Patents Examined by Douglas W. Robinson
  • Soluble solids modification using sucrose phosphate synthase encoding sequences
    Patent number: 5914446
    Abstract: This invention relates to methods for the utilization of sucrose phosphate synthase encoding sequences to modify the soluble solids in plant sink tissue. The method permits an increase in the sweetness of tomato fruit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 22, 1999
    Assignee: Calgene, LLC
    Inventor: Christine K. Shewmaker
  • Process for the preparation of antiviral plant transformed with lactoferrin gene
    Patent number: 5914448
    Abstract: A process for the preparation of an antiviral plant, which comprises transforming a plant with an expression vector containing a lactoferrin (Lf) gene and culturing the transformed plant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 22, 1999
    Assignee: Korea Institute of Science and Technology
    Inventors: Jang-Ryol Liu, Kyung-Kwang Lee, Dae-Yeul Yu, Mi-Hee Lee
  • Arabidopsis spindly gene, methods of identification and use
    Patent number: 5912415
    Abstract: This invention relates to the identification of a gene involved in the gibberellin signal transduction pathway. Mutations to this gene mimic the effect of gibberellin treatment and transgenic plants expressing the gene correct a spindly phenotype. Methods are disclosed for isolating and using the gene from a variety of plants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 15, 1999
    Assignee: Regents of the University of Minnesota
    Inventors: Neil E. Olszewski, Steven E. Jacobsen
  • Safflower products with very high levels of unsaturated fatty acids
    Patent number: 5912416
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a new safflower line, safflower plants and seeds, and particularly to safflower oil with a fatty acid profile of very high levels of total unsaturated fatty acids compare to the saturated fatty acids content. In particular, this invention is directed to safflower plants and seeds that produce a safflower containing very high levels of oleic acid and reduced levels of linoleic and palmitic acid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 15, 1999
    Assignee: California Oils Corporation
    Inventor: Arthur C. Weisker
  • Varieties of Poa annua
    Patent number: 5912412
    Abstract: Novel varieties of Poa annua that are perennial and have characteristics desired for a turfgrass, including dark green color, vigor, disease resistance, and restricted flowering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 15, 1999
    Assignee: Regents of University of Minnesota
    Inventor: Donald B. White
  • Nucleic acid fragments, chimeric genes and methods for increasing the methionine content of the seeds of plants
    Patent number: 5912414
    Abstract: Four chimeric genes are disclosed. A first chimeric gene encoding a plant cystathionine .gamma.-synthase (CS), a second chimeric gene encoding feedback-insensitive aspartokinase, which is operably linked to a plant chloroplast transit sequence, a third chimeric gene encoding bifunctional feedback-insensitive aspartokinase-homoserine dehydrogenase (AK-HDH), which is operably linked to a plant chloroplast transit sequence, and a fourth chimeric gene encoding a methionine-rich protein, all operably linked to plant seed-specific regulatory sequences are discussed. Methods for their use to produce increased levels of methionine in the seeds of transformed plants are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 15, 1999
    Assignee: E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Saverio Carl Falco, Anthony Dominick Guida, Jr., Mary Elizabeth Hartnett Locke
  • Isolation of SU1, a starch debranching enzyme, the product of the maize gene sugary1
    Patent number: 5912413
    Abstract: SU1, a starch debranching enzyme active in maize endosperm (Zea mays), and the cDNA and gene sequences encoding SU1 are disclosed. The amino acid sequence is significantly similar to that of bacterial isoamylases, enzymes that hydrolyze .alpha.-(1.fwdarw.6) glycosidic bonds. Amino acid sequence similarity establishes SU1 as a member of the .alpha.-amylase superfamily of starch hydrolytic enzymes. Also disclosed are antibodies reactive with the SU1 protein, methods of producing antibodies to the SU1 protein, methods of producing fusion proteins including SU1 and methods of producing transgenic plants with a modified su1 gene. The expressed SU1 protein can serve as a replacement for the bacterial and fungal enzymes currently used in the starch processing industry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 15, 1999
    Assignee: Iowa State University Research Foundation, Inc.
    Inventors: Alan M. Myers, Martha Graham James
  • Middle chain-specific thioesterase genes from Cuphea lanceolata
    Patent number: 5910631
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to DNA sequences that from Cuphea lanceolata code for a middle chain-specific acyl-?ACP!-thioesterase, and alleles and derivatives of these DNA sequences. The present invention also is directed to process for producing plants, parts of plants or plant products that contain these DNA sequences, alleles or derivative of these DNA sequences, where the plants, parts of plants or plant products produce fatty acids of middle chain length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 8, 1999
    Assignee: Max-Planck-Gesellschaft zur Forderung der Wissenschaften E.V.
    Inventors: Reinhard Topfer, Norbert Martini, Jozef Schell
  • Methods for within family selection of disease resistance in woody perennials using genetic markers
    Patent number: 5908978
    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 wood volume. Methods of selecting, propagating and breeding plants are also provided. Methods of identifying genetic markers associated, in a family of trees, with a genetic locus conferring disease resistance to a pathogen are presented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 1, 1999
    Assignee: North Carolina State University
    Inventors: Henry V. Amerson, Phillip Wilcox, Ronald R. Sederoff, E. George Kuhlman, David M. O'Malley, Dario Grattapaglia
  • Recombinant plant expressing non-competitively binding Bt insecticidal crystal proteins
    Patent number: 5908970
    Abstract: Plants made resistant to insects by transforming their nuclear genome with two or more DNA sequences, each encoding a different non-competitively binding B. thuringiensis protoxin or insecticidal part thereof, preferably the toxin thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 1, 1999
    Assignee: Plant Genetic Systems N.V.
