Patents by Inventor David M. Weller

David M. Weller 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: 9528115
    Abstract: In exemplary embodiments, the invention provides Pseudomonas fluorescens 2-79 strains having pyrrolnitrin biosynthetic genes for biocontrol of soilborne diseases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignees: The United States of America, as represented by The Secretary of Agriculture, Washington State University
    Inventors: David M Weller, Linda S Thomashow, Dmitri V Mavrodi, Mingming Yang, Jibin Zhang
  • Patent number: 7419812
    Abstract: Th invention is directed to nucleic acid sequences which encode polypeptides having PhzO activity, namely, the ability to convert phenazine-1-carboxylic acid to a 2-hydroxylated phenazine, and isolated polypeptides having this activity. The invention is also directed to recombinant nucleic acid molecules, vectors, and host cells including the nucleic acid sequences as well as methods for producing and using the polypeptides, including expression in bacterial or plant cells to inhibit fungal pathogens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignees: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of Agriculture, Washington State University Research Foundation
    Inventors: Linda S. Thomashow, Shannon M. Delaney, Dmitri V. Mavrodi, David M. Weller
  • Patent number: 7189547
    Abstract: Th invention is directed to nucleic acid sequences which encode polypeptides having PhzO activity, namely, the ability to convert phenazine-1-carboxylic acid to a 2-hydroxylated phenazine, and isolated polypeptides having this activity. The invention is also directed to recombinant nucleic acid molecules, vectors, and host cells including the nucleic acid sequences as well as methods for producing and using the polypeptides, including expression in bacterial or plant cells to inhibit fungal pathogens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2007
    Assignees: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of Agriculture, Washington State University Research Foundation
    Inventors: Linda S. Thomashow, Shannon M. Delaney, Dmitri V. Mavrodi, David M. Weller
  • Publication number: 20040158890
    Abstract: The invention is directed to nucleic acid sequences which encode polypeptides having PhzO activity, namely, the ability to convert phenazine-1-carboxylic acid to a 2-hydroxylated phenazine, and isolated polypeptides having this activity. The invention is also directed to recombinant nucleic acid molecules, vectors, and host cells including the nucleic acid sequences as well as methods for producing and using the polypeptides, including expression in bacterial or plant cells to inhibit fungal pathogens.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2004
    Publication date: August 12, 2004
    Inventors: Linda S. Thomashow, Shannon M. Delaney, Dmitri V. Mavrodi, David M. Weller
  • Patent number: 6737260
    Abstract: The invention is directed to nucleic acid sequences which encode polypeptides having PhzO activity, namely, the ability to convert phenazine-1-carboxylic acid to a 2-hydroxylated phenazine, and isolated polypeptides having this activity. The invention is also directed to recombinant nucleic acid molecules, vectors, and host cells including the nucleic acid sequences as well as methods for producing and using the polypeptides, including expression in bacterial or plant cells to inhibit fungal pathogens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignees: The United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of Agriculture, Washington State University Research Foundation
    Inventors: Linda S. Thomashow, Shannon M. Delaney, Dmitri V. Mavrodi, David M. Weller
  • Patent number: 6447770
    Abstract: Fluorescent Pseudomonas spp. are described which are effective for the control of diseases caused by the soil-borne fungus, Gaeumannomyces graminis (Gg), such as take-all, in small grain crops or turf grass. The subject biocontrol strains have a unique genotype as shown by a characteristic banding pattern, and exhibit root-colonizing ability which is characterized by both higher population density on roots and extended colonizing activity compared to known Gg-suppressive strains. A further property is the ability of a strain to duplicate the level of biocontrol obtained naturally in a take-all decline soil. Methods for isolation and identification of the strains and their use to control diseases caused by Gg are provided. In particular, strains of P. fluorescens NRRL B-21806 and NRRL B-21807.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2002
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of Agriculture
    Inventors: Jos M. Raaijmakers, David M. Weller, Linda S. Thomashow, R. James Cook
  • Patent number: 6277625
    Abstract: Transgenic fluorescent Pseudomonas spp. are described which have a biosynthetic locus which encodes for the production of the antibiotic phenazine-1-carboxylic acid stably introduced into the genome, have a locus which encodes for the production of the antibiotic 2,4-diacetylphloroglucinol, and are effective for control of diseases caused by the soil-borne fungus, Rhizoctonia. Strains are also described which control diseases caused by Gaeumannomyces graminis or Pythium, in addition to Rhizoctonia, or have the ability to control all three diseases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2001
    Assignees: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of Agriculture, Washington State University Research Foundation
    Inventors: Zhengyu Huang, Linda S. Thomashow, Dmitri V. Mavrodi, Jos M. Raaijmakers, David M. Weller, R. James Cook
  • Patent number: 6051383
    Abstract: DNA sequences which function specifically in the synthesis of 2,4-diacetylphloroglucinol (Phl) are described. The sequences include phl genes which encode phl gene proteins and coding and regulatory sequences for production of Phl as well as sequences containing phl genes, which sequences have the capability of conferring or enhancing Phl biosynthetic capability in bacterial strains. The transformed strains are useful as biocontrol agents against fungal pathogens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2000
    Assignees: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of Agriculture, Washington State University Research Foundation
    Inventors: Linda S. Thomashow, Mahalaxmi Bangera, David M. Weller, R. James Cook
  • Patent number: 5972689
    Abstract: Methods and products useful to simultaneously control the root diseases caused by Gaeumannomyces graminis, Rhizoctonia, and Pythium in crops susceptible to these root diseases are described. These include a method to identify seed-treatment products for potential to simultaneously control the three kinds of root diseases; Bacillus strains having activity against the three kinds of root diseases and methods of obtaining the same, and compositions comprising a fungicide and a Bacillus strain having activity against the three kinds of root diseases, which compositions are useful for field control of the combination of the three kinds of root diseases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1999
    Assignees: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of Agriculture, Washington State University Research Foundation
    Inventors: R. James Cook, David M. Weller, Dal-Soo Kim, Linda S. Thomashow
  • Patent number: 5955298
    Abstract: DNA sequences which function specifically in the synthesis of 2,4-diacetylphloroglucinol (Phl) are described. The sequences include phl genes which encode phl gene proteins and coding and regulatory sequences for production of Phl as well as sequences containing phl genes, which sequences have the capability of conferring or enhancing Phl biosynthetic capability in bacterial strains. The transformed strains are useful as biocontrol agents against fungal pathogens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1999
    Assignees: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of Agriculture, Washington State University Research Foundation
    Inventors: Linda S. Thomashow, Mahalaxmi Bangera, David M. Weller, R. James Cook
  • Patent number: 4647533
    Abstract: A method for screening bacteria to select strains which will suppress Pythium spp. in small grain crops under field conditions and a method for applying field-suppressive bacteria to suppress Pythium spp. in a commercial setting are described. Four Pseudomonas strains which passed the screen test are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 1984
    Date of Patent: March 3, 1987
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of Agriculture
    Inventors: David M. Weller, R. James Cook, J. Ole Becker
  • Patent number: 4456684
    Abstract: A method for screening bacteria to select strains which will suppress diseases caused by the fungus Gaeumannomyces graminis (Gg) under field conditions and a method for applying field-suppressive bacteria to suppress Gg in a commercial setting. Four fluorescens Pseudomonas strains are disclosed which are effective in suppressing take-all in wheat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1982
    Date of Patent: June 26, 1984
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of Agriculture
    Inventors: David M. Weller, R. James Cook, Henry T. Wilkinson