Patents by Inventor Timothy W. Conner

Timothy W. Conner 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: 7645919
    Abstract: The present invention relates to DNA polynucleotides for regulating gene expression in plants. In particular, the invention relates to 5? regulatory sequences isolated from Zea mays that are useful for regulating gene expression of heterologous DNA molecules in plant roots. The invention also relates to transgenic plants containing the heterologous DNA molecules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: Monsanto Technology LLC
    Inventors: Heather M. Anderson, Timothy W. Conner, Colleen G. Santino
  • Publication number: 20090293159
    Abstract: Expressed Sequence Tags (ESTs) isolated from wheat are disclosed. The ESTs provide a unique molecular tool for the targeting and isolation of novel genes for plant protection and improvement. The disclosed ESTs have utility in the development of new strategies for understanding critical plant developmental and metabolic pathways. The disclosed ESTs have particular utility in isolating genes and promoters, identifying and mapping the genes involved in developmental and metabolic pathways, and determining gene function. Sequence homology analyses using the ESTs provided in the present invention, will result in more efficient gene screening for desirable agronomic traits. An expanding database of these select pieces of the plant genomics puzzle will quickly expand the knowledge necessary for subsequent functional validation, a key limitation in current plant biotechnology efforts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2009
    Publication date: November 26, 2009
    Inventors: TIMOTHY W. CONNER, JAMES D. MASUCCI
  • Publication number: 20090217414
    Abstract: Polynucleotides useful for improvement of plants are provided. In particular, polynucleotide sequences are provided from plant sources. Polypeptides encoded by the polynucleotide sequences are also provided. The disclosed polynucleotides and polypeptides find use in production of transgenic plants to produce plants having improved properties.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Publication date: August 27, 2009
    Inventors: Thomas J. La Rosa, David K. Kovalic, Yihua Zhou, Yongwei Cao, Mark S. Abad, Scott E. Andersen, Robert E. Buehler, Joseph R. Byrum, Nordine Cheikh, Timothy W. Conner, Brian E. Coombs, Stanton B. Dotson, Patrice Dubois, Michael D. Edgerton, Dane K. Fisher, Kristine J. Hardeman, Gregory J. Heck, Gregory J. Hinkle, Raghunath V. Lalgudi, Jingdong Liu, Linda L. Lutfiyya, Debbie A. Mahadeo, James D. Masucci, James D. McIninch, Philip W. Miller, Donald E. Nelson, Ming Peng, Thomas G. Ruff, Hridayabhiranjan Shukla, Joshua Stein, Michael D. Thompson, Kunsheng Wu
  • Patent number: 7563945
    Abstract: The present invention relates to nucleic acid sequences for regulating gene expression in plants. In particular, the invention relates to 5? regulatory sequences which are useful for regulating expression of heterologous DNAs in plants and methods for identifying multiple 5? regulatory sequences which confer a particular expression profile when operably linked to DNA sequences. The invention also relates to expression vectors containing the 5? regulatory sequences and to transgenic plants containing the expression vectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2009
    Assignee: Monsanto Technology LLC
    Inventors: Timothy W. Conner, Iris Tzafrir
  • Patent number: 7560542
    Abstract: Expressed Sequence Tags (ESTs) isolated from maize are disclosed. The ESTs provide a unique molecular tool for the targeting and isolation of novel genes for plant protection and improvement. The disclosed ESTs have utility in the development of new strategies for understanding critical plant developmental and metabolic pathways. The disclosed ESTs have particular utility in isolating genes and promoters, identifying and mapping the genes involved in developmental and metabolic pathways, and determining gene function. Sequence homology analyses using the ESTs provided in the present invention, will result in more efficient gene screening for desirable agronomic traits. An expanding database of these select pieces of the plant genomics puzzle will quickly expand the knowledge necessary for subsequent functional validation, a key limitation in current plant biotechnology efforts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2009
    Assignee: Monsanto Technology LLC
    Inventors: Scott E. Andersen, Timothy W. Conner, Raghunath V. Lalgudi
  • Publication number: 20090172833
    Abstract: The present invention is in the field of plant biochemistry. More specifically the invention relates to nucleic acid sequences from plant cells, in particular, nucleic acid sequences from maize, soybean and Arabidopsis thaliana associated with transcription factors. The invention encompasses nucleic acid molecules that encode proteins and fragments of proteins. In addition, the invention also encompasses proteins and fragments of proteins so encoded and antibodies capable of binding these proteins or fragments. The invention also relates to methods of using the nucleic acid molecules, proteins and fragments of proteins and antibodies, for example for genome mapping, gene identification and analysis, plant breeding, preparation of constructs for use in plant gene expression and transgenic plants.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2008
