Patents Examined by Douglas W. Robinson
  • Patent number: 6262338
    Abstract: The present invention relates to DNA isolated from Arachis hypogaea which encodes or hybridizes to DNA which encodes a protein that repels pests. Such DNA is useful in the transformation of vectors, host organisms and plants and for the production of plants which exhibit an increased resistance to pests.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2001
    Assignee: Bayer Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Peter Schreier, Thomas Herget, Jeff Schell
  • Patent number: 6184369
    Abstract: The oligonucleotides have sufficient guanosine to form a guanosine tetrad and can be composed of at least about 40% guanosine nucleotides, the nucleotide sequence containing at least two runs of at least two guanosines. Some of the new oligonucleotides also contain phosphorothioate backbones and 3′ end modifications. Representative guanosine-rich oligonucleotides of the present invention demonstrate anti-viral activity in tissue culture against HSV-2, HIV-1, HCMV and FMLV, and show specific inhibition of bacterial RNA polymerase enzymes T7 and T3, the FMLV and HIV-1 reverse transcriptase enzyme and eukaryotic RNA polymerase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2001
    Assignee: Aronex Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert F. Rando, Susan Fennewald, Joseph G. Zendegui, Joshua O. Oiwana, Michael E. Hogan
  • Patent number: 6166302
    Abstract: Synthetic DNA sequences which are optimized for expression in plants, particularly maize, and which encode a Bacillus thuringiensis protein that is toxic to specific insects are provided, along with methods for the engineering of any synthetic insecticidal gene in maize.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2000
    Assignee: Dow AgroSciences LLC
    Inventors: Donald J. Merlo, Otto Folkerts
  • Patent number: 6147277
    Abstract: .alpha.-Amylase, an enzyme that hydrolyses starch, can be found in all plants. The modification of potato starch production, in particular, is important in the preparation of various food products. The present invention discloses nucleotide sequences of potato .alpha.-amylase genes and the corresponding amino acid sequences. The present invention also describes DNA probes comprising .alpha.-amylase nucleotide sequences, as well as expression vectors that produce active .alpha.-amylase enzymes. These expression vectors can be used to produce transgenic potato plants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2000
    Assignee: A/S De Danske Spritfabrikker (Danisco A/S)
    Inventors: Kirsten Gausing, Jette D. Kreiberg
  • Patent number: 6143562
    Abstract: A carbon-based process for the selection of heterotrophically cultured plant cells is contemplated as are plants transformed using that process and a kit useful for effecting such a transformation. Plant cells are transformed with a heterologous DNA segment that contains two expression cassettes. The first cassette contains a gene that encodes a heterologous enzyme that on expression converts a growth-limiting (encrypted) carbon source that does not support growth and proliferation of non-transformed plant cells into a carbon source that supports growth and proliferation of transformed plant cells. The second cassette contains a second gene to be expressed in the transformed plant cells. A mixture transformed and non-transformed plant cells is cultured under heterotrophic culture conditions with the growth-limiting carbon source as the only carbon source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2000
    Assignee: Seminis Vegetable Seeds
    Inventors: Anna Julia Trulson, Charles Edward Green, Carl Joseph Braun, III
  • Patent number: 6143950
    Abstract: A novel plant steroid 5.alpha. reductase, DET2, is provided, as well as polynucleotides encoding DET2. DET2 is useful in promoting increased plant yield and/or increased plant biomass. Genetically modified plants characterized as having increased yield and methods for producing such plants are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2000
    Assignee: The Salk Institute for Biological Studies
    Inventors: Joanne Chory, Jianming Li
  • Patent number: 6118046
    Abstract: An inbred broccoli line, designated KI-13, including to the seeds to the plants, the method of development of inbred broccoli line KI-13, and the methods for producing a broccoli plant produced by crossing the inbred line KI-13 with itself or other broccoli lines. The genetic makeup of KI-13 enables either self-incompatibility or male sterility used for pollination control to effect hybridization. The hybrid broccoli seeds and plants can also be produced by crossing the inbred line KI-13 with another broccoli line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2000
    Assignee: Sakata Seed Corporation
    Inventors: Junichi Sasayama, Keiichi Yoneda, Miki Itakura
  • Patent number: 6100451
    Abstract: Qualitative transcriptional regulatory sequences functional in plants, plant tissue and in plant cells for inducible gene expression and quantitative transcriptional regulatory sequences for increasing the transcriptional expression of downstream genetic information in plants, plant tissue and plant cells are disclosed. Also disclosed are methods and recombinant DNA molecules for improving the disease resistance of transgenic plants, especially wherein an inducible promoter controls the expression of a protein capable of evoking the hypersensitive response in a plant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2000
    Assignee: Board of Trustees of the University of Kentucky
    Inventors: Joseph Chappell, Catherine A. G. Cornett, Shauhui Yin
  • Patent number: 6077832
    Abstract: The present invention relates to benzimidazole derivatives and their use in medical therapy particularly for the treatment or prophylaxis of virus infections such as those caused by herpes viruses. The invention also relates to the preparation of the benzimidazole derivatives and pharmaceutical formulations containing them.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2000
    Assignee: Glaxo Wellcome Inc.
