Patents Examined by Li Zheng
  • Patent number: 7586024
    Abstract: The invention discloses a method for breeding transgenic plants with the high antiviral property and the application of the method. The inventive method comprises the following steps of: a. checking the frequency of codon usage in a host and determining the rare codons in the host, modifying the codons in a target gene so that some codons in the target gene are mutated into the rare synonymous codons in the host plant; b. constructing a vector containing the target gene with the codon modifications, to be used for transforming plants; c. transforming the plants with the above recombinant vector to obtain the regenerative transgenic plants; d. detecting the transformed plants, screening the transgenic plants in which gene silencing occurs in the target gene, and thereby obtaining the transgenic plants with the high antiviral property. The invention method can be used in breeding highly efficient and stable antiviral transgenic plants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2009
    Assignee: Institue of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Adacemy of Sciences
    Inventors: Zhen Zhu, Dejiang Feng, Xiang Liu
  • Patent number: 7572950
    Abstract: The invention relates to methods for generating or increasing a pathogen resistance in plants by expression, preferably pathogen-inducible expression, of a sucrose isomerase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2009
    Assignee: SunGene GmbH & Co. KGaA
    Inventors: Karin Herbers, Bettina Tschiersch, Uwe Sonnewald, Frederik Börnke, Horst-Ekkehard Neuhaus
  • Patent number: 7572634
    Abstract: Methods to find optimal integration sites within a plant genome are provided. More particularly, a plant is transformed with a target site having an expression cassette comprising a nucleotide sequence operably linked to a promoter active in the plant. The target site is flanked by non-identical recombination sites. Transformed protoplast, tissues, or whole plants can be tested to determine the levels of activity of the inserted gene. By comparison of cellular activities of the gene in different insertion sites, preferred integration sites may be found wherein the gene is expressed at high or acceptable levels. These plants can then be utilized with subsequent retargeting techniques to replace the nucleotide sequence with other genes or nucleotide sequences of interest contained in a transfer cassette.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2009
    Assignee: Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher L. Baszczynski, Benjamin A. Bowen, David J. Peterson, Laura Tagliani
  • Patent number: 7572635
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel system for generating transformed dihaploid plants from haploid cells and tissues without the use of chromosome doubling agents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2009
    Assignee: Monsanto Technology LLC
    Inventors: Charles L. Armstrong, David R. Duncan, Vladimir Sidorov
  • Patent number: 7566814
    Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods for the generation of recombinant plants by manipulation of chromosomal sequences in plant cells via recombination promoted by recombinases. Nucleic acid constructs are provided in which a germline-specific promoter is operatively associated with a recombinase coding sequence. Methods are provided in which the constructs are introduced into a variety of plant species.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2009
    Assignee: The Salk Institute for Biological Studies
    Inventors: Stephen O'Gorman, Geoffrey Wahl
  • Patent number: 7566813
    Abstract: The present invention is in the field of plant genetics and provides recombinant nucleic acid molecules, constructs, and other agents associated with the coordinate manipulation of multiple genes in the fatty acid synthesis pathway. In particular, the agents of the present invention are associated with the simultaneous enhanced expression of certain genes in the fatty acid synthesis pathway and suppressed expression of certain other genes in the same pathway. Also provided are plants incorporating such agents, and in particular plants incorporating such constructs where the plants exhibit altered seed oil compositions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2009
    Assignee: Monsanto Technology, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Toni Voelker, JoAnne J. Fillatti, Neal A. Bringe, Tim Ulmasov
  • Patent number: 7557263
    Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions directed to the production of polypeptides in plant protein storage tissue. Methods of the invention include methods for producing polypeptides in protein storage tissues by decreasing the level of protease activity in the plant protein storage tissue. Compositions of the invention include plants that are genetically modified such that the activity of one or more proteases is reduced or eliminated, transformed seeds obtained from these genetically modified plants, and sequences encoding a novel member of the VPE cysteine protease family found in seed, ?-VPE. These methods and compositions find utility in altering the nutritional or other qualities of seed, and in producing useful proteins including pharmacological or industrial proteins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2009
    Assignee: Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc.
