Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm Gary M. Pace
  • Patent number: 6362394
    Abstract: The present invention is drawn to a method of controlling gene expression in plants. Specifically, the method comprises transforming a plant with a USP receptor expression cassette which encodes a USP receptor and at least one target expression cassette which encodes a target polypeptide. Contacting said transformed plant with juvenile hormone or one of its agonists activates expression of the target polypeptide in the presence of said USP receptor polypeptide. Optionally, additional “secondary” receptor expression cassettes may be used, wherein the secondary receptor expression cassette encodes a receptor polypeptide distinct from USP. The method is useful for controlling various traits of agronomic importance, such as plant fertility. Also disclosed is a method of identifying previously unknown ligands for USP. Substances to be tested are identified by placing them in contact with plant cells transformed with a USP receptor expression cassette and a target expression cassette.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2002
    Assignee: Syngenta Participations AG
    Inventors: Lyle Dean Crossland, Stephen Arthur Goff
  • Patent number: 6320100
    Abstract: DNA sequences optimized for expression in plants are disclosed. The DNA sequences preferably encode for an insecticidal polypeptides, particularly insecticidal proteins from Bacillus thuringiensis. Plant promoters, particular tissue-specific and tissue-preferred promoters are also provided. Additionally disclosed are transformation vectors comprising said DNA sequences. The transformation vectors demonstrate high levels of insecticidal activity when transformed into maize.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2001
    Assignee: Syngenta Investments, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael G. Koziel, Nalini M. Desai, Kelly S. Lewis, Gregory W. Warren, Stephen V. Evola, Martha S. Wright, Karen L. Launis, Steven J. Rothstein, Cindy G. Bowman, John L. Dawson, Erik M. Dunder, Gary M. Pace, Janet L. Suttie
  • Patent number: 6291156
    Abstract: The present invention is drawn to a novel class of proteins, and their receptors. Novel processes, assays and methods for controlling plant pests are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Assignee: Syngenta Participations AG
    Inventors: Juan Jose Estruch, Cao-Guo Yu
  • Patent number: 6147282
    Abstract: The present invention is drawn to a method of controlling gene expression in plants. Specifically, the method comprises obtaining a transgenic plant comprising at least two receptor expression cassettes and at least one target expression cassette. The first receptor expression cassette comprises a nucleotide sequence for a 5' regulatory region operably linked to a nucleotide sequence which encodes a first receptor polypeptide, and a 3' termination region. The second receptor expression cassette comprises a nucleotide sequence for a 5' regulatory region operably linked to a nucleotide sequence which encodes a second receptor polypeptide, and a 3' termination region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2000
    Assignee: Novartis Finance Corporation
    Inventors: Stephen A. Goff, Lyle D. Crossland, Laura S. Privalle
  • Patent number: 6137033
    Abstract: The genes encoding a novel class of insectecidal proteins have been isolated and characterized from a strain of Bacillus thuringiensis. Both the nucleic and amino acid sequences for the proteins are disclosed. The nucleic acid molcules are utilized in the transformation of host microorganisms and production of trangenic plants which are resistant to insects. Also, the gene encoding for the insect's receptor of the insecticide protein has been isolated and characterized. Novel processes and methods for controlling plants pests are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2000
    Assignee: Novartis Finance Corporation
    Inventors: Juan J. Estruch, Gregory W. Warren, Nalini M. Desai, Michael G. Koziel, Gordon J. Nye
  • Patent number: 6121014
    Abstract: DNA sequences optimized for expression in plants are disclosed. The DNA sequences preferably encode for an insecticidal polypeptides, particularly insecticidal proteins from Bacillus thuringiensis. Plant promoters, particular tissue-specific and tissue-preferred promoters are also provided. Additionally disclosed are transformation vectors comprising said DNA sequences. The transformation vectors demonstrate high levels of insecticidal activity when transformed into maize.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2000
    Assignee: Novartis Finance Corporation
    Inventors: Michael G. Koziel, Nalini M. Desai, Kelly S. Lewis
  • Patent number: 6121521
