Patents by Inventor Christopher K. Miller

Christopher K. Miller 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: 11926850
    Abstract: The present invention relates to genetically modified yeasts that can use lactate as a carbon source to produce a fermentation product. In one aspect, the yeasts can consume glucose and lactate simultaneously to produce ethanol. In one aspect, the genetically modified yeast is transformed to include a monocarboxylic/monocarboxylate transporter. In one aspect, the yeast can include one or more heterologous genes encoding lactate dehydrogenase (cytochrome) (EC 1.1.2.3 and/or 1.1.2.4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: CARGILL, INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Arlene M. Fosmer, Christopher K. Miller, Gregory Michael Poynter, Brian Jeffrey Rush, Jon Veldhouse
  • Patent number: 11923030
    Abstract: A system includes a memory device and a processing device, operatively coupled with the memory device, to perform operations including initiating a read operation with respect to a block of the memory device, selecting, based on a set of criteria, a default read offset from a set of read offsets, wherein the set of criteria includes at least one of: a parameter related to trigger rate, or an amount of time that an open block is allowed to remain open to control threshold voltage shift due to storage charge loss, and applying the default read offset to a read operation performed with respect to the block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary F. Besinga, Renato C. Padilla, Tawalin Opastrakoon, Sampath K. Ratnam, Michael G. Miller, Christopher M. Smitchger, Vamsi Pavan Rayaprolu, Ashutosh Malshe
  • Patent number: 11421212
    Abstract: The invention is directed to non-natural yeast able to secrete significant amounts of glucoamylase into a fermentation media. The glucoamylase can promote degradation of starch material generating glucose for fermentation to a desired bioproduct, such as ethanol. The glucoamylase can be provided in the form of a glucoamylase fusion protein having secretion signal that is: derived from at least AA 1-19 of SEQ ID NO: 73, (ii) an amino acid sequence of at least AA 1-19 of SEQ ID NO: 74, (iii) SEQ ID NO: 77 (An aa), (iv) SEQ ID NO: 75 (Sc IV), (v) SEQ ID NO: 76 (Gg LZ), or (vi) SEQ ID NO: 78(Hs SA).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: CARGILL, INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Christopher K. Miller, Gregory Michael Poynter, Amit Vas
  • Patent number: 11111482
    Abstract: The present invention relates to genetically modified yeasts that can use lactate as a carbon source to produce a fermentation product. In one aspect, the yeasts can consume gluconse and lactate simultaneously to produce ethanol. In one aspect, the genetically modified yeast is transformed to include a monocarboxylic/monocarboxylate transporter. In one aspect, the yeast can include one or more heterologous genes encoding lactate dehydrogenase (cytochrome) (EC 1.1.2.3 and/or 1.1.2.4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: CARGILL, INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Arlene M. Fosmer, Christopher K. Miller, Gregory Michael Poynter, Brian Jeffrey Rush, Jon Veldhouse
  • Publication number: 20210198637
    Abstract: The present invention relates to genetically modified yeasts that can use lactate as a carbon source to produce a fermentation product. In one aspect, the yeasts can consume glucose and lactate simultaneously to produce ethanol. In one aspect, the genetically modified yeast is transformed to include a monocarboxylic/monocarboxylate transporter. In one aspect, the yeast can include one or more heterologous genes encoding lactate dehydrogenase (cytochrome) (EC 1.1.2.3 and/or 1.1.2.4).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2021
    Publication date: July 1, 2021
    Applicant: CARGILL, INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Arlene M. FOSMER, Christopher K. Miller, Gregory Michael Poynter, Brian Jeffrey Rush, Jon Veldhouse
  • Publication number: 20200270644
    Abstract: Genetically modified yeast having a heterologous sugar transporter that is capable of transporting a non-glucose sugar such as maltulose, are described. The heterologous sugar transporter can be a protein according to, or that has similarity to, SEQ ID NO:44. Fermentation methods using enzymatically treated starch where the yeast are able to consume the non-glucose sugars, are also described. The engineered yeast can be useful for producing desired bioproducts such as high ethanol, with low amounts of residual sugars in the medium.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2016