    Publication date: July 2, 2009
    Inventors: Timothy W. CONNER, Gregory R. Heck, Jingdong Liu
  • Patent number: 7491806
    Abstract: The present invention is in the field of plant biochemistry. More specifically the invention relates to nucleic acid sequences from plant cells, in particular, nucleic acid sequences from maize, soybean and Arabidopsis thaliana associated with transcription factors. The invention encompasses nucleic acid molecules that encode proteins and fragments of proteins. In addition, the invention also encompasses proteins and fragments of proteins so encoded and antibodies capable of binding these proteins or fragments. The invention also relates to methods of using the nucleic acid molecules, proteins and fragments of proteins and antibodies, for example for genome mapping, gene identification and analysis, plant breeding, preparation of constructs for use in plant gene expression and transgenic plants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2009
    Assignee: Monsanto Technology, LLC
    Inventors: Timothy W. Conner, Gregory R. Heck, Jingdong Liu
  • Publication number: 20080289061
    Abstract: Utilizing phenotypic markers in seeds or plants to allow qualitative detection of a proprietary trait in the harvest, to allow a quantitative calculation of the amount of the trait, and to facilitate the calculation and collection of fees for the trait. The phenotypic markers of the seeds can be the seed coat color, and said seeds can be homozygous or heterozygous for the phenotypic difference of seed coat color. Commercial cultivars of seeds with the phenotypic difference of seed color may be grown to include several different seed colors. Trait fees may be assessed on all grain with the proprietary trait, whether the grain was produced from purchased seed or from seed saved from a previous harvest.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2008
    Publication date: November 20, 2008
    Inventors: Greg A. Penner, Stefan A. Bledig, Timothy W. Conner, Vergel C. Concibido
  • Publication number: 20080263730
    Abstract: Expressed Sequence Tags (ESTs) isolated from maize are disclosed. The ESTs provide a unique molecular tool for the targeting and isolation of novel genes for plant protection and improvement. The disclosed ESTs have utility in the development of new strategies for understanding critical plant developmental and metabolic pathways. The disclosed ESTs have particular utility in isolating genes and promoters, identifying and mapping the genes involved in developmental and metabolic pathways, and determining gene function. Sequence homology analyses using the ESTs provided in the present invention, will result in more efficient gene screening for desirable agronomic traits. An expanding database of these select pieces of the plant genomics puzzle will quickly expand the knowledge necessary for subsequent functional validation, a key limitation in current plant biotechnology efforts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2006
    Publication date: October 23, 2008
    Inventors: Scott E. Andersen, Timothy W. Conner, Raghunath V. Lalgudi
  • Publication number: 20080242547
    Abstract: The present invention provides polynucleotide molecules useful for expressing transgenes in plants. The present invention also provides expression constructs containing the polynucleotide molecules useful for expressing transgenes in plants. The present invention also provides transgenic plants and seeds containing the polynucleotide molecules useful for expressing transgenes in plants.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2008
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Inventors: Timothy W. Conner, Stanislaw Flasinski, Sheng Z. Pang, Jinsong You
  • Publication number: 20080229439
    Abstract: Polynucleotides useful for improvement of plants are provided. In particular, polynucleotide sequences are provided from plant sources. Polypeptides encoded by the polynucleotide sequences are also provided. The disclosed polynucleotides and polypeptides find use in production of transgenic plants to produce plants having improved properties.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Publication date: September 18, 2008
    Inventors: Thomas J. La Rosa, Linda Lutfiyya, Yihua Zhou, David K. Kovalic, Andrey A. Boukharov, Ping Li, Wei Wu, Timothy W. Conner, Jingdong Liu
  • Patent number: 7402731
    Abstract: Utilizing phenotypic markers in seeds or plants to allow qualitative detection of a proprietary trait in the harvest, to allow a quantitative calculation of the amount of the trait, and to facilitate the calculation and collection of fees for the trait. The phenotypic markers of the seeds can be the seed coat color, and said seeds can be homozygous or heterozygous for the phenotypic difference of seed coat color. Commercial cultivars of seeds with the phenotypic difference of seed color may be grown to include several different seed colors. Trait fees may be assessed on all grain with the proprietary trait, whether the grain was produced from purchased seed or from seed saved from a previous harvest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2008
