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: 7329736
    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: February 12, 2008
    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: 7323623
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to nucleic acid molecules tat encode defensive polypeptides and methods of their use in enhancing disease resistance of a plant to a fungal pathogen. Vectors, expression cassettes, viruses, cells, and plants comprising a nucleotide sequence of the invention are farther provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignees: Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc., E.I. duPont deNemours & Company
    Inventors: Daniel J. Altier, Rafael Herrmann, Albert L. Lu, Billy F. McCutchen, James K. Presnail, Janine L. Weaver, James F. H. Wong
  • Patent number: 7306946
    Abstract: Compositions and methods for protecting a plant from a pathogen, particularly a fungal pathogen, are provided. Compositions include novel amino acid sequences, and variants and fragments thereof, for antipathogenic polypeptides that were isolated from microbial fermentation broths. Nucleic acid molecules comprising nucleotide sequences that encode the antipathogenic polypeptides of the invention are also provided. A method for inducing pathogen resistance in a plant using the nucleotide sequences disclosed herein is further provided. The method comprises introducing into a plant an expression cassette comprising a promoter operably linked to a nucleotide sequence that encodes an antipathogenic polypeptide of the invention. Compositions comprising an antipathogenic polypeptide or a transformed microorganism comprising a nucleic acid of the invention in combination with a carrier and methods of using these compositions to protect a plant from a pathogen are further provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2007
    Assignees: Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc., E.I. duPunt de Nemours and Company, The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Daniel J. Altier, Glen Dahlbacka, Natalia Ellanskaya, legal representative, Rafael Herrmann, Jennie Hunter-Cevera, Billy F. McCutchen, James K. Presnail, Janet A. Rice, Eric Schepers, Carl R. Simmons, Tamas Torok, Nasser Yalpani, Irina Ellanskaya, deceased
  • Publication number: 20070245430
    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: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2007
    Publication date: October 18, 2007
    Inventors: Andre R. Abad, Ronald D. Flannagan, Billy F. McCutchen, Cao Guo Yu
  • Publication number: 20070243614
    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: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2007
    Publication date: October 18, 2007
    Inventors: Andre R. Abad, Ronald D. Flannagan, Billy F. McCutchen, Cao Guo Yu
  • Patent number: 7262342
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to nucleic acid molecules that encode Fus6 defensive polypeptides and methods of their use in enhancing disease resistance of a plant to a fungal pathogen. Vectors, expression cassettes, viruses, cells, and plants comprising a nucleotide sequence of the invention are further provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2007
    Assignees: Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc., E. I. Du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Daniel J. Altier, Rafael Herrmann, Albert L. Lu, Billy F. McCutchen, James K. Presnail, Janine L. Weaver, James F. H. Wong
  • Patent number: 7232939
    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: May 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2007
    Assignee: E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Rafael Herrmann, Albert L. Lu, Billy F. McCutchen, James K. Presnail, Clement W. K. Waine
  • Patent number: 7214860
    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: February 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2007
    Assignees: Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc., E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Billy F. McCutchen, Andre R. Abad, James F. Wong, Cao Guo Yu
  • Patent number: 7211658
    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: September 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2007
    Assignee: E.I. duPont deNemours and Company
    Inventors: Rafael Herrmann, Albert L. Lu, Billy F. McCutchen, James K. Presnail, Janet A. Rice, Clement W. K. Waine
  • Patent number: 7202214
    Abstract: The methods and compositions of the present invention find use in impacting microbial pathogens and in enhancing disease resistance to pathogens, particularly by plants. The compositions of the invention include polypeptides that possess antimicrobial properties, particularly fungicidal properties, and the encoding nucleic acid molecules. The polypeptides of the invention are isolated from the hemolymph and fat bodies of insect larvae induced by injection of plant pathogenic fungi. Further provided are plant cells, plants, and seed thereof, transformed with the nucleic acid molecules of the invention so as to confer disease resistance on the plant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2007
    Assignees: Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc., E.I. duPont de Nemours & Company
    Inventors: Daniel J. Altier, Rafael Herrmann, Albert L. Lu, Billy F. McCutchen, James K. Presnail, Janine L. Weaver, James F. H. Wong
  • Patent number: 7193135
    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 2-oxoglutarate-dependent oxygenase. 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: December 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2007
    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: 7105332
