Patents by Inventor William Hitz

William Hitz 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: 20080066204
    Abstract: An isolated nucleic acid fragment encoding a plastidic phosphoglucomutase protein is disclosed. Also disclosed is the construction of a chimeric gene encoding all or a substantial portion of the plastidic phosphoglucomutase, in sense or antisense orientation, wherein expression of the chimeric gene results in production of altered levels of the plastidic phosphoglucomutase in a transformed host cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2007
    Publication date: March 13, 2008
    Inventors: Stephen Allen, Karlene Butler, Thomas Carlson, William Hitz, Johan Stoop
  • Publication number: 20080010699
    Abstract: An isolated nucleic acid fragment encoding an LPAAT isozyme is disclosed. Construction of a chimeric gene encoding all or a portion of the LPAAT isozyme, in sense or antisense orientation, wherein expression of the chimeric gene results in production of altered levels of the LPAAT isozyme in a transformed host cell is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2007
    Publication date: January 10, 2008
    Inventors: Edgar Cahoon, Anthony Kinney, William Hitz, Kevin Ripp, Rebecca Cahoon
  • Publication number: 20070237876
    Abstract: Oilseed plants which have been transformed to produce very long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids, recombinant constructs used in such transformations, methods for producing such fatty acids in a plant are described and uses of oils and seeds obtained from such transformed plants in a variety of food and feed applications are described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2007
    Publication date: October 11, 2007
    Inventors: Anthony Kinney, Edgar Cahoon, Howard Damude, William Hitz, Zhan-Bin Liu, Charles Kolar
  • Publication number: 20070130653
    Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided for reducing the level of expression of a target polynucleotide in an organism. The methods and compositions selectively silence the target polynucleotide through the expression of a chimeric polynucleotide comprising the target for a sRNA (the trigger sequence) operably linked to a sequence corresponding to all or part of the gene or genes to be silenced. In this manner, the final target of silencing is an endogenous gene in the organism in which the chimeric polynucleotide is expressed. In a further embodiment, the miRNA target is that of a heterologous miRNA or siRNA, the latter of which is coexpressed in the cells at the appropriate developmental stage to provide silencing of the final target when and where desired. In a further embodiment, the final target may be a gene in a second organism, such as a plant pest, that feeds upon the organism containing the chimeric gene or genes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2006
    Publication date: June 7, 2007
    Applicants: Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc., E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company, Plant Bioscience Limited
    Inventors: David Baulcombe, Enno Krebbers, William Hitz, Kimberly Glassman, Milo Aukerman, Robert Williams, Byung-Chun Yoo
  • Publication number: 20070028328
    Abstract: The preparation and use of nucleic acid fragments encoding fatty acid desaturase enzymes are described. The invention permits alteration of plant lipid composition. Chimeric genes incorporating such nucleic acid fragments with suitable regulatory sequences may be used to create transgenic plants with altered levels of unsaturated fatty acids.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2006
    Publication date: February 1, 2007
    Inventors: Richard Brogie, Lorin Debonte, William Hitz, Guo-Hua Miao, Robert Reiter
  • Publication number: 20060260006
    Abstract: The invention relates to the genetic manipulation of plants to produce polyhydroxyalkanoate, particularly in the peroxisomes. Methods for producing such polymers in plants and host cells are provided. Such methods find use in producing biodegradable thermoplastics in plants and other organisms. Nucleotide molecules, expression cassettes, and genetically manipulated host cell, plants, plant tissues, and seeds are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2006
    Publication date: November 16, 2006
    Applicants: Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc., E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Kanwarpal Dhugga, Chun Li, Jian Dong, William Hitz, Matthias Liebergesell, Scott Nichols, Kristen Briggs
  • Publication number: 20060253937
    Abstract: The invention relates to the genetic manipulation of plants to produce polyhydroxyalkanoate, particularly in the peroxisomes. Methods for producing such polymers in plants and host cells are provided. Such methods find use in producing biodegradable thermoplastics in plants and other organisms. Nucleotide molecules, expression cassettes, and genetically manipulated host cell, plants, plant tissues, and seeds are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2006
    Publication date: November 9, 2006
    Applicants: Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc., E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Kanwarpal Dhugga, Chun Li, Jian Dong, William Hitz, Matthias Liebergesell, Scott Nichols, Kristen Briggs
  • Publication number: 20060252139
    Abstract: The invention relates to the genetic manipulation of plants to produce polyhydroxyalkanoate, particularly in the peroxisomes. Methods for producing such polymers in plants and host cells are provided. Such methods find use in producing biodegradable thermoplastics in plants and other organisms. Nucleotide molecules, expression cassettes, and genetically manipulated host cell, plants, plant tissues, and seeds are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2006
    Publication date: November 9, 2006
    Applicants: Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc., E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Kanwarpal Dhugga, Chun Li, Jian Dong, William Hitz, Matthias Liebergesell, Scott Nichols, Kristen Briggs
