Patents Examined by Amy J. Nelson
  • Cotton and rice cellulose synthase DNA sequences
    Patent number: 6271443
    Abstract: Provided are two plant cDNA clones that are homologs of the bacterial CelA genes that encode the catalytic subunit of cellulose synthase, derived from cotton (Gossypium hirsutum).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2001
    Assignee: Calgene LLC
    Inventors: David M. Stalker, Julie R. Pear, Deborah Delmer
  • Method for modifying production of fruit ripening enzyme
    Patent number: 6271033
    Abstract: Process for the inhibition of the production of a gene product in a plant cell which comprises generating in the cell while the gene product is being expressed mRNA from recombinant DNA coding for part only of the gene product: also constructs for use in the process, and cells and plants that carry out the process. Specifically applicable to control of fruit ripening, in particular in tomatoes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2001
    Assignee: Zeneca Limited
    Inventors: Ian G. Bridges, Donald Grierson, Wolfgang W. Schuch
  • Methods and a maize acetyl CoA carboxylase gene for altering the oil content of plants
    Patent number: 6268550
    Abstract: The present invention provides the complete cDNA sequence of maize acetyl CoA carboxylase and methods for altering the oil content of plants by introducing and expressing a plant acetyl CoA carboxylase gene in plant cells. The method of altering the oil content in a plant includes the steps of introducing an expression cassette into plant cells and expressing the acetyl CoA carboxylase gene in an amount effective to alter the oil content of the cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2001
    Assignees: Regents of the University of Minnesota, The United States of America
    Inventors: Burle G. Gengenbach, David A. Somers, Donald L. Wyse, John W. Gronwald, Margaret A. Egli, Sheila M. Lutz
  • Transgenic seedless fruit comprising AGL or GH3 promoter operably linked to isopentenyl transferase or tryptophan monooxygenase coding DNA
    Patent number: 6268552
    Abstract: The present invention provides methods and DNA constructs for the genetic engineering of plant cells to produce plants which produce substantially seedless fruit in the absence of exogenous growth factors (auxins or cytokinins) and in the absence of pollination. The substantially seedless fruits produced by the methods described herein are about the size of wildtype seeded fruit (or somewhat larger) and these fruits are equal to or superior to the wildtype seeded fruit with respect to solid content and flavor. The seedless fruits of the present invention are produced in transgenic plants which contain and express auxin or cytokinin biosynthetic genes, e.g., tryptophan oxygenase or isopentenyl transferase coding sequences expressed under the regulatory control of GH3 or AGL promoter sequences directing preferential or tissue specific expression of a downstream gene in the ovaries or developing fruit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2001
    Assignee: Kansas State University Research Foundation
    Inventor: Yi Li
  • Gymnosperm nucleic acid molecules encoding sesquiterpene synthases and methods of use
    Patent number: 6265639
    Abstract: cDNAs encoding E-&agr;-bisabolene synthase, &dgr;-selinene synthase and &ggr;-humulene synthase from Grand Fir (Abies grandis) have been isolated and sequenced, and the corresponding amino acid sequences have been determined. Accordingly, isolated DNA sequences (SEQ ID No:12 and SEQ ID No:19 and SEQ ID No:23) are provided which code for the expression of E-&agr;-bisabolene synthase (SEQ ID No:13), &dgr;-selinene synthase (SEQ ID No:20) and &ggr;-humulene synthase (SEQ ID No: 24), respectively, from Grand Fir (Abies grandis). In other aspects, replicable recombinant cloning vehicles are provided which code for E-&agr;-bisabolene synthase, &dgr;-selinene synthase and &ggr;-humulene synthase, or for a base sequence sufficiently complementary to at least a portion of E-&agr;-bisabolene synthase, &dgr;-selinene synthase or &ggr;-humulene synthase DNA or RNA to enable hybridization therewith.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2001
    Assignee: Washington State University Foundation
    Inventors: Rodney Bruce Croteau, Jörg Bohlmann, Reinhard Jetter, John E. Crock, Christopher L. Steele
  • Ripening-related DNAs from banana
    Patent number: 6262346
    Abstract: A method of modifying ethylene biosynthesis in a plant comprises inserting into the genome of the said plant a DNA sequence such as SEQ-ID-NO-1 (encoding 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid synthase (ACS)) and/or sequence SEQ-ID-NO-2 (encoding an ethylene-forming enzyme (EFE)) which modifies the activity of at least one of ACS or EFE. The method may be used to modify fruit ripening characteristics, especially in bananas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2001
    Assignee: Zeneca Limited
    Inventors: Colin Roger Bird, Jonathon David Fletcher
  • Cotton plant promoters
    Patent number: 6259003
