Patents Examined by Rebecca Prouty
  • Patent number: 9303248
    Abstract: The present invention relates to isolated polypeptides having lipase activity and isolated polynucleotides encoding the polypeptides. The invention also relates to nucleic acid constructs, vectors, and host cells comprising the polynucleotides as well as methods for producing and using the polypeptides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignees: NOVOZYMES A/S, NOVOZYMES, INC.
    Inventors: Suzanne Otani, Debbie Yaver, Haiyan Ge, Janine Lin, Christopher Amolo, Kim Borch, Shamkant Anant Patkar, Michael Lamsa, Barbara Cherry
  • Patent number: 9289007
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an acyl-CoA synthetase homolog protein from microorganisms of the genus Mortierella, a polynucleotide encoding the protein, and so on. The invention provides polynucleotides comprising an acyl-CoA synthetase homolog protein gene from, e.g., Mortierella alpina, expression vectors comprising these polynucleotides and transformants thereof, a method for producing lipids or fatty acids using the transformants, food products containing the lipids or fatty acids produced by the method, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: SUNTORY HOLDINGS LIMITED
    Inventor: Misa Ochiai
  • Patent number: 9290753
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to variants of a parent glucoamylase having altered properties (e.g., improved thermostability and/or specific activity). In particular, the present disclosure provides compositions comprising the variant glucoamylases, including starch hydrolyzing compositions and cleaning compositions. The disclosure also relates to DNA constructs encoding the variants and methods of producing the glucoamylase variants in host cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: Danisco US Inc.
    Inventors: Wolfgang Aehle, Richard R. Bott, Martijn Scheffers, Pieter van Solingen, Casper Vroemen
  • Patent number: 9279119
    Abstract: Methods and composition related to the engineering of a novel protein with methionine-?-lyase enzyme activity are described. For example, in certain aspects there may be disclosed a modified cystathionine-?-lyase (CGL) comprising one or more amino acid substitutions and capable of degrading methionine. Furthermore, certain aspects of the invention provide compositions and methods for the treatment of cancer with methionine depletion using the disclosed proteins or nucleic acids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: AEMase, Inc.
    Inventors: George Georgiou, Everett Stone
  • Patent number: 9267118
    Abstract: The invention relates to high-throughput screens for identifying bacterial strains capable of L-tyrosine production.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Gregory Stephanopoulos, Christine Nicole S. Santos
  • Patent number: 9255256
    Abstract: A bacterial cell containing a functional cytochrome P450 monooxygenase system, said cell comprising a genetic construct capable of expressing a cytochrome P450 and a genetic construct capable of expressing, separately from said cytochrome P450, a cytochrome P450 reductase wherein the N-terminus of the cytochrome P450 and the N-terminus of the cytochrome P450 reductase are each adapted to allow functional coupling of said cytochrome P450 and said cytochrome P450 reductase within said cell. A bacterial cell containing a cytochrome P450 comprising a genetic construct encoding, and capable of expressing, said cytochrome P450 wherein the cytochrome P450 comprises an N-terminal portion which directs the cytochrome P450 to a cellular compartment of membrane of the bacterial cell. The bacterial cells are useful as, for example, bioreactors, in drug testing and mutagenicity testing and as a source of cytochrome P450.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Inventors: Charles Roland Wolf, Thomas Herbert Friedberg, Michael Patrick Pritchard
  • Patent number: 9249396
    Abstract: Compositions and methods are provided for enzymes with altered properties that involve a systematic approach to mutagenesis and a screening assay that permits selection of the desired proteins. Embodiments of the method are particularly suited for modifying specific properties of restriction endonucleases such as star activity. The compositions includes restriction endonucleases with reduced star activity as defined by an overall fidelity index improvement factor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: New England Biolabs, Inc.