    Inventors: Stanley Dawes Chamberlain, Susan Mary Daluge, George Walter Koszalka
  • Patent number: 6077995
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to nucleic acid and amino acid sequences which are responsible for moving the fungal toxin cercosporin across the plasma membrane of living cells. The DNA can be introduced into a plant using conventional methods of transformation in order to confer cercosporin resistance to plants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2000
    Assignees: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of Agriculture, North Carolina State University
    Inventors: Robert G. Upchurch, Terrence M. Callahan, Marilyn Ehrenshaft
  • Patent number: 6077996
    Abstract: An inbred corn line, designated ASG09, is disclosed. The invention relates to the seeds of inbred corn line ASG09, to the plants of inbred corn line ASG09 and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing the inbred line ASG09 with itself or another corn line. The invention further relates to hybrid corn seeds and plants produced by crossing the inbred line ASG09 with another corn line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2000
    Assignee: Asgrow Seed Company
    Inventor: James R. Klenke
  • Patent number: 6060446
    Abstract: A nutritional composition and methods of using same for treating and preventing renal failure is provided. The nutritional composition includes a therapeutically effective amount of a source protein including meat proteins. Furthermore, the nutritional composition includes a therapeutically effective amount of specific amino acids, peptides, and/or polypeptides. The specific amino acids, peptides and polypeptides are selected such that they counteract a pathophysiologic mechanism contributing to the renal failure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2000
    Assignee: Wake Forest University
    Inventors: Gary P. Zaloga, Pamela Roberts
  • Patent number: 6054634
    Abstract: A method using genetic markers to determine whether a quantitative trait is a heritable oligogenic trait in a woody perennial plant. The method is useful in trees where a three-generation pedigree is not available. Exemplary quantitative traits include disease resistance and wood volume. Methods of selecting, propagating and breeding plants are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2000
    Assignee: North Caroline State University
    Inventors: David M. O'Malley, Ronald R. Sederoff, Dario Grattapaglia
  • Patent number: 6046172
    Abstract: The invention discloses new oligodeoxyribonucleotides of animal origin, having a molecular weight comprised between 4000 and 10000 daltons, that can be obtained by fractionation of polydeoxyribonucleotides or otherwise by chemical or enzymatic depolymerization of high molecular weight deoxyribonucleic acids. The new compounds are endowed with a significant anti-ischemic activity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2000
    Assignee: Crinos Industria Farmacobiologica SPA
    Inventors: Lanzarotti Ennio, Mantovani Marisa, Prino Giuseppe, Porta Roberto, Cedro Armando, Moltrasio Danilo
  • Patent number: 6037525
    Abstract: A method of making recombinant plant cells having reduced variability of expression of foreign genes therein is described herein. The method comprises (a) providing a plant cell capable of regeneration; and (b) transforming the plant cell with a DNA construct comprising an expression cassette, which construct comprises a transcription initiation region, a structural gene positioned downstream from the transcription initiation region and operatively associated therewith, and an insulator (or "boundary element") positioned (i) 5' to the transcription initiation region, (ii) 3' to the structural gene, or (iii) both 5' to the transcription initiation region and 3' to the structural gene. DNA constructs useful for carrying out the method and plant cells and plants produced by the method are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2000
    Assignee: North Carolina State University
    Inventors: William Thompson, George Allen, Scots Mankin
  • Patent number: 6030943
    Abstract: This invention relates to a new use discovered for the compound known as Aplidine (dehydrodidemnin B) which has the following structure: Aplidine has been found to be a potent L-type calcium channel enhancer in the human heart. This effect makes Aplidine a very useful drug for the treatment of congestive heart failure, as well as useful for the treatment of atrial fibrillation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 29, 2000
    Inventors: William J. Crumb, Glynn T. Faircloth
  • Patent number: 6028246
    Abstract: Four novel Bacillus thuringiensis strains, which are deposited at the BCCM-LMG under accession nos. LMG P-12592, LMG P-12593, LMG P-12594, and LMG P-13493, produce new crystal proteins during sporulation that are toxic to Lepidoptera, more particularly against Noctuidae such as spodoptera spp. and Agotis ipsilon, against Pyralidae such as Ostrinia nubilalis, and against Yponomeutidae such as Plutella xylostella, and that are encoded by a novel gene. The crystal proteins contain protoxins, which can yield a toxin as trypsin-digestion product. A plant, the genome of which is transformed with a DNA sequence that comes from either one of the strains nd that encodes its respective toxin, is resistant to Lipidoptera. Each strain, itself, or its crystal, crystal protein, protoxin or toxin can be used as the active ingredient in an insecticidal composition for combating Lepidoptera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2000
    Assignee: Plant Genetic Systems, N.V.
    Inventors: Bart Lambert, Stefan Jansens, Katrien Van Audenhove, Marnix Peferoen
  • Patent number: 6028247
    Abstract: This invention relates to plant thioesterases, means to identify such proteins, amino acid and nucleic acid sequences associated with such protein, methods to obtain, make and/or use such plant thioesterases. Also, by this invention, the existence of a heretofore unproven factor critical to the biosynthesis of medium-chain fatty acids in plants is demonstrated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2000
    Inventors: Toni Alois Voelker, Hue Maelor Davies, Gregory A. Thompson
  • Patent number: PP11243
    Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Helenium plant named `Coppelia`, characterized by its single daisy-like coppery orange ray florets, with each floret being tipped orange yellow, and its flowering which commences late July and continues to early October. `Coppelia` forms compact groups of erect leafy stems which are ideal for use in borders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 29, 2000
    Assignee: Blooms of Bressingham Ltd.
    Inventor: Alan H. V. Bloom
  • Patent number: PP11274
    Abstract: A distinct cultivar of Bougainvillea plant named `Vera Light Purple`, characterized by its compact and upright growth habit; moderate to rapid growth rate; thornless stems; light purple/dark pink flowers bracts; and spherical inflorescences with numerous flowers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2000
    Assignee: Rijnplant
    Inventor: Magdalena J. M. van Rijn