    Abstract: Novel plant promoters isolated from cotton fiber tissues are provided. The plant promoters are located upstream cotton plant genes KC03, KC18, KC22, and Gh3, all of which are expressed in cotton fibers, and contain (a) DNA having the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:1, 6, 11, or 16. Also provided are plant expression vectors prepared by introducing the plant promoters into appropriate vectors; transformed plant cells prepared by introducing the plant expression vectors into host plant cells; transformed plants regenerated from the transformed plant cells; transformed plant seeds obtained from the transformed plants; and processes for producing transformed plants from the plant seeds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2001
    Assignees: Toyo Boseki Kabushiki Kaisha, Texas Tech University of Lubbock
    Inventors: Koichi Fujisawa, Yoshihisa Kasukabe, Susumu Nishiguchi, Yoshihiko Maekawa, Randy Dale Allen, Song Ping
  • Tomato gene B polynucleotides coding for lycopene cyclase
    Patent number: 6252141
    Abstract: An isolated complementary and genomic DNA segment encoding lycopene cyclase of the B locus of tomato are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2001
    Assignee: Yissum Research and Development Company of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem
    Inventors: Joseph Hirschberg, Gil Ronen, Dany Zamir
  • DNA sequences for an arabidopsis amino acid transporter, plasmids, bacteria, yeasts and plants containing a transporter and their use
    Patent number: 6245970
    Abstract: There are described DNA sequences from Arabidopsis that contain the coding region of amino acid transporters, as well as plasmids, bacteria, yeasts and plants containing these DNA sequences.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2001
    Assignee: Hoechst Schering AgrEvo GmbH
    Inventor: Wolf-Bernd Frommer
  • Genomic polyphenol oxidase gene fragments of plants
    Patent number: 6242221
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the isolation of polyphenol oxidase (PPO) gene fragments from plants. In a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a method for preparing PPO gene fragments, which method includes providing a sample of plant tissue, a first primer in sense orientation having a sequence corresponding to a conserved region of a PPO gene, a second primer in antisense orientation having a sequence corresponding to a conserved region of a PPO gene; isolating genomic DNA from the plant tissue; and amplifying the genomic DNA using the first and second primers. Surprisingly, the applicant has found that PPO genes in plants lack introns and, therefore, fragments of PPO genes may be amplified directly from genomic DNA of a range of plants. The lack of introns means that the size of the fragments can be predicted and bands of the appropriate size can be selected for cloning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2001
    Assignee: Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization
    Inventor: Simon Piers Robinson
  • Enhancement of tomato phytoene synthase gene expression with a modified DNA
    Patent number: 6239331
    Abstract: A method for enhancing the expression of a tomato phytoene synthese gene in a plant while avoiding or reducing co-suppression involves the synthesis of a DNA which is altered in nucleotide sequence (SEQ ID NO:1) and is capable of expression of a protein, ideally identical to that of a protein already expressed by a DNA already present in the plant. This method ensures that sequence similarity between the two genes is reduced enough to eliminate the phenomenon of co-suppression, allowing the over-expression of a specific phytoene synthese protein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2001
    Assignee: Zeneca Limited
    Inventors: Caroline Rachel Drake, Colin Roger Bird, Wolfgang Walter Schuch
  • Leafy cotyledon1 genes and methods of modulating embryo development in transgenic plants
    Patent number: 6235975
    Abstract: The present invention provides nucleic acid sequences from LEAFY COTYLEDON1 (LEC1) genes encoding LEC1 polypeptides which comprise a CCAAT binding factor domain and which modulate embryo development in plants. The nucleic acids are useful in inducing ectopic development of embryonic tissue or in modulating embryo development in transgenic plants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2001
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: John J. Harada, Tamar Lotan, Masa-aki Ohto, Robert B. Goldberg, Robert L. Fischer
  • Marigold DNA encoding beta-cyclase
    Patent number: 6232530
    Abstract: The present invention describes the gene encoding beta-cyclase from marigolds. In particular, the present invention provides the DNA sequence for the gene encoding marigold beta-cyclase as well as vectors containing the same and bacteria and plants transformed with the vectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2001
    Assignees: University of Nevada, University of Maryland
    Inventors: Dean DellaPenna, Francis X. Cunningham, Jr.
