Patents by Inventor Craig A. Weaver

Craig A. Weaver 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: 7601522
    Abstract: Disclosed are the complete polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) polyketide synthase (PKS) systems from the bacterial microorganisms Shewanella japonica and Shewanella olleyana, and biologically active fragments and homologues thereof. More particularly, this invention relates to nucleic acids encoding such PUFA PKS systems, to proteins and domains thereof that comprise such PUFA PKS systems, to genetically modified organisms (plants and microorganisms) comprising such PUFA PKS systems, and to methods of making and using the PUFA PKS systems disclosed herein. This invention also relates to genetically modified plants and microorganisms and methods to efficiently produce lipids enriched in various polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) as well as other bioactive molecules by manipulation of a PUFA polyketide synthase (PKS) system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2009
    Assignee: Martek Biosciences Corporation
    Inventors: Craig A. Weaver, Ross Zirkle, James G. Metz
  • Publication number: 20090229015
    Abstract: Disclosed are a fatty acid synthase (FAS) from Schizochytrium, biologically active fragments and homologues thereof, a nucleic acid sequence encoding such FAS, fragments and homologues thereof, the gene encoding Schizochytrium FAS, host cells and organisms that recombinantly express the FAS, host cells and organisms in which the expression and/or activity of the endogenous FAS has been attenuated, and various methods for making and using any of these proteins, nucleic acid molecules, genes, host cells or organisms.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2009
    Publication date: September 10, 2009
    Applicant: MARTEK BIOSCIENCES CORPORATION
    Inventors: James G. Metz, Craig A. Weaver, Jerry Kuner
  • Patent number: 7585659
    Abstract: Described herein is a novel three domain gene from Schizochytrium, denoted carotene synthase, that encodes a protein with three different enzymatic activities: phytoene dehydrogenase (PD), phytoene synthase (PS), and lycopene cyclase (LC). Also described is the isolated gene encoding the carotene synthase, homologues thereof, the enzyme encoded by such gene, biologically active portions and homologues thereof, recombinant nucleic acid molecules, microorganisms and plants that have been genetically modified to increase or decrease the action of such gene, and methods of producing carotenoids and derivatives thereof or methods of producing microorganisms and lipid products lacking pigmentation using the knowledge of the carotene synthase described herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2009
    Assignee: Martek Biosciences Corporation
    Inventors: Craig A. Weaver, James G. Metz, Jerry M. Kuner, Frank H. Overton, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7582451
    Abstract: Described herein is a novel three domain gene from Schizochytrium, denoted carotene synthase, that encodes a protein with three different enzymatic activities: phytoene dehydrogenase (PD), phytoene synthase (PS), and lycopene cyclase (LC). Also described is the isolated gene encoding the carotene synthase, homologues thereof, the enzyme encoded by such gene, biologically active portions and homologues thereof, recombinant nucleic acid molecules, microorganisms and plants that have been genetically modified to increase or decrease the action of such gene, and methods of producing carotenoids and derivatives thereof or methods of producing microorganisms and lipid products lacking pigmentation using the knowledge of the carotene synthase described herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2009
    Assignee: Martek Biosciences Corporation
    Inventors: Craig A. Weaver, James G. Metz, Jerry M. Kuner, Frank H. Overton, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7563603
    Abstract: The invention generally relates to polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) polyketide synthase (PKS) systems, to homologues thereof, to isolated nucleic acid molecules and recombinant nucleic acid molecules encoding biologically active domains of such a PUFA PKS system, to genetically modified organisms comprising PUFA PKS systems, to methods of making and using such systems for the production of bioactive molecules of interest, and to novel methods for identifying new bacterial and non-bacterial microorganisms having such a PUFA PKS system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2009
    Assignee: Martek Biosciences Corporation
    Inventors: James G. Metz, Craig A. Weaver, William R. Barclay, James H. Flatt
  • Patent number: 7563605
    Abstract: The invention generally relates to polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) polyketide synthase (PKS) systems, to homologues thereof, to isolated nucleic acid molecules and recombinant nucleic acid molecules encoding biologically active domains of such a PUFA PKS system, to genetically modified organisms comprising PUFA PKS systems, to methods of making and using such systems for the production of bioactive molecules of interest, and to novel methods for identifying new bacterial and non-bacterial microorganisms having such a PUFA PKS system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2009
    Assignee: Martek Biosciences Corporation
    Inventors: James G. Metz, Craig A. Weaver, William R. Barclay, James H. Flatt
  • Patent number: 7563604