    Publication date: August 27, 2020
    Inventors: CHRISTOPHER K. MILLER, Ana Negrete-Raymond, Brian J. Rush, Amit Vas, Jon Veldhouse
  • Patent number: 10724023
    Abstract: The invention is directed to non-natural yeast able to secrete significant amounts of glucoamylase into a fermentation media. The glucoamylase can promote degradation of starch material generating glucose for fermentation to a desired bioproduct, such as ethanol. The glucoamylase can be provided in the form of a glucoamylase fusion protein having a S. cerevisiae mating factor alpha 2 (Sc MF?2) or repressible acid phosphatase (Sc PHO5) secretion signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: CARGILL, INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Christopher K. Miller, Ana Negrete-Raymond, Jonathan Dwight Veldhouse, Amit Vas
  • Publication number: 20200048623
    Abstract: The invention is directed to non-natural yeast able to secrete significant amounts of glucoamylase into a fermentation media. The glucoamylase can promote degradation of starch material generating glucose for fermentation to a desired bioproduct, such as ethanol. The glucoamylase can be provided in the form of a glucoamylase fusion protein having a S. cerevisiae mating factor alpha 2 (Sc MF?2) or repressible acid phosphatase (Sc PHO5) secretion signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2019
    Publication date: February 13, 2020
    Applicant: CARGILL, INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Christopher K. MILLER, Ana NEGRETE-RAYMOND, Jon VELDHOUSE, Amit VAS
  • Publication number: 20190376071
    Abstract: Genetically engineered yeast with a heterologous glucoamylase and fermentation methods are described. The engineered yeast can have multiple exogenous nucleic acid sequences which each have a different sequence, but that encode the same or a similar glucoamylase protein that is heterologous to the yeast. The engineered yeast exhibit desirable bioproduct production profiles during a fermentation process. A fermentation medium with a starch material can be fermented with the engineered yeast to provide high ethanol titers, low glycerol titers, or both.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2019
    Publication date: December 12, 2019
    Applicant: CARGILL, INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Christopher K. Miller, Ana Negrete-Raymond, Jon Veldhouse, Amit Vas
  • Publication number: 20190345471
    Abstract: The invention is directed to non-natural yeast able to secrete significant amounts of glucoamylase into a fermentation media. The glucoamylase can promote degradation of starch material generating glucose for fermentation to a desired bioproduct, such as ethanol. The glucoamylase can be provided in the form of a glucoamylase fusion protein having secretion signal that is: derived from at least AA 1-19 of SEQ ID NO: 73, (ii) an amino acid sequence of at least AA 1-19 of SEQ ID NO: 74, (iii) SEQ ID NO: 77 (An C aa), (iv) SEQ ID NO: 75 (Sc IV), (v) SEQ ID NO: 76 (Gg LZ), or (vi) SEQ ID NO: 78(Hs SA).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2017
    Publication date: November 14, 2019
    Applicant: CARGILL, INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Christopher K. MILLER, Gregory Michael POYNTER, Amit VAS
  • Patent number: 10472656
    Abstract: A fermentation process for fermenting a starch hydrolysate containing 60-98 weight percent of glucose based on total carbohydrate and 0.3-5% weight percent of isomaltose based on total carbohydrate to a non-ethanol fermentation product is carried out. The method comprises: a) forming a fermentation broth containing the starch hydrolysate and a genetically modified microorganism containing i) an exogenous gene encoding transporter capable of transporting isomaltose ii) an exogenous gene encoding an enzyme capable of converting isomaltose to glucose; and b) fermenting the starch hydrolysate in the fermentation broth to produce a non-ethanol fermentation product. This fermentation process may be carried out as a single step fermentation or a batch process. The genetically modified microorganism may contain an exogenous gene encoding an enzyme that catalyzes the formation of a product other than ethanol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: CARGILL, INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Keith M. Brady, Christopher K. Miller
  • Publication number: 20190264182
