Patents Examined by Richard Hutson
  • Inhibitors of plant peptide deformylase for use as broad-spectrum herbicides and methods for identifying the same
    Patent number: 7745693
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method of identifying herbicides and to the use of inhibitors of plant peptide deformylase as broad spectrum herbicides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: University of Kentucky Research Foundation
    Inventors: Robert L. Houtz, Lynnette M. A. Dirk, Mark Alan Williams
  • Process for the biological production of 1,3-propanediol with high yield
    Patent number: 7745184
    Abstract: The present invention provides a microorganism useful for biologically producing 1,3-propanediol from a fermentable carbon source at higher yield than was previously known. The complexity of the cofactor requirements necessitates the use of a whole cell catalyst for an industrial process that utilizes this reaction sequence to produce 1,3-propanediol. The invention provides a microorganism with disruptions in specified genes and alterations in the expression levels of specified genes that is useful in a higher yielding process to produce 1,3-propanediol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignees: E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Co., Genencor International Inc.
    Inventors: Marguerite A. Cervin, Philippe Soucaille, Fernando Valle
  • Process for producing glycolic acid from formaldehyde and hydrogen cyanide
    Patent number: 7741083
    Abstract: A process is provided for producing glycolic acid from formaldehyde and hydrogen cyanide. More specifically, heat-treated formaldehyde and hydrogen cyanide are reacted to produce glycolonitrile having low concentrations of impurities. The glycolonitrile is subsequently converted to an aqueous solution of ammonium glycolate using an enzyme catalyst having nitrilase activity derived from Acidovorax facilis 72W (ATCC 57746). Glycolic acid is recovered in the form of the acid or salt from the aqueous ammonium glycolate solution using a variety of methods described herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2010
    Assignee: E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Robert DiCosimo, Anna Panova, Jeffery Scott Thompson, Robert D. Fallon, F. Glenn Gallagher, Thomas Foo, Xu Li, George C. Fox, Joseph J. Zaher, Mark S. Payne, Daniel P. O'Keefe
  • Process for producing glycolic acid from formaldehyde and hydrogen cyanide
    Patent number: 7732172
    Abstract: A process is provided for producing glycolic acid from formaldehyde and hydrogen cyanide. More specifically, heat-treated formaldehyde and hydrogen cyanide are reacted to produce glycolonitrile having low concentrations of impurities. The glycolonitrile is subsequently converted to an aqueous solution of ammonium glycolate using an enzyme catalyst having nitrilase activity derived from Acidovorax facilis 72W (ATCC 57746). Glycolic acid is recovered in the form of the acid or salt from the aqueous ammonium glycolate solution using a variety of methods described herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Robert DiCosimo, Anna Panova, Jeffrey Scott Thompson, Robert D. Fallon, F. Glenn Gallagher, Thomas Foo, Xu Li, George C. Fox, Joseph J. Zaher, Mark S. Payne, Daniel P. O'Keefe
  • Porcine Forssman synthetase protein, cDNA, genomic organization, and regulatory region
    Patent number: 7732180
    Abstract: The present invention provides porcine Forssman synthetase (FSM synthase) (Globoside ?-N-acetylgalactosaminyltransferase) protein, cDNA, and genomic DNA sequence. Furthermore, the present invention includes porcine animals, tissue and organs as well as cells and cell lines derived from such animals, tissue and organs, which lack expression of functional FSM synthetase. Such animals, tissues, organs and cells can be used in research and in medical therapy, including in xenotransplantation. In addition, methods are provided to prepare organs, tissues, and cells lacking the porcine FSM synthetase gene for use in xenotransplantation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: University of Pittsburgh of the Commonwealth System of Higher Education
    Inventor: Chihiro Koike
  • Uracil-DNA glycosylase of sp. HJ147 and use thereof
    Patent number: 7723093
    Abstract: The present invention provides uracil-DNA glycosylase (UDG) gene originating from Psychrobacter sp. HJ147, and amino acid sequences deduced from the gene; expression and purification of Psp HJ147 UDG gene in Escherichia coli; and characterization of UDG obtained therefrom, and the use thereof in a polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The UDG according to the present invention has a specific activity of excising uracil bases in a uracil-containing DNA substrates at a low temperature, and is easily heat-inactivated. It thus can effectively eliminate cross contamination and carry-over contamination of PCR templates often occurring after a PCR process using dUTP. Therefore, it is useful for increasing preciseness (elimination of false positives), purity and amplification efficiency of PCR.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignee: Sungkyunkwan University Foundation for Corporate Collaboration
    Inventors: Suk-Tae Kwon, Mi-Sun Lee, Gun-A Kim, Jung-Hyun Lee
  • Polynucleotides and polypeptides coded by said polynucleotides involved in the synthesis of diketopiperazine derivatives
    Patent number: 7723082
    Abstract: The invention concerns novel isolated natural or synthetic polynucleotides and polypeptides coded by said polynucleotides, involved in the synthesis of diketopiperazine derivatives, vectors comprising said polynucleotides, micro-organisms transformed with said polynucleotides, uses of said polynucleotides and said polypeptides, as well as methods for the synthesis of diketopiperazine derivatives, including cyclodipeptides and diketopiperazine derivatives 3- and 6-substituted by ?,?-unsaturated amino acid side chains.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignees: Commissariat a l'Energie Atomique, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique
    Inventors: Muriel Gondry, Roger Genet, Sylvie Lautru, Jean-Luc Pernodet
  • G/11 xylanases with improved stability
    Patent number: 7718411
    Abstract: The present invention relates to protein engineering, and concerns especially family G/11 xylanases, and genes encoding said enzymes. In specific, the invention concerns Trichoderma reesei XYNII gene, which codes for endo-1,4-?-xylanase (EC 3.2.1.8). The invention describes how site-directed mutagenesis can be used to improve the properties of an enzyme to match the industrial conditions where it is used. Protein engineering can be used to improve thermoactivity and thermostability of xylanases, as well as to broaden their pH range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignee: Danisco US Inc.
    Inventors: Fred Fenel, Ossi Turunen, Matti Leisola
  • Method
    Patent number: 7718408
    Abstract: The present application provides a method of reducing and/or removing diglyceride from an edible oil, comprising admixing an edible oil with an acyl acceptor substrate and a diglyceride: glycerol acyltransferase, wherein the diglyceride:glycerol acyltransferase is characterized as an enzyme which in an edible oil is capable of transferring an acyl group from a diglyceride to glycerol. The diglyceride:glycerol acyltransferase can comprise the amino acid sequence motif GDSX. The present invention also relates to the use of a diglyceride:glycerol acyltransferase in the manufacture of an edible oil, for reducing and/or removing diglyceride from said edible oil and to the use of said enzyme in the manufacture of a foodstuff comprising an edible oil for improving the crystallization properties of said foodstuff.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignee: Danisco A/S
    Inventors: Paul Wassell, Jørn Borch Søe, Jørn Dalgaard Mikkelsen, Anna Cecilie Jentoft Kristensen
  • Process for constructing strain having compactin hydroxylation ability
    Patent number: 7700752
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods and compositions for microbial based production of pravastatin. The compositions of the invention include novel strains of microorganisms that are capable of efficiently hydroxylating compactin (ML-236 B) resulting in production of pravastatin. In particular, the microorganisms of the invention are genetically engineered to express both cytochrome P-450 and the fdxshe or fdxshe-like protein. The invention further relates to the use of such microorganisms in processes designed for production of pravastatin for use in treatment of disease such as hypercholesterolemia and hyperlipidemia.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Teva Gyogyszergyar Zartkoruen Mukodo Reszvenytarsasag
    Inventors: Lorand Szabo, Ronen Tchelet
  • Process for constructing strain having compactin hydroxylation ability
    Patent number: 7700337
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods and compositions for microbial based production of pravastatin. The compositions of the invention include novel strains of microorganisms that are capable of efficiently hydroxylating compactin (ML-236 B) resulting in production of pravastatin. In particular, the microorganisms of the invention are genetically engineered to express both cytochrome P-450 and the fdxshe or fdxshe-like protein. The invention further relates to the use of such microorganisms in processes designed for production of pravastatin for use in treatment of disease such as hypercholesterolemia and hyperlipidemia.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Teva Gyogyszergyar Zartkoruen Mukodo Reszvenytarsasag
    Inventors: Lorand Szabo, Ronen Tchelet
  • Nucleotide and amino acid sequences from and uses thereof
    Patent number: 7696340
    Abstract: The invention provides isolated nucleotide sequences from Xenorhabdus nematophila species Xs86068, and, in particular, nucleotide sequences that encode insect inhibitory proteins, the insecticidal proteins, and compositions that comprise one or more of the insecticidal proteins for use in controlling insect infestation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: Monsanto Technology LLC
    Inventors: Barry S. Goldman, Karina Krasomil-Osterfeld, Thomas M. Malvar, John W. Pitkin, Steven C. Slater, Wei Wu, Jiamin Zeng
  • Modified ethylenediamine-N, N?-disuccinate: ethylenediamine lyase
    Patent number: 7674611
    Abstract: The present invention provides a modified ethylenediamine-N,N?-disuccinate:ethylenediamine lyase. The present invention also provides a protein that comprises the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 1; or a protein that comprises an amino acid sequence derived from the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 1 by deletion, substitution, or addition of one or more amino acid residues, and has an ethylenediamine-N,N?-disuccinate:ethylenediamine lyase activity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Rayon Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Takanori Akiyama, Wataru Mizunashi, Tetsuji Nakamura
  • Process of increasing cellular production of biologically active compounds
    Patent number: 7638306
    Abstract: A process of increasing the cellular production of biologically active compounds is provided. The process is particularly useful for increasing antibiotic production by bacterial cells. The process includes the step of inhibiting the activity of methylmalonyl-CoA mutase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: Fermalogic, Inc.