    Inventors: Darren B. Gruis, Rudolf Jung
  • Patent number: 7554005
    Abstract: The invention relates to the isolation of promoters from corn capable of directing transcription of an operably linked foreign DNA sequence preferentially, selectively or exclusively in the roots of plants, such as corn plants. The invention also relates to the use of chimeric genes for the preferential or selective expression of biologically active RNA of interest in the roots of plants, such as corn plants. Plants, such as corn plants, comprising corn root preferential or selective promoters operably linked to a foreign DNA sequence which, upon transcription, yield biologically active RNA preferentially or selectively in the roots of plants are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2009
    Assignee: Bayer Bioscience N.V.
    Inventors: Greet Vanderkimpen, Gerben Van Eldik, Frank Meulewaeter
  • Patent number: 7547548
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of reprogramming plant development that allows flower buds and seeds to arise de novo, directly from a cotyledon or radicle explants or from shoots produced on a cotyledon or radicle. The present invention also provides for an improved culturing media that provide for in vitro flowering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2009
    Assignee: University of Toledo
    Inventors: Sairam V. Rudrabhatla, Stephen L. Goldman
  • Patent number: 7544856
    Abstract: The purpose of the present invention is to provide the rice restorer gene to the rice BT type cytoplasmic male sterility. The gene of the present invention comprises a nucleic acid encoding the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO. 75, or an amino acid sequence which is identical to at least 70% of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO. 75, and which functions to restore fertility. Preferably, the gene of the present invention has the base sequence of SEQ ID NOS:69-74, 80-85 or the bases 43907-46279 of SEQ ID NO:27.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2009
    Assignee: Japan Tobacco Inc.
    Inventors: Toshiyuki Komori, Yoshimitsu Takakura, Yukoh Hiei, Shoichi Suzuki, Yoshiki Kuraya
  • Patent number: 7534930
    Abstract: A nucleic acid construct or construct system which includes (i) a first polynucleotide encoding endochitinase, (ii) a second polynucleotide encoding stilbene synthase and (iii) a third polynucleotide encoding superoxide dismutase. In addition, banana cells transformed with the nucleic acid construct or construct system, banana plants generated therefrom and methods of producing same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2009
    Assignee: The State of Israel - Ministry of Agriculture & Rural Development
    Inventors: Jane Vishnevetsky, Moshe Flaishman, Yuval Cohen, Igal Elad, Margarita Velcheva, Uri Hanania, Avi Perl
  • Patent number: 7531716
    Abstract: The subject invention concerns materials and methods for providing genetically-engineered resistance in plants to tomato yellow leaf curl geminivirus using a truncated version of the replication associated protein (Rep) gene of TYLCV. Virus-resistant plants produced according to the present invention have horticulturally acceptable phenotypic traits. Methods of the invention comprise transforming a plant with a polynucleotide wherein when the polynucleotide is expressed in the plant, the transformed plant exhibits resistance to plant viral infections. An exemplified embodiment utilizes a polynucleotide comprising a truncated Rep gene derived from a Florida isolate of TYLCV-Is. The methods of the invention can be used to provide resistance to TYLCV infection in plants such as tomato and tobacco. The present invention also concerns transformed and transgenic plants and plant tissue that express a polynucleotide comprising a truncated Rep gene of TYLCV.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2009
    Assignee: University of Florida Research Foundation, Inc.
