Patents Assigned to University of Wyoming
  • ENHANCED YEAST FERMENTATION PLATFORM USING YEAST LACKING MITOCHONDRIAL DNA AND CONTAINING GROWTH IMPROVING MUTATIONS
    Publication number: 20140302577
    Abstract: Methods for enhanced yeast fermentation of plant material through the genetic modification of non-respiring yeast are provided including the introduction of a dominant mitochondrial ATP synthase gene mutation into a non-respiring yeast that entirely lacks mitochondrial DNA and transgenic yeast for the enhanced yeast fermentation of plant material lacking mitochondrial DNA while having a dominant mitochondrial ATP synthase gene mutation in the nuclear genome. Methods further include the introduction of a mitochondrial genome into a non-respiring yeast lacking the COX1, COX2, COX3, or COB gene as well as transgenic yeast having a mitochondrial genome lacking the COX1, COX2, COX3, or COB gene. Additional methods include the creation of a disrupted copy of the CAT5 nuclear gene in a non-respiring yeast as well as transgenic yeast having a disrupted copy of the CAT5 nuclear gene are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2014
    Publication date: October 9, 2014
    Applicant: UNIVERSITY OF WYOMING
    Inventors: Peter E. Thorsness, Christopher P. Smith
  • Lepidopteran insect N-acetylglucosaminidase genes and their use in glycoengineering
    Patent number: 8846886
    Abstract: A transgenic insect cell line for production of elevated levels of recombinant glycoproteins comprising mammalian-like N-glycans is provided. Also disclosed are nucleic acid sequences encoding ?-N-acetylglucosaminidases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: University of Wyoming
    Inventors: Donald L. Jarvis, Christoph Geisler
  • Methods of using a bacterial GlcNAc-6-P 2?- epimerase to promote sialylation of glycoconjugates
    Patent number: 8846373
    Abstract: The present invention relates to new methods to promote sialylation of glycoconjugates, including recombinant glycoproteins, in glycoconjugate production systems. The invention relates to methods to promote efficient glycoconjugate sialylation in recombinant expression systems, by providing simpler and more economical ways to produce large intracellular pools of sialic acid precursors. The invention is directed to nucleic acids, vectors, and cells harboring vectors comprising nucleic acids encoding enzymes involved in the synthesis of sialic acid precursors, and cells harboring these nucleic acids in combination with nucleic acids encoding glycosyltransferases, including sialyltransferases, to facilitate the production of humanized recombinant glycoproteins in bacterial, fungal, plant, and animal cell expression systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: The University of Wyoming
    Inventors: Christoph Geisler, Donald Jarvis
  • Method and Apparatus for Pyrolysis-induced Cleavage in Peptides and Proteins
    Publication number: 20140284466
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for conducting the rapid pyrolysis of peptides, proteins, polymers, and biological materials. The method can be carried out at atmospheric pressures and takes only about 5 to 30 seconds. The samples are cleaved at the C-terminus of aspartic acid. The apparatus employs a probe on which the sample is heated and digested components analyzed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2013
    Publication date: September 25, 2014
    Applicant: the University of Wyoming
    Inventors: Franco Basile, Shaofeng Zhang
  • Methods for Natural Product Optimization
    Publication number: 20140287450
    Abstract: Methods and compositions for natural product optimization are provided. In particular, methods and compositions for selecting bacterial strains (e.g., predatory bacteria such as myxobacteria) which produce a desired compound (e.g., antibiotic, antifungal, or anticancer agent) are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2014
    Publication date: September 25, 2014
    Applicant: The University of Wyoming
    Inventor: Daniel Wall
  • Near-infrared light-activated proteins
    Patent number: 8835399
    Abstract: Methods and constructs are provided for controlling processes in live animals, plants or microbes via genetically engineered near-infrared light-activated or light-inactivated proteins including chimeras including the photosensory modules of bacteriophytochromes and output modules that possess enzymatic activity and/or ability to bind to DMA, RNA, protein, or small molecules. DNA encoding these proteins are introduced as genes into live animals, plants or microbes, where their activities can be turned on by near-infrared light, controlled by the intensity of light, and turned off by near-infrared light of a different wavelength than the activating light. These proteins can regulate diverse cellular processes with high spatial and temporal precision, in a nontoxic manner, often using external light sources.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: University of Wyoming
    Inventors: Mark Gomelsky, Min-Hyung Ryu
  • Viewing device synchronizer
    Patent number: 8830576
    Abstract: A viewing device synchronizer includes a viewing mechanism for viewing an object and a linking mechanism for linking a plurality of viewing mechanisms so that each is capable of viewing the object simultaneously. A movement mechanism moves a single viewing mechanism in any direction in order to view an object. A control mechanism moves any of the plurality of viewing mechanisms if the single viewing mechanism is moved. A directional pointing mechanism controls one or a plurality of the viewing mechanisms. A communication mechanism sends directional information for controlling the operation of the plurality of viewing mechanism from a single viewing mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: University of Wyoming
