Patents by Inventor Pirkko Suominen

Pirkko Suominen 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: 20230312253
    Abstract: Yeast cells are genetically modified to disrupt a native metabolic pathway from dihydroxyacetone to glycerol. In certain aspects, the yeast cell is of the genera Kluyveromyces, Candida or Issatchenkia. In other aspects, the yeast cell is capable of producing at least one organic acid, such as lactate. The yeast cells produce significantly less glycerol than the wild-type strains, and usually produce greater yields of desired fermentation products. Yeast cells of the invention often grow well when cultivated, despite their curtailed glycerol production.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2023
    Publication date: October 5, 2023
    Applicant: CARGILL, INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Catherine Asleson DUNDON, Pirkko SUOMINEN, Aristos ARISTIDOU, Brian J. RUSH, Kari KOIVURANTA, Benjamin Matthew HAUSE, Thomas William McMULLIN, Kevin ROBERG-PEREZ
  • Patent number: 11691817
    Abstract: Yeast cells are genetically modified to disrupt a native metabolic pathway from dihydroxyacetone to glycerol. In certain aspects, the yeast cell is of the genera Kluyveromyces, Candida or Issatchenkia. In other aspects, the yeast cell is capable of producing at least one organic acid, such as lactate. The yeast cells produce significantly less glycerol than the wild-type strains, and usually produce greater yields of desired fermentation products. Yeast cells of the invention often grow well when cultivated, despite their curtailed glycerol production.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: CARGILL, INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Catherine Asleson Dundon, Pirkko Suominen, Aristos Aristidou, Brian J. Rush, Kari Koivuranta, Benjamin Matthew Hause, Thomas William McMullin, Kevin Roberg-Perez
  • Patent number: 9862975
    Abstract: The present application discloses the identification of the novel K. marxianus xylose transporter genes KHT105 and RAG4, as well as the identification of a novel set of I. orientalis pentose phosphate pathway genes The present application further discloses a series of genetically modified yeast cells comprising various combinations of arabinose fermentation pathways, xylose fermentation pathways, pentose phosphate pathways, and/or xylose transporter genes, and methods of culturing these cells to produce ethanol in fermentation media containing xylose.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: CARGILL, INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Holly J. Jessen, Jian Yi, Joshua Lundorff, Hans Liao, Ana Negrete-Raymond, Pirkko Suominen, Aristos Aristidou
  • Patent number: 9758799
    Abstract: Yeast cells are transformed with an exogenous xylose isomerase gene. Additional genetic modifications enhance the ability of the transformed cells to ferment xylose to ethanol or other desired fermentation products. Those modifications include deletion of non-specific or specific aldose reductase gene(s), deletion of xylitol dehydrogenase gene(s) and/or overexpression of xylulokinase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: Cargill Incorporated
    Inventors: Vineet Rajgarhia, Kari Koivuranta, Merja Penttila, Marja Ilmen, Pirkko Suominen, Aristos Aristidou, Christopher Kenneth Miller, Stacey Olson, Laura Ruohonen
  • Publication number: 20170044554
    Abstract: An L-arabinose utilizing yeast strain is provided for the production of ethanol by introducing and expressing bacterial araA, araB and araD genes, L-arabinose transporters are also introduced into the yeast to enhance the uptake of arabinose. The yeast carries additional genomic mutations enabling it to consume L-arabinose, even as the only carbon source, and to produce ethanol. A yeast strain engineered to metabolize arabinose through a novel pathway is also disclosed. Methods of producing ethanol include utilizing these modified yeast strains.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2014
    Publication date: February 16, 2017
    Inventors: Min ZHANG, Arjun SINGH, Pirkko SUOMINEN, Eric KNOSHAUG, Mary Ann FRANDEN, Eric JARVIS
  • Publication number: 20160340697
    Abstract: Yeast cells are transformed with an exogenous xylose isomerase gene. Additional genetic modifications enhance the ability of the transformed cells to ferment xylose to ethanol or other desired fermentation products. Those modifications include deletion of non-specific or specific aldose reductase gene(s), deletion of xylitol dehydrogenase gene(s) and/or overexpression of xylulokinase.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 5, 2016
    Publication date: November 24, 2016
    Inventors: Vineet Rajgarhia, Kari Koivuranta, Merja Penttila, Marja Ilmen, Pirkko Suominen, Aristos Aristidou, Christopher Kenneth Miller, Stacey Olson, Laura Ruohonen
  • Patent number: 9410158
