Patents by Inventor Billy F. McCutchen

Billy F. McCutchen 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).

  • Patent number: 7556936
    Abstract: Compositions and methods for protecting a plant from an insect pest are provided. In particular, nucleic acid sequences encoding insect protoxins modified to comprise at least one proteolytic activation site that is sensitive to a plant protease or an insect gut protease are provided. Cleavage of the modified protoxin at the proteolytic activation site by a protease produces an active insect toxin. Methods of using the modified insect protoxin nucleic acid sequences and the polypeptides they encode to protect a plant from an insect pest are provided. Particular embodiments of the invention further provide modified insect protoxin compositions and formulations, expression cassettes, and transformed plants, plant cells, and seeds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2009
    Assignees: Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc., E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Andre R. Abad, Ronald D. Flannagan, Rafael Herrmann, Albert L. Lu, Billy F. McCutchen, James K. Presnail, Janet A. Rice, James F. Wong, Cao-Guo Yu
  • Publication number: 20090075287
    Abstract: Methods and compositions for identifying novel pesticidal gene homologues are provided. Specifically, the methods of the invention comprise systematically designing oligonucleotide primers that are specific for a pesticidal gene of interest and performing successive rounds of PCR amplification of nucleic acid material from a microorganism, particularly a Bacillus thuringiensis strain, to identify novel homologues of known pesticidal genes. Oligonucleotide primers that can be used to practice the present methods are further disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2008
    Publication date: March 19, 2009
    Applicants: Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc., E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Andre R. Abad, Ronald D. Flannagan, Bin Hu, Billy F. McCutchen, Xiaofeng Sean Yang, Cao Guo Yu
  • Patent number: 7491536
    Abstract: Compositions and methods for protecting a plant from an insect pest are provided. In particular, novel polynucleotides and the pesticidal polypeptides they encode are provided. Methods of using the novel polynucleotides and pesticidal polypeptides of the invention to protect a plant from an insect pest are further provided. Particular embodiments of the invention provide pesticidal compositions and formulations, DNA constructs, and transformed plants, plant cells, and seeds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2009
    Assignees: Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc., E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Andre R. Abad, Ronald D. Flannagan, Billy F. McCutchen, Cao Guo Yu
  • Patent number: 7491869
    Abstract: Methods of creating and enhancing insect resistance in plants by introducing non-plant lipases into plants are provided. Plants with enhanced insect resistance and seed from plants thereof are provided. DNA sequences encoding insecticidal lipases and insecticidal lipase gene products that are useful in the practice of this invention are also provided. The compositions and methods of the invention may be used in a variety of agricultural systems for controlling pests, including propagating lineages of insect-resistant crops and targeting expression of these insecticidal lipases to plant organs that are particularly susceptible to infestation, such as roots and leaves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2009
    Assignees: Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc., E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Andre R. Abad, Billy F. McCutchen, James F. Wong, Cao Guo Yu
  • Patent number: 7476781
    Abstract: Compositions and methods for protecting a plant from an insect pest are provided. In particular, novel polynucleotides and the pesticidal polypeptides they encode are provided. Methods of using the novel polynucleotides and pesticidal polypeptides of the invention to protect a plant from an insect pest are further provided. Particular embodiments of the invention provide pesticidal compositions and formulations, DNA constructs, and transformed plants, plant cells, and seeds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2009
    Assignees: Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc., E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Andre R. Abad, Ronald D. Flannagan, Billy F. McCutchen, Cao Guo Yu
  • Publication number: 20090011999
    Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods for orally active Androctonus amoreuxi pesticidal polypeptides. Compositions include novel Androctonus amoreuxi pesticidal polypeptides and biologically active variants thereof. Further provided are methods for modulating the pesticide resistance of plants by expressing the sequences disclosed herein. One method comprises stably transforming into the genome of a plant cell a nucleotide sequence of the present invention operably linked to a heterologous promoter and regenerating a stably transformed plant that expresses the nucleotide sequence. An additional method comprises incorporating a nucleotide sequence of the present invention operably linked to a heterologous promoter into a microorganism and applying said microorganism to the environment of a plant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2008
    Publication date: January 8, 2009
    Applicant: E.I.du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Rafael Herrmann, Albert L. Lu, Billy F. McCutchen, James K. Presnail, James F.H. Wong
  • Patent number: 7462760
    Abstract: Compositions and methods for protecting a plant from an insect pest are provided. The invention provides mutagenized nucleic acids that have been engineered to encode pesticidal polypeptides having increased resistance to proteolytic degradation by a plant protease. In particular, nucleic acid sequences encoding pesticidal polypeptides modified to comprise a proteolytic protection site that confers resistance to degradation or proteolytic inactivation by a plant protease are provided. Particular embodiments of the invention provide expression cassettes and transformed plants, plant cells, and seeds. These compositions find use in methods for protecting a plant from a pest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2008