  • Publication number: 20060137040
    Abstract: An endogenous oil extracted from Brassica seeds is disclosed that contains, after crushing and extraction, greater than 86% oleic acid and less than 2.5% ?-linolenic acid. The oil also contains less than 7% linoleic acid. The Brassica seeds are produced by plants that contain seed-specific inhibition of microsomal oleate desaturase and microsomal linoleate desaturase gene expression. Such inhibition can be created by cosuppression or antisense technology. Such an oil has a very high oxidative stability in the absence of added antioxidants.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2006
    Publication date: June 22, 2006
    Inventors: Lorin DeBonte, William Hitz
  • Publication number: 20060003430
    Abstract: An isolated nucleic acid fragment encoding an LPAAT isozyme is disclosed. Construction of a chimeric gene encoding all or a portion of the LPAAT isozyme, in sense or antisense orientation, wherein expression of the chimeric gene results in production of altered levels of the LPAAT isozyme in a transformed host cell is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2004
    Publication date: January 5, 2006
    Inventors: Edgar Cahoon, Anthony Kinney, William Hitz, Kevin Ripp, Rebecca Cahoon
  • Publication number: 20060004100
    Abstract: A novel method for improving the meat quality of an animal is provided. The method comprises feeding the animal a diet supplemented with oleic acid and selected tocols in amounts effective to improve the meat quality. The method may be practiced on non-ruminants and ruminants.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2005
    Publication date: January 5, 2006
    Inventors: William Hitz, Thomas Sauber, Court Saunders, Fred Wolf
  • Publication number: 20050282278
    Abstract: This invention relates to an isolated nucleic acid fragment encoding a sugar transport protein. The invention also relates to the construction of a chimeric gene encoding all or a portion of the sugar transport protein, in sense or antisense orientation, wherein expression of the chimeric gene results in production of altered levels of the sugar transport protein in a transformed host cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2005
    Publication date: December 22, 2005
    Inventors: Stephen Allen, William Hitz, Anthony Kinney, Scott Tingey
  • Publication number: 20050278807
    Abstract: This invention relates to an isolated nucleic acid fragment encoding a galactinol synthase. The invention also relates to the construction of a chimeric gene encoding all or a portion of the galactinol synthase, in sense or antisense orientation, wherein expression of the chimeric gene results in production of altered levels of the galactinol synthase in a transformed host cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2005
    Publication date: December 15, 2005
    Inventors: Stephen Allen, William Hitz
  • Publication number: 20050273886
    Abstract: An isolated nucleic acid fragment encoding a plastidic phosphoglucomutase protein is disclosed. Also disclosed is the construction of a chimeric gene encoding all or a substantial portion of the plastidic phosphoglucomutase, in sense or antisense orientation, wherein expression of the chimeric gene results in production of altered levels of the plastidic phosphoglucomutase in a transformed host cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2005
    Publication date: December 8, 2005
    Inventors: Stephen Allen, Karlene Butler, Thomas Carlson, William Hitz, Johan Stoop
  • Publication number: 20050164269
    Abstract: This invention relates to an isolated nucleic acid fragment encoding a phytic acid biosynthetic enzyme. The invention also relates to the construction of a chimeric gene encoding all or a portion of the phytic acid biosynthetic enzyme, in sense or antisense orientation, wherein expression of the chimeric gene results in production of altered levels of the phytic acid biosynthetic enzyme in a transformed host cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2005
    Publication date: July 28, 2005
    Inventors: Rebecca Cahoon, William Hitz, Richard Pearlstein, Thomas Charlson
  • Publication number: 20050066390
    Abstract: An isolated nucleic acid fragment encoding a diverged delta-9 fatty acid desaturase is disclosed. Also the construction of a chimeric gene encoding all or a portion of the diverged delta-9 fatty acid desaturase is disclosed, in sense or antisense orientation, wherein expression of the chimeric gene results in production of altered levels of the diverged delta-9 fatty acid desaturase in a transformed host cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2004
    Publication date: March 24, 2005
    Inventors: John Booth, Rebecca Cahoon, William Hitz, Anthony Kinney, Narendra Yadav
  • Publication number: 20050042722
    Abstract: This invention relates to an isolated nucleic acid fragment encoding a sorbitol biosynthetic enzyme. The invention also relates to the construction of a chimeric gene encoding all or a portion of the sorbitol biosynthetic enzyme, in sense or antisense orientation, wherein expression of the chimeric gene results in production of altered levels of the sorbitol biosynthetic enzyme in a transformed host cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2004
    Publication date: February 24, 2005
    Inventors: Omolayo Famodu, Emil Orozco, J. Rafalski, William Hitz
  • Patent number: 6372965
    Abstract: The preparation and use of nucleic acid fragments encoding fatty acid desaturase enzymes are described. The invention permits alteration of plant lipid composition. Chimeric genes incorporating such nucleic acid fragments with suitable regulatory sequences may be used to create transgenic plants with altered levels of unsaturated fatty acids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2002
    Assignee: E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Jonathan Edward Lightner, John Joseph Okuley, William Hitz, Anthony John Kinney, Luis Perez-Grau, Narendra S. Yadav