Patents by Inventor Rafael Herrmann
Rafael Herrmann 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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Publication number: 20050164940Abstract: The methods and compositions of the present invention find use in impacting microbial pathogens and in enhancing disease resistance to pathogens, particularly by plants. The compositions of the invention include polypeptides that possess antimicrobial properties, particularly fungicidal properties, and the encoding nucleic acid molecules. The polypeptides of the invention are isolated from the hemolymph and fat bodies of insect larvae induced by injection of plant pathogenic fungi. Further provided are plant cells, plants, and seed thereof, transformed with the nucleic acid molecules of the invention so as to confer disease resistance on the plant.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 29, 2005Publication date: July 28, 2005Applicant: Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc.Inventors: Daniel Altier, Rafael Herrmann, Albert Lu, Billy McCutchen, James Presnail, Janine Weaver, James Wong
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Publication number: 20050166284Abstract: Compositions and methods for protecting a plant from an insect pest are provided. In particular, nucleic acid sequences encoding insect protoxins modified to comprise at least one proteolytic activation site that is sensitive to a plant protease or an insect gut protease are provided. Cleavage of the modified protoxin at the proteolytic activation site by a protease produces an active insect toxin. Methods of using the modified insect protoxin nucleic acid sequences and the polypeptides they encode to protect a plant from an insect pest are provided. Particular embodiments of the invention further provide modified insect protoxin compositions and formulations, expression cassettes, and transformed plants, plant cells, and seeds.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 22, 2004Publication date: July 28, 2005Applicants: Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc., E.I. du PONT de NEMOURS and COMPANYInventors: Andre Abad, Ronald Flannagan, Rafael Herrmann, Albert Lu, Billy McCutchen, James Presnail, Janet Rice, James Wong, Cao-Guo Yu
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Publication number: 20050166286Abstract: The methods and compositions of the present invention find use in impacting microbial pathogens and in enhancing disease resistance to pathogens, particularly by plants. The compositions of the invention include polypeptides that possess antimicrobial properties, particularly fungicidal properties, and the encoding nucleic acid molecules. The polypeptides of the invention are isolated from the hemolymph and fat bodies of insect larvae induced by injection of plant pathogenic fungi. Further provided are plant cells, plants, and seed thereof, transformed with the nucleic acid molecules of the invention so as to confer disease resistance on the plant.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 29, 2005Publication date: July 28, 2005Applicant: Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc.Inventors: Daniel Altier, Rafael Herrmann, Albert Lu, Billy McCutchen, James Presnail, Janine Weaver, James Wong
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Publication number: 20050164939Abstract: The methods and compositions of the present invention find use in impacting microbial pathogens and in enhancing disease resistance to pathogens, particularly by plants. The compositions of the invention include polypeptides that possess antimicrobial properties, particularly fungicidal properties, and the encoding nucleic acid molecules. The polypeptides of the invention are isolated from the hemolymph and fat bodies of insect larvae induced by injection of plant pathogenic fungi. Further provided are plant cells, plants, and seed thereof, transformed with the nucleic acid molecules of the invention so as to confer disease resistance on the plant.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 29, 2005Publication date: July 28, 2005Applicant: Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc.Inventors: Daniel Altier, Rafael Herrmann, Albert Lu, Billy McCutchen, James Presnail, Janine Weaver, James Wong
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Patent number: 6911577Abstract: Methods and compositions for modulating development and defense responses are provided. Nucleotide sequences encoding defensin proteins are provided. The sequences can be used in expression cassettes for modulating development, developmental pathways, and defense responses. Transformed plants, plant cells, tissues, and seed are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: June 21, 2002Date of Patent: June 28, 2005Assignees: Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc., E. I. du Pont de Nemours and CompanyInventors: Carl R. Simmons, Pedro A. Navarro Acevedo, Leslie Harvell, Rebecca Cahoon, Billy Fred McCutchen, Albert L. Lu, Rafael Herrmann, James F. H. Wong
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Patent number: 6891085Abstract: The methods and compositions of the present invention find use in impacting microbial pathogens and in enhancing disease resistance to pathogens, particularly by plants. The compositions of the invention include nucleic acid molecules encoding Fus6 polypeptides derived from Agrotis ipsilon that possess antimicrobial properties, particularly fungicidal properties. Further provided are plant cells plants, and seed thereof, transformed with the nucleic acid molecules of the invention so as to confer disease resistance on the plant.Type: GrantFiled: April 18, 2002Date of Patent: May 10, 2005Assignees: Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc., E.I. du Pont de Nemours and CompanyInventors: Daniel J. Altier, Rafael Herrmann, Albert L. Lu, Billy F. McCutchen, James K. Presnail, Janine L. Weaver, James F. H. Wong