    Abstract: The present invention describes the design and construction of a chimeric insecticidal protein by joining the 5' portion of a synthetic maize optimized cry1B gene (SFLIB) to the 3' end of a full-length synthetic maize optimized cry1A(b) gene to generate a full-length hybrid cry1B gene (hyFLIB). When the chimeric insecticidal protein gene is expressed in transgenic maize from both PEPC and pith promoters, insecticidal activity is observed in transgenic maize tissue against European corn borer (Ostrinia nubilalis). An additional aspect of the invention is recombinant, biologically pure microbial strains transformed with the hyFLIB gene which can be used in entomocidal formulations for the control of Lepidopteran insects. Yet another aspect of the invention is plants transformed with the toxin gene or active fragments thereof, particularly where the transforming sequences have been optimized for expression in maize.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2000
    Assignee: Novartis AG
    Inventor: Nalini M. Desai
  • Patent number: 6107279
    Abstract: The genes encoding a novel class of insecticidal proteins have been isolated and characterized from a strain of Bacillus thuringiensis. Both the nucleic and amino acid sequences for the proteins are disclosed. The nucleic acid molecules are utilized in the transformation of host microorganisms and production of transgenic plants which are resistant to insects. Also, the gene encoding for the insect's receptor of the insecticidal protein has been isolated and characterized. Novel processes and methods for controlling plants pests are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2000
    Assignee: Novartis Finance Corporation
    Inventors: Juan J. Estruch, Cao-Guo Yu, Gregory W. Warren, Nalini M. Desai, Michael G. Koziel, Gordon J. Nye
  • Patent number: 6075185
    Abstract: DNA sequences optimized for expression in plants are disclosed. The DNA sequences preferably encode for an insecticidal polypeptides, particularly insecticidal proteins from Bacillus thuringiensis. Plant promoters, particular tissue-specific and tissue-preferred promoters are also provided. Additionally disclosed are transformation vectors comprising said DNA sequences. The transformation vectors demonstrate high levels of insecticidal activity when transformed into maize.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2000
    Assignee: Novartis Finance Corporation
    Inventors: Michael G. Koziel, Nalini M. Desai, Kelly S. Lewis, Gregory W. Warren, Stephen V. Evola, Martha S. Wright, Karen L. Launis, Steven J. Rothstein, Cindy G. Bowman, John L. Dawson, Erik M. Dunder, Gary M. Pace, Janet L. Suttie
  • Patent number: 6069301
    Abstract: Antibodies, monoclonal antibodies or fragments thereof which bind to brush border membrane vesicles of insect gut and the gene or genes which encode these proteins are provided. The monoclonal antibodies bind the gut of a target insect but do not bind to mammalian brush border membranes or to plant microsomes. The antibodies and the genes encoding them find use in constructing hybrid toxins for control of insect pests.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2000
    Assignee: Novartis Finance Corporation
    Inventors: Nadine Barbara Carozzi, Michael Gene Koziel
  • Patent number: 6054637
    Abstract: The present invention relates to novel peptide fragments [targeting signal] that are obtainable from the C-terminal region [C-terminal extension] of plant vacuole proteins and that, in operable linkage with any desired protein molecule, ensure that the proteins associated with those peptide fragments are directed specifically into the plant vacuole, and to DNA molecules coding for the said peptide fragments.The present invention relates also to recombinant DNA molecules that comprise the DNA sequence according to the invention in operable linkage with an expressible DNA, and to the vectors derived therefrom. Also included are host cells and/or host organisms, including transgenic plants, that comprise the said recombinant DNA or the vectors derived therefrom. The present invention also relates to recombinant DNA molecules and vectors derived therefrom that comprise DNA sequences naturally coding for vacuolar proteins, but which are devoid of vacuole signal sequences and targeted for extracellular secretion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2000
    Assignee: Novartis Finance Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas Boller, Jean-Marc Neuhaus, John Ryals
  • Patent number: 6051760
    Abstract: DNA sequences optimized for expression in plants are disclosed. The DNA sequences preferably encode for an insecticidal polypeptides, particularly insecticidal proteins from Bacillus thuringiensis. Plant promoters, particular tissue-specific and tissue-preferred promoters are also provided. Additionally disclosed are transformation vectors comprising said DNA sequences. The transformation vectors demonstrate high levels of insecticidal activity when transformed into maize.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2000
    Assignee: Novartis Finance Corporation
    Inventors: Michael G. Koziel, Nalini M. Desai, Gregory W. Warren, Stephen V. Evola, Martha S. Wright, Karen L. Launis, Cindy G. Bowman, John L. Dawson, Erik M. Dunder, Gary M. Pace, Janet L. Suttie
  • Patent number: 6040504
