Patents by Inventor Vasantha Nagarajan

Vasantha Nagarajan 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).

  • Genes involved in isoprenoid compound production
    Patent number: 7034140
    Abstract: Genes have been isolated from Rhodococcus erythropolis AN12 strain encoding the isoprenoid biosynthetic pathway. The genes and gene products are the first isolated from a Rhodococcus strain. The genes and gene products of the present invention may be used in a variety of ways for the production of isoprenoid compounds in a variety of organisms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2006
    Assignee: E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Michael G. Bramucci, Patricia C. Brzostowicz, Qiong Cheng, Kristy N Kostichka, Pierre E. Rouviere, Vasantha Nagarajan, Luan Tao, Stuart M. Thomas
  • Method for the use of polyhydroxyalkanoate levels to maintain bioreactor health
    Patent number: 6991931
    Abstract: A method has been developed to maintain the health of an activated sludge environment in a wastewater process comprising monitoring the levels of polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) produced as an indicator of bioreactor health and regulating the concentration of feed nutrients and nitrate to maintain bioreactor health. In general, levels of PHA in excess of about 15% to about 20% dry weight of the biomass is an indication that the biocatalytic efficiency of the wastewater treatment process is impaired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Assignee: E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Dominic A. Dragotta, Vasantha Nagarajan, Stuart M. Thomas
  • Method to accelerate biodegradation of aliphatic-aromatic co-polyesters by enzymatic treatment
    Publication number: 20050261465
    Abstract: Provided is a method for accelerating the biodegradation of aliphatic-aromatic co-polyesters comprising greater than 60 mol percent aromatic acid, based on total diacid in the co-polyester. The method involves contacting at least one hydrolytic enzyme in aqueous solution to the co-polyester.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2004
    Publication date: November 24, 2005
    Inventor: Vasantha Nagarajan
  • Recovery of isoflavones and removal of oligosaccharides from aqueous mixtures using zeolites
    Publication number: 20050202140
    Abstract: The present invention provides a process using zeolites for recovering isoflavones and removing undesired oligosaccharides from aqueous mixtures, such as soy whey and other plant processing waste products. The aqueous mixture is treated with a large pore hydrophobic zeolite, such as zeolite Beta, to remove isoflavones, followed by treatment with an ultrastabilized, hydrophobic zeolite Y, such as CBV-901 or HiSiv™ 4000, to remove the undesired oligosaccharides raffinose and stachyose. The recovered isoflavones and digestible sugars, glucose, sucrose, and fructose, are useful in food products.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2004
    Publication date: September 15, 2005
    Inventors: David Corbin, Vasantha Nagarajan, Vidya Pai, Stuart Thomas
  • Selective removal of oligosaccharides from aqueous mixtures using zeolites
    Publication number: 20050202141
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for selectively removing undesired oligosaccharides from aqueous mixtures such as plant processing waste products, including soy whey and other vegetable wheys, using an ultrastabilized large pore, hydrophobic zeolite Y. The resulting solution, which contains isoflavones and digestible sugars such as glucose, fructose and sucrose, can serve as the basis for a nutritious new product.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2004
    Publication date: September 15, 2005
    Inventors: David Corbin, Vasantha Nagarajan, Vidya Pai, Stuart Thomas
  • Method for determination of gene function
    Publication number: 20050053929
    Abstract: The present method is useful for the identification of genes, ORF's and other nucleic acid molecules which are essential for the expression of a specific phenotype in microorganisms. The method employs in vitro transposition in conjunction with an chromosomal integration vector containing a specific gene or genetic element whose function is unknown. Subsequent transformation of a recombination proficient host with the vector and growth first under non-integrating conditions and then under integrating conditions, followed by a selection screen for either single or double crossover events results in transformation that may be subjected to phenotypic screens to determine gene function.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2001
    Publication date: March 10, 2005
    Inventors: Pamela Sharpe, Vasantha Nagarajan
  • Genes encoding baeyer-villiger monooxygenases
    Publication number: 20040267001