    Inventors: Scott A. Morton, Samuel J. Marcy
  • METHOD FOR HARVESTING PHOTOSYNTHETIC UNICELLS USING GENETICALLY INDUCED FLOTATION
    Publication number: 20140234904
    Abstract: Methods for the harvesting of photosynthetic unicellular organisms are provided, including the formation and expression or overexpression of gas vesicles or vacuole proteins in photosynthetic unicellular organisms. DNA constructs as well as methods for integration of the DNA constructs into the genomes of photosynthetic unicellular organisms for the formation and expression or overexpression of gas vesicles or vacuole expression proteins in unicellular organisms are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2012
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Applicant: University of Wyoming
    Inventors: Stephen K. Herbert, Levi G. Lowder
  • System and method of operating a power generation system with an alternative working fluid
    Patent number: 8806849
    Abstract: A method of operating a turbine engine system and a turbine engine system are provided. The method comprises supplying a flow of oxygen to a combustion chamber defined within a plurality of turbines coupled serially together within the turbine engine system, supplying a flow of hydrocarbonaccous fuel to the combustion chambers of each of the plurality of turbines in the turbine engine system, and supplying a working fluid to an inlet of a first turbine engine coupled within the turbine engine system, wherein the working fluid is substantially nitrogen-free and wherein each of the turbines coupled within the turbine engine system is operable with the resulting fuel-oxygen-working fluid mixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignees: The University of Wyoming, General Electric Company
    Inventors: John Frederick Ackerman, Matthew Timothy Franer, Randy Lee Lewis, David Allen Bell, Morris Dee Argyle, Brian Francis Towler
  • Method and system for counting particles in a laminar flow with an imaging device
    Patent number: 8798338
    Abstract: An invention is described which allows measurement of the concentration of fluorescent particles in a flowing (laminar) fluid by imaging the flow with a video camera. A beam of illumination is used to illuminate the target particles. Imaging optics are arranged to view the focal plane to form an image of the multiple fluorescent sample particles in the flow stream; a camera records the image formed by the imaging optics, and a counting algorithm enumerates the particles. Operational parameters of the system are adjusted according to an initial estimate of particle density, for example flow rate, exposure time, and sampling interval. In addition, the counting algorithm is selected according to the estimated particle density.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: University of Wyoming
    Inventor: Paul E. Johnson
  • Methods for natural product optimization
    Patent number: 8759020
    Abstract: Methods and compositions for natural product optimization are provided. In particular, methods and compositions for selecting bacterial strains (e.g., predatory bacteria such as myxobacteria) which produce a desired compound (e.g., antibiotic, antifungal, or anticancer agent) are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: The University of Wyoming
    Inventor: Daniel Wall
  • Hydroponic Produce Display Apparatus
    Publication number: 20140130413
    Abstract: A method for in-store and market display of plants is provided. The method comprises providing a basin for holding a volume of liquid, forming an opening in the basin, providing a hydroponic container having a first end and a second end, cooperating the first end of the hydroponic container with the opening in the basin, growing plants within the hydroponic containers, moving liquid from the basin to the second end of the hydroponic container, and exchanging the harvested hydroponic containers with unharvested hydroponic containers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2013
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Applicant: UNIVERSITY OF WYOMING
    Inventor: Nathaniel R. Storey
  • Hydroponic Produce Display Apparatus
    Publication number: 20140130414
    Abstract: A hydroponic produce display apparatus for in-store and market display of plants is provided. The hydroponic produce display apparatus comprises a basin for holding a volume of liquid with an opening formed in the basin. A hydroponic container is provided having a first end and a second end with the first end of the hydroponic container cooperates with the opening in the basin and the plants growing within the hydroponic containers. An irrigation mechanism moves liquid from the basin to the second end of the hydroponic container wherein harvested hydroponic containers are exchanged with harvested containers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2013
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Applicant: UNIVERSITY OF WYOMING
    Inventor: Nathaniel R. Storey
  • Polymers and copolymers of ionic liquids as radio frequency absorbing materials
    Patent number: 8703902
