Patents Examined by Douglas W. Robinson
  • Plant genes affecting gibberellic acid biosynthesis
    Patent number: 5767375
    Abstract: Genes controlling gibberellic biosynthesis are used in genetic engineering to alter plant development. Alterations in the nature or quantity of products of the genes affects plant development. A family of genes in monocots encodes a cyclase involved in the early steps of gibberellic acid (GA) biosynthesis. A member of the family, the gene An1, is identified in maize and cloned and the function of the gene is characterized. Using recombinant genetic technology, GA levels are manipulated. Changes in GA levels alter monocot plant phenotypes, for example, height and fertility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 16, 1998
    Assignee: Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven P. Briggs, Robert J. Bensen
  • Targeted nucleic acid delivery into liver cells
    Patent number: 5766899
    Abstract: Disclosed is a receptor-mediated complex that selectively delivers nucleic acid into hepatocytes. Circumsporozoite (CS) protein is the targeting ligand that recognizes a receptor expressed on the liver cell surface. The CS ligand is complexed with a polylysine component that can bind nucleic acid. The level of gene expression is greatly enhanced when the complex is cotransfected with adenovirus. Using the present invention, a reporter gene was successfully transferred into a number of different cell lines that express high levels of receptor. The ability to introduce nucleic acid into specific mammalian cells is an important therapy for numerous diseases such as cancer, malaria and hepatitis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 16, 1998
    Assignee: Board of Regents , The University of Texas System
    Inventors: M. Tien Kuo, Zhi-Ming Ding
  • Potyvirus vectors for the expression of foreign genes
    Patent number: 5766885
    Abstract: The present invention provides an expression vector adapted for expressing heterologous proteins in plants susceptible to a polyprotein-producing plant virus. The vector utilizes the unique ability of viral polyprotein proteases to cleave heterologous proteins from viral polyproteins. Also provided is a method for expressing heterologous proteins in plants using these unique expression vectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 16, 1998
    Assignee: Texas A & M University
    Inventors: James C. Carrington, Valerian V. Dolja
  • Deacetylase genes for the production of phosphinothricin or phosphinothricyl-alanyl-alanine, processes for their isolation, and their use
    Patent number: 5767370
    Abstract: Deacetylase genes for the production of phosphinothricin or phosphinothricyl-alanyl-alanine, processes for their isolation, and their use.The invention relates to deacetylase genes, to processes for their isolation, and to their use, in particular for the production of transgenic plants using tissue-specific promoters. It is possible to prevent the development of certain parts in these plants in a targeted manner. With the aid of deacetylase genes, it is furthermore possible to identify and isolate tissue-specific promoters in transgenic plants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 16, 1998
    Assignee: Hoechst Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Inge Broer, Doris Hillemann, Alfred Puhler, Wolfgang Wohlleben, Gunter Donn, Hubert Mullner, Klaus Bartsch
  • Method for producting a cereal plant with foreign DNA
    Patent number: 5767368
    Abstract: A method for isolating a cereal plant with foreign DNA by bombarding meristem primordia tissue with particles coated with the foreign DNA in a culture media is described. The foreign DNA in the transformed plants can provide proteins which impart disease and/or insect resistance or other desirable properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 16, 1998
    Assignee: Board of Trustees operating Michigan State University
    Inventors: Heng Zhong, Masomeh B. Sticklen
  • Nucleic acids encoding a papaya ACC synthase gene
    Patent number: 5767376
    Abstract: The present invention provides 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid synthase (ACC synthase) cDNA sequences from papaya fruit. These sequences are useful in regulation of ethylene biosynthesis in papaya cells and in regulating fruit ripening, including delaying of ripening. This is accomplished by co-suppression or by antisense technology. The present invention also provides methods for regulation of fruit ripening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 16, 1998
    Assignee: University of Hawaii at Manoa
    Inventors: John I. Stiles, Kabi Raj Neupane
  • Deacetylase genes for the production of phosphinothricin or phosphin-othricyl-alanyl-alanine, process for their isolation, and their use
    Patent number: 5767371
    Abstract: Deacetylase genes for the production of phosphinothricin or phosphinothricyl-alanyl-alanine, processes for their isolation, and their use.The invention relates to deacetylase genes, to processes for their isolation, and to their use, in particular for the production of transgenic plants using tissue-specific promoters. It is possible to prevent the development of certain parts in these plants in a targeted manner. With the aid of deacetylase genes, it is furthermore possible to identify and isolate tissue-specific promoters in transgenic plants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 16, 1998