    Inventors: Herman Van Mellaert, Johan Botterman, Jeroen Van Rie, Henk Joos
  • DNA encoding fruit-ripening-related proteins, DNA constructs, cells and plants derived therefrom
    Patent number: 5908973
    Abstract: DNA constructs comprising DNA sequences encoding fruit-ripening-related proteins may be transformed into plants to modify plant characteristics (particularly fruit quality). New DNA sequences are disclosed; cDNA and genomic clones have been deposited; new fruit-ripening-related promoter sequences may also be obtained. Sense and antisense constructs for plant transformation are described. Genetically modified plants may be used to produce improved fruit and may also be used in breeding programs to produce hybrid seed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 1, 1999
    Assignee: Zeneca Limited
    Inventors: Umi Kalsom Abu-Bakar, Sarah Louise Barton, Pedro Pablo Gallego-Veigas, Julie Elizabeth Gray, Donald Grierson, Alexandra Louise Lowe, Steve Picton, Lee Colin Whotton
  • Accumulation of fructans in plants by targeted expression of bacterial levansucrase
    Patent number: 5908975
    Abstract: This invention concerns methods for synthesis and accumulation of fructose polymers in seed, tubers or leaves of transgenic plants by selective expression of a bacterial fructosyltransferase gene. Selective expression includes coordination of timing, tissue specific expression and especially subcellular location. Successful transformants utilize sucrose to synthesize and accumulate fructan in the vacuole of the cell, in established crops, without loss of co-products or concern for yield loss due to degradation during maturation, harvest or storage of the plant. Enhanced fructan production will benefit the fructose sweetener industry and add value to grain used for feed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 1, 1999
    Assignee: E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Perry Gerard Caimi, Howard Paul Hershey, Phillip S. Kerr
  • Potato leafhopper resistant alfalfa
    Patent number: 5908974
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an insect resistant alfalfa seed, alfalfa plant, and an alfalfa variety. More specifically, the invention relates to an alfalfa plant having resistance to the insect potato leafhopper. The invention also relates to an increased level of resistance to potato leafhopper and other pests. The invention flier relates to the method of crossing alfalfa plants containing the resistance to potato leafhopper to produce insect resistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 1, 1999
    Inventor: Mark H. McCaslin
  • Method for regeneration of salvia species
    Patent number: 5908771
    Abstract: Salvia is regenerated via organogenesis using plant tissue culture techniques in a multistage culturing process. Roots can be induced from regenerated shoots, and the regenerated plants can be transferred to soil for further growth after the root system is well established.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 1, 1999
    Assignee: R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company
    Inventors: Wennuan Liu, Gary Mark Hellmann, Richard Carlton Reich
  • Brassica sp. gene promoter highly expressed during stigma development
    Patent number: 5907083
    Abstract: A Brassica sp. genomic clone G 363 containing a gene promoter, which directs expression in the stigma, was isolated. Based on microbombardment studies of Brassica napus flowers with the gene Pis 63/Gus fusion, the Pis 63 promoter was shown to direct GUS expression to the stigma. This promoter will be useful for the temporal and spatial control of gene expression in plants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 25, 1999
    Assignee: Her Majesty the Queen in right of Canada as represented by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
    Inventors: Laurian Robert, Jean L. Gerster, John Simmonds
  • Ovule-specific gene expression
    Patent number: 5907082
    Abstract: The present invention provides nucleic acid sequences from ovule-specific genes. The nucleic acids are useful in targeting gene expression to ovules or in modulating ovule development.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 25, 1999
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Sharman O'Neill, Jeanette Nadeau
  • DNA binding protein S1-3
    Patent number: 5905146
    Abstract: A substantially pure S1-3 protein (a) being a DNA binding protein containing three zinc finger domains, (b) whose mRNA is overexpressed in senescent human diploid fibroblasts or human diploid fibroblasts derived from a patient with Werner Syndrome, and (c) whose mRNA is not expressed in fetal human diploid fibroblasts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 18, 1999
    Assignee: University of Arkansas
    Inventor: Beata Lecka-Czernik
  • Antimicrobial peptides and plant disease resistance based thereon
    Patent number: 5905187
    Abstract: CMIII, a small, basic maize seed peptide has been found to have antimicrobial properties. In a preferred embodiment, plant resistance to diseases caused by plant pathogens which are susceptible to CMIII is produced by inserting into the cells of a plant a gene whose expression causes production CMIII in antimicrobial amounts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 18, 1999
    Assignee: Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan P. Duvick, Tracy A. Rood, Aragula G. Rao
  • Lantana plant named `Mongen`
    Patent number: PP10890
    Abstract: A new and distinct selection of trailing Lantana which shall be referred hereinafter as Lantana sellowiana cultivar `Mongen`. Lantana sellowiana cultivar `Mongen` differs distinctively from other Lantana sellowiana plants by its unique variegated leaves and slower growth habit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 11, 1999
    Assignee: Monrovia Nursery Company
    Inventor: Eugene Blythe
  • Picea glauca plant named `Blue Wonder`
    Patent number: PP10933
    Abstract: A distinct cultivar of Picea plant named `Blue Wonder`, characterized by its blue-green colored needles; compact plant habit; slow growth rate; and low vigor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 1, 1999
    Assignee: Jeddeloh Farms
    Inventor: Gunter Kordes