Patents by Inventor Craig A. Behnke

Craig A. Behnke 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: 11920166
    Abstract: Described herein are variant, novel cannabinoid synthases, nucleic acids encoding same, and various uses thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: RENEW BIOPHARMA, INC.
    Inventors: Kyle Botsch, Craig Behnke, Karla Gonzalez, Matthew Saunders, Michael Mendez
  • Publication number: 20230203455
    Abstract: Described herein are variant, novel cannabinoid synthases, nucleic acids encoding same, and various uses thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2022
    Publication date: June 29, 2023
    Inventors: Kyle BOTSCH, Craig BEHNKE, Karla GONZALEZ, Matthew SAUNDERS, Michael MENDEZ
  • Publication number: 20220364066
    Abstract: Described herein are variant, novel cannabinoid synthases, nucleic acids encoding same, and various uses thereof. In one aspect, a variant cannabinoid synthase or an active fragment thereof is provided comprising a non-naturally occurring amino acid sequence relative to a wild-type cannabinoid synthase or an active fragment thereof which acts on a substrate to produce an altered amount of a cannabinoid relative to an amount of the cannabinoid produced by the wild-type cannabinoid synthase or active fragment thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2020
    Publication date: November 17, 2022
    Inventors: Kyle BOTSCH, Craig BEHNKE, Karla GONZALEZ, Matthew SAUNDERS, Michael J. MENDEZ, Jeremy LANOISELEE
  • Publication number: 20210238561
    Abstract: Described herein are variant, novel cannabinoid synthases, nucleic acids encoding same, and various uses thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2019
    Publication date: August 5, 2021
    Inventors: Kyle BOTSCH, Craig BEHNKE, Karla GONZALEZ, Matthew SAUNDERS, Michael MENDEZ
  • Publication number: 20170009250
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods of expressing therapeutic proteins in photosynthetic organisms and the therapeutic proteins produced by the methods. The therapeutic proteins include high-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) protein, fibronectin domain (10) (10FN3), fibronectin domain (14) (14FN3), interferon beta (IFN?), proinsulin and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). The photosynthetic organisms include prokaryotes such as cyanobacteria and eukaryotes such as alga and plants. Transformation of eukaryotes is preferably the plastid genome, more preferably the chloroplast genome.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2016
    Publication date: January 12, 2017
    Applicants: Sapphire Energy, Inc., The Scripps Research Institute
    Inventors: Beth A. Rasala, Rosa M. F. Cardoso, Machiko Muto, Stephen P. Mayfield, Philip A. Lee, Craig A. Behnke, Michael Mendez
  • Patent number: 9428779
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides novel proteins that when over expressed in algae result in an increase or change in fatty acid and/or glycerol lipid production and/or accumulation, without a substantial decrease in the growth rate of the alga or the break down of algal components, such as chlorophyll. The present disclosure also describes methods of using the novel proteins to increase or change the production and/or accumulation of fatty acids and/or glycerol lipids in algae. In addition, these proteins are useful tools in obtaining information about the fatty acid and triacyglyceride (TAG) synthetic pathways in algae.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: SAPPHIRE ENERGY, INC.
    Inventors: Christopher Yohn, April Brand, Michael Mendez, Craig A. Behnke
  • Patent number: 9145528
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and systems for upgrading (for example, removing heteroatoms, metals, or metalloids) an oil composition derived or extracted from a biomass. The upgraded oil composition can be used to make a desired product, for example, a fuel product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2015
    Assignee: SAPPHIRE ENERGY, INC.
    Inventors: Brian L. Goodall, Alex M. Aravanis, Craig A. Behnke, Richard J. Cranford, Daniel J. Sajkowski
  • Patent number: 9133489
    Abstract: Provided herein are novel ACCases and nucleotides encoding the same, that when introduced into a cell or organism results in an increase and/or accumulation of fatty acids, glycerol lipids, and/or oils in the cell or organism, and/or a change in the types of fatty acids, glycerol lipids, and/or oils that are normally present in the cell or organism. Also provided herein are organisms transformed with the novel ACCases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignee: SAPPHIRE ENERGY, INC.
    Inventors: Craig A. Behnke, David Molina, Soyan Lieberman, Jamie Bacher, Shuiqin Wu
  • Publication number: 20150132829
    Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods for producing flocculation moieties in photosynthetic organisms. The photosynthetic organisms are genetically modified to effect production, secretion, or both, of the flocculation moieties. Also provided are methods of flocculating organisms.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2015
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Applicant: SAPPHIRE ENERGY, INC.
