Patents by Inventor Andrew Mark Cigan

Andrew Mark Cigan has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20250137010
    Abstract: Compositions and methods are capable of modulating male fertility in a plant. Compositions comprise polynucleotides and polypeptides, and fragments and variants thereof, which modulate male fertility. Expression cassettes comprise a male-fertility polynucleotide, or fragment or variant thereof, operably linked to a promoter, wherein expression of the polynucleotide modulates the male fertility of a plant. The level and/or activity of a polynucleotide that influences male fertility is modulated in a plant or plant part. Regulatory sequences drive expression in a male-tissue-preferred manner and may be targets to downregulate an operably linked gene. Methods to track mutations that induce nuclear recessive male sterility in subsequent selfing and crossing of wheat lines containing the mutations are also provided. Male-sterile plants may be maintained by pollinating with a maintainer plant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2024
    Publication date: May 1, 2025
    Applicant: PIONEER HI-BRED INTERNATIONAL, INC
    Inventors: MARC C ALBERTSEN, UTE BAUMANN, ANDREW MARK CIGAN, MANJIT SINGH, ELISE TUCKER, RYAN WHITFORD
  • Publication number: 20250129385
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to methods for improving traits or fitness in cattle, pigs, or aquatic organisms via gene editing. In particular, the methods comprise modifying genes in embryonic stem cells of livestock (e.g., cattle, pigs, or fish) for the purpose of improving a trait (e.g., promoting pathogen resistance, fertility, lactation, and native traits that support more rapid growth or feed efficiency). The methods particularly include CRISPR-CAS9 editing of porcine and bovine embryonic stem cells. Also disclosed herein are methods of producing and cultivating porcine embryonic stem cells under feeder free conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2023
    Publication date: April 24, 2025
    Applicant: ABS Global, Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin Beaton, Rebecca Krisher, Andrew Mark Cigan, Michael McLachlan
  • Publication number: 20250122513
    Abstract: Compositions and methods are provided for introducing transgenic target sites for Site Specific Integration (SSI) and/or polynucleotides of interest into at least one double-strand break target site of a double-strand-break inducing agent in a genomic window of a plant genome. Also provided are methods and compositions for producing a complex trait locus in a genomic window of a plant comprising at least one transgenic target site for site specific integration integrated in at least double-strand-break target site. The double-strand-break target site can be, but is not limited to, a target site for a zinc finger endonuclease, an engineered endonuclease, a meganuclease, a TALENs and/or a Cas endonuclease. The genomic window of said plant can comprise at least one genomic locus of interest such as a trait cassette, a transgene, a mutated gene, a native gene, an edited gene or a site-specific integration (SSI) target site.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2024
    Publication date: April 17, 2025
    Applicants: PIONEER HI-BRED INTERNATIONAL, INC., CORTEVA AGRISCIENCE LLC
    Inventors: ANDREW MARK CIGAN, HUIRONG GAO, ZHAN-BIN LIU, JASDEEP MUTTI, DEAN PODLICH, CHRISTOPHER SCELONGE
  • Publication number: 20250064032
    Abstract: Livestock animals and progeny thereof comprising at least one modified chromosomal sequence that reduces expression or activity of a Transmembrane Serine Protease 2 (TMPRSS2) protein and/or a Transmembrane Serine Protease 4 (TMPRSS4) protein are provided. Livestock animal cells that contain such edited chromosomal sequences are also provided. The livestock animals, progeny, and cells have increased resistance to influenza viruses and coronaviruses. Methods for producing influenza resistant and porcine epidemic diarrhea resistant livestock animals are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2022
    Publication date: February 27, 2025
    Applicant: Pig Improvement Company UK Limited
    Inventors: Andrew Mark Cigan, Benjamin Beaton, Brian Timothy Burger, Stephen White
  • Publication number: 20250059557