    Abstract: Yeast cells are transformed with an exogenous xylose isomerase gene. Additional genetic modifications enhance the ability of the transformed cells to ferment xylose to ethanol or other desired fermentation products. Those modifications include deletion of non-specific or specific aldose reductase gene(s), deletion of xylitol dehydrogenase gene(s) and/or overexpression of xylulokinase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: Cargill Incorporated
    Inventors: Vineet Rajgarhia, Kari Koivuranta, Merja Penttila, Marja Ilmen, Pirkko Suominen, Aristos Aristidou, Christopher Kenneth Miller, Stacey Olson, Laura Ruohonen
  • Publication number: 20160002676
    Abstract: The present application discloses the identification of the novel K. marxianus xylose transporter genes KHT105 and RAG4, as well as the identification of a novel set of I. orientalis pentose phosphate pathway genes The present application further discloses a series of genetically modified yeast cells comprising various combinations of arabinose fermentation pathways, xylose fermentation pathways, pentose phosphate pathways, and/or xylose transporter genes, and methods of culturing these cells to produce ethanol in fermentation media containing xylose.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2015
    Publication date: January 7, 2016
    Inventors: Holly J. JESSEN, Jian YI, Joshua LUNDORFF, Hans LIAO, Ana NEGRETE-RAYMOND, Pirkko SUOMINEN, Aristos ARISTIDOU
  • Patent number: 9181563
    Abstract: The present application discloses the identification of the novel K. marxianus xylose transporter genes KHT105 and RAG4, as well as the identification of a novel set of I. orientalis pentose phosphate pathway genes The present application further discloses a series of genetically modified yeast cells comprising various combinations of arabinose fermentation pathways, xylose fermentation pathways, pentose phosphate pathways, and/or xylose transporter genes, and methods of culturing these cells to produce ethanol in fermentation media containing xylose.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: Cargill, Incorporated
    Inventors: Holly J. Jessen, Jian Yi, Joshua Lundorff, Hans Liao, Ana Negrete-Raymond, Pirkko Suominen, Aristos Aristidou
  • Patent number: 8841090
    Abstract: An L-arabinose utilizing yeast strain is provided for the production of ethanol by introducing and expressing bacterial araA, araB and araD genes. L-arabinose transporters are also introduced into the yeast to enhance the uptake of arabinose. The yeast carries additional genomic mutations enabling it to consume L-arabinose, even as the only carbon source, and to produce ethanol. A yeast strain engineered to metabolize arabinose through a novel pathway is also disclosed. Methods of producing ethanol include utilizing these modified yeast strains.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Alliance for Sustainable Energy, LLC
    Inventors: Min Zhang, Arjun Singh, Pirkko Suominen, Eric Knoshaug, Mary Ann Franden, Eric Jarvis
  • Publication number: 20140080192
    Abstract: Yeast cells are transformed with an exogenous xylose isomerase gene. Additional genetic modifications enhance the ability of the transformed cells to ferment xylose to ethanol or other desired fermentation products. Those modifications include deletion of non-specific or specific aldose reductase gene(s), deletion of xylitol dehydrogenase gene(s) and/or overexpression of xylulokinase.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2013
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Applicant: Cargill Incorporated
    Inventors: Vineet Rajgarhia, Kari Koivuranta, Merja Penttila, Marja Ilmen, Pirkko Suominen, Aristos Aristidou, Christopher Kenneth Miller, Stacey Olson, Laura Ruohonen
  • Publication number: 20140038253
    Abstract: The present application discloses the identification of the novel K. marxianus xylose transporter genes KHT105 and RAG4, as well as the identification of a novel set of I. orientalis pentose phosphate pathway genes The present application further discloses a series of genetically modified yeast cells comprising various combinations of arabinose fermentation pathways, xylose fermentation pathways, pentose phosphate pathways, and/or xylose transporter genes, and methods of culturing these cells to produce ethanol in fermentation media containing xylose.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2012
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Applicant: CARGILL, INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Holly J. Jessen, Jian Yi, Joshua Lundorff, Hans Liao, Ana Negrete-Raymond, Pirkko Suominen, Aristos Aristidou
  • Patent number: 8623633
    Abstract: Yeast cells are transformed with an exogenous xylose isomerase gene. Additional genetic modifications enhance the ability of the transformed cells to ferment xylose to ethanol or other desired fermentation products. Those modifications include deletion of non-specific or specific aldose reductase gene(s), deletion of xylitol dehydrogenase gene(s) and/or overexpression of xylulokinase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Cargill Incorporated
