Patents Assigned to The Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation
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Patent number: 9909136Abstract: The invention provides methods for decreasing lignin content in plants by reducing expression of a folylpolyglutamate synthetase 1 (FPGS1) coding sequence in the plant. Also provided are methods for reducing lignin content in a plant by down-regulation of FPGS1 expression in the plant. Nucleic acid molecules for modulation of FPGS1 expression and transgenic plants the same are also provided. Plants described herein may be used, for example, as improved biofuel feedstock and as highly digestible forage crops. Methods for processing plant tissue and for producing biofuels by utilizing such plants are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: May 12, 2015Date of Patent: March 6, 2018Assignee: The Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation, Inc.Inventors: Avinash C. Srivastava, Yuhong Tang, Elison Blancaflor
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Patent number: 9668467Abstract: A system and methods for trapping animals including an enclosure adapted to be suspended above a trap area. The enclosure may be movable from the suspended position to a lowered position to enclose a trap area. The system further includes a user-directed control system to remotely control the position of the enclosure in order to trap animals within the enclosure.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 2015Date of Patent: June 6, 2017Assignee: The Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation, Inc.Inventors: Joshua Gaskamp, Kenneth L. Gee, Steven P. Rhines
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Patent number: 9456561Abstract: The invention relates to alfalfa plants and lines having aluminum tolerance. The invention also relates to parts of alfalfa plants from lines having aluminum tolerance, including seeds capable of growing aluminum tolerant alfalfa plants. Methods for the use and breeding of aluminum tolerant alfalfa plants are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: January 17, 2012Date of Patent: October 4, 2016Assignees: The Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation, Inc., The University of Georgia Research Foundation, Inc.Inventors: Dong-Man Khu, Joseph H. Bouton, Maria J. Monteros, Rafael Reyno, E. Charles Brummer
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Patent number: 9309528Abstract: The invention provides methods for increasing the level of fermentable carbohydrates in a biofuel crop plant such as alfalfa or switchgrass, by modification of the lignin biosynthetic pathway. Also provided are plants prepared by the methods of the invention. Methods for processing plant tissue and for producing ethanol by utilizing such plants are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2007Date of Patent: April 12, 2016Assignee: The Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation, Inc.Inventors: Richard A. Dixon, Fang Chen, Zengyu Wang
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Patent number: 9237743Abstract: A system and methods for trapping animals including an enclosure adapted to be suspended above a trap area. The enclosure may be movable from the suspended position to a lowered position to enclose a trap area. The system further includes a user-directed control system to remotely control the position of the enclosure in order to trap animals within the enclosure.Type: GrantFiled: April 18, 2014Date of Patent: January 19, 2016Assignee: The Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation, Inc.Inventors: Joshua Gaskamp, Kenneth L. Gee, Steven P. Rhines
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Patent number: 9238821Abstract: The invention provides methods and compositions for making a dicotyledonous plant that is susceptible to Phymatotrichopsis Root Rot (PRR) more resistant to PRR, by metabolic engineering of the plant's flavonoid and isoflavonoid biosynthetic pathways. Thus, methods for increasing the synthesis and accumulation of medicarpin and/or 7,4?-dihydroxyflavone in plants such as alfalfa are provided.Type: GrantFiled: April 14, 2010Date of Patent: January 19, 2016Assignee: The Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation, Inc.Inventors: Wensheng Li, Srinivasa Rao Uppalapati, Kirankumar S. Mysore, Richard A. Dixon, Lloyd W. Sumner
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Patent number: 9121031Abstract: The invention provides methods and compositions for the modulation of proanthocynidin (“PA;” condensed tannin) production in plants. The methods of the invention allow creation of plants having novel phenotypes, such as alterations in levels of PA or in the types of tissues in which PAs are produced. Altered expression of PA in plants may be achieved, for instance without significantly affecting anthocyanin content or overall secondary metabolite profiles. Alternatively, expression of PA in plants may be achieved while also affecting anthocyanin content.Type: GrantFiled: April 11, 2012Date of Patent: September 1, 2015Assignee: The Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation, Inc.Inventors: Jerome A. Verdier, Jian Zhao, Richard A. Dixon, Michael K. Udvardi