    Assignee: Hoechst Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Inge Broer, Doris Hillemann, Alfred Puhler, Wolfgang Wohlleben, Gunter Donn, Hubert Mullner, Klaus Bartsch
  • Mannose or xylose based positive selection
    Patent number: 5767378
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for identifying or selecting from a population of eukaryotic cells cultivated on or in a medium containing at least one compound, cells which have a metabolic advantage as a result of having being transformed, wherein:i) the cells are transformed with a nucleotide sequence or a co-introduced nucleotide sequence one of which comprises a region which: (a) encodes a protein which is involved in the metabolism of the compound, and/or (b) regulates the activity of the protein; andii) the compound is mannose or xylose or a derivative or a precursor of these, or a substrate of the protein, or is capable of being metabolized by the transformed cells into such a substrate, with the proviso that the compound is not mannose when the protein is mannose 6 phosphate isomerase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 16, 1998
    Assignee: Novartis AG
    Inventors: Kirsten Bojsen, Iain Donaldson, Anna Haldrup, Morten Joersboe, Jette Dina Kreiberg, John Nielsen, Finn Thyge Okkels, Steen Guldager Petersen
  • Agonist and antagonist peptides of the C140 receptor
    Patent number: 5763575
    Abstract: Nucleic acid molecules encoding the C140 cell surface receptor have been cloned and sequenced. The availability of C140 receptor DNA permits the recombinant production of the C140 receptor which can be produced on the surface of a cell, including an oocyte. The nucleic acid molecules are useful in an assay for detecting a substance which affects C140 receptor activity, either receptor agonists or antagonists. Further, the elucidation of the structure of the C140 receptor permits the design of agonist and antagonist compounds which are useful in such assays. The availability of the C140 receptor also permits production of antibodies specifically immunoreactive with one or more antigenic epitopes of the C140 receptor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1998
    Assignee: COR Therapeutics, Inc.
    Inventors: Johan Sundelin, Robert M. Scarborough
  • Expression vector containing PL6M promoter and TAT32 ribosome binding site and host cells transformed therewith
    Patent number: 5759852
    Abstract: Disclosed are expression vectors useful as vectors in recombinant methods to facilitate expression of exogenous genes in E. coli. Specifically, the disclosed expression vector has the following elements in operable linkage: the PL6m promoter, the TAT32 ribosome binding site and a gene encoding a heterologous polypeptide, Also disclosed are E. coli host cells transformed with this expression vector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1998
    Assignee: Pharmacia & UpJohn Company
    Inventors: Richard J. Kirschner, John Edward Mott, Frances M. Eckenrode, David Paul Brunner
  • Chemical modification of repetitive polymers to enhance water solubility
    Patent number: 5760004
    Abstract: Highly repetitive proteins which are relatively insoluble in water are chemically modified to increase solubility. The protein is reacted with a functionalizing agent to introduce additional polar functionalities and disrupt the order of the protein. The solubility of the protein in water is increased by the chemical modification, while adhesive and surfactant properties are retained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1998
    Assignee: Protein Polymer Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Erwin R. Stedronsky
  • Pulmonary surfactant protein fragments
    Patent number: 5753621
    Abstract: This invention discloses that certain fragments of a pulmonary surfactant protein exhibit unexpected surface activity. These protein fragments are useful in preparing formulations for the treatment of respiratory distress syndrome.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 19, 1998
    Assignee: Abbott Laboratories
    Inventors: Madhup Krishna Dhaon, Edwin Orville Lundell, Virender Kumar Sarin, Constance Hope Baxter, Darryl Robin Absolom
  • Use of the indeterminate gametophyte gene for maize improvement
    Patent number: 5749169
    Abstract: A methodology for ascertaining gene function entails selection of mutations in androgenetic haploids which are produced by fertilizing a maize plant carrying the indeterminate gametophyte gene (ig) with pollen obtained from a mutagenized plant. Genes that control quantitative characters can be identified, for example, by fertilizing a first inbred carrying the ig gene with pollen from a second inbred that has been mutagenized. Changes in the phenotype of the hybrid progeny then are identified and characterized. A method for direct selection of androgenetic haploids is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1998
    Assignee: Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc.