    Inventors: Vineet Rajgarhia, Kari Koivuranta, Merja Penttilä, Marja Ilmen, Pirkko Suominen, Aristos Aristidou, Christopher Kenneth Miller, Stacey Olson, Laura Ruohonen
  • Patent number: 8440451
    Abstract: Yeast cells are transformed with an exogenous xylose isomerase gene. Additional genetic modifications enhance the ability of the transformed cells to ferment xylose to ethanol or other desired fermentation products. Those modifications include deletion of non-specific or specific aldose reductase gene(s), deletion of xylitol dehydrogenase gene(s) and/or overexpression of xylulokinase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Cargill, Incorporated
    Inventors: Vineet Rajgarhia, Kari Koivuranta, Merja Penttilä, Marja Ilmen, Pirkko Suominen, Aristos Aristidou, Christopher Kenneth Miller, Stacey Olson, Laura Ruohonen
  • Patent number: 8372626
    Abstract: An L-arabinose utilizing yeast strain is provided for the production of ethanol by introducing and expressing bacterial araA, araB and araD genes. L-arabinose transporters are also introduced into the yeast to enhance the uptake of arabinose. The yeast carries additional genomic mutations enabling it to consume L-arabinose, even as the only carbon source, and to produce ethanol. A yeast strain engineered to metabolize arabinose through a novel pathway is also disclosed. Methods of producing ethanol include utilizing these modified yeast strains.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: Alliance for Sustainable Energy, LLC
    Inventors: Min Zhang, Arjun Singh, Pirkko Suominen, Eric Knoshaug, Mary Ann Franden, Eric Jarvis
  • Publication number: 20120129241
    Abstract: An L-arabinose utilizing yeast strain is provided for the production of ethanol by introducing and expressing bacterial araA, araB and araD genes. L-arabinose transporters are also introduced into the yeast to enhance the uptake of arabinose. The yeast carries additional genomic mutations enabling it to consume L-arabinose, even as the only carbon source, and to produce ethanol. A yeast strain engineered to metabolize arabinose through a novel pathway is also disclosed. Methods of producing ethanol include utilizing these modified yeast strains.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2010
    Publication date: May 24, 2012
    Applicant: ALLIANCE FOR SUSTAINABLE ENGERGY, LLC
    Inventors: MIN ZHANG, ARJUN SINGH, PIRKKO SUOMINEN, ERIC KNOSHAUG, MARY ANN FRANDEN, ERIC JARVIS
  • Publication number: 20120129230
    Abstract: Cells of the species Issatchenkia orientalis and closely related yeast species are transformed with a vector to introduce an exogenous lactate dehydrogenase gene. The cells produce lactic acid efficiently and are resistant at low pH, high lactate titer conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2011
    Publication date: May 24, 2012
    Inventors: Pirkko Suominen, Aristos Aristidou, Merja Penttila, Marja Ilmen, Laura Ruohonen, Kari Koivuranta, Kevin Roberg-Perez
  • Patent number: 8137953
    Abstract: Yeast cells having an exogenous lactate dehydrogenase gene ae modified by reducing L- or D-lactate:ferricytochrome c oxidoreductase activity in the cell. This leads to reduced consumption of lactate by the cell and can increase overall lactate yields in a fermentation process. Cells having the reduced L- or D-lactate:ferricytochrome c oxidoreductase activity can be screened for by resistance to organic acids such as lactic or glycolic acid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: Cargill Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew Miller, Pirkko Suominen, Aristos Aristidou, Benjamin Matthew Hause, Pim Van Hoek, Catherine Asleson Dundon
  • Patent number: 8097448
    Abstract: Cells of the species Issatchenkia orientalis and closely related yeast species are transformed with a vector to introduce an exogenous lactate dehydrogenase gene. The cells produce lactic acid efficiently and are resistant at low pH, high lactate titer conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Assignee: Cargill Inc.
    Inventors: Pirkko Suominen, Aristos Aristidou, Merja Pentilla, Marja Ilmen, Laura Ruohonen, Kari Koivuranta, Kevin Roberg-Perez
  • Publication number: 20110287506
    Abstract: Yeastcells are transformed with an exogenous xylose isomerase gene. Additional genetic modifications enhance the ability of the transformed cells to ferment xylose to ethanol or other desired fermentation products. Those modifications include deletion of non-specific or specific aldose reductase gene(s), deletion of xylitol dehydrogenase gene(s) and/or overexpression of xylulokinase.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2011
    Publication date: November 24, 2011
    Inventors: Vineet Rajgarhia, Kari Koivuranta, Merja Penttilä, Marja Ilmen, Pirkko Suominen, Aristos Aristidou, Christopher Kenneth Miller, Stacey Olson, Laura Ruohonen