    Inventors: Zhenyu Zhu, Aine Quimby, Shuang-Yong Xu, Shengxi Guan, Hua Wei, Penghua Zhang, Dapeng Sun, Siu-hong Chan
  • Patent number: 9249401
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to CBH II chimera fusion polypeptides, nucleic acids encoding the polypeptides, and host cells for producing the polypeptides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Frances H. Arnold, Pete Heinzelman
  • Patent number: 9238804
    Abstract: Provided are hydrolases, including lipases, saturases, palmitases and/or stearatases, and polynucleotides encoding them, and methods of making and using these polynucleotides and polypeptides. Further provided are polypeptides, e.g., enzymes, having a hydrolase activity, e.g., lipases, saturases, palmitases and/or stearatases and methods for preparing low saturate or low trans fat oils, such as low saturate or low trans fat animal or vegetable oils, e.g., soy or canola oils.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2016
    Assignee: DSM IP ASSETS B.V.
    Inventors: Tim Hitchman, Christopher L. G. Dayton, Katie A. Kline, Jonathan Lyon, Mark A. Wall, Nelson R. Barton
  • Patent number: 9234218
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of methacrylic acid or methacrylic esters, comprising the process steps of IA) preparation of 3-hydroxyisobutyric acid by a process comprising the process step of bringing a cell which has been genetically modified in comparison with its wild type in such a way that it is capable of forming more 3-hydroxyisobutyric acid, or polyhydroxyalkanoates based on 3-hydroxyisobutyric acid in comparison with its wild type, into contact with a nutrient medium comprising, as carbon source, carbohydrates, glycerol, carbon dioxide, methanol, L-valine or L-glutamate under conditions under which 3-hydroxyisobutyric acid or polyhydroxyalkanoates based on 3-hydroxyisobutyric acid are formed from the carbon source, if appropriate, isolation of the 3-hydroxyisobutyric acid from the nutrient medium and also, if appropriate, neutralization of the 3-hydroxyisobutyric acid, IB) dehydration of the 3-hydroxyisobutyric acid with formation of methacrylic acid and also, where
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: EVONIK ROEHM GmbH
    Inventors: Achim Marx, Markus Poetter, Stefan Buchholz, Alexander May, Hermann Siegert, Birgit Alber, Georg Fuchs, Lothar Eggeling
  • Patent number: 9210930
    Abstract: A method for controlling aquatic weeds which comprises applying a herbicidally effective amount of a solid formulation of at least one compound of formula (I) wherein X is halogen and R is halogen or C1-C6 alkyl, and/or one or more agriculturally acceptable salts thereof to the bottom of the aqueous habitat of the aquatic weeds to act on submersed aquatic weeds and/or their aqueous habitat containing seeds or other propagating organs of said aquatic weeds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: BASF SE
    Inventors: Christopher Todd Horton, Joseph G. Vollmer, James Crosby
  • Patent number: 9211286
    Abstract: An aqueous terconazole composition comprises at least about 0.4 percent by weight of terconazole dissolved in water, and a terconazole crystallization-inhibiting amount of an organic acid. Preferably the organic acid is a water soluble alkyl carboxylic acid, a polybasic organic acid, or a combination thereof. The composition is free from terconazole crystals at an ambient temperature of about 20° C. Methods of preparing the composition are also described. The compositions provide for improved therapeutic release of terconazole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: Curatek Pharmaceuticals Holding, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. Borgman, James E. Juul
  • Patent number: 9212346
    Abstract: Biological method for conversion of a sugar-containing organic material into a desired biochemical product. Use of a plurality of substrate-selective cells allows different sugars in a complex mixture to be consumed concurrently and independently. The method can be readily extended to remove inhibitory compounds from hydrolysate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: University of Georgia Research Foundation, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Eiteman, Elliot Altman
  • Patent number: 9206411
    Abstract: Staphylococcus aureus is notorious for developing resistance to virtually all antibiotics to which it is exposed. Staphylococcal phage 2638A endolysin is a peptidoglycan hydrolase that is lytic for S. aureus when exposed externally, making it a new antimicrobial candidate. It shares a common protein organization with over 40 other staphylococcal peptidoglycan hydrolases: a CHAP endopeptidase domain, a mid-protein amidase 2 domain and a C-terminal SH3b cell wall binding domain. It is the first phage endolysin reported with a cryptic translational start site between the CHAP and amidase domains. Deletion analysis indicates that the amidase domain confers most of the lytic activity and requires the full SH3b domain for maximal activity. It is common for one domain to demonstrate dominant activity over another; however, the phage 2638A endolysin is the first to show high amidase domain activity dominant over the N-terminal CHAP domain, an important finding for targeting novel peptidoglycan bonds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: The United States of America, as represented by The Secretary of Agriculture