    Inventors: Michael MENDEZ, Craig BEHNKE, Yan POON, Philip LEE
  • Patent number: 8987433
    Abstract: This disclosure provides methods of designing and generating polypeptide variants that have altered properties compared to a parent polypeptide. The present disclosure provides methods of generating polypeptide variants, for example, variant isoprenoid synthases and/or variant prenyl transferases that have at least one desired property not present in the parent polypeptide. The present disclosure further provides polypeptides and polynucleotides encoding variant polypeptides, as well as vectors and host cells comprising the polynucleotides that encode the variant polypeptides. In other embodiments, the present disclosure provides methods of using the variant polypeptides to generate useful products, such as isoprenoid compounds and/or isoprenoid products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Sapphire Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Mendez, Craig A. Behnke, Nicole A. Heaps
  • Patent number: 8969066
    Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods for producing flocculation moieties in photosynthetic organisms. The photosynthetic organisms are genetically modified to effect production, secretion, or both, of the flocculation moieties. Also provided are methods of flocculating organisms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Sapphire Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Mendez, Craig Behnke, Yan Poon, Philip Lee
  • Publication number: 20150010978
    Abstract: Terpene synthases are enzymes that directly convert IPP & DMAPP to terpenes, such as fusicoccadiene. Described herein are methods and compositions for the production of terpenes and terpenoids for use as fuel molecules or other useful components. Genetically engineered enzymes capable of producing terpenes and terpenoids are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2014
    Publication date: January 8, 2015
    Applicant: Sapphire Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: NICOLE A HEAPS, Craig A Behnke, David Molina
  • Publication number: 20140378513
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods to detect pests in liquid culture systems for the growth of microalgae. The disclosure further provides methods to treat and control pests in a liquid system and for methods to increase yields of microalgae grown in a liquid culture systems. Methods are provided for the growth, monitoring, treatment and harvesting of microalgae from liquid culture systems.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2012
    Publication date: December 25, 2014
    Inventors: Robert C McBride, Craig A Behnke, Kyle M Botsch, Nicole A Heaps, Christopher Del Meenach
  • Publication number: 20120322157
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides novel proteins that when over expressed in algae result in an increase or change in fatty acid and/or glycerol lipid production and/or accumulation, without a substantial decrease in the growth rate of the alga or the break down of algal components, such as chlorophyll. The present disclosure also describes methods of using the novel proteins to increase or change the production and/or accumulation of fatty acids and/or glycerol lipids in algae. In addition, these proteins are useful tools in obtaining information about the fatty acid and triacyglyceride (TAG) synthetic pathways in algae.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2011
    Publication date: December 20, 2012
    Applicant: SAPPHIRE ENERGY, INC
    Inventors: Christopher Yohn, April Brand, Michael Mendez, Craig A. Behnke
  • Publication number: 20120309939
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods of expressing therapeutic proteins in photosynthetic organisms and the therapeutic proteins produced by the methods. The therapeutic proteins include high-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) protein, fibronectin domain (10) (10FN3), fibronectin domain (14) (14FN3), interferon beta (IFN?), proinsulin and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). The photosynthetic organisms include prokaryotes such as cyanobacteria and eukaryotes such as alga and plants. Transformation of eukaryotes is preferably the plastid genome, more preferably the chloroplast genome.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2010
    Publication date: December 6, 2012
    Applicants: THE SCRIPPS RESEARCH INSTITUTE, SAPPHIRE ENERGY, INC.
    Inventors: Beth A. Rasala, Rosa M. F. Cardoso, Machiko Muto, Stephen P. Mayfield, Philip A. Lee, Craig A. Behnke, Michael Mendez
  • Publication number: 20120231546
    Abstract: Provided herein are novel ACCases and nucleotides encoding the same, that when introduced into a cell or organism results in an increase and/or accumulation of fatty acids, glycerol lipids, and/or oils in the cell or organism, and/or a change in the types of fatty acids, glycerol lipids, and/or oils that are normally present in the cell or organism. Also provided herein are organisms transformed with the novel ACCases.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2010
    Publication date: September 13, 2012
    Applicant: Sapphire Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Craig A. Behnke, David Molina, Soyan Lieberman, Jamie Bacher, Shuiqin Wu
  • Patent number: 8138168
    Abstract: The invention relates to compounds having the formulae: wherein the variables are as defined herein. The invention further relates to methods of making and using these compounds, and pharmaceutical compositions, kits and articles of manufacture comprise the compounds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited
    Inventors: Benjamin Jones, Stephen W. Kaldor, Walter Keung, Andre A. Kiryanov, Zhe Li, Jeffrey A. Stafford, John Tyhonas, Craig Behnke
  • Publication number: 20120064629
    Abstract: This disclosure provides methods of designing and generating polypeptide variants that have altered properties compared to a parent polypeptide. The present disclosure provides methods of generating polypeptide variants, for example, variant isoprenoid synthases and/or variant prenyl transferases that have at least one desired property not present in the parent polypeptide. The present disclosure further provides polypeptides and polynucleotides encoding variant polypeptides, as well as vectors and host cells comprising the polynucleotides that encode the variant polypeptides. In other embodiments, the present disclosure provides methods of using the variant polypeptides to generate useful products, such as isoprenoid compounds and/or isoprenoid products.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2010
    Publication date: March 15, 2012
    Applicant: Shapphire Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Mendez, Craig A. Behnke, Nicole A. Heaps
  • Publication number: 20120058535
    Abstract: Terpene synthases are enzymes that directly convert IPP & DMAPP to terpenes, such as fusicoccadiene. Described herein are methods and compositions for the production of terpenes and terpenoids for use as fuel molecules or other useful components. Genetically engineered enzymes capable of producing terpenes and terpenoids are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2010
    Publication date: March 8, 2012
    Applicant: SAPPHIRE ENERGY, INC.
    Inventors: Nicole A. Heaps, Craig A. Behnke, David Molina
  • Publication number: 20110256594
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to refining a product from a biomass containing chlorophyll and/or pheophytins. In particular, a method of refining a product (such as a biofuel) from a photosynthetic organism is disclosed. The photosynthetic organism can be a naturally occurring organism or a genetically modified or altered organism. The method of refining comprises removing nitrogen to obtain the desired product.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2009
    Publication date: October 20, 2011
    Inventors: Richard J. Cranford, Craig Behnke, Yan Poon