Patents by Inventor Robert J. Seely

Robert J. Seely 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).

  • Process for making L-phenyl acetyl carbinol (PAC), microorganisms for use in the process, and a method of preparing the microorganisms
    Patent number: 5312742
    Abstract: Mutations are induced in a microorganism selected from the species Saccharomyces cerevisiae or from the species Candida flareri. The resulting mutants are cultured in the presence of a fermentation inhibitor, such as acetaldehyde, ephedrine or PAC-dione, to form colonies having resistance to the inhibitor. Cells from the colonies are isolated and tested for yield of phenyl acetyl carbinol (PAC) in a fermentation with benzaldehyde and pyruvate. Yeast cells from the colonies that produce elevated levels of PAC are selected for use in subsequent fermentations. PAC is useful as an intermediate in the preparation of l-ephedrine and d-pseudoephedrine, two well-known medicinal chemicals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 17, 1994
    Assignee: Synergen Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. Seely, Donald L. Heefner, Robert V. Hageman, Michael J. Yarus, Sally A. Sullivan
  • Process for preparing microorganisms used for making phenyl acetyl carlinol (PAC)
    Patent number: 5079145
    Abstract: Mutations are induced in a microorganism selected from the species Saccharomyces cerevisiae or from the species Candia flareri. The resulting mutants are cultured in the presence of a fermentation inhibitor, such as acetaldehyde, ephedrine or PAC-dione, to form colonies having resistance to the inhibitor. Cells from the colonies are isolated and tested for yield of phenyl acetyl carbinol (PAC) in a fermentation with benzaldehyde and pyruvate. Yeast cells from the colonies that produce elevated levels of PAC are selected for use in subsequent fermentations. PAC is useful as an intermediate in the preparation of 1-ephedrine and d-pseudoephedrine, two well-known medicinal chemicals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1988
    Date of Patent: January 7, 1992
    Assignee: Synergen Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. Seely, Donald L. Heefner, Robert V. Hageman, Michael J. Yarus, Sally A. Sullivan
  • Product and process for stimulating bacterial action in an anaerobic digestion system
    Patent number: 4529701
    Abstract: A product and process for stimulating bacterial action in an anaerobic digestion system is disclosed. The product includes an inhibitory ion regulating component and an inorganic pyrophosphate containing compound. The process includes forming a mixture of the described product, and then adding an effective amount of the product mixture to the anaerobic digestion system to stimulate and enhance bacterial growth and metabolism therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 1984
    Date of Patent: July 16, 1985
    Assignee: American Genetics International, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert J. Seely