Patents by Inventor Derek H. Wells

Derek H. Wells 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: 11685937
    Abstract: The invention features compositions and methods for the increased production of mevalonate, isoprene, isoprenoid precursor molecules, isoprenoids, and/or acetyl-CoA-derived products in recombinant microorganisms by engineering the microorganisms to comprise one or more acetylating proteins such that the expression and/or activity of the one or more acetylating proteins is modulated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: Danisco US Inc.
    Inventors: Marguerite A. Cervin, Michael C. Miller, Derek H. Wells, Alan J. Wolfe, Madhukar S. Dasika
  • Patent number: 11427827
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems and methods for increasing production of an alkaloid product through the epimerization of a (S)-1-benzylisoquinoline alkaloid to a (R)-1-benyzlisoquinoline alkaloid via an engineered epimerase in an engineered host cell. A (S)-1-benzylisoquinoline alkaloid is contacted with said engineered epimerase. Contacting said (S)-1-benzylisoquinoline alkaloid with said engineered epimerase converts said (S)-1-benzylisoquinoline alkaloid to said (R)-1-benzylisoquinoline alkaloid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: Antheia, Inc.
    Inventors: Christina D. Smolke, Derek H. Wells
  • Patent number: 11371035
    Abstract: This present invention relates to cultured recombinant cells comprising heterologous phosphoketolase (PKL) polypeptides that are capable of increased production of acetyl coenzyme A-derived metabolites, as well as methods for producing and using the same. In some embodiments, the recombinant cells further comprise one or more mevalonate (MVA) pathway polypeptides for the production of isoprenoid precursors, isoprene and isoprenoids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: Danisco US Inc.
    Inventors: Zachary Q. Beck, Jeffrey W. Munos, Derek H. Wells, Jian Yao
  • Publication number: 20210139878
    Abstract: This present invention relates to cultured recombinant cells comprising heterologous phosphoketolase (PKL) polypeptides that are capable of increased production of acetyl coenzyme A-derived metabolites, as well as methods for producing and using the same. In some embodiments, the recombinant cells further comprise one or more mevalonate (MVA) pathway polypeptides for the production of isoprenoid precursors, isoprene and isoprenoids.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2020
    Publication date: May 13, 2021
    Inventors: Zachary Q. BECK, Jeffrey W. Munos, Derek H. Wells, Jian Yao
  • Patent number: 10988750
    Abstract: This present invention relates to cultured recombinant cells comprising a heterologous phosphoketolase (PKL) polypeptide that are capable of increased production of acetyl coenzyme A-derived metabolites, as well as methods for producing and using the same. In some embodiments, the recombinant cells further comprise one or more mevalonate (MVA) pathway polypeptides for the production of isoprenoid precursors, isoprene and isoprenoids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: Danisco US Inc.
    Inventors: Zachary Q. Beck, Jeffrey W. Munos, Derek H. Wells, Jian Yao
  • Patent number: 10975394
    Abstract: The invention features compositions and methods for the increased production of mevalonate, isoprene, isoprenoid precursor molecules, and/or isoprenoids in microorganisms by engineering a microorganism for increased carbon flux towards mevalonate production in the following enzymatic pathways: (a) citrate synthase, (b) phosphotransacetylase, (c) acetate kinase, (d) lactate dehydrogenase, (e) malic enzyme, and (f) pyruvate dehydrogenase such that one of more of the enzyme activity is modulated. In addition, production of mevalonate, isoprene, isoprenoid precursor molecules, and/or isoprenoids can be further enhanced by the heterologous expression of the mvaE and mvaS genes (such as, but not limited to, mvaE and mvaS genes from the organisms Listeria grayi DSM 20601, Enterococcus faecium, Enterococcus gallinarum EG2, and Enterococcus casseliflavus).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Inventors: Zachary Q. Beck, Michael C. Miller, Caroline M. Peres, Yuliya A. Primak, Jeff P. Pucci, Derek H. Wells
