Saccharomyces clade, Crabtree-negative yeast microorganisms, Crabtree-positive yeast microorganisms, post-WGD (whole genome duplication) yeast microorganisms, pre-WGD (whole genome duplication) yeast microorganisms, and non-fermenting yeast microorganisms.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2012
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Applicant: GEVO, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Smith, Thomas Buelter, Peter Meinhold, Aristos Aristidou, Stephanie Porter-Scheinman
  • Publication number: 20140017748
    Abstract: The present invention relates to recombinant microorganisms comprising biosynthetic pathways and methods of using said recombinant microorganisms to produce various beneficial metabolites. In various aspects of the invention, the recombinant microorganisms may further comprise one or more modifications resulting in the reduction or elimination of 3 keto-acid (e.g., acetolactate and 2-aceto-2-hydroxybutyrate) and/or aldehyde-derived by-products. In various embodiments described herein, the recombinant microorganisms may be microorganisms of the Saccharomyces clade, Crabtree-negative yeast microorganisms, Crabtree-positive yeast microorganisms, post-WGD (whole genome duplication) yeast microorganisms, pre-WGD (whole genome duplication) yeast microorganisms, and non-fermenting yeast microorganisms.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2012
    Publication date: January 16, 2014
    Applicants: GEVO, INC., The California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Sabine BASTIAN, Frances Arnold, Peter Meinhold
  • Patent number: 8614077
    Abstract: This invention is directed to methods for recovery of C3-C6 alcohols from dilute aqueous solutions, such as fermentation broths. Such methods provide improved volumetric productivity for the fermentation and allows recovery of the alcohol. Such methods also allow for reduced energy use in the production and drying of spent fermentation broth due to increased effective concentration of the alcohol product by the simultaneous fermentation and recovery process which increases the quantity of alcohol produced and recovered per quantity of fermentation broth dried. Thus, the invention allows for production and recovery of C3-C6 alcohols at low capital and reduced operating costs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2013
    Assignee: Gevo, Inc.
    Inventors: William A. Evanko, Aharon M. Eyal, David A. Glassner, Fudu Miao, Aristos A. Aristidou, Kent Evans, Patrick R. Gruber, Andrew C. Hawkins, Peter Meinhold, Reid M. Renny Feldman, Uvini Gunawardena, Jun Urano
  • Publication number: 20130273622
    Abstract: Methods for producing a biofuel are provided. Also provided are biocatalysts that convert a feedstock to a biofuel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2013
    Publication date: October 17, 2013
    Inventors: Andrew C. Hawkins, David A. Glassner, Thomas Buelter, James L. Wade, Peter Meinhold, Matthew W. Peters, Patrick R. Gruber, William A. Evanko, Aristos A. Aristidou, Marco Landwehr
  • Publication number: 20130252298
    Abstract: The present invention provides recombinant microorganisms comprising an isobutanol producing metabolic pathway and methods of using said recombinant microorganisms to produce isobutanol. In various aspects of the invention, the recombinant microorganisms may comprise a modification resulting in the reduction of pyruvate decarboxylase and/or glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase activity. In various embodiments described herein, the recombinant microorganisms may be microorganisms of the Saccharomyces clade, Crabtree-negative yeast microorganisms, Crabtree-positive yeast microorganisms, post-WGD (whole genome duplication) yeast microorganisms, pre-WGD (whole genome duplication) yeast microorganisms, and non-fermenting yeast microorganisms.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2013
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Applicant: GEVO, INC.
    Inventors: Reid M. Renny Feldman, Uvini Gunawardena, Jun Urano, Peter Meinhold, Aristos Aristidou, Catherine Asleson Dundon, Christopher Smith
  • Publication number: 20130183730
    Abstract: This invention is directed to methods for recovery of C3-C6 alcohols from dilute aqueous solutions, such as fermentation broths. Such methods provide improved volumetric productivity for the fermentation and allows recovery of the alcohol. Such methods also allow for reduced energy use in the production and drying of spent fermentation broth due to increased effective concentration of the alcohol product by the simultaneous fermentation and recovery process which increases the quantity of alcohol produced and recovered per quantity of fermentation broth dried. Thus, the invention allows for production and recovery of C3-C6 alcohols at low capital and reduced operating costs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2011
    Publication date: July 18, 2013
    Applicant: GENO, INC.
    Inventors: William A. Evanko, Aharon M. Eyal, David A. Glassner, Fudu Miao, Aristos A. Aristidou, Kent Evans, Patrick R. Gruber, Andrew C. Hawkins, Peter Meinhold, Reid M. Renny Feldman, Uvini Gunawardena, Jun Urano