Patents Examined by Gerard Lacourciere
  • Patent number: 9102958
    Abstract: This document describes biochemical pathways for producing adipic acid, caprolactam, 6-aminohexanoic acid, hexamethylenediamine or 1,6-hexanediol by forming two terminal functional groups, comprised of carboxyl, amine or hydroxyl groups, in a C6 aliphatic backbone substrate. These pathways, metabolic engineering and cultivation strategies described herein rely on CoA-dependent elongation enzymes or analogues enzymes associated with the carbon storage pathways from polyhydroxyalkanoate accumulating bacteria.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: INVISTA North America S.á.r.l.
    Inventors: Adriana L. Botes, Alex Van Eck Conradie
  • Patent number: 9079157
    Abstract: The present invention provides compositions, methods and kits for the removal of proteins from complex reaction mixtures useful in majority workflows of molecular biology research experiments. More specifically, such compositions, methods and kits are useful in such processes as purification of nucleic acids from biological samples or after their treatment with specific enzymes, when residual enzyme activity in reaction mixture is not compatible with downstream applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignee: Thermo Fisher Scientific Baltics, UAB
    Inventors: Vitalis Tiknius, Eglé Merkiene
  • Patent number: 9074017
    Abstract: The subject of the present invention is a pure monomeric bovine serum albumin, a method of producing it characterised by the use column chromatography in resin and a method of identifying it using dynamic light scattering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: Wroclawskie Centrum Baden EIT+SP Z O.O.
    Inventors: Jadwiga Pietkiewicz, Agnieszka Szydelko, Katarzyna Dzierzba, Regina Danielewicz, Magdalena Staniszewska, Arkadiusz Bartys, Andrzej Gamian
  • Patent number: 9062337
    Abstract: The present invention is related to a cell culture medium for the expression of a protein, which medium comprises a PAM inhibitor, or a physiological equivalent thereof, and to a cell culture process for the expression of a protein, in which process a PAM inhibitor, or a physiological equivalent thereof, is used (FIG. 1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2015
    Assignee: Sandoz GmbH
    Inventors: Corinna Sonderegger, Julia Schmutzhard, Christine Heel, Thomas Stangler
  • Patent number: 9056894
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for capturing virus-like particles of interest from a mixture comprising the use of an expanded bed of adsorbent; suitably wherein said method comprises the steps of: (a) providing an expanded bed of adsorbent; (b) contacting the mixture with the adsorbent such that the constituents of the mixture contact the expanded bed of adsorbent; (c) optionally washing the adsorbent; and (d) optionally eluting the particle of interest from the adsorbent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2015
    Assignee: Philip Morris Products S.A.
    Inventors: Allan Lihme, Karen Oishi, Inga Vaarst, Rosa Cabrera
  • Patent number: 9057095
    Abstract: The present invention provides a kit and a method of testing for carbamates in amine cured epoxies. The method and kit are based on the use of an enzyme that is inhibited by carbamates. A specific embodiment of the kit includes acetylthiocholine (ATC), dithio-bis (2-nitrobenzoic acid) (DTNB), and acetyl-cholinesterase (ACh-E). In the corresponding method embodiment, the method comprises the steps of collecting carbamates from the epoxy, adding the collected carbamates to a solution, adding acetyl-cholinesterase (ACh-E) to the solution, adding acetylthiocholine (ATC) to the solution, adding dithio-bis (2-nitrobenzoic acid) (DTNB) to the solution, and ultimately measuring the intensity of the yellow color of the solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2015
    Assignee: Abraxis LLC
    Inventors: Melissa Tuchscherer, Perry Kilpatrick, Richard Slawecki, Fernando Manuel Rubio
  • Patent number: 9045794
    Abstract: The present invention features compositions and methods for the detection or measurement of oxalate in a sample. Such compositions include test devices that provide for the rapid and accurate detection of oxalate in a sample from a biological fluid. Advantageously, the compositions can be used to monitor the oxalate levels of a patient at a point of care (e.g., at the patient's home, clinic, physician's office, or other clinical setting).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: University of Florida Research Foundation, Inc.