    Abstract: Compositions and methods for modulating male fertility in a plant are provided. Compositions comprise nucleotide sequences, and active fragments and variants thereof, which modulate male fertility. Further provided are expression cassettes comprising the male fertility polynucleotides, or active fragments or variants thereof, operably linked to a promoter, wherein expression of the polynucleotides modulates the male fertility of a plant. Various methods are provided wherein the level and/or activity of the sequences that influence male fertility is modulated in a plant or plant part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2024
    Publication date: February 20, 2025
    Applicant: PIONEER HI-BRED INTERNATIONAL, INC
    Inventors: MARC C ALBERTSEN, ANDREW MARK CIGAN, HOWARD P HERSHEY, MICHAEL LASSNER, YONGZHONG WU
  • Publication number: 20250043306
    Abstract: Disclosed are gene edited ungulate animals and methods of editing genes that control various ungulate traits. Such methods include CRISPR, zinc fingers, or TALENS. Exemplary traits for editing include polled, sterility or fertility, milk production, growth (which increases meat production), fat production, conception rates, stillborn rates, calving ease, or content of produced milk such as the amount of protein or the amount of fat. Other traits include backfat thickness, intramuscular fat, ultrasound loin muscle area, loin muscle area and intramuscular fat content, chest circumference, withers height, body length, hip height, rump length, and heart girth. Other exemplary native traits include, but are not limited to, high altitude adaptation and response to hypoxia, cold acclimation, body size and stature, resistance to disease and bacterial infection, reproduction, milk yield and components, and feed efficiency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2023
    Publication date: February 6, 2025
    Applicant: ABS Global, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Mark Cigan, Brian Timothy Burger
  • Patent number: 12173294
    Abstract: Compositions and methods are provided for introducing transgenic target sites for Site Specific Integration (SSI) and/or polynucleotides of interest into at least one double-strand break target site of a double-strand-break inducing agent in a genomic window of a plant genome. Also provided are methods and compositions for producing a complex trait locus in a genomic window of a plant comprising at least one transgenic target site for site specific integration integrated in at least double-strand-break target site. The double-strand-break target site can be, but is not limited to, a target site for a zinc finger endonuclease, an engineered endonuclease, a meganuclease, a TALENs and/or a Cas endonuclease. The genomic window of said plant can comprise at least one genomic locus of interest such as a trait cassette, a transgene, a mutated gene, a native gene, an edited gene or a site-specific integration (SSI) target site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2024
    Assignees: CORTEVA AGRISCIENCE LLC, PIONEER HI-BRED INTERNATIONAL, INC
    Inventors: Andrew Mark Cigan, Huirong Gao, Zhan-Bin Liu, Jasdeep Mutti, Dean Podlich, Christopher Scelonge
  • Patent number: 12168775
    Abstract: Compositions and methods for modulating male fertility in a plant are provided. Compositions comprise nucleotide sequences, and active fragments and variants thereof, which modulate male fertility. Further provided are expression cassettes comprising the male fertility polynucleotides, or active fragments or variants thereof, operably linked to a promoter, wherein expression of the polynucleotides modulates the male fertility of a plant. Various methods are provided wherein the level and/or activity of the sequences that influence male fertility is modulated in a plant or plant part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2024
    Assignee: PIONEER HI-BRED INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: Marc C Albertsen, Andrew Mark Cigan, Howard P Hershey, Michael Lassner, Yongzhong Wu
  • Patent number: 12163145
    Abstract: Compositions and methods are capable of modulating male fertility in a plant. Compositions comprise polynucleotides and polypeptides, and fragments and variants thereof, which modulate male fertility. Expression cassettes comprise a male-fertility polynucleotide, or fragment or variant thereof, operably linked to a promoter, wherein expression of the polynucleotide modulates the male fertility of a plant. The level and/or activity of a polynucleotide that influences male fertility is modulated in a plant or plant part. Regulatory sequences drive expression in a male-tissue-preferred manner and may be targets to downregulate an operably linked gene. Methods to track mutations that induce nuclear recessive male sterility in subsequent selfing and crossing of wheat lines containing the mutations are also provided. Male-sterile plants may be maintained by pollinating with a maintainer plant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2024