    Abstract: A promoter isolated from a cotton gene encoding the small subunit of ribulose bisphosphate carboxylase is described. The isolated promoter is operably linked to a coding sequence of interest to make a chimeric gene.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2000
    Assignee: Novartis Finance Corporation
    Inventors: Douglas Rice, Nadine Carozzi, David M. Anderson, Kanniah Rajasekaran, Thirumale S. Rangan, Richard Yenofsky, Richard Lotstein
  • Patent number: 6018104
    Abstract: DNA sequences optimized for expression in plants are disclosed. The DNA sequences preferably encode for an insecticidal polypeptides, particularly insecticidal proteins from Bacillus thuringiensis. Plant promoters, particular tissue-specific and tissue-preferred promoters are also provided. Additionally disclosed are transformation vectors comprising said DNA sequences. The transformation vectors demonstrate high levels of insecticidal activity when transformed into maize.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2000
    Assignee: Novartis Finance Corporation
    Inventors: Michael G. Koziel, Nalini M. Desai, Kelly S. Lewis, Vance C. Kramer, Gregory W. Warren, Stephen V. Evola, Martha S. Wright, Karen L. Launis, Steven J. Rothstein, Cindy G. Bowman, John L. Dawson, Erik M. Dunder, Gary M. Pace, Janet L. Suttie
  • Patent number: 6018099
    Abstract: DNA sequences are able to function as promoters of tissue-preferential transcription of associated DNA sequences in plants, particularly in the roots. These DNA sequences can be used in transformation vectors to produce transgenic plants which will express the heterologous genes preferentially in tissue, particularly in the roots of maize plants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2000
    Assignee: Novartis Finance Corporation
    Inventor: Annick J. de Framond
  • Patent number: 6002068
    Abstract: The present invention relates, in general, to methods and compositions for controlling insects in monocotyledonous plants (monocots), particularly maize. More precisely, the present invention relates to (1) a method for controlling insects comprising feeding or contacting an insect with an insecticidal amount of transgenic monocotyledonous plant cells comprising a recombinant DNA sequence comprising a coding sequence encoding peroxidase and (2) a fertile transgenic monocot plant comprising a recombinant DNA sequence comprising a coding sequence encoding peroxidase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1999
    Assignees: Novartis Finance Corporation, The Ohio State University, The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of Agriculture
    Inventors: Laura Privalle, Juan Estruch, Martha Wright, Martha Beale Hill, Patrick Francis Dowd, Lawrence Mark Lagrimini
  • Patent number: 5990383
    Abstract: The present invention is drawn to pesticidal strains and proteins. Bacillus strains which are capable of producing pesticidal proteins and auxiliary proteins during vegetative growth are provided. Also provided are the purified proteins, nucleotide sequences encoding the proteins and methods for using the strains, proteins and genes for controlling pests.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1999
    Assignee: Novartis Finance Corporation
    Inventors: Gregory W. Warren, Michael G. Koziel, Martha A. Mullins, Gordon J. Nye, Brian Carr, Nalini M. Desai, Kristy Kostichka, Nicholas B. Duck, Juan J. Estruch
  • Patent number: 5955362
    Abstract: The present invention is drawn to the production of fertile transformed wheat plants. The method involved subjecting wheat tissues to high velocity microprojectile bombardment, selecting for transformed cells, and regenerating stably transformed fertile plants from the transformed cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1999
    Assignee: Novartis Finance Corporation
    Inventors: Yin-Fu Chang, James Richard Wong, Andrea Itano, Stephen J. Mejza, Leslie Walker
  • Patent number: 5889174
    Abstract: The present invention is drawn to pesticidal strains and proteins. Bacillus strains which are capable of producing pesticidal proteins and auxiliary proteins during vegetative growth are provided. Also provided are the purified proteins, nucleotide sequences encoding the proteins and methods for using the strains, proteins and genes for controlling pests.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 30, 1999
    Assignee: Novartis Finance Corporation
    Inventors: Gregory W. Warren, Michael G. Koziel, Martha A. Mullins, Gordon J. Nye, Brian Carr, Nalini M. Desai, Kristy Kostichka, Juan J. Estruch
  • Patent number: 5888801
    Abstract: The present invention is drawn to pesticidal strains and proteins. Bacillus strains which are capable of producing pesticidal proteins and auxiliary proteins during vegetative growth are provided. Also provided are the purified proteins, nucleotide sequences encoding the proteins and methods for using the strains, proteins and genes for controlling pests.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 30, 1999
    Assignee: Novartis Finance Corporation
    Inventors: Gregory W. Warren, Martha A. Mullins, Annick J. de Framond