    Inventors: Ammon B. Peck, Cuong Q. Nguyen, Nigel G. John Richards
  • Patent number: 9045712
    Abstract: In alternative embodiments, the invention provides phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C (PI-PLC) enzymes, nucleic acids encoding them, antibodies that bind specifically to them, and methods for making and using them. Industrial methods and products comprising use of these phospholipases are also provided. In certain embodiments, provided herein are methods for hydration of non hydratable phospholipids (NHPs) within a lipid matrix. The methods enable migration of NHPs to an oil-water interface thereby allowing the NHPs to be reacted and/or removed from the lipids. In certain embodiments, provided is a method for removing NHPs, hydratable phospholipids, and lecithins from vegetable oils to produce a degummed oil or fat product that can be used for food production and/or non-food applications. In certain embodiments, provided herein are methods for hydration of NHPs followed by enzymatic treatment and removal of various phospholipids and lecithins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: BUNGE GLOBAL INNOVATION, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher L. G. Dayton, Flavio Da Silva Galhardo, Nelson Barton, Tim Hitchman, Jonathan Lyon, Eileen O'Donoghue, Mark A. Wall
  • Patent number: 9017976
    Abstract: This present invention relates to production of chemicals from microorganisms that have been genetically engineered and metabolically evolved. Improvements in chemical production have been established, and particular mutations that lead to those improvements have been identified. Specific examples are given in the identification of mutations that occurred during the metabolic evolution of a bacterial strain genetically engineered to produce succinic acid. This present invention also provides a method for evaluating the industrial applicability of mutations that were selected during the metabolic evolution for increased succinic acid production. This present invention further provides microorganisms engineered to have mutations that are selected during metabolic evolution and contribute to improved production of succinic acid, other organic acids and other chemicals of commercial interest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Myriant Corporation
    Inventors: Wei Gong, Sudhanshu Dole, Tammy Grabar, Andrew Christopher Collard, Janice G. Pero, R. Rogers Yocum
  • Patent number: 9018305
    Abstract: The present invention relates to chromatography matrices including ligands based on one or more domains of immunoglobulin-binding proteins such as, Staphylococcus aureus Protein A (SpA), as well as methods of using the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: EMD Millipore Corporation
    Inventors: Shari Spector, Robert Smith, Joe Orlando, Nanying Bian
  • Patent number: 9012195
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to non-cytotoxic protein conjugates for inhibition or reduction of exocytic fusion in a nociceptive sensory afferent cell. The protein conjugates comprise: (i) a dynorphin Targeting Moiety (TM), wherein the TM is an agonist of a receptor present on a nociceptive sensory afferent cell, and wherein the receptor undergoes endocytosis to be incorporated into an endosome within the nociceptive sensory afferent cell; (ii) a non-cytotoxic protease or a fragment thereof, wherein the protease or protease fragment is capable of cleaving a protein of the exocytic fusion apparatus of the nociceptive sensory afferent cell; and (iii) a Translocation Domain, wherein the Translocation Domain translocates the protease or protease fragment from within the endosome, across the endosomal membrane, and into the cytosol of the nociceptive sensory afferent cell. Nucleic acid sequences encoding the protein conjugates, methods of preparing same and uses thereof are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignees: Syntaxin, Ltd., Allergan, Inc.
    Inventors: Keith Foster, John Chaddock, Charles Penn, Kei Roger Aoki, Joseph Francis, Lance Steward
  • Patent number: 9005936
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a liquefied sugar beet and/or sugar cane biomass material as well as production methods and uses thereof. The liquefied biomass is storage stable and can be used for the production of a product resulting from fermentation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Süd-Chemie IP GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Andre Koltermann, Markus Rarbach, Thomas Bruck, Jochen Gerlach, Isabel Unterstrasser, Andreas Kohl, Zdravko Dragovic, Ulrich Kettling
  • Patent number: 8981067
    Abstract: Compositions relating to a combination of two types of separation matrix; and to variant host cells which contain at least one essential host protein that is fused to an affinity binding tag or has been mutated to replace at least two of a plurality of histidines or basic amino acids are provided. Methods are also provided that relate to isolating a recombinant protein from a lysate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: New England Biolabs, Inc.