    Abstract: Genes have been isolated from a variety of bacteria encoding Baeyer-Villiger monooxygenase activity. The genes and their products are useful for the conversion of ketones to the corresponding esters. A series of motifs, common to all genes, has been identified as diagnostic for genes encoding proteins of this activity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2004
    Publication date: December 30, 2004
    Inventors: Michael G. Bramucci, Patricia C. Brzostowicz, Kristy N. Kostichka, Vasantha Nagarajan, Pierre E. Rouviere, Stuart M. Thomas
  • Genes involved in cyclododecanone degradation pathway
    Patent number: 6797500
    Abstract: A 10 kb gene cluster has been isolated from Rhodococcus ruber SC1 comprising genes encoding enzymes useful for the synthesis of dodecanoic diacid from cyclododecanone and other cyclic intermediates. The six specific open reading frames have been identified that are associated with dodecanoic diacid biosynthesis. In addition to the expected substrates the enzymes of the instant invention have moderate specificity for C11-C15 compounds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2004
    Assignee: E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Mario W. Chen, Qiong Cheng, Katharine Janet Gibson, Kristy Nan-Shan Kostichka, Stuart M. Thomas, Vasantha Nagarajan
  • Biological method for the production of adipic acid and intermediates
    Patent number: 6794165
    Abstract: A gene cluster has been isolated from an Acinetobacter sp. that encodes the enzymes expected to convert cyclohexanol to adipic acid. The entire gene cluster has been cloned and all open reading frames have been sequenced. Cosmid clones have been identified containing the gene cluster. Demonstration of conversion of cyclohexanol to adipic acid has been made with the recombinant E. coli host strain containing the cosmids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2004
    Assignee: E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Qiong Cheng, Vasantha Nagarajan, Stuart M. Thomas
  • Polyhydroxyalkanoate levels as an indicator of bioreactor health
    Publication number: 20040152151
    Abstract: A method has been developed to monitor the health of an activated sludge environment in a wastewater process comprising monitoring the levels of polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) produced and correlating those levels with various selected sample parameters. In general, levels of PHA in excess of about 15% to about 20% dry weight of the biomass is an indication that the biocatalytic efficiency of the wastewater treatment process is impaired.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2004
    Publication date: August 5, 2004
    Inventors: Dominic A. Dragotta, Vasantha Nagarajan, Stuart M. Thomas
  • Polyhydroxyalkanoate levels as an indicator of bioreactor health
    Patent number: 6737263
    Abstract: A method has been developed to monitor the health of an activated sludge environment in a wastewater process comprising monitoring the levels of polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) produced and correlating those levels with various selected sample parameters. In general, levels of PHA in excess of about 15% to about 20% dry weight of the biomass is an indication that the biocatalytic efficiency of the wastewater treatment process is impaired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Dominic A. Dragotta, Vasantha Nagarajan, Stuart M. Thomas
  • Method of determination of gene function
    Patent number: 6673567
    Abstract: The present method is useful for the identification of genes, ORF's and other nucleic acid molecules which are essential for the expression of a specific phenotype in microorganisms. The method employs In vitro transposition in conjunction with an chromosomal integration vector containing a specific gene or genetic element whose function is unknown. Subsequent transformation of a recombination proficient host with the vector and growth first under non-integrating conditions and then under integrating conditions, followed by a selection screen for either single or double crossover events results in transformants that may be subjected to phenotypic screens to determine gene function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Assignee: E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Pamela L. Sharpe, Vasantha Nagarajan
  • Genes involved in cyclododecanone degradation pathway
    Publication number: 20030215930
    Abstract: A 10 kb gene cluster has been isolated from Rhodococcus ruber SC1 comprising genes encoding enzymes useful for the synthesis of dodecanoic diacid from cyclododecanone and other cyclic intermediates. The six specific open reading frames have been identified that are associated with dodecanoic diacid biosynthesis. In addition to the expected substrates the enzymes of the instant invention have moderate specificity for C11-C15 compounds.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2002