    Assignees: Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc., E.I. duPont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: André Abad, Hua Dong, Rafael Herrmann, Albert Lu, Billy F. McCutchen, Janet A. Rice, Eric J. Schepers, James F. Wong
  • Patent number: 7452700
    Abstract: Methods and compositions for identifying novel pesticidal gene homologues are provided. Specifically, the methods of the invention comprise systematically designing oligonucleotide primers that are specific for a pesticidal gene of interest and performing successive rounds of PCR amplification of nucleic acid material from a microorganism, particularly a Bacillus thuringiensis strain, to identify novel homologues of known pesticidal genes. Oligonucleotide primers that can be used to practice the present methods are further disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignees: Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc., E.I. duPont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Andre R. Abad, Ronald D. Flannagan, Bin Hu, Billy F. McCutchen, Xiaofeng Sean Yang, Cao Guo Yu
  • Patent number: 7449552
    Abstract: Compositions and methods for protecting a plant from an insect pest are provided. In particular, novel polynucleotides and the pesticidal polypeptides they encode are provided. Methods of using the novel polynucleotides and pesticidal polypeptides of the invention to protect a plant from an insect pest are further provided. Particular embodiments of the invention provide pesticidal compositions and formulations, DNA constructs, and transformed plants, plant cells, and seeds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Assignees: Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc., E.I. duPont deNemours and Company
    Inventors: Andre R. Abad, Ronald D. Flannagan, Billy F. McCutchen, Cao Guo Yu
  • 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: 7439348
    Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods for regulating expression of heterologous nucleotide sequences in a plant. Compositions include a novel nucleotide sequence for an inducible promoter for the gene encoding a maize deoxyhypusine synthase. A method for expressing a heterologous nucleotide sequence in a plant using the promoter sequences disclosed herein is provided. The method comprises stably incorporating into the genome of a plant cell a nucleotide sequence operably linked to the root-preferred promoter of the present invention and regenerating a stably transformed plant that expresses the nucleotide sequence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignees: Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc., E.I. du pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Scott Diehn, Albert L. Lu, Billy F. McCutchen, Lynne E. Sims, Kim R. Ward
  • Patent number: 7423197
    Abstract: Methods of creating and enhancing insect resistance in plants by introducing non-plant lipases into plants are provided. Plants with enhanced insect resistance and seed from plants thereof are provided. DNA sequences encoding insecticidal lipases and insecticidal lipase gene products that are useful in the practice of this invention are also provided. The compositions and methods of the invention may be used in a variety of agricultural systems for controlling pests, including propagating lineages of insect-resistant crops and targeting expression of these insecticidal lipases to plant organs that are particularly susceptible to infestation, such as roots and leaves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2008
    Assignees: Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc., E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Andre R. Abad, Billy F. McCutchen, James F. Wong, Cao Guo Yu
  • Publication number: 20080200415
    Abstract: Compositions and methods for protecting a plant from an insect pest are provided. In particular, nucleic acid sequences encoding insect protoxins modified to comprise at least one proteolytic activation site that is sensitive to a plant protease or an insect gut protease are provided. Cleavage of the modified protoxin at the proteolytic activation site by a protease produces an active insect toxin. Methods of using the modified insect protoxin nucleic acid sequences and the polypeptides they encode to protect a plant from an insect pest are provided. Particular embodiments of the invention further provide modified insect protoxin compositions and formulations, expression cassettes, and transformed plants, plant cells, and seeds.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2007
    Publication date: August 21, 2008
    Applicants: Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc., E.I. du PONT de NEMOURS and COMPANY
    Inventors: Andre Abad, Ronald D. Flannagan, Rafael Herrmann, Albert L. Lu, Billy F. McCutchen, James K. Presnail, Janet A. Rice, James F. Wong, Cao-Guo Yu
  • Patent number: 7414174
    Abstract: Methods of creating and enhancing insect resistance in plants by introducing non-plant lipases into plants are provided. Plants with enhanced insect resistance and seed from plants thereof are provided. DNA sequences encoding insecticidal lipases and insecticidal lipase gene products that are useful in the practice of this invention are also provided. The compositions and methods of the invention may be used in a variety of agricultural systems for controlling pests, including propagating lineages of insect-resistant crops and targeting expression of these insecticidal lipases to plant organs that are particularly susceptible to infestation, such as roots and leaves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignees: Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc., E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Andre R. Abad, Billy F. McCutchen, James F. Wong, Cao Guo Yu