  • Publication number: 20200340017
    Abstract: The invention features compositions and methods for the increased production of mevalonate, isoprene, isoprenoid precursor molecules, isoprenoids, and/or acetyl-CoA-derived products in recombinant microorganisms by engineering the microorganisms to comprise one or more acetylating proteins such that the expression and/or activity of the one or more acetylating proteins is modulated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2020
    Publication date: October 29, 2020
    Inventors: Marguerite A. Cervin, Michael C. Miller, Derek H. Wells, Alan J. Wolfe, Madhukar S. Dasika
  • Publication number: 20200157551
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems and methods for increasing production of an alkaloid product through the epimerization of a (S)-1-benzylisoquinoline alkaloid to a (R)-1-benyzlisoquinoline alkaloid via an engineered epimerase in an engineered host cell. A (S)-1-benzylisoquinoline alkaloid is contacted with said engineered epimerase. Contacting said (S)-1-benzylisoquinoline alkaloid with said engineered epimerase converts said (S)-1-benzylisoquinoline alkaloid to said (R)-1-benzylisoquinoline alkaloid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2019
    Publication date: May 21, 2020
    Inventors: Christina D. Smolke, Derek H. Wells
  • Patent number: 10648004
    Abstract: The invention features compositions and methods for the increased production of mevalonate, isoprene, isoprenoid precursor molecules, isoprenoids, and/or acetyl-CoA-derived products in recombinant microorganisms by engineering the microorganisms to comprise one or more acetylating proteins such that the expression and/or activity of the one or more acetylating proteins is modulated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignees: Danisco US Inc., The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
    Inventors: Marguerite A. Cervin, Michael C. Miller, Derek H. Wells, Alan J. Wolfe, Madhukar S. Dasika
  • Patent number: 10544420
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems and methods for increasing production of an alkaloid product through the epimerization of a (S)-1-benzylisoquinoline alkaloid to a (R)-1-benyzlisoquinoline alkaloid via an engineered epimerase in an engineered host cell. A (S)-1-benzylisoquinoline alkaloid is contacted with said engineered epimerase. Contacting said (S)-1-benzylisoquinoline alkaloid with said engineered epimerase converts said (S)-1-benzylisoquinoline alkaloid to said (R)-1-benzylisoquinoline alkaloid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2020
    Assignee: Antheia, Inc.
    Inventors: Christina D. Smolke, Derek H. Wells
  • Publication number: 20190367896
    Abstract: This present invention relates to cultured recombinant cells comprising a heterologous phosphoketolase (PKL) polypeptide that are capable of increased production of acetyl coenzyme A-derived metabolites, as well as methods for producing and using the same. In some embodiments, the recombinant cells further comprise one or more mevalonate (MVA) pathway polypeptides for the production of isoprenoid precursors, isoprene and isoprenoids.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2019
    Publication date: December 5, 2019
    Inventors: Zachary Q. BECK, Jeffrey W. Munos, Derek H. Wells, Jian Yao
  • Patent number: 10364436
    Abstract: The invention provides compositions and methods for clostridial bacteria that have been engineered to produce and/or to improve efficiency of production of industrial bioproducts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2019
    Assignee: Danisco US Inc.