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Patent number: 9074216Abstract: The invention provides coding and promoter sequences for an STF gene, which affects lamina expansion in plants. Vectors, transgenic plants, seeds, and host cells comprising a heterologous STF gene are also provided. Additionally provided are methods of altering biomass in a plant using the STF gene.Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 2009Date of Patent: July 7, 2015Assignee: The Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation, Inc.Inventors: Million Tadege, Kirankumar Mysore
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Patent number: 9045549Abstract: The invention provides methods for modifying lignin, cellulose, xylan, and hemicellulose content in plants, and for achieving ectopic lignification and, for instance, secondary cell wall synthesis in pith cells, by altered regulation of a WRKY transcription factor. Nucleic acid constructs for altered WRKY-TF expression are described. Transgenic plants are provided that comprise modified pith cell walls, and lignin, cellulose, and hemicellulose content. Plants described herein may be used, for example, as improved biofuel feedstock and as highly digestible forage crops.Type: GrantFiled: November 3, 2011Date of Patent: June 2, 2015Assignee: The Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation, Inc.Inventors: Huanzhong Wang, Fang Chen, Richard A. Dixon
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Patent number: 8975489Abstract: The invention provides isolated fungal endophytes and synthetic combinations thereof with host grass plants. Methods for inoculating grass plant with the endophytes, for propagating the grass-endophyte combinations, and for producing feeds and biofuels from grass-endophyte combinations are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: November 29, 2011Date of Patent: March 10, 2015Assignee: The Samuel Roberts Noble FoundationInventor: Kelly Craven
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Patent number: 8907164Abstract: The invention provides coding and promoter sequences for a VS-1 and AP-2 gene, which affects the developmental process of senescence in plants. Vectors, transgenic plants, seeds, and host cells comprising heterologous VS-1 and AP-2 genes are also provided. Additionally provided are methods of altering nutrient allocation and composition in a plant using the VS-1 and AP-2 genes.Type: GrantFiled: April 19, 2011Date of Patent: December 9, 2014Assignee: The Samuel Roberts Noble Foundations, Inc.Inventors: Michael Udvardi, Jiading Yang, Eric Worley
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Patent number: 8901371Abstract: The invention provides methods for modifying lignin content and composition in plants and achieving associated benefits therefrom involving altered expression of newly discovered MYB4 transcription factors. Nucleic acid constructs for modifying MYB4 transcription factor expression are described. By over-expressing the identified MYB4 transcription factors, for example, an accompanying decrease in lignin content may be achieved. Plants are provided by the invention comprising such modifications, as are methods for their preparation and use.Type: GrantFiled: May 2, 2012Date of Patent: December 2, 2014Assignee: The Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation, Inc.Inventors: Hui Shen, Fang Chen, Richard A. Dixon
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Patent number: 8809627Abstract: The invention provides enzymes that encode O-methyltransferases (OMTs) from Medicago truncatula that allow modification to plant (iso)flavonoid biosynthetic pathways. In certain aspects of the invention, the genes encoding these enzymes are provided. The invention therefore allows the modification of plants for isoflavonoid content. Transgenic plants comprising such enzymes are also provided, as well as methods for improving disease resistance in plants. Methods for producing food and nutraceuticals, and the resulting compositions, are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: August 16, 2007Date of Patent: August 19, 2014Assignee: The Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation, Inc.Inventors: Bettina E. Broeckling, Chang-Jun Liu, Richard A. Dixon
