Patents Assigned to Aurora Algae, Inc.
  • Patent number: 9783812
    Abstract: Provided herein are exemplary isolated nucleotide sequences encoding polypeptides having elongase activity, which utilize fatty acids as substrates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: Aurora Algae, Inc.
    Inventors: Oliver Kilian, Bertrand Vick
  • Patent number: 9445619
    Abstract: Provided herein are exemplary compositions, products, and capsules utilizing POA, EPA, blends of POA and EPA, total algal oil compositions, and/or whole biomass compositions in methods of inhibiting inflammation including in cardiovascular disease, diabetes, obesity, stroke, metabolic syndromes, dementia, Alzheimer's disease, and/or cancer. The exemplary compositions, products, and capsules may be orally, topically, intravenously, and/or subcutaneously administered. The exemplary compositions herein may be used as feed, food, food supplements, beverages, beverage supplements, nutritional products, products for athletic performance, pharmaceutical products, and/or medical products for mammalian use, including humans.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: AURORA ALGAE, INC.
    Inventors: James Astwood, Michelle L. Collins, Brian Connolly
  • Patent number: 9376687
    Abstract: Provided herein are exemplary isolated nucleotide sequences encoding polypeptides having elongase activity, which utilize fatty acids as substrates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: Aurora Algae, Inc.
    Inventors: Oliver Kilian, Bertrand Vick
  • Patent number: 9266973
    Abstract: Systems and methods for processing biological material utilizing chitosan are provided herein. Methods may include the steps of reducing the pH of an amount of culture to about 5 to 7, incorporating an amount of a chitosan solution into the culture to form a mixture, wherein chitosan in the chitosan solution binds to the biological material; increasing the pH of the culture to about 7 to 10, to flocculate biological material in the culture, concentrating the flocculates, reducing the pH of the concentrated flocculates to about 3 to 5, and separating the recovered chitosan solution from the concentrated biological material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: Aurora Algae, Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel Fleischer
  • Patent number: 9187778
    Abstract: Various aspects provide for genetically modifying photosynthetic cells. In some cases, an integrated light harvesting efficiency of photosynthetic cells may be increased by reducing the amount of incident light that is absorbed but not used for photosynthesis. In some cases, an increased transparency may be associated with an increased light harvesting efficiency when absorption due to non-photosynthetic processes is reduced. A reduced capacity of various light-harvesting antenna apparatus may increase transparency. In some cases, a capacity of an organism to adapt to varying light levels may be reduced, and in certain cases, a modified organism may have a reduced ability to acclimate to a low light irradiance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: Aurora Algae, Inc.
    Inventors: Shaun Bailey, Yuen Yee Tam, Bertrand Vick
  • Patent number: 9101942
    Abstract: A clarification system may comprise a channel having an inlet and an outlet, a length, bottom, and a height sufficient to contain a liquid having a depth. The clarification system may include one or more gas injectors disposed within the channel, configured to inject gas bubbles into a suspension flowing in the channel. In some embodiments, at least one gas injector injects gas bubbles having average or median size that does not exceed 100 microns in diameter. Some gas injectors inject bubbles having mean size below 50 microns. Some gas injectors inject gas via the precipitation of gas bubbles from a supersaturated liquid including a dissolved gas. Certain embodiments may be configured to form a quiet zone, typically near the top of the flowing suspension, in which turbulence may be minimized or substantially eliminated. Certain systems include a plurality of gas injectors disposed at different lengths along the channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: Aurora Algae, Inc.
    Inventors: David Rice, Mehran Parsheh, Jordan Smith, Guido Radaelli
  • Patent number: 9029137
    Abstract: Isolated nucleotide sequences encoding a promoter of the Acyl Carrier Protein (“ACP”).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Aurora Algae, Inc.