    Inventors: J. Mark Weber, Andrew R. Reeves, Igor A. Brikun, William Henry Cernota
  • Method for the production of sulpher-containing fine chemicals by fermentation
    Patent number: 7635580
    Abstract: The invention relates to methods for the production of sulfur-containing fine chemicals, in particular L-methionine, by fermentation using bacteria in which a nucleotide sequence encoding an S-adenosylmethionine synthase (metK) gene is expressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2009
    Assignee: Evonik Degussa GmbH
    Inventors: Hartwig Schröder, Burkhard Kröger, Oskar Zelder, Corinna Klopprogge, Stefan Häfner
  • Xylanse variants having altered sensitivity to xylanse inhibitors
    Patent number: 7611881
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a variant xylanase polypeptide, or fragment thereof having xylanase activity, comprising one or more amino acid modifications such that the polypeptide or fragment thereof has an altered sensitivity to a xylanase inhibitor as compared with the parent enzyme.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2009
    Assignee: Danisco A/S
    Inventors: Ole Sibbesen, Jens Frisbaek Sørensen
  • Nucleic acids and polypeptides involved in the production of cryptophycin
    Patent number: 7566558
    Abstract: The present invention provides polypeptides involved in cryptophycin biosynthesis and the nucleic acid molecules that encode such polypeptides. The nucleic acid molecules and polypeptides of the invention or variants thereof can be used in the methods of the invention to produce cryptophycins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2009
    Assignee: Regents of the University of Michigan
    Inventors: David H. Sherman, Zachary Q. Beck, Yousong Ding
  • Polynucleotide sequences encoding alkaline ?-galactosidases and methods of using same
    Patent number: 7560262
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method of identifying alkaline-?-galactosidases. Also provided are polynucleotide sequences encoding polypeptides having an alkaline-?-galactosidase activity, oligonucleotides and oligonucleotide analogs derived from the polynucleotide sequences, peptides and peptide analogues, antibodies recognizing same and methods of using same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2009
    Assignee: The State of Israel - Ministry of Agriculture & Rural Development
    Inventors: Arthur Schaffer, Nir Carmi, Marina Petreikov, David Granot, Yoram Eyal
  • Glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) chimera and methods of use
    Patent number: 7527785
    Abstract: The invention relates to a novel Glutamic Acid Decarboxylase (GAD). More specifically, novel DNA and protein sequences relating to GAD. Additionally, the invention discloses a novel composition and related methods for treating neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, epilepsy, and the like, using viral and non-viral delivery systems that deliver therapeutic agents to specific regions of the brain. More specifically, using an adeno-associated viral vector to deliver a nucleotide sequence encoding a novel glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) to specific regions of the brain that are over stimulated or disinhibited in various diseases, including neurodegenerative diseases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2009
    Assignee: Neurologix, Inc.
    Inventors: Helen Fitzsimons, Ross Bland
  • Methods of altering the sensitivity of a xylanase to a xylanase inhibitor
    Patent number: 7527957
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a variant xylanase polypeptide, or fragment thereof having xylanse activity, comprising one or more amino acid modifications such that the polypeptide or fragment thereof has an altered sensitivity to a xylanase inhibitor as compared with parent enzyme.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2009
    Assignee: Danisco A/S
    Inventors: Ole Sibbesen, Jens Frisbaek Sørensen