    Assignee: PIONEER HI-BRED INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: Marc C Albertsen, Ute Baumann, Andrew Mark Cigan, Manjit Singh, Elise Tucker, Ryan Whitford
  • Publication number: 20240360470
    Abstract: Compositions and methods are provided for genome modification of a nucleotide sequence located in or near a male fertility gene of Ms1 or Ms5 in the genome of a plant cell or plant to produce a male-sterile plant. In some examples, the methods and compositions employ a guide RNA/Cas endonuclease system for modifying or altering target sites located in or near a male fertility gene of Ms1 or Ms5 in the genome of a plant cell, plant or seed to produce a male-sterile plant. Also provided are compositions and methods employing a guide polynucleotide/Cas endonuclease system for genome modification a nucleotide sequence located in or near a male fertility gene of Ms1 or Ms5 in the genome of a plant cell to produce a male-sterile plant. Compositions and methods are also provided for restoring fertility to a Ms1 or Ms5 nucleotide sequence to a male-sterile Ms1 or Ms5 plant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2024
    Publication date: October 31, 2024
    Applicant: PIONEER HI-BRED INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: UTE BAUMANN, ANDREW MARK CIGAN, MARGARET ANNE PALLOTTA, MANJIT SINGH, RADOSLAW SUCHECKI, NATHAN SPENCER WATSON-HAIGH, RYAN WHITFORD
  • Patent number: 12054732
    Abstract: Compositions and methods are provided for genome modification of a nucleotide sequence located in or near a male fertility gene of Ms1 or Ms5 in the genome of a plant cell or plant to produce a male-sterile plant. In some examples, the methods and compositions employ a guide RNA/Cas endonuclease system for modifying or altering target sites located in or near a male fertility gene of Ms1 or Ms5 in the genome of a plant cell, plant or seed to produce a male-sterile plant. Also provided are compositions and methods employing a guide polynucleotide/Cas endonuclease system for genome modification a nucleotide sequence located in or near a male fertility gene of Ms1 or Ms5 in the genome of a plant cell to produce a male-sterile plant. Compositions and methods are also provided for restoring fertility to a Ms1 or Ms5 nucleotide sequence to a male-sterile Ms1 or Ms5 plant produced using the methods and compositions described herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2024
    Assignee: PIONEER HI-BRED INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: Ute Baumann, Andrew Mark Cigan, Margaret Anne Pallotta, Manjit Singh, Radoslaw Suchecki, Nathan Spencer Watson-Haigh, Ryan Whitford
  • Publication number: 20240254478
    Abstract: Compositions and methods are provided for genome modification of a nucleotide sequence located in or near a male fertility gene of MS9, MS22, MS26, or MS45 in the genome of a plant cell or plant to produce a male-sterile plant. In some examples, the methods and compositions employ a guide RNA/Cas endonuclease system for modifying or altering target sites located in or near a male fertility gene of MS9, MS22, MS26, or MS45 in the genome of a plant cell, plant or seed to produce a male-sterile plant. Also provided are compositions and methods employing a guide polynucleotide/Cas endonuclease system for genome modification a nucleotide sequence located in or near a male fertility gene of MS9, MS22, MS26, or MS45 in the genome of a plant cell to produce a male-sterile plant. Compositions and methods are also provided for restoring fertility to a Ms9, Ms22, Ms26, or Ms45 nucleotide sequence to a male-sterile Ms9, Ms22, Ms26, or Ms45 plant produced using the methods and compositions described herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2024
    Publication date: August 1, 2024
    Applicant: PIONEER HI-BRED INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: ANDREW MARK CIGAN, TIM FOX, MANJIT SINGH
  • Publication number: 20240084318