    Inventor: Steven P. Briggs
  • Method and materials for conferring tripsacum genes in maize
    Patent number: 5750828
    Abstract: There is provided a method for transferring Tripsacum nuclear and cytoplasmic genes into maize. The method is via a hubrid plant designated Tripsacorn (proposed botanical classification Zea indiana), produced by crossing two wild relatives of corn, Tripsacum and diploid perennial teosinte (Zea diploperennis). This invention thus relates to the hubrid seed, the hybrid plant produced by the seed and/or tissue culture, variants, mutants, and modifications of Tripsacorn and the hybrid seed, the hybrid plant produced by the seed and/or tissue culture, variants, mutants, and modifications of (maize X Tripsacorn) and/or (Tripsacorn X maize). In particular this invention is directed to the ability to confer rootworm resistance, resistance to insect pests, resistance to diseases, drought tolerance, and improved standability to maize via Tripsacorn.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1998
    Inventor: Mary Wilkes Eubanks
  • Soluble solids modification using sucrose phosphate synthase encoding sequences
    Patent number: 5750869
    Abstract: This invention relates to methods for the utilization of sucrose phosphate synthase encoding sequences to modify the soluble solids in plant sink tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1998
    Assignee: Calgene, Inc.
    Inventor: Christine K. Shewmaker
  • Process for modifying the production of carotenoids in plants, and DNA, constructs and cells therefor
    Patent number: 5750865
    Abstract: The gene of the construct pTOM5 is involved in the carotenoid pathway, which produces carotenes, lutein, xanthophylls, and pigments such as lycopene. The invention proposes to modify (inhibit or promote) the synthesis of such compounds in plants using novel DNA contructs comprising a DNA sequence homologous to some or all of the gene encoded by the clone pTOM5, preceded by a plant promoter. In particular, colour of plant parts, especially fruit, may be modified. Yellow tomatoes are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1998
    Assignee: Zeneca Limited
    Inventors: Colin Roger Bird, Donald Grierson, Wolfgang Walter Schuch
  • Control of plant cell proliferation and growth
    Patent number: 5750862
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for controlling plant cell growth comprising modulating the level and or catalytic activity of a cell cycle control protein in said plant cell for a time and under conditions sufficient to control cell division. Preferably, the cell cycle control protein is p3.sup.4cdc2 or like molecule and the plant is a monocotyledonous plant or dicotyledonous plant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1998
    Assignee: The Australian National University
    Inventor: Peter Crook Lloyd John
  • Rotavirus reassortant vaccine
    Patent number: 5750109
    Abstract: The present invention provides novel rotavirus reassortants, vaccines employing the novel reassortants and methods for their preparation and administration. One such reassortant contains the gene encoding the v.p.7 neutralization antigen of a human rotavirus. Another reassortant contains the gene encoding the v.p.4 neutralization antigen of a human rotavirus. The remaining genes are provided solely from the bovine rotavirus WC3 strain, or from both the human and bovine strains.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1998
    Assignees: The Wistar Institute of Anatomy & Biology, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
    Inventors: H. Fred Clark, Paul Offit, Stanley A. Plotkin
  • Method to identify genetic markers that are linked to agronomically important genes
    Patent number: 5746023
    Abstract: A novel method of identifying genetic markers linked to alleles conferring yield potential of a crop species has been developed. By conducting genetic marker analysis of a set of current elite lines and the ancestral population from which they were derived by decades of plant breeding, one can determine and compare the expected and observed allele frequencies within elite populations at numerous polymorphic loci. Since the traditional plant breeding effort has consistently utilized yield as a selection criteria, deviations from expected allele frequency at certain loci have been used to identify alleles that confer yield potential. Agronomically superior progeny can, therefore, be selected utilizing genetic markers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1998
    Assignee: E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Michael K. Hanafey, Scott Anthony Sebastian, Scott Valray Tingey
  • Coated seed having improved colorant
    Patent number: 5746022
    Abstract: An improved coated seed is provided by incorporating a poly(oxyalkylene) substituted organic chromophore in the coating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1998
    Assignee: Milliken Research Corporation
    Inventors: Steven E. Brown, Bruce H. Suddeth