    Assignee: Monsanto Technology LLC
    Inventors: Greg A. Penner, Stefan A. Bledig, Timothy W. Conner, Vergel C. Concibido
  • Publication number: 20080118617
    Abstract: The present invention relates to polynucleotide molecules for regulating gene expression in plants. In particular, the invention relates to promoters isolated from Glycine max and Arabidopsis thaliana that are useful for regulating gene expression of heterologous polynucleotide molecules in plants. The invention also relates to expression constructs and transgenic plants containing the heterologous polynucleotide molecules.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2007
    Publication date: May 22, 2008
    Inventors: Diane M. Ruezinsky, Iris Tzafrir, Timothy W. Conner
  • Patent number: 7371848
    Abstract: The present invention provides polynucleotide molecules useful for expressing transgenes in plants. More particularly, the present invention provides chimeric promoters comprising a Cauliflower mosaic virus 35S promoter enhancer fused with a plant actin gene promoter. The present invention also provides expression constructs containing the chimeric promoter. The present invention also provides transgenic plants and seeds containing the chimeric promoter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2008
    Assignee: Monsanto Technology LLC
    Inventors: Timothy W. Conner, Stanislaw Flasinski, Sheng Z. Pang, Jinsong You
  • Patent number: 7256324
    Abstract: Promoters from male reproductive tissues were isolated from corn (Zea mays). These promoters can be used in plants to regulate transcription of target genes including genes for control of fertility, insect or pathogen tolerance, herbicide tolerance or any gene of interest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Assignee: Monsanto Technology LLC
    Inventors: Timothy W. Conner, Patrice Dubois, Marianne Malven, James D. Masucci
  • Patent number: 7214786
    Abstract: Recombinant polynucleotides and recombinant polypeptides useful for improvement of plants are provided. The disclosed recombinant polynucleotides and recombinant polypeptides find use in production of transgenic plants to produce plants having improved properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2007
    Inventors: David K. Kovalic, Scott E. Andersen, Joseph R. Byrum, Timothy W. Conner, James D. Masucci, Yihua Zhou
  • Patent number: 7078503
    Abstract: Promoters from male reproductive tissues are isolated from corn. These promoters can be used in plants to regulate transcription of target genes including genes for control of fertility, insect or pathogen tolerance, herbicide tolerance or any gene of interest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2006
    Assignee: Monsanto Technology, LLC
    Inventors: Timothy W. Conner, Patrice Dubois, Marianne Malven, James D. Masucci
  • Patent number: 7034204
    Abstract: The present invention relates to nucleic acid sequences for regulating gene expression in plants. In particular, the invention relates to 5? regulatory sequences which are useful for regulating expression of heterologous DNAs in plants and methods for identifying multiple 5? regulatory sequences which confer a particular expression profile when operably linked to DNA sequences. The invention also relates to expression vectors containing the 5? regulatory sequences and to transgenic plants containing the expression vectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2006
    Assignee: Monsanto Technology LLC
    Inventors: Timothy W. Conner, Iris Tzafrir
  • Patent number: 6865556
    Abstract: Utilizing phenotypic markers in seeds or plants to allow qualitative detection of a proprietary trait in the harvest, to allow a quantitative calculation of the amount of the trait, and to facilitate the calculation and collection of fees for the trait. The phenotypic markers of the seeds can be the seed coat color, and said seeds can be homozygous or heterozygous for the phenotypic difference of seed coat color. Commercial cultivars of seeds with the phenotypic difference of seed color may be grown to include several different seed colors. Trait fees may be assessed on all grain with the proprietary trait, whether the grain was produced from purchased seed or from seed saved from a previous harvest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2005
    Assignee: Monsanto Technology LLC
    Inventors: Greg A. Penner, Stefan A. Bledig, Timothy W. Conner, Vergel C. Concibido
  • Publication number: 20040133946
    Abstract: Promoters from male reproductive tissues were isolated from corn (Zea mays). These promoters can be used in plants to regulate transcription of target genes including genes for control of fertility, insect or pathogen tolerance, herbicide tolerance or any gene of interest.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2003
    Publication date: July 8, 2004
    Inventors: Timothy W. Conner, Patrice Dubois, Marianne Malven, James D. Masucci