    Abstract: Compositions and methods are provided for genome modification of a target sequence in the genome of a plant or plant cell, without incorporating a selectable transgene marker. The methods and compositions employ a guide polynucleotide/Cas endonuclease system to provide an effective system for modifying or altering target sites within the genome of a plant, plant cell or seed, without incorporating a selectable transgene marker. Once a genomic target site is identified, a variety of methods can be employed to further modify the target sites such that they contain a variety of polynucleotides of interest. Breeding methods and methods for selecting plants utilizing a guide polynucleotide/Cas endonuclease system are also disclosed. Compositions and methods are also provided for editing a nucleotide sequence in the genome of a cell, without incorporating a selectable transgene marker.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2023
    Publication date: March 14, 2024
    Applicants: CORTEVA AGRISCIENCE LLC, PIONEER HI-BRED INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: ANDREW MARK CIGAN, SAVERIO CARL FALCO, MICHAEL LASSNER, ZHAN-BIN LIU, SERGEI SVITASHEV
  • Patent number: 11926823
    Abstract: Compositions and methods are provided for genome modification of a nucleotide sequence located in or near a male fertility gene of MS9, MS22, MS26, or MS45 in the genome of a plant cell or plant to produce a male-sterile plant. In some examples, the methods and compositions employ a guide RNA/Cas endonuclease system for modifying or altering target sites located in or near a male fertility gene of MS9, MS22, MS26, or MS45 in the genome of a plant cell, plant or seed to produce a male-sterile plant. Also provided are compositions and methods employing a guide polynucleotide/Cas endonuclease system for genome modification a nucleotide sequence located in or near a male fertility gene of MS9, MS22, MS26, or MS45 in the genome of a plant cell to produce a male-sterile plant. Compositions and methods are also provided for restoring fertility to a Ms9, Ms22, Ms26, or Ms45 nucleotide sequence to a male-sterile Ms9, Ms22, Ms26, or Ms45 plant produced using the methods and compositions described herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: PIONEER HI-BRED INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: Andrew Mark Cigan, Tim Fox, Manjit Singh
  • Publication number: 20240018538
    Abstract: Compositions and methods are capable of modulating male fertility in a plant. Compositions comprise polynucleotides and polypeptides, and fragments and variants thereof, which modulate male fertility. Expression cassettes comprise a male-fertility polynucleotide, or fragment or variant thereof, operably linked to a promoter, wherein expression of the polynucleotide modulates the male fertility of a plant. Regulatory sequences drive expression in a male-tissue-preferred manner and may be targets to downregulate an operably-linked gene. Mutations that induce nuclear recessive male sterility in subsequent selfing and crossing of wheat lines containing the mutations may be tracked. Male-sterile plants may be maintained by crossing with a maintainer plant. Hybrids can be produced using the male-sterile plants.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2023
    Publication date: January 18, 2024
    Applicant: PIONEER HI-BRED INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: MARC C. ALBERTSEN, UTE BAUMANN, ANDREW MARK CIGAN, MANJIT SINGH, ELISE TUCKER, RYAN WHITFORD
  • Patent number: 11827894
    Abstract: The present disclosure involves the production of Waxy maize. Compositions and methods are provided for knocking out expression of the Waxy (Wx1) gene in maize by making double strand breaks at one or more target sites in an endogenous WX1 encoding sequence. Some methods employ one or more guide polynucleotides and a Cas endonuclease, wherein Cas endonuclease is guided by the one or more guide polynucleotides to recognize and introduce double strand breaks at specific target sites in and around the Wx1 gene. Also provided are compositions and methods for the production of Waxy maize plant cells, plant explants, seeds and grain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Inventors: Andrew Mark Cigan, Mark Jacob Gadlage, Huirong Gao, Robert B Meeley, Joshua K Young
  • Publication number: 20230323374