    Abstract: Polymerizable ionic liquid monomers and their corresponding polymers (poly(ionic liquid)s) are created and found to exhibit high absorption of radio frequency electromagnetic radiation, particularly in the microwave and radar bands. These materials are useful for coating objects to make them less reflective of radio frequency radiation and for making objects that absorb radio frequency radiation and are of minimal reflectivity to radio frequency radiation. Free-radical and condensation polymerization approaches are used in the preparation of the poly(ionic liquids).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: University of Wyoming
    Inventors: Maciej Radosz, Youqing Shen, Huadong Tang
  • proteins and methods of use thereof
    Patent number: 8691237
    Abstract: Compositions and methods for the diagnosis and prevention of B. abortus infection are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: The University of Wyoming
    Inventors: Gerard P. Andrews, John E. Lowry
  • Recirculating, constant backpressure core flooding apparatus and method
    Patent number: 8683858
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for simulating production conditions in hydrocarbon-bearing reservoirs, as an example, by flooding of core samples from such reservoirs, are described. Full recirculation flow measurements permit several fluids (for example, crude oil, brine, and gas) to be simultaneously injected into core samples having varying dimensions. Accurate and stable back pressures are maintained at total flow rates of as high as 200 cc/min., for a large range of fluid viscosities. Accurate and stable net overburden pressures relative to pore pressure are also maintained, thereby simulating the formations at depth. Core samples from formations may also be investigated using the apparatus and method hereof, for carbon dioxide sequestration potential, as another example.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: University of Wyoming
    Inventor: Mohammad Piri
  • Apparatus and method to sequester contaminants
    Patent number: 8673257
    Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus and method for reducing contaminants from industrial processes. More particularly, the invention is directed to a method of sequestering pollutants from flue gases in operational plants. The method includes sequestering contaminants from a point source by reacting an alkaline material with a flue gas containing contaminants to be sequestered, wherein the reaction has a rapid mass transfer rate to sequester at least a portion of the contaminants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: University of Wyoming
    Inventors: Katta J. Reddy, Morris D. Argyle
  • Method and apparatus for pyrolysis-induced cleavage in peptides and proteins
    Patent number: 8637325
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for conducting the rapid pyrolysis of peptides, proteins, polymers, and biological materials. The method can be carried out at atmospheric pressures and takes only about 5 to 30 seconds. The samples are cleaved at the C-terminus of aspartic acid. The apparatus employs a probe on which the sample is heated and digested components analyzed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: University of Wyoming
    Inventors: Franco Basile, Shaofeng Zhang
  • ENGINEERED INTRACELLULAR SIALYLATION PATHWAYS
    Publication number: 20140024812
    Abstract: Methods for manipulating carbohydrate processing pathways in cells of interest are provided. Methods are directed at manipulating multiple pathways involved with the sialylation reaction by using recombinant DNA technology and substrate feeding approaches to enable the production of sialylated glycoproteins in cells of interest. These carbohydrate engineering efforts encompass the implementation of new carbohydrate bioassays, the examination of a selection of insect cell lines and the use of bioinformatics to identify gene sequences for critical processing enzymes. The compositions comprise cells of interest producing sialylated glycoproteins. The methods and compositions are useful for heterologous expression of glycoproteins.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2013
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Applicants: THE UNIVERSITY OF WYOMING, HUMAN GENOME SCIENCES, INC., THE JOHN HOPKINS UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Donald JARVIS, Yuan C. LEE, Michael J. BETENBAUGH, Shawn LAWRENCE, Timothy A. COLEMAN
  • Hydrocarbon Viscosity Reduction Method
    Publication number: 20140021101
    Abstract: In accordance with particular descriptions provided herein, certain embodiments of the inventive technology may be described as a hydrocarbon viscosity reduction method that comprises the steps of: treating a hydrocarbon having asphaltenes therein to generate a treated hydrocarbon, wherein said hydrocarbon has a first viscosity; contacting said treated hydrocarbon with a sorbent (whether as a result of pouring or other means); and adsorbing at least a portion of said asphaltenes onto said sorbent, thereby removing said at least a portion of said asphaltenes from said hydrocarbon so as to generate a viscosity reduced hydrocarbon having a second viscosity that is lower than said first viscosity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2012
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Applicant: The University of Wyoming Research Corporation d/b/a Western Research Institute
    Inventors: John F. Schabron, Joseph F. Rovani, JR.