    Abstract: The invention generally relates to polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) polyketide synthase (PKS) systems, to homologues thereof, to isolated nucleic acid molecules and recombinant nucleic acid molecules encoding biologically active domains of such a PUFA PKS system, to genetically modified organisms comprising PUFA PKS systems, to methods of making and using such systems for the production of bioactive molecules of interest, and to novel methods for identifying new bacterial and non-bacterial microorganisms having such a PUFA PKS system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2009
    Assignee: Martek Biosciences Corporation
    Inventors: James G. Metz, Craig A. Weaver, William R. Barclay, James H. Flatt
  • Patent number: 7560539
    Abstract: Disclosed are the complete polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) polyketide synthase (PKS) systems from the bacterial microorganisms Shewanella japonica and Shewanella olleyana, and biologically active fragments and homologues thereof. More particularly, this invention relates to nucleic acids encoding such PUFA PKS systems, to proteins and domains thereof that comprise such PUFA PKS systems, to genetically modified organisms (plants and microorganisms) comprising such PUFA PKS systems, and to methods of making and using the PUFA PKS systems disclosed herein. This invention also relates to genetically modified plants and microorganisms and methods to efficiently produce lipids enriched in various polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) as well as other bioactive molecules by manipulation of a PUFA polyketide synthase (PKS) system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2009
    Assignee: Martek Biosciences Corporation
    Inventors: Craig A. Weaver, Ross Zirkle, James G. Metz
  • Patent number: 7363931
    Abstract: A system for assisting a seated person to stand that may include a walker and a lifting arm attached to the walker that extends in an approximate vertical direction from the walker. The walker may include two front legs and two rear legs, and the lifting arm may extend telescopically from one of the front legs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Inventor: Craig Weaver
  • Publication number: 20080050791
    Abstract: Disclosed are the complete polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) polyketide synthase (PKS) systems from the bacterial microorganisms Shewanella japonica and Shewanella olleyana, and biologically active fragments and homologues thereof. More particularly, this invention relates to nucleic acids encoding such PUFA PKS systems, to proteins and domains thereof that comprise such PUFA PKS systems, to genetically modified organisms (plants and microorganisms) comprising such PUFA PKS systems, and to methods of making and using the PUFA PKS systems disclosed herein. This invention also relates to genetically modified plants and microorganisms and methods to efficiently produce lipids enriched in various polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) as well as other bioactive molecules by manipulation of a PUFA polyketide synthase (PKS) system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2007
    Publication date: February 28, 2008
    Applicant: MARTEK BIOSCIENCES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Craig Weaver, Ross Zirkle, James Metz
  • Publication number: 20080050790
    Abstract: The invention generally relates to polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) polyketide synthase (PKS) systems, to homologues thereof, to isolated nucleic acid molecules and recombinant nucleic acid molecules encoding biologically active domains of such a PUFA PKS system, to genetically modified organisms comprising PUFA PKS systems, to methods of making and using such systems for the production of bioactive molecules of interest, and to novel methods for identifying new bacterial and non-bacterial microorganisms having such a PUFA PKS system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2007
    Publication date: February 28, 2008
    Applicant: MARTEK BIOSCIENCES CORPORATION
    Inventors: James Metz, Craig Weaver, William Barclay, James Flatt
  • Publication number: 20080044870
    Abstract: The invention generally relates to polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) polyketide synthase (PKS) systems, to homologues thereof, to isolated nucleic acid molecules and recombinant nucleic acid molecules encoding biologically active domains of such a PUFA PKS system, to genetically modified organisms comprising PUFA PKS systems, to methods of making and using such systems for the production of bioactive molecules of interest, and to novel methods for identifying new bacterial and non-bacterial microorganisms having such a PUFA PKS system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2007
    Publication date: February 21, 2008
    Applicant: MARTEK BIOSCIENCES CORPORATION
    Inventors: James Metz, Craig Weaver, William Barclay, James Flatt
  • Publication number: 20080044869
    Abstract: The invention generally relates to polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) polyketide synthase (PKS) systems, to homologues thereof, to isolated nucleic acid molecules and recombinant nucleic acid molecules encoding biologically active domains of such a PUFA PKS system, to genetically modified organisms comprising PUFA PKS systems, to methods of making and using such systems for the production of bioactive molecules of interest, and to novel methods for identifying new bacterial and non-bacterial microorganisms having such a PUFA PKS system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2007
    Publication date: February 21, 2008
    Applicant: MARTEK BIOSCIENCES CORPORATION
    Inventors: James Metz, Craig Weaver, William Barclay, James Flatt
  • Publication number: 20080044874