  • Method of stable gene expression in a transgenic plant utilizing an insulator nucleotide sequence from the sea urchin arylsulfatase gene
    Patent number: 6229070
    Abstract: A method for the stable expression of an introduced exogenous gene in a plant or plant cell is provided. Stable expression of an exogenous gene that was introduced was achieved by operably linking an upstream sequence of sea urchin arylsulfatase gene as an insulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2001
    Assignee: Nara Institute of Science and Technology
    Inventors: Atsuhiko Shinmyo, Kazuya Yoshida, Ko Kato, Koji Akasaka, Takaaki Kusumi, Yoshikazu Tanaka
  • Tomato CF-5 gene encoding a disease resistance polypeptide
    Patent number: 6225532
    Abstract: The tomato Cf-5 gene has been cloned and its sequence provided, along with the encoded amino acid sequence. DNA encoding the polypeptide, may be introduced into plant cells and expressed, conferring pathogen resistance on plants comprising such cells and descendants thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2001
    Assignee: Plant Bioscience Limited
    Inventors: Mark S. Dixon, Kostas Hatzixanthis, David A. Jones, Jonathan D. Jones
  • Soybean cultivar 952125710238
    Patent number: 6225535
    Abstract: A novel soybean cultivar, designated 952125710238, is disclosed. The invention relates to the seeds of soybean cultivar 952125710238, to the plants of soybean 952125710238 and to methods for producing a soybean plant produced by crossing the cultivar 952125710238 with itself or another soybean variety. The invention further relates to hybrid soybean seeds and plants produced by crossing the cultivar 952125710238 with another soybean cultivar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2001
    Assignee: Asgrow Seed Company LLC
    Inventor: Roger Lussenden
  • Method of making pathogen-resistant plants by transformation with a fatty acid desaturase gene
    Patent number: 6225528
    Abstract: The present invention provides pathogen-resistant transgenic plants and methods of making the plants. The transgenic plants display enhanced resistance to a variety of fungal, bacterial and viral plant pathogens due to expression of a gene that increases the unsaturated fatty acid content of the plant's cells, as compared with an equivalent, but non-transformed plant. The preferred embodiment of the invention is a plant expressing a heterologous &Dgr;-9 desaturase gene from yeast, which particularly increases cytosolic quantities of 16:1, 16:2 and 18:1 fatty acids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2001
    Assignee: Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey
    Inventors: Chee-Kok Chin, Chunlin Wang, Jinsong Xing
  • Soybean cultivar 9521427112273
    Patent number: 6225534
    Abstract: A novel soybean cultivar, designated 9521427112273, is disclosed. The invention relates to the seeds of soybean cultivar 9521427112273, to the plants of soybean 9521427112273 and to methods for producing a soybean plant produced by crossing the cultivar 9521427112273 with itself or another soybean variety. The invention further relates to hybrid soybean seeds and plants produced by crossing the cultivar 9521427112273 with another soybean cultivar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2001
    Assignee: Asgrow Seed Company LLC
    Inventor: Roger Lussenden
  • Modified gene encoding glyphosate-tolerant 5-enolpruvyl-3-phosphoshikimate synthase
    Patent number: 6225114
    Abstract: DNA encoding glyphosate-tolerant 5-enolpyruvyl-3-phosphoshikimate (EPSP) synthases, plant genes encoding the glyphosate-tolerant enzymes, and plant transformation vectors containing the genes are disclosed. The DNA encodes glyphosate-tolerant EPSP synthases modified by substitution of an alanine residue for a glycine residue in a first conserved sequence found between positions 80 and 120, and a threonine residue for an alanine residue in a second conserved sequence found between positions 170 and 210 in the mature wild type EPSP synthase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2001
    Assignee: Monsanto Company
    Inventors: David Alan Eichholtz, Charles Scott Gasser, Ganesh Murthy Kishore
  • Nucleotide sequences of canola and soybean palmitoyl-ACP thioesterase genes and their use in the regulation of fatty acid content of the oils of soybean and canola plants
    Patent number: RE37317
    Abstract: The preparation and use of nucleic acid fragments encoding acyl-acyl carrier protein thioesterase enzymes to modify plant lipid composition are disclosed. Also disclosed are chimeric genes incorporating such nucleic acid fragments and suitable regulatory sequences may be used to create transgenic plants with altered levels of saturated fatty acids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2001
    Assignee: E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventor: William Dean Hitz