    Inventors: David M. Donovan, Igor V. Abaev
  • Patent number: 9206406
    Abstract: Provided is a modified Family 1 carbohydrate binding module (CBM) comprising amino acid substitutions at one or more of positions 10, 11, 12, 14, 17, 21, 24, 29, 31, 33, and 37, said position determined from alignment of a Family 1 CBM amino acid sequence with SEQ ID NO: 30, and exhibiting from about 50% to about 99.9% amino acid sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 30. Also provided are modified glycosidase enzymes comprising the modified Family 1 CBM, genetic constructs and genetically modified microbes for expressing the modified Family 1 CBM or modified glycosidase enzyme. The modified Family 1 CBM confers reduced lignin binding and/or increased hydrolyzing activity in the presence of lignin to the modified glycosidase enzyme, which may be used in a process for hydrolyzing cellulose or hemicellulose in the presence of lignin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: IOGEN ENERGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: John J. Tomashek, Brian R. Scott, Daniel Kolczynski
  • Patent number: 9200310
    Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided for engineering mutant enzymes with reduced star activity where the mutant enzymes have a fidelity index (FI) in a specified buffer that is greater than the FI of the non-mutated enzyme in the same buffer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Assignee: New England Biolabs, Inc.
    Inventors: Zhenyu Zhu, Aine Quimby, Shengxi Guan, Dapeng Sun, Yishu Huang, Xuhui Lai, Siu-hong Chan, Xianghui Li, Shuang-Yong Xu, Chunhua Zhang
  • Patent number: 9193960
    Abstract: Compositions and methods are provided for enzymes with altered properties that involve a systematic approach to mutagenesis and a screening assay that permits selection of the desired proteins. Embodiments of the method are particularly suited for modifying specific properties of restriction endonucleases such as star activity. The compositions includes restriction endonucleases with reduced star activity as defined by an overall fidelity index improvement factor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: NEW ENGLAND BIOLABS, INC.
    Inventors: Zhenyu Zhu, Aine Quimby, Shuang-Yong Xu, Shengxi Guan, Hua Wei, Penghua Zhang, Dapeng Sun, Siu-hong Chan
  • Patent number: 9149666
    Abstract: The present invention relates to metalloprotease enzymes isolated from scorpion venom, their nucleic acid and amino acid sequences, and methods of use thereof in the treatment of various diseases, disorders and cosmetic conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignees: East Carolina University, National Institutes of Health
    Inventors: Paul L. Fletcher, Maryann D. Fletcher, Brian M. Martin
  • Patent number: 9150868
    Abstract: Disclosed is an Escherichia coli producing 2-deoxy-scyllo-inosose (DOI), which, from a sucrose non-PTS gene group, has at least a sucrose hydrolase (CscA)-encoding gene and which is provided with a DOI production system or has an enhanced DOI production system. The Escherichia coli preferably further includes a system to enhance sugar uptake capacity. There is also disclosed a method of producing DOI from a plant-derived raw material containing sucrose by using the Escherichia coli.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignee: MITSUI CHEMICALS, INC.
    Inventors: Junko Tokuda, Tomoyuki Natsuji, Hitoshi Takahashi, Tadashi Araki, Takashi Morishige, Katsuyuki Takahashi, Mitsufumi Wada
  • Patent number: 9150844
    Abstract: The present invention discloses novel hybrid proteins that have both plasminogen activator and anti-thrombotic properties, including clot specific action, that renders these as highly advantageous for the treatment of circulatory disorders involving fibrin clot formation due to underlying tissue damage in the blood vessels leading to myocardial infarction, strokes etc. Also disclosed are new proteins, and methods of obtaining the same, that help to dissolve blood clots by activating plasminogen in a plasmin or thrombin dependent manner and also inhibit both the activity and generation of thrombin through the intrinsic pathway of blood coagulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Inventors: Neeraj Maheshwari, Girish Sahni