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Publication number: 20050076407Abstract: This invention relates to plant defensin polypeptides, nucleic acids encoding them, and methods of use thereof. The invention also relates to a chimeric protein containing all or a portion of the plant defensin.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 30, 2004Publication date: April 7, 2005Applicant: E.I. du Pont de Nemours and CompanyInventors: Omolayo Famodu, Rafael Herrmann, Albert Lu, Billy McCutchen, Guo-Hua Miao, James Presnail, Zude Weng
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Patent number: 6864403Abstract: This invention relates to an isolated nucleic acid fragment encoding a protein disulfide isomerase. The invention also relates to the construction of a chimeric gene encoding all or a portion of the protein disulfide isomerase, in sense or antisense orientation, wherein expression of the chimeric gene results in production of altered levels of the protein disulfide isomerase in a transformed host cell.Type: GrantFiled: October 13, 1999Date of Patent: March 8, 2005Assignee: E. I. du Pont de Nemours and CompanyInventors: Rebecca E. Cahoon, Guo-Hua Miao, Rafael Herrmann, J. Antoni Rafalski, Billy F. McCutchen
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Publication number: 20050042717Abstract: This invention relates to an isolated nucleic acid fragment encoding scorpion toxins that are K-channel agonists. The invention also relates to the construction of a chimeric gene encoding all or a portion of the K-channel agonists, in sense or antisense orientation, wherein expression of the chimeric gene results in production of altered levels of the K-channel agonists in a transformed host cell.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 8, 2003Publication date: February 24, 2005Inventors: Rafael Herrmann, James Presnail, Albert Lu, James Wong, Jian-Ming Lee
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Patent number: 6855865Abstract: This invention relates to isolated nucleic acids encoding plant defensins. The invention also relates to the construction of a chimeric gene encoding all or a portion of the plant defensin, in sense or antisense orientation, wherein expression of the chimeric gene results in production of altered levels of plant defensins in a transformed host cell.Type: GrantFiled: June 21, 2002Date of Patent: February 15, 2005Assignee: E.I. du Pont de Nemours and CompanyInventors: Omolayo O. Famodu, Rafael Herrmann, Albert L. Lu, Billy Fred McCutchen, Guo-Hua Miao, James K. Presnail, Zude Weng
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Publication number: 20040210963Abstract: Compositions and methods for protecting a plant from an insect pest are provided. The invention provides mutagenized nucleic acids that have been engineered to encode pesticidal polypeptides having increased resistance to proteolytic degradation by a plant protease. In particular, nucleic acid sequences encoding pesticidal polypeptides modified to comprise a proteolytic protection site that confers resistance to degradation or proteolytic inactivation by a plant protease are provided. Particular embodiments of the invention provide pesticidal polypeptide compositions and formulations, expression cassettes, and transformed plants, plant cells, and seeds. These compositions find use in methods for controlling pests, especially plant pests. Novel plant proteases, sequences encoding these proteases, and methods for their use are also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 24, 2003Publication date: October 21, 2004Applicants: Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc., E.I. du PONT de NEMOURS and COMPANYInventors: Andre Abad, Hua Dong, Rafael Herrmann, Albert Lu, Billy F. McCutchen, Janet A. Rice, Eric J. Schepers, James F. Wong
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Patent number: 6768002Abstract: This invention relates to an isolated nucleic acid fragment encoding scorpion toxins that are Na-channel modifiers. The invention also relates to the construction of a chimeric gene encoding all or a substantial portion of the Na-channel modifier, in sense or antisense orientation, wherein expression of the chimeric gene results in production of altered levels of the Na-channel modifier in a transformed host cell.Type: GrantFiled: June 22, 2000Date of Patent: July 27, 2004Assignee: E. I. du Pont de Nemours and CompanyInventors: Rafael Herrmann, James F. Wong
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Patent number: 6740743Abstract: This invention relates to an isolated nucleic acid fragment encoding scorpion toxins that are K-channel modifiers. The invention also relates to the construction of a chimeric gene encoding all or a substantial portion of the K-channel modifier, in sense or antisense orientation, wherein expression of the chimeric gene results in production of altered levels of the K-channel modifier in a transformed host cell.Type: GrantFiled: January 11, 2002Date of Patent: May 25, 2004Assignee: E. I. du Pont de Nemours and CompanyInventors: Rafael Herrmann, James F. Wong