    Inventors: Miles C. Scotcher, Derek H. Wells
  • Patent number: 10364443
    Abstract: The invention features compositions and methods for the increased production of mevalonate, isoprene, isoprenoid precursor molecules, and/or isoprenoids in microorganisms via the heterologous expression of the mvaE and mvaS genes from the organisms Listeria grayi DSM 20601, Enterococcus faecium, Enterococcus gallinarum EG2, and Enterococcus casseliflavus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2019
    Assignees: Danisco US Inc., The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
    Inventors: Zachary Q. Beck, Michael C. Miller, Caroline M. Peres, Yuliya A. Primak, Jeff P. Pucci, Derek H. Wells
  • Publication number: 20190153479
    Abstract: The invention features compositions and methods for the increased production of mevalonate, isoprene, isoprenoid precursor molecules, and/or isoprenoids in microorganisms by engineering a microorganism for increased carbon flux towards mevalonate production in the following enzymatic pathways: (a) citrate synthase, (b) phosphotransacetylase, (c) acetate kinase, (d) lactate dehydrogenase, (e) malic enzyme, and (f) pyruvate dehydrogenase such that one of more of the enzyme activity is modulated. In addition, production of mevalonate, isoprene, isoprenoid precursor molecules, and/or isoprenoids can be further enhanced by the heterologous expression of the mvaE and mvaS genes (such as, but not limited to, mvaE and mvaS genes from the organisms Listeria grayi DSM 20601, Enterococcus faecium, Enterococcus gallinarum EG2, and Enterococcus casseliflavus).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2018
    Publication date: May 23, 2019
    Inventors: Zachary Q. BECK, Michael C. MILLER, Caroline M. PERES, Yuliya A. PRIMAK, Jeff P. PUCCI, Derek H. WELLS
  • Patent number: 10246694
    Abstract: This present invention relates to cultured recombinant cells comprising a heterologous phosphoketolase (PKL) polypeptide that are capable of increased production of acetyl coenzyme A-derived metabolites, as well as methods for producing and using the same. In some embodiments, the recombinant cells further comprise one or more mevalonate (MVA) pathway polypeptides for the production of isoprenoid precursors, isoprene and isoprenoids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignees: DANISCO US INC., THE GOODYEAR TIRE & RUBBER COMPANY
    Inventors: Zachary Q. Beck, Jeffrey W. Munos, Derek H. Wells, Jian Yao
  • Publication number: 20190078100
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems and methods for increasing production of an alkaloid product through the epimerization of a (S)-1-benzylisoquinoline alkaloid to a (R)-1-benyzlisoquinoline alkaloid via an engineered epimerase in an engineered host cell. A (S)-1-benzylisoquinoline alkaloid is contacted with said engineered epimerase. Contacting said (S)-1-benzylisoquinoline alkaloid with said engineered epimerase converts said (S)-1-benzylisoquinoline alkaloid to said (R)-1-benzylisoquinoline alkaloid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2018
    Publication date: March 14, 2019
    Inventors: Christina D. Smolke, Derek H. Wells
  • Patent number: 10138498
    Abstract: The invention features compositions and methods for the increased production of mevalonate, isoprene, isoprenoid precursor molecules, and/or isoprenoids in microorganisms by engineering a microorganism for increased carbon flux towards mevalonate production in the following enzymatic pathways: (a) citrate synthase, (b) phosphotransacetylase, (c) acetate kinase, (d) lactate dehydrogenase, (e) malic enzyme, and (f) pyruvate dehydrogenase such that one of more of the enzyme activity is modulated. In addition, production of mevalonate, isoprene, isoprenoid precursor molecules, and/or isoprenoids can be further enhanced by the heterologous expression of the mvaE and mvaS genes (such as, but not limited to, mvaE and mvaS genes from the organisms Listeria grayi DSM 20601, Enterococcus faecium, Enterococcus gallinarum EG2, and Enterococcus casseliflavus).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignees: Danisco US Inc., The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
    Inventors: Zachary Q. Beck, Michael C. Miller, Caroline M. Peres, Yuliya A. Primak, Jeff P. Pucci, Derek H. Wells
  • Publication number: 20180187201
    Abstract: The invention provides compositions and methods for clostridial bacteria that have been engineered to produce and/or to improve efficiency of production of industrial bioproducts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2017
    Publication date: July 5, 2018
    Inventors: Miles C. Scotcher, Derek H. Wells
  • Patent number: 9926568
    Abstract: The invention provides compositions and methods for clostridial bacteria that have been engineered to produce and/or to improve efficiency of production of industrial bioproducts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: Danisco US Inc.
    Inventors: Miles C. Scotcher, Derek H. Wells
  • Publication number: 20180002727
    Abstract: The invention features compositions and methods for the increased production of mevalonate, isoprene, isoprenoid precursor molecules, and/or isoprenoids in microorganisms via the heterologous expression of the mvaE and mvaS genes from the organisms Listeria grayi DSM 20601, Enterococcus faecium, Enterococcus gallinarum EG2, and Enterococcus casseliflavus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2017
    Publication date: January 4, 2018
    Inventors: Zachary Q. BECK, Michael C. MILLER, Caroline M. PERES, Yuliya A. PRIMAK, Jeff P. PUCCI, Derek H. WELLS