    Abstract: Disclosed are the complete polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) polyketide synthase (PKS) systems from the bacterial microorganisms Shewanella japonica and Shewanella olleyana, and biologically active fragments and homologues thereof. More particularly, this invention relates to nucleic acids encoding such PUFA PKS systems, to proteins and domains thereof that comprise such PUFA PKS systems, to genetically modified organisms (plants and microorganisms) comprising such PUFA PKS systems, and to methods of making and using the PUFA PKS systems disclosed herein. This invention also relates to genetically modified plants and microorganisms and methods to efficiently produce lipids enriched in various polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) as well as other bioactive molecules by manipulation of a PUFA polyketide synthase (PKS) system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2007
    Publication date: February 21, 2008
    Applicant: MARTEK BIOSCIENCES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Craig Weaver, Ross Zirkle, James Metz
  • Publication number: 20080044868
    Abstract: The invention generally relates to polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) polyketide synthase (PKS) systems, to homologues thereof, to isolated nucleic acid molecules and recombinant nucleic acid molecules encoding biologically active domains of such a PUFA PKS system, to genetically modified organisms comprising PUFA PKS systems, to methods of making and using such systems for the production of bioactive molecules of interest, and to novel methods for identifying new bacterial and non-bacterial microorganisms having such a PUFA PKS system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2007
    Publication date: February 21, 2008
    Applicant: MARTEK BIOSCIENCES CORPORATION
    Inventors: James Metz, Craig Weaver, William Barclay, James Flatt
  • Publication number: 20080044872
    Abstract: The invention generally relates to polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) polyketide synthase (PKS) systems, to homologues thereof, to isolated nucleic acid molecules and recombinant nucleic acid molecules encoding biologically active domains of such a PUFA PKS system, to genetically modified organisms comprising PUFA PKS systems, to methods of making and using such systems for the production of bioactive molecules of interest, and to novel methods for identifying new bacterial and non-bacterial microorganisms having such a PUFA PKS system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2007
    Publication date: February 21, 2008
    Applicant: MARTEK BIOSCIENCES CORPORATION
    Inventors: James Metz, Craig Weaver, William Barclay, James Flatt
  • Publication number: 20080044873
    Abstract: The invention generally relates to polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) polyketide synthase (PKS) systems, to homologues thereof, to isolated nucleic acid molecules and recombinant nucleic acid molecules encoding biologically active domains of such a PUFA PKS system, to genetically modified organisms comprising PUFA PKS systems, to methods of making and using such systems for the production of bioactive molecules of interest, and to novel methods for identifying new bacterial and non-bacterial microorganisms having such a PUFA PKS system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2007
    Publication date: February 21, 2008
    Applicant: MARTEK BIOSCIENCES CORPORATION
    Inventors: James Metz, Craig Weaver, William Barclay, James Flatt
  • Publication number: 20080044871
    Abstract: The invention generally relates to polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) polyketide synthase (PKS) systems, to homologues thereof, to isolated nucleic acid molecules and recombinant nucleic acid molecules encoding biologically active domains of such a PUFA PKS system, to genetically modified organisms comprising PUFA PKS systems, to methods of making and using such systems for the production of bioactive molecules of interest, and to novel methods for identifying new bacterial and non-bacterial microorganisms having such a PUFA PKS system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2007
    Publication date: February 21, 2008
    Applicant: MARTEK BIOSCIENCES CORPORATION
    Inventors: James Metz, Craig Weaver, William Barclay, James Flatt
  • Publication number: 20080038794
    Abstract: The invention generally relates to polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) polyketide synthase (PKS) systems, to homologues thereof, to isolated nucleic acid molecules and recombinant nucleic acid molecules encoding biologically active domains of such a PUFA PKS system, to genetically modified organisms comprising PUFA PKS systems, to methods of making and using such systems for the production of bioactive molecules of interest, and to novel methods for identifying new bacterial and non-bacterial microorganisms having such a PUFA PKS system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2007
    Publication date: February 14, 2008
    Applicant: MARTEK BIOSCIENCES CORPORATION
    Inventors: James Metz, Craig Weaver, William Barclay, James Flatt
  • Publication number: 20080038795
    Abstract: The invention generally relates to polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) polyketide synthase (PKS) systems, to homologues thereof, to isolated nucleic acid molecules and recombinant nucleic acid molecules encoding biologically active domains of such a PUFA PKS system, to genetically modified organisms comprising PUFA PKS systems, to methods of making and using such systems for the production of bioactive molecules of interest, and to novel methods for identifying new bacterial and non-bacterial microorganisms having such a PUFA PKS system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2007
    Publication date: February 14, 2008
    Applicant: MARTEK BIOSCIENCES CORPORATION
    Inventors: James Metz, Craig Weaver, William Barclay, James Flatt