    Publication date: November 20, 2003
    Inventors: Mario W. Chen, Qiong Cheng, Katharine J. Gibson, Kristy N. Kostichka, Stuart M. Thomas, Vasantha Nagarajan
  • Rhodococcus gene encoding aldoxime dehydratase
    Publication number: 20030215929
    Abstract: A gene has been isolated from a Rhodococcus sp. encoding an aldoxime dehydratase enzyme useful for the conversion of aldoxime substrates to nitrilases and other downstream intermediates. The gene has been cloned into a recombinant host and expressed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2003
    Publication date: November 20, 2003
    Inventors: Michael G. Bramucci, Vasantha Nagarajan, Mario W. Chen
  • METHOD OF DETERMINATION OF GENE FUNCTION
    Publication number: 20030215799
    Abstract: The present method is useful for the identification of genes, ORF's and other nucleic acid molecules which are essential for the expression of a specific phenotype in microorganisms. The method employs In vitro transposition in conjunction with an chromosomal integration vector containing a specific gene or genetic element whose function is unknown. Subsequent transformation of a recombination proficient host with the vector and growth first under non-integrating conditions and then under integrating conditions, followed by a selection screen for either single or double crossover events results in transformants that may be subjected to phenotypic screens to determine gene function.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2001
    Publication date: November 20, 2003
    Inventors: Pamela L. Sharpe, Vasantha Nagarajan
  • Nucleic acid fragments for the identification of bacteria in industrial wastewater bioreactors
    Publication number: 20030207320
    Abstract: Unique bacterial strains and identifying 16S rDNA sequences have been isolated from activated wastewater sludge. The 16S rDNA sequences are diagnostic for organisms which are key to the health of activated sludge wastewater systems.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2003
    Publication date: November 6, 2003
    Inventors: Michael G. Bramucci, Mario W. Chen, Helene Marie Albertson-Kane, Vasantha Nagarajan
  • Nucleic acid fragments for the identification of bacteria in industrial wastewater bioreactors
    Publication number: 20030207321
    Abstract: Unique bacterial strains and identifying 16S rDNA sequences have been isolated from activated wastewater sludge. The 16S rDNA sequences are diagnostic for organisms which are key to the health of activated sludge wastewater systems.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2003
    Publication date: November 6, 2003
    Inventors: Michael G. Bramucci, Mario W. Chen, Helene Marie Albertson-Kane, Vasantha Nagarajan
  • Nucleic acid fragments for the identification of bacteria in industrial wastewater bioreactors
    Publication number: 20030203398
    Abstract: Unique bacterial strains and identifying 16S rDNA sequences have been isolated from activated wastewater sludge. The 16S rDNA sequences are diagnostic for organisms which are key to the health of activated sludge wastewater systems.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2003
    Publication date: October 30, 2003
    Inventors: Michael G. Bramucci, Mario W. Chen, Helene Marie Albertson-Kane, Vasantha Nagarajan
  • Genes involved in cyclododecanone degradation pathway
    Patent number: 6632650
    Abstract: A 10 kb gene cluster has been isolated from Rhodococcus ruber SC1 comprising genes encoding enzymes useful for the synthesis of dodecanoic diacid from cyclododecanone and other cyclic intermediates. The six specific open reading frames have been identified that are associated with dodecanoic diacid biosynthesis. In addition to the expected substrates the enzymes of the instant invention have moderate specificity for C11-C15 compounds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2003
    Assignee: E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Mario W Chen, Qiong Cheng, Katharine Gibson, Kristy Kostichka, Stuart M Thomas, Vasantha Nagarajan
  • Genes involved in isoprenoid compound production
    Publication number: 20030170847
    Abstract: Genes have been isolated from Rhodococcus erythropolis AN12 strain encoding the isoprenoid biosynthetic pathway. The genes and gene products are the first isolated from a Rhodococcus strain. The genes and gene products of the present invention may be used in a variety of ways for the production of isoprenoid compounds in a variety of organisms.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2002
    Publication date: September 11, 2003
    Inventors: Michael G. Bramucci, Patricia C. Brzostowicz, Qiong Cheng, Kristy N. Kostichka, Pierre E. Rouviere, Vasantha Nagarajan, Luan Tao, Stuart M. Thomas