    Inventors: Oliver Kilian, Bertrand Vick
  • Patent number: 8940340
    Abstract: Systems and methods for maintaining the dominance of Nannochloropsis in an algae cultivation system are provided. Exemplary methods include applying an effective amount of a disinfectant to Nannochloropsis growing in an algae cultivation system. Another method for maintaining the dominance of Nannochloropsis in an algae cultivation system includes adjusting a salinity in the algae cultivation system to between approximately 0.5 PPT and 28 PPT. In a further method, the temperature of the algae cultivation system may be adjusted to between approximately 21 and 32 degrees Celsius (“° C.”). According to yet another method for maintaining the dominance of Nannochloropsis in an algae cultivation system, a salinity in the algae cultivation system may be adjusted to below that of seawater for a first predetermined period of time, and then the salinity in the algae cultivation system may be adjusted to a higher salinity for a second predetermined period of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Aurora Algae, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph Weissman, Guido Radaelli
  • Patent number: 8926844
    Abstract: Systems and methods for reducing an amount of unwanted living organisms within an algae cultivation fluid are provided herein. According to some embodiments, methods may include subjecting the algae cultivation fluid to an amount of cavitation, the amount of cavitation being defined by a pressure differential between a downstream pressure and a vapor pressure, the pressure differential divided by half of a product of a fluid density multiplied by a square of a velocity of an apparatus throat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Aurora Algae, Inc.
    Inventors: Mehran Parsheh, Megan Hippler, Shahrokh A Naieni, Guido Radaelli
  • Patent number: 8865468
    Abstract: Exemplary transformation methods are provided for introducing deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) into the nucleus of an algal cell. A transformation construct may be prepared, with the transformation construct having a first sequence of DNA similar to a corresponding first sequence of nuclear DNA, a second sequence of DNA similar to a corresponding second sequence of the nuclear DNA, and a sequence of DNA of interest inserted between the first and second sequences of DNA of the transformation construct. A target sequence of DNA inserted between the first and second corresponding sequences of the nuclear DNA may be transformed, resulting in replacement of the target sequence of DNA with the sequence of DNA of interest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Aurora Algae, Inc.
    Inventors: Oliver Kilian, Bertrand Vick
  • Patent number: 8865452
    Abstract: Presented herein are exemplary systems and methods for extracting lipids from a wet algal biomass. An exemplary method comprises lysing a wet algal biomass with an insoluble granular lysing agent to create a lysate, creating a lipid-rich phase in the lysate, and separating the lipid-rich phase from the lysate. An exemplary system comprises a lysing station for creating a lysate from a wet algal biomass and a separation station for creating and separating a lipid-rich phase from the lysate. According to further exemplary systems and methods, ultrasound may be used in place of or in addition to a lysing agent to lyse the wet algal biomass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Aurora Algae, Inc.
    Inventors: Guido Radaelli, Daniel Fleischer
  • Publication number: 20140275613
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention include systems and methods for converting free fatty acids to ethyl esters. An exemplary method may comprise contacting the free fatty acid with a non-polar solvent. A mineral acid and an alcohol may then be added to form a two-phase mixture. An aqueous phase my subsequently be removed from the mixture. The processes and methods may be used in the manufacture of supplements, pharmaceuticals, cosmetic and beauty products, feedstocks, and the like.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Aurora Algae, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Gerard Hippler, Louis Anthony Kapicak, Kristen Potter
  • Publication number: 20140273113
    Abstract: Chlorophyll deficient algal strains, methods of making chlorophyll deficient algal strains, and methods of their use are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Aurora Algae, Inc.