    Abstract: The present invention relates to genetically modified yeasts that can use lactate as a carbon source to produce a fermentation product. In one aspect, the yeasts can consume gluconse and lactate simultaneously to produce ethanol. In one aspect, the genetically modified yeast is transformed to include a monocarboxylic/monocarboxylate transporter. In one aspect, the yeast can include one or more heterologous genes encoding lactate dehydrogenase (cytochrome) (EC 1.1.2.3 and/or 1.1.2.4).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2017
    Publication date: August 29, 2019
    Applicant: CARGILL, INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Arlene M. FOSMER, Christopher K. MILLER, Gregory Michael POYNTER, Brian Jeffrey RUSH, Jon VELDHOUSE
  • Patent number: 10364421
    Abstract: The invention is directed to non-natural yeast able to secrete significant amounts of glucoamylase into a fermentation media. The glucoamylase can promote degradation of starch material generating glucose for fermentation to a desired bioproduct, such as ethanol. The glucoamylase can be provided in the form of a glucoamylase fusion protein having a S. cerevisiae mating factor alpha 2 (Sc MF?2) or repressible acid phosphatase (Sc PHO5) secretion signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2019
    Assignee: CARGILL, INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Christopher K. Miller, Ana Negrete-Raymond, Jon Veldhouse, Amit Vas
  • Patent number: 10344288
    Abstract: Genetically engineered yeast with a heterologous glucoamylase and fermentation methods are described. The engineered yeast can have multiple exogenous nucleic acid sequences which each have a different sequence, but that encode the same or a similar glucoamylase protein that is heterologous to the yeast. The engineered yeast exhibit desirable bioproduct production profiles during a fermentation process. A fermentation medium with a starch material can be fermented with the engineered yeast to provide high ethanol titers, low glycerol titers, or both.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: CARGILL, INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Christopher K. Miller, Ana Negrete-Raymond, Jon Veldhouse, Amit Vas
  • Publication number: 20180094269
    Abstract: Genetically engineered yeast with a heterologous glucoamylase and fermentation methods are described. The engineered yeast can have multiple exogenous nucleic acid sequences which each have a different sequence, but that encode the same or a similar glucoamylase protein that is heterologous to the yeast. The engineered yeast exhibit desirable bioproduct production profiles during a fermentation process. A fermentation medium with a starch material can be fermented with the engineered yeast to provide high ethanol titers, low glycerol titers, or both.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2016
    Publication date: April 5, 2018
    Inventors: Christopher K. MILLER, Ana NEGRETE-RAYMOND, Jon VELDHOUSE, Amil VAS
  • Publication number: 20180080014
    Abstract: The invention is directed to non-natural yeast able to secrete significant amounts of glucoamylase into a fermentation media. The glucoamylase can promote degradation of starch material generating glucose for fermentation to a desired bioproduct, such as ethanol. The glucoamylase can be provided in the form of a glucoamylase fusion protein having a S. cerevisiae mating factor alpha 2 (Sc MF?2) or repressible acid phosphatase (Sc PHO5) secretion signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2016
    Publication date: March 22, 2018
    Inventors: Christopher K. Miller, Ana NEGRETE-RAYMOND, Jon VELDHOUSE, Amit VAS
  • Publication number: 20170130251
    Abstract: A fermentation process for fermenting a starch hydrolysate containing 60-98 weight percent of glucose based on total carbohydrate and 0.3-5% weight percent of isomaltose based on total carbohydrate to a non-ethanol fermentation product is carried out. The method comprises: a) forming a fermentation broth containing the starch hydrolysate and a genetically modified microorganism containing i) an exogenous gene encoding transporter capable of transporting isomaltose ii) an exogenous gene encoding an enzyme capable of converting isomaltose to glucose; and b) fermenting the starch hydrolysate in the fermentation broth to produce a non-ethanol fermentation product. This fermentation process may be carried out as a single step fermentation or a batch process. The genetically modified microorganism may contain an exogenous gene encoding an enzyme that catalyzes the formation of a product other than ethanol.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2015
    Publication date: May 11, 2017
    Inventors: Keith M. Brady, Christopher K. Miller