    Inventors: Jane E. Polston, Ernest Hiebert
  • Patent number: 7524945
    Abstract: This invention relates to an isolated nucleic acid fragment encoding a diacylglycerol acyltransferase. The invention also relates to the construction of a chimeric gene encoding all or a portion of the diacylglycerol acyltransferase, in sense or antisense orientation, wherein expression of the chimeric gene results in production of altered levels of the diacylglycerol acyltransferase in a transformed host cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2009
    Assignee: E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Edgar B. Cahoon, Anthony J. Kinney
  • Patent number: 7498480
    Abstract: This invention is directed to a monopartite RNA viral vector comprising modified tobravirus RNA-1 comprising an inserted foreign RNA sequence. This invention is also directed to a bipartite RNA viral vector derived from a tobravirus, wherein the vector comprises one or more foreign RNA sequences. The invention is directed to a method of silencing one or more endogenous plant host genes and a method of simultaneously silencing a plant host gene and expressing a foreign gene in a plant host. Such methods comprise infecting a plant host with a bipartite vector comprising modified tobravirus RNA-1 and RNA-2. The invention is further directed to a method of compiling a plant functional gene profile, a method of changing the phenotype or biochemistry of a plant host, and a method of determining the presence of a trait in a plant host, using a monopartite or bipartite viral vector derived from a tobravirus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2009
    Assignee: Novici Biotech LLC
    Inventors: Peter D. Roberts, Monto H. Kumagai, Andrew A. Vaewhongs
  • Patent number: 7465783
    Abstract: The invention concerns novel peptides, in particular plant peptides, having an antimicrobial activity and a cytotoxic activity, in particular for plant cells. The invention also concerns polynucleotides coding for said peptides, vectors comprising said polynucleotides, micro-organisms and cells transformed with said vectors, transgenic organisms whereof all of part of the cells contain and/or express said vectors, uses of said peptides and said polynucleotides, in particular as plant-specific antimicrobial agents. The invention further concerns an antimicrobial and/or cytotoxic method for treating plants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2008
    Assignee: Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique
    Inventors: Patrick Gallois, Valerie Hecht, Fabrice Varoquaux, Robert Blanvillain, Delphine Puertolas, Valerie Delorme, Dominique Roby, Michel Delseny
  • Patent number: 7459603
    Abstract: The present invention concerns a method for modifying the growth characteristics of plants by modulating expression in a plant of a nucleic acid sequence encoding a TAD protein and/or modulating activity in a plant of a TAD protein. The invention also relates to transgenic plants having modified growth characteristics, which plants have modulated expression of a nucleic acid encoding a TAD protein fragment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2008
    Assignee: Cropdesign N.V.
    Inventors: Yves Hatzfeld, Valerie Frankard
  • Patent number: 7449568
    Abstract: A promoter, an intron and a terminator by which a useful foreign gene can be efficiently expressed in algae and which are thus useful in breeding algae using genetic engineering techniques.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Assignee: Takara Bio Inc.
    Inventors: Satoru Fukuda, Naotsune Saga, Toshiharu Ohba, Sawako Nagashima, Shuichi Takahashi, Kiyozo Asada, Ikunoshin Kato
  • Patent number: 7449335
    Abstract: The present invention provides methods for enhancing plant transformation. One such method entails making an excision in a selected seedling at the point where two cotyledons meet, and then vortexing the cut seedling in a solution comprising a transforming bacterium such as Agrobacterium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Assignee: J.R. Simplot Company
    Inventors: J. Troy Weeks, Caius Rommens, Jingsong Ye
  • Patent number: 7442855
    Abstract: The present invention relates to isolated nucleic acids encoding plant cyclotides. The invention also relates to the construction of a chimeric gene encoding all or a portion of the plant cyclotides, in sense or antisense orientation, wherein expression of the chimeric gene results in the production of altered levels of plant cyclotides in a transformed host cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2008
    Assignee: E. I. du Pont De Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Rafael Herrmann, Albert L. Lu, Billy F. McCutchen, James K. Presnail, Janet A. Rice, Clement W. K. Waine
  • Patent number: 7427676
    Abstract: The invention provides several promoters isolated from Oryza sativa, which promoters are capable of driving and/or regulating the expression of an operably linked nucleic acid in a plant. The expression patterns of the promoters according to the invention have been studied in Oryza sativa and some of the promoters displayed specific activity in particular cells, tissues or organs of the plant, while others displayed constitutive expression throughout substantially the whole plant. Some promoters showed weak expression, while others were strongly active.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2008
    Assignee: Crop Design N.V.
    Inventors: Yves Hatzfeld, Willem Broekaert