    Abstract: Compositions and methods are provided for genome modification of a target sequence in the genome of a plant or plant cell. The methods and compositions employ a guide RNA/Cas endonuclease system to provide an effective system for modifying or altering target sites within the genome of a plant, plant cell or seed. Also provided are compositions and methods employing a guide polynucleotide/Cas endonuclease system for genome modification of a nucleotide sequence in the genome of a cell or organism, for gene editing, and/or for inserting or deleting a polynucleotide of interest into or from the genome of a cell or organism. Once a genomic target site is identified, a variety of methods can be employed to further modify the target sites such that they contain a variety of polynucleotides of interest. Breeding methods and methods for selecting plants utilizing a two component RNA guide and Cas endonuclease system are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2022
    Publication date: October 12, 2023
    Applicants: E. I. DU PONT DE NEMOURS AND COMPANY, PIONEER HI-BRED INTERNATIONAL, INC
    Inventors: ANDREW MARK CIGAN, SAVERIO CARL FALCO, HUIRONG GAO, ZHONGSEN LI, ZHAN-BIN LIU, L. ALEKSANDER LYZNIK, JINRUI SHI, SERGEI SVITASHEV, JOSHUA K. YOUNG
  • Patent number: 11773400
    Abstract: Compositions and methods are provided for genome modification of a target sequence in the genome of a plant or plant cell, without incorporating a selectable transgene marker. The methods and compositions employ a guide polynucleotide/Cas endonuclease system to provide an effective system for modifying or altering target sites within the genome of a plant, plant cell or seed, without incorporating a selectable transgene marker. Once a genomic target site is identified, a variety of methods can be employed to further modify the target sites such that they contain a variety of polynucleotides of interest. Breeding methods and methods for selecting plants utilizing a guide polynucleotide/Cas endonuclease system are also disclosed. Compositions and methods are also provided for editing a nucleotide sequence in the genome of a cell, without incorporating a selectable transgene marker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Inventors: Andrew Mark Cigan, Saverio Carl Falco, Michael Lassner, Zhan-Bin Liu, Sergei Svitashev
  • Patent number: 11761016
    Abstract: Compositions and methods are capable of modulating male fertility in a plant. Compositions comprise polynucleotides and polypeptides, and fragments and variants thereof, which modulate male fertility. Expression cassettes comprise a male-fertility polynucleotide, or fragment or variant thereof, operably linked to a promoter, wherein expression of the polynucleotide modulates the male fertility of a plant. Regulatory sequences drive expression in a male-tissue-preferred manner and may be targets to downregulate an operably-linked gene. Mutations that induce nuclear recessive male sterility in subsequent selfing and crossing of wheat lines containing the mutations may be tracked. Male-sterile plants may be maintained by crossing with a maintainer plant. Hybrids can be produced using the male-sterile plants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Inventors: Marc C Albertsen, Ute Baumann, Andrew Mark Cigan, Manjit Singh, Elise Tucker, Ryan Whitford
  • Publication number: 20230279413
    Abstract: Compositions and methods are provided for genome modification of a target sequence in the genome of a plant or plant cell. The methods and compositions employ a guide RNA/Cas endonuclease system to provide an effective system for modifying or altering target sites within the genome of a plant, plant cell or seed. Also provided are compositions and methods employing a guide polynucleotide/Cas endonuclease system for genome modification of a nucleotide sequence in the genome of a cell or organism, for gene editing, and/or for inserting or deleting a polynucleotide of interest into or from the genome of a cell or organism. Once a genomic target site is identified, a variety of methods can be employed to further modify the target sites such that they contain a variety of polynucleotides of interest. Breeding methods and methods for selecting plants utilizing a two component RNA guide and Cas endonuclease system are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2022
    Publication date: September 7, 2023
    Applicants: E. I. DU PONT DE NEMOURS AND COMPANY, PIONEER HI-BRED INTERNATIONAL, INC
    Inventors: ANDREW MARK CIGAN, SAVERIO CARL FALCO, HUIRONG GAO, ZHONGSEN LI, ZHAN-BIN LIU, L. ALEKSANDER LYZNIK, JINRUI SHI, SERGEI SVITASHEV, JOSHUA K. YOUNG