    Abstract: The invention provides nucleic acids, and variants and fragments thereof, obtained from strains of Bacillus thuringiensis encoding ?-endotoxins having pesticidal activity against insect pests. The invention further provides mutagenized nucleic acids that have been modified to encode pesticidal polypeptides such as endotoxins having improved pesticidal activity and/or altered pest specificity. Particular embodiments of the invention provide isolated nucleic acids encoding pesticidal proteins that may be optimized as well as pesticidal compositions, expression cassettes, and transformed microorganisms and plants comprising a nucleic acid of the invention. These compositions find use in methods for controlling pests, especially plant pests.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2006
    Assignee: E.I. Du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: André Abad, Ronald D. Flannagan, Rafael Herrmann, Theodore W. Kahn, Albert L. Lu, Billy F. McCutchen, James K. Presnail, James F. H. Wong, Cao-Guo Yu
  • Patent number: 7064184
    Abstract: The methods and compositions of the present invention find use in impacting microbial pathogens and in enhancing disease resistance to pathogens, particularly by plants. The compositions of the invention include polypeptides that possess antimicrobial properties, particularly fungicidal properties, and the encoding nucleic acid molecules. The polypeptides of the invention are isolated from the hemolymph and fat bodies of insect larvae induced by injection of plant pathogenic fungi. Further provided are plant cells, plants, and seed thereof, transformed with the nucleic acid molecules of the invention so as to confer disease resistance on the plant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2006
    Assignees: Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc., E. I. duPont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Daniel J. Altier, Rafael Herrmann, Albert L. Lu, Billy F. McCutchen, James K. Presnail, Janine L. Weaver, James F.H. Wong
  • Patent number: 7064183
    Abstract: The methods and compositions of the present invention find use in impacting microbial pathogens and in enhancing disease resistance to pathogens, particularly by plants. The compositions of the invention include polypeptides that possess antimicrobial properties, particularly fungicidal properties, and the encoding nucleic acid molecules. The polypeptides of the invention are isolated from the hemolymph and fat bodies of insect larvae induced by injection of plant pathogenic fungi. Further provided are plant cells, plants, and seed thereof, transformed with the nucleic acid molecules of the invention so as to confer disease resistance on the plant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2006
    Assignees: Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc., E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Daniel J. Altier, Rafael Herrmann, Albert L. Lu, Billy F. McCutchen, James K. Presnail, Janine L. Weaver, James F. H. Wong
  • Patent number: 6891085
    Abstract: The methods and compositions of the present invention find use in impacting microbial pathogens and in enhancing disease resistance to pathogens, particularly by plants. The compositions of the invention include nucleic acid molecules encoding Fus6 polypeptides derived from Agrotis ipsilon that possess antimicrobial properties, particularly fungicidal properties. Further provided are plant cells plants, and seed thereof, transformed with the nucleic acid molecules of the invention so as to confer disease resistance on the plant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2005
    Assignees: Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc., E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Daniel J. Altier, Rafael Herrmann, Albert L. Lu, Billy F. McCutchen, James K. Presnail, Janine L. Weaver, James F. H. Wong
  • Patent number: 6864403
    Abstract: This invention relates to an isolated nucleic acid fragment encoding a protein disulfide isomerase. The invention also relates to the construction of a chimeric gene encoding all or a portion of the protein disulfide isomerase, in sense or antisense orientation, wherein expression of the chimeric gene results in production of altered levels of the protein disulfide isomerase in a transformed host cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2005
    Assignee: E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Rebecca E. Cahoon, Guo-Hua Miao, Rafael Herrmann, J. Antoni Rafalski, Billy F. McCutchen
  • Publication number: 20040210963
    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: Application
    Filed: December 24, 2003
    Publication date: October 21, 2004
    Applicants: Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc., E.I. du PONT de NEMOURS and COMPANY
    Inventors: Andre Abad, Hua Dong, Rafael Herrmann, Albert Lu, Billy F. McCutchen, Janet A. Rice, Eric J. Schepers, James F. Wong
  • Publication number: 20030028920
    Abstract: The methods and compositions of the present invention find use in impacting microbial pathogens and in enhancing disease resistance to pathogens, particularly by plants. The compositions of the invention include polypeptides that possess antimicrobial properties, particularly fungicidal properties, and the encoding nucleic acid molecules. The polypeptides of the invention are isolated from the hemolymph and fat bodies of insect larvae induced by injection of plant pathogenic fungi. Further provided are plant cells, plants, and seed thereof, transformed with the nucleic acid molecules of the invention so as to confer disease resistance on the plant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2002
    Publication date: February 6, 2003
    Applicant: Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel J. Altier, Rafael Herrmann, Albert L. Lu, Billy F. McCutchen, James K. Presnail, Janine L. Weaver, James F.H. Wong
  • Patent number: 6322781
    Abstract: This invention pertains to methods that facilitate production of recombinant baculoviruses that have been engineered for use as biological control agents. More specifically, this invention pertains to regulation of expression of genes encoded by recombinant baculoviruses in an insect cell or in an insect host.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2001
    Assignee: University of Maryland, College Park
    Inventor: Billy F. McCutchen