    Inventors: Bertrand Vick, Yuen Yee Tam
  • Publication number: 20140275483
    Abstract: Provided herein are exemplary total algal oil compositions comprising by total weight between approximately 0% and 99% EPA, and one or more of the following: between approximately 0% and 99% POA, less than approximately 20% saturated fats (including 0% saturated fats or substantially saturated fat free), between approximately 0% and 99% ARA, and/or between approximately 0% and 99% DHA. According to further exemplary total algal oil compositions, the saturated fats may comprise PA. Also provided herein are exemplary total algal oil compositions comprising by total weight at least 20% EPA and one or more of the following: at least 17% POA, approximately 0% to 20% saturated fats, less than approximately 10% ARA, and/or substantially no DHA.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Aurora Algae, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Gerard Hippler, Michelle L. Collins, Andrew Thompson
  • Publication number: 20140275596
    Abstract: Provided herein are exemplary algal fatty acid compositions comprising by dry weight approximately 0.5% to approximately 99% C20:5 n3 Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and approximately 0.5% to approximately 99% C16:1 n7 palmitoleic acid (POA). Further exemplary algal fatty acid compositions may comprise (in addition to the above) one or more of the following by dry weight: between approximately 0% and 99% arachidonic acid; between approximately 0% and 99% docosahexaenoic acid; and/or less than approximately 10% saturated fatty acids (including 0% saturated fatty acids or substantially saturated fatty acid free). Further exemplary saturated fatty acyl moiety-rich algal compositions may be in a form of an ethyl ester (EE), a mono, di- or triacylglycerol (MAG, DAG, TAG), a phospholipid (PL), a galactolipid (GL), free fatty Acid (FFA), or a sulfoquinovosyl diacylglycerol (SQDG).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Aurora Algae, Inc.
    Inventors: James Astwood, Leslie van der Meulen, Michelle Collins, Jeffrey Gerard Hippler
  • Publication number: 20140271706
    Abstract: Provided herein are exemplary compositions, products, and capsules utilizing POA, EPA, blends of POA and EPA, total algal oil compositions, and/or whole biomass compositions in methods of inhibiting inflammation including in cardiovascular disease, diabetes, obesity, stroke, metabolic syndromes, dementia, Alzheimer's disease, and/or cancer. The exemplary compositions, products, and capsules may be orally, topically, intravenously, and/or subcutaneously administered. The exemplary compositions herein may be used as feed, food, food supplements, beverages, beverage supplements, nutritional products, products for athletic performance, pharmaceutical products, and/or medical products for mammalian use, including humans.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Aurora Algae, Inc.
    Inventors: James Astwood, Michelle L. Collins, Brian Connolly
  • Publication number: 20140274922
    Abstract: Provided herein are exemplary algal omega 7 compositions, including algal fatty acid compositions comprising by dry weight from about approximately 0.5% to about approximately 99% C16:1 n7 palmitoleic acid (POA). Such algal compositions may also include (either individually or any combination of) by dry weight: from about approximately 0% to about approximately 20% saturated fatty acids; from about approximately 0% to about approximately 99% arachidonic acid; from about approximately 0% to about 99% docosahexaenoic acid; and/or from about approximately 0% to about approximately 99% eicosapentaenoic acid. Further exemplary algal fatty acid compositions may include by dry weight about approximately 90% POA, less than about approximately 20% saturated fatty acids, less than about approximately 10% ARA, substantially no DHA, and less than about approximately 10% EPA.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Aurora Algae, Inc.
    Inventors: Leslie van der Meulen, Daniel Fleischer, Michelle L. Collins, James Astwood, Jeffrey Gerard Hippler, Andrew Thompson
  • Patent number: 8809046
    Abstract: Provided herein are exemplary isolated nucleotide sequences encoding polypeptides having elongase activity, which utilize fatty acids as substrates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Aurora Algae, Inc.
    Inventors: Oliver Kilian, Bertrand Vick
  • Patent number: 8785610
    Abstract: Provided herein are exemplary isolated nucleotide sequences encoding polypeptides having desaturase activity, which utilize fatty acids as substrates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Aurora Algae, Inc.
    Inventors: Oliver Kilian, Bertrand Vick
  • Patent number: 8769867
    Abstract: Systems, methods and media for generating fluid flow in an algae cultivation pond are disclosed. Circulation of fluid in the algae cultivation pond is initiated via at least one jet. The circulation of fluid generates a velocity of fluid flow of at least ten centimeters per second in the algae cultivation pond. A head is provided to the at least one jet that overcomes a head loss associated with the velocity of fluid flow of at least ten centimeters per second in the algae cultivation pond.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Aurora Algae, Inc.
    Inventors: Mehran Parsheh, Jordan Smith, Stephen Strutner, Guido Radaelli