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Patent number: 8796509Abstract: The invention provides methods for decreasing lignin content and for increasing the level of fermentable carbohydrates in plants by down-regulation of the NST transcription factor. Nucleic acid constructs for down-regulation of NST are described. Transgenic plants are provided that comprise reduced lignin content. Plants described herein may be used, for example, as improved biofuel feedstock and as highly digestible forage crops. Methods for processing plant tissue and for producing ethanol by utilizing such plants are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: July 12, 2010Date of Patent: August 5, 2014Assignee: The Samuel Roberts Noble FoundationInventors: Qiao Zhao, Fang Chen, Richard A. Dixon
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Patent number: 8669417Abstract: The invention provides methods and compositions for increasing the efficiency of genetic transformation of host cells, including plant cells, and other eukaryotic cells, by reducing the expression of a polypeptide active in a pathway, such as the NHEJ pathway, for repairing damage to the cellular genome. In certain embodiments, the polypeptide is active in repairing double strand breaks (DSB's) of a cellular genome, and may include XRCC4, KU70, KU80, the DNA-activated Protein Kinase (DNA-Pkcs), and ATM. Methods for enhancing the resistance of plant cells to Crown Gall disease are also provided. In another aspect, genetic regulatory elements are provided, including an XRCC4 promoter.Type: GrantFiled: July 20, 2010Date of Patent: March 11, 2014Assignee: The Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation, Inc.Inventors: Zarir E. Vaghchhipawala, Kirankumar Mysore
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Patent number: 8664473Abstract: The invention relates to alfalfa plants and lines having aluminum tolerance. The invention also relates to parts of alfalfa plants from lines having aluminum tolerance, including seeds capable of growing aluminum tolerant alfalfa plants. Methods for the use and breeding of aluminum tolerant alfalfa plants are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: January 10, 2011Date of Patent: March 4, 2014Assignee: The Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation, Inc.Inventors: Dong-Man Khu, Rafael Reyno, E. Charles Bummer, Joseph H. Bouton, Maria J. Monteros
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Patent number: 8569582Abstract: The invention provides methods for transforming grass plants with Agrobacterium. The invention allows creation of transgenic grass plants without the need for callus as a target tissue for transformation, thus providing a rapid method for the production of transgenic grass plants. Transgenic grass plants produced by this method are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: June 22, 2010Date of Patent: October 29, 2013Assignee: The Samuel Roberts Noble FoundationInventors: Zeng-Yu Wang, Rangaraj Nandakumar
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Patent number: 8420889Abstract: The invention provides methods and compositions for the modulation of epicatechin glucosyltransferase activity in plants. Increased expression of epicatechin glucosides, and ultimately anthocyanins and proanthocyanidins, in plants may be used to increase the nutritional value of food plants for both human and animal consumption. Increased proanthocyanidin content also reduces the potential for bloat in animals fed certain forage plants low in condensed tannin content.Type: GrantFiled: August 27, 2009Date of Patent: April 16, 2013Assignee: The Samuel Roberts Noble FoundationInventors: Richard A. Dixon, Yongzhen Pang, Gregory J. Peel
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Patent number: 8138392Abstract: The invention provides transgenic plants with resistance to infection by a root-infecting fungal plant pathogen such as Phymatotrichopsis omnivora. Also provided are methods of making such plants. Further provided are nucleic acid vectors for producing such a plant. Additionally, methods are provided for growing a dicotyledonous plant that is resistant to root rot disease in soil that comprises Phymatotrichopsis omnivora, or another pathogen.Type: GrantFiled: July 14, 2009Date of Patent: March 20, 2012Assignee: The Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation, Inc.Inventors: Srinivasa Rao Uppalapati, Kirankumar Mysore, Wensheng Li, Lloyd Sumner, Richard A. Dixon
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Patent number: 8129592Abstract: The invention provides plant isoflavonoid hydroxylase coding sequences. Also provided are constructs comprising these sequences, plants transformed therewith and methods of use thereof. In certain aspects of the invention, plants transformed with the nucleic acids are provided exhibiting improved pest and disease resistance. Plants provided by the invention may also exhibit improved nutritional qualities.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 2008Date of Patent: March 6, 2012Assignee: The Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation, Inc.Inventors: Richard A. Dixon, Chang-Jun Liu