Patents by Inventor Catherine M. Houck

Catherine M. Houck 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).

  • Molecular farming
    Patent number: 6774283
    Abstract: Novel constructs are provided for expression of physiologically active mammalian proteins in plant cells, either in culture or under cultivation. The constructs provide a promoter functional in a plant host, a structural gene coding for mammalian protein and a terminator functional in a plant host. The construct is introduced into a plant cell to become integrated into the plant genome for expression in the plant cells or plants. The plant cells may be harvested and the mammalian protein isolated in physiologically active form.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2004
    Assignee: Calgene LLC
    Inventors: Robert M. Goodman, Vic C. Knauf, Catherine M. Houck, Luca Comai
  • Method and transgenic plant for producing mammalian peptides
    Patent number: 6096547
    Abstract: Constructs are provided for expression of physiologically active mammalian proteins in plant cells, either in culture or under cultivation. The constructs provide a promoter functional in a plant host, a structural gene coding for mammalian protein and a terminator functional in a plant host. The construct is introduced into a plant cell to become integrated into the plant genome for expression in the plant cells or plants. The plant cells may be harvested and the mammalian protein isolated in physiologically active form.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2000
    Assignee: Calgene, LLC
    Inventors: Robert M. Goodman, Vic C. Knauf, Catherine M. Houck, Luca Comai
  • Methods and compositions for regulated transcription and expression of heterologous genes
    Patent number: 5753475
    Abstract: Regulatory regions from genes expressed during a particular developmental stage or in a specific tissue are identified employing cDNA screening. The resulting regulatory regions are manipulated for use with foreign sequences for introduction into plant cells to provide transformed plants having phenotypic property which can be modulated. The invention is exemplified with light, seed and a fruit-specific promoters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 19, 1998
    Assignee: Calgene, Inc.
    Inventor: Catherine M. Houck
  • Molecular farming
    Patent number: 5629175
    Abstract: Novel constructs are provided for expression of physiologically active mammalian proteins in plant cells, either in culture or under cultivation. The constructs provide a promoter functional in a plant host, a structural gene coding for mammalian protein and a terminator functional in a plant host. The construct is introduced into a plant cell to become integrated into the plant genome for expression in the plant cells or plants. The plant cells may be harvested and the mammalian protein isolated in physiologically active form.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 13, 1997
    Assignee: Calgene, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert M. Goodman, Vic C. Knauf, Catherine M. Houck, Luca Comai
  • Molecular farming
    Patent number: 5550038
    Abstract: Novel constructs are provided for expression of physiologically active mammalian proteins in plant cells, either in culture or under cultivation. The constructs provide a promoter functional in a plant host, a structural gene coding for mammalian protein and a terminator functional in a plant host. The construct is introduced into a plant cell to become integrated into the plant genome for expression in the plant cells or plants. The plant cells may be harvested and the mammalian protein isolated in physiologically active form.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 27, 1996
    Assignee: Calgene, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert M. Goodman, Vic C. Knauf, Catherine M. Houck, Luca Comai
  • Compositions and methods for modulation of endogenous cytokinin levels
    Patent number: 5177307
    Abstract: Developmentally regulated transcriptional regulatory regions are identified employing cDNA screening. The resulting regulatory regions are manipulated for use with DNA sequences encoding enzymes involved in cytokinin metabolism for introduction into plant cells to provide transformed plants having tissue, particularly fruit, with a modified phenotypic property.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 1990
    Date of Patent: January 5, 1993
    Assignee: Calgene, Inc.
    Inventors: Catherine M. Houck, Julie R. Pear, Belinda M. Martineau, William Hiatt
  • Ovary-tissue transcriptional factors
    Patent number: 5175095
    Abstract: Novel DNA constructs are provided which may be used as molecular probes or inserted into a plant host to provide for modification of transcription of a DNA sequence of interest in ovary tissue, particularly in very early fruit development. The DNA constructs comprise a transcriptional initiation regulatory region associated with gene expression in ovary tissue from immediately prior to anthesis through flower senescence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 29, 1992
    Assignee: Calgene, Inc.
    Inventors: Belinda M. Martineau, Catherine M. Houck
  • Microassay for detection of DNA and RNA
    Patent number: 4996144
    Abstract: A novel hybridization diagnostic technique is involved employing micromanipulation of cells for detection of DNA or RNA in the cells. Cellular suspensions are employed, the DNA or RNA purified by microextraction using liquid media having differential solubilization properties, whereby the nucleic acid is retained in an aqueous microdrop. The nucleic acid in the microdrop may then be assayed with a nucleic acid probe in accordance with conventional ways.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 1985
    Date of Patent: February 26, 1991
    Assignee: Calgene, Inc.
    Inventors: Anne Crossway, Catherine M. Houck
  • Mammalian peptide expression in plant cells
    Patent number: 4956282
    Abstract: Novel constructs are provided for expression of physiologically active mammalian proteins in plant cells, either in culture or under cultivation. The constructs provide a promoter functional in a plant host, a structural gene coding for mammalian protein and a terminator functional in a plant host. The construct is introduced into a plant cell to become integrated into the plant genome for expression in the plant cells or plants. The plant cells may be harvested and the mammalian protein isolated in physiologically active form.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1985
    Date of Patent: September 11, 1990
    Assignee: Calgene, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert M. Goodman, Vic C. Knauf, Catherine M. Houck, Luca Comai
  • Fruit specific transcriptional factors
    Patent number: 4943674
    Abstract: Fruit specific regulatory regions are identified employing cDNA screening. The resulting fruit specific regulatory regions are manipulated for use with foreign sequences for introduction into plant cells to provide transformed plants having fruit with a modified phenotypic property. The invention is exemplified with a tomato fruit specific promoter which is active throughout the stages of fruit ripening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 1987
    Date of Patent: July 24, 1990
    Assignee: Calgene, Inc.
    Inventors: Catherine M. Houck, Julie R. Pear