    Inventors: James C. Samuelson, Carine Robichon-Iyer, Jianying Luo
  • Patent number: 8969050
    Abstract: Methods of producing renewable materials may include consuming a fermentation feedstock with a fermentation organism to produce a renewable material in fermentation broth; water may then be separated from the feedstock or broth using one or more phase separations, or the renewable material may be concentrated from the feedstock or broth using one or more phase separations. Methods of producing biofuel components may include consuming a lignocellulosic or sugar fermentation feedstock with a fermentation organism to produce either ethanol or butanol in fermentation broth; cooling the feedstock or broth to solidify at least some water therein; and separating the solidified water from the feedstock or broth using a solid-liquid phase separation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: BP Corporation North America Inc.
    Inventors: Glen Austin, Binita X. Bhattacharjee, Leslie W. Bolton, Jacob Borden, Martin E. Carrera, Amit A. Gokhale, Chris Horler, Aidan Hurley, Eric T. Mack
  • Patent number: 8962286
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an improved process of producing a fermentation product, in particular ethanol. The present disclosure relates also to the use of enzymes for improving the quality of by-products in the fermentative production process and to compositions comprising enzymes capable of degrading components in the fermented mash in the fermentation process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Direvo Industrial Biotechnology GmbH
    Inventors: Klaudija Milos, Steffen Köhler, Christian Elend, Léonie Degener
  • Patent number: 8956816
    Abstract: Methods for performing analytical reactions and compositions for use in such methods, where the methods have reduced signal levels deriving from non-specific adsorption of detected reagents to other components of the analytical method, e.g., other reagents, solid phase components, vessels, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Pacific Biosciences of California, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrei Fedorov, Stephen Yue, Lei Sun, Gene Shen, John Lyle
  • Patent number: 8957190
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a solid support having a heat-resistant biotin-binding protein attached thereto. The present invention also relates to the use of the solid support of the present invention having a heat-resistant biotin-binding protein attached thereto. The present invention further relates to technical fields such as purification, concentration, detection and/or capture of a biotin-linked substance by means of a heat-resistant biotin-binding protein. Such a biotin-binding protein used in the solid support of the present invention is heat-resistant and is therefore useful for use in assay systems involving exposure to a temperature of 70° C. or more.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Japan Tobacco Inc.
    Inventors: Yoshimitsu Takakura, Satoru Usami, Masako Ichikawa
  • Patent number: 8932840
    Abstract: A xylan-containing feed is contacted, in the first reactor essentially operated at plug flow, with an aqueous solution of an acid at a temperature in the range from equal to or more than 140° C. to equal to or less than 210° C. to produce an intermediate product. Then, the intermediate product is contacted, in the second reactor which comprises a continuously stirred tank reactor, with an aqueous solution of an acid at a temperature in the range from more than 130° C. to equal to or less than 200° C. to produce a final product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventors: Evert Van Der Heide, Munro MacKay
  • Patent number: 8921043
    Abstract: Compositions and methods are described to modify Family B DNA polymerases that contain residual exonuclease activity that interferes with sequencing techniques and with detection of single nucleotide polymorphisms. The compositions are mutant proteins with reduced exonuclease activity compared with presently available “exo?” polymerases, and a sensitive screening assay that enables an assessment of exonuclease activity of any synthetic DNA polymerase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: New England Biolabs, Inc.
    Inventor: Andrew Gardner
  • Patent number: 8921083
    Abstract: A modified microorganism for producing a high yield of 1,4-butanediol, and a method of producing 1,4-butanediol using the modified microorganism, wherein the modified microorganism is altered so as to delete or disrupt expression of at least one of transcription regulatory factor NCg12886, GCN5-related N-acetyltransferase NCg12090, hypothetical protein NCg10224 or sugar phosphate isomerase/epimerase NCg12956.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Woo Yong Lee, Hyun Min Koo, Sung Soo Kim, Jae Young Kim, Jae Chan Park