  • Patent number: 7414173
    Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods for isolated nucleic acid molecules encoding orally active Androctonus amoreuxi pesticidal polypeptides. Compositions include novel nucleotide sequences encoding Androctonus amoreuxi pesticidal polypeptides, and biologically active variants thereof. Further provided are methods for modulating the pesticide resistance of plants using the nucleotide sequences disclosed herein. One method comprises stably transforming into the genome of a plant cell a nucleotide sequence of the present invention operably linked to a heterologous promoter and regenerating a stably transformed plant that expresses the nucleotide sequence. An additional method comprises incorporating a nucleotide sequence of the present invention operably linked to a heterologous promoter into a microorganism and applying said microorganism to the environment of a plant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignee: E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Rafael Herrmann, Albert L. Lu, Billy F. McCutchen, James K. Presnail, James F. H. Wong
  • Patent number: 7396980
    Abstract: Methods and compositions for modulating development and defense responses are provided. Nucleotide sequences encoding defensin proteins are provided. The sequences can be used in expression cassettes for modulating development, developmental pathways, and defense responses. Transformed plants, plant cells, tissues, and seed are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignees: Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc., E. I. Du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Carl R. Simmons, Pedro A. Navarro Acevedo, Leslie Harvell, Rebecca Cahoon, Billy F. McCutchen, Albert L. Lu, Rafael Herrmann, James F. Wong
  • Patent number: 7393947
    Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods for regulating expression of heterologous nucleotide sequences in a plant. Compositions include a novel nucleotide sequence for an inducible promoter for the gene encoding ZmPOX24. A method for expressing a heterologous nucleotide sequence in a plant using the promoter sequences disclosed herein is provided. The method comprises stabling incorporating into the genome of a plant cell a nucleotide sequence operably linked to the root-preferred promoter of the present invention and regenerating a stably transformed plant that expresses the nucleotide sequence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2008
    Assignees: Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc., E.I. duPont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Scott Diehn, Albert L. Lu, Billy F. McCutchen, Lynne E. Sims, Kim R. Ward
  • Publication number: 20080124799
    Abstract: Compositions and methods for protecting a plant from an insect pest are provided. In particular, nucleic acid sequences encoding insect protoxins modified to comprise at least one proteolytic activation site that is sensitive to a plant protease or an insect gut protease are provided. Cleavage of the modified protoxin at the proteolytic activation site by a protease produces an active insect toxin. Methods of using the modified insect protoxin nucleic acid sequences and the polypeptides they encode to protect a plant from an insect pest are provided. Particular embodiments of the invention further provide modified insect protoxin compositions and formulations, expression cassettes, and transformed plants, plant cells, and seeds.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2007
    Publication date: May 29, 2008
    Applicants: Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc., E.I. du PONT de NEMOURS and COMPANY
    Inventors: Andre Abad, Ronald D. Flannagan, Rafael Herrmann, Albert L. Lu, Billy F. McCutchen, James K. Presnail, Janet A. Rice, James F. Wong, Cao-Guo Yu
  • Patent number: 7378499
    Abstract: Compositions and methods for protecting a plant from an insect pest are provided. The invention provides mutagenized nucleic acids that have been engineered to encode pesticidal polypeptides having increased resistance to proteolytic degradation by a plant protease. In particular, nucleic acid sequences encoding pesticidal polypeptides modified to comprise a proteolytic protection site that confers resistance to degradation or proteolytic inactivation by a plant protease are provided. Particular embodiments of the invention provide pesticidal polypeptide compositions and formulations, expression cassettes, and transformed plants, plant cells, and seeds. These compositions find use in methods for controlling pests, especially plant pests. Novel plant proteases, sequences encoding these proteases, and methods for their use are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2008
    Assignees: Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc., E.I. Du Pont De Nemours and Company
    Inventors: André Abad, Hua Dong, Rafael Herrmann, Albert Lu, Billy F. McCutchen, Janet Rice, Eric Schepers, James Wong
  • Patent number: 7339092
    Abstract: Compositions and methods for protecting a plant from an insect pest are provided. In particular, nucleic acid sequences encoding insect protoxins modified to comprise at least one proteolytic activation site that is sensitive to a plant protease or an insect gut protease are provided. Cleavage of the modified protoxin at the proteolytic activation site by a protease produces an active insect toxin. Methods of using the modified insect protoxin nucleic acid sequences and the polypeptides they encode to protect a plant from an insect pest are provided. Particular embodiments of the invention further provide modified insect protoxin compositions and formulations, expression cassettes, and transformed plants, plant cells, and seeds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2008
    Assignees: Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc., E.I. duPont deNemours & Company
    Inventors: Andre Abad, Ronald D. Flannagan, Rafael Herrmann, Albert L. Lu, Billy F. McCutchen, James K. Presnail, Janet A. Rice, James F. Wong, Cao-Guo Yu