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Publication number: 20040091505Abstract: The invention provides nucleic acids, and variants and fragments thereof, obtained from strains of Bacillus thuringiensis encoding &dgr;-endotoxins having pesticidal activity against insect pests. The invention further provides mutagenized nucleic acids that have been modified to encode pesticidal polypeptides such as endotoxins having improved pesticidal activity and/or altered pest specificity. Particular embodiments of the invention provide isolated nucleic acids encoding pesticidal proteins that may be optimized as well as pesticidal compositions, expression cassettes, and transformed microorganisms and plants comprising a nucleic acid of the invention. These compositions find use in methods for controlling pests, especially plant pests.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 25, 2003Publication date: May 13, 2004Applicant: E.I du Pont de Nemours and CompanyInventors: Andre R. Abad, Ronald D. Flannagan, Rafael Herrmann, Theodore W. Kahn, Albert L. Lu, Billy Fred McCutchen, James K. Presnail, James F.H. Wong, Cao-Guo Yu
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Patent number: 6670166Abstract: This invention relates to an isolated nucleic acid fragment encoding protein disulfide isomerase. The invention also relates to the construction of a chimeric gene encoding all or a portion of the protein disulfide isomerase, in sense or antisense orientation, wherein expression of the chimeric gene results in production of altered levels of the protein disulfide isomerase in a transformed host cell.Type: GrantFiled: April 9, 2001Date of Patent: December 30, 2003Assignee: E. I. du Pont de Nemours and CompanyInventors: Rebecca E. Cahoon, Rafael Herrmann, Albert L. Lu
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Publication number: 20030140368Abstract: This invention relates to isolated nucleic acids encoding plant defensins. The invention also relates to the construction of a chimeric gene encoding all or a portion of the plant defensin, in sense or antisense orientation, wherein expression of the chimeric gene results in production of altered levels of plant defensins in a transformed host cell.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 21, 2002Publication date: July 24, 2003Applicant: Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc.Inventors: Omolayo O. Famodu, Rafael Herrmann, Albert L. Lu, Billy Fred McCutchen, Guo-Hua Miao, James K. Presnail, Jan Antoni Rafalski, Zude Weng
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Publication number: 20030041348Abstract: Methods and compositions for modulating development and defense responses are provided. Nucleotide sequences encoding defensin proteins are provided. The sequences can be used in expression cassettes for modulating development, developmental pathways, and defense responses. Transformed plants, plant cells, tissues, and seed are also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 21, 2002Publication date: February 27, 2003Applicant: Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc.Inventors: Carl R. Simmons, Pedro A. Navarro Acevedo, Leslie Harvell, Rebecca Cahoon, Billy Fred McCutchen, Albert L. Lu, Rafael Herrmann, James F.H. Wong
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Publication number: 20030028920Abstract: The methods and compositions of the present invention find use in impacting microbial pathogens and in enhancing disease resistance to pathogens, particularly by plants. The compositions of the invention include polypeptides that possess antimicrobial properties, particularly fungicidal properties, and the encoding nucleic acid molecules. The polypeptides of the invention are isolated from the hemolymph and fat bodies of insect larvae induced by injection of plant pathogenic fungi. Further provided are plant cells, plants, and seed thereof, transformed with the nucleic acid molecules of the invention so as to confer disease resistance on the plant.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 18, 2002Publication date: February 6, 2003Applicant: Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc.Inventors: Daniel J. Altier, Rafael Herrmann, Albert L. Lu, Billy F. McCutchen, James K. Presnail, Janine L. Weaver, James F.H. Wong
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Patent number: 6162430Abstract: A method is provided that accelerates the rate of kill of pests such as from the order Lepidoptera. The method comprises treating the pests or their loci with at least two different insect toxins which are expressed from at least one recombinant microbe. Pairs of toxins that do not compete with each other on the same binding site and that differ in their pharmacology have been found to provide synergistic control. Preferred insecticidal microbes are baculoviruses.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 1998Date of Patent: December 19, 2000Assignee: The Regents of the University of CaliforniaInventors: Bruce D. Hammock, Rafael Herrmann, Haim Moskowitz
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Patent number: 5756340Abstract: A method is provided that accelerates the rate of kill of pests such as from the order Lepidoptera. The method comprises treating the pests or their loci with at least two different insect toxins which are expressed from at least one recombinant microbe. Pairs of toxins that do not compete with each other on the same binding site and that differ in their pharmacology have been found to provide synergistic control. Preferred insecticidal microbes are baculoviruses.Type: GrantFiled: May 8, 1995Date of Patent: May 26, 1998Assignee: The Regents of the University of CaliforniaInventors: Bruce D. Hammock, Rafael Herrmann, Haim Moskowitz