Patents by Inventor Donald J. Merlo

Donald J. Merlo 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).

  • Publication number: 20110203017
    Abstract: The subject invention provides novel plants that are not only resistant to 2,4-D, but also to pyridyloxyacetate herbicides. Heretofore, there was no expectation or suggestion that a plant with both of these advantageous properties could be produced by the introduction of a single gene. The subject invention also includes plants that produce one or more enzymes of the subject invention “stacked” together with one or more other herbicide resistance genes. The subject invention enables novel combinations of herbicides to be used in new ways. Furthermore, the subject invention provides novel methods of preventing the development of, and controlling, strains of weeds that are resistant to one or more herbicides such as glyphosate. The preferred enzyme and gene for use according to the subject invention are referred to herein as AAD-12 (AryloxyAlkanoate Dioxygenase). This highly novel discovery is the basis of significant herbicide tolerant crop trait and selectable marker opportunities.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2006
    Publication date: August 18, 2011
    Applicant: DOW AGROSCIENCES, LLC
    Inventors: Terry R. Wright, Justin M. Lira, Terence Anthony Walsh, Donald J. Merlo, Jayakumar P. Samuel, Gaofeng Lin
  • Patent number: 7982006
    Abstract: This invention pertains in part to the development of a vaccine for poultry against necrotic enteritis (NE). The vaccine utilizes a protective antigen that is a mutated, full-length, non-toxic Clostridium perfringens (Cp) ?-toxin protein (Mcpa). Utility of this vaccine was demonstrated by reduction of lesion severity in NE challenge trails, for example. Also disclosed herein are novel approaches for producing this vaccine in significant quantities. One exemplified approach involves producing NE vaccine (mutated alpha toxin) in bacterial expression systems, preferably utilizing the Pseudomonas fluorescens system, for commercial use in controlling NE in the poultry industry. The subject vaccines can be administered preferably to chickens in several different ways. A novel, Type VI alpha toxin from chicken isolates of Cp is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: Dow AgroSciences LLC
    Inventors: William M. Ainley, Janna Armstrong, Krishna Madduri, Donald J. Merlo, Kelley A. Smith, Mark A. Thompson, Steven R. Webb, Liu Y. Shen
  • Publication number: 20110124503
    Abstract: The subject invention provides novel plants that are not only resistant to 2,4-D and other phenoxy auxin herbicides, but also to aryloxyphenoxypropionate herbicides. Heretofore, there was no expectation or suggestion that a plant with both of these advantageous properties could be produced by the introduction of a single gene. The subject invention also includes plants that produce one or more enzymes of the subject invention alone or “stacked” together with another herbicide resistance gene, preferably a glyphosate resistance gene, so as to provide broader and more robust weed control, increased treatment flexibility, and improved herbicide resistance management options. More specifically, preferred enzymes and genes for use according to the subject invention are referred to herein as AAD (aryloxyalkanoate dioxygenase) genes and proteins. No ?-ketoglutarate-dependent dioxygenase enzyme has previously been reported to have the ability to degrade herbicides of different chemical classes and modes of action.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2010
    Publication date: May 26, 2011
    Applicant: Dow AgroSciences LLC
    Inventors: Terry R. Wright, Justin M. Lira, Donald J. Merlo, Nicole L. Arnold
  • Publication number: 20110107455
    Abstract: The subject invention relates to a novel gene referred to herein as DSM-2. This gene was identified in Sterptomyces coelicolor A3. The DSM-2 protein is distantly related to PAT and BAR. The subject invention also provides plant-optimized genes encoding DSM-2 proteins, DSM-2 can be used as a transgenic trait to impart tolerance in plants and plant cells to the herbicides glufosinate and bialaphos. One preferred use of the subject genes are as selectable markers. The use of this gene as a selectable marker in a bacterial system can increase efficiency for plant transformations. Use of DSM-2 as the sole selection marker eliminates the need for an additional medicinal antibiotic marker (such as ampicillin resistance) during cloning. Various other uses are also possible according to the subject invention.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2007
    Publication date: May 5, 2011
    Applicant: Dow AgroSciences LLC
    Inventors: Justin M. Lira, Terry R. Wright, Sean M. Russell, Donald J. Merlo, Steven Robert Webb, Nicole L. Arnold, Andrew E. Robinson, Kelley A. Smith
  • Patent number: 7902334
    Abstract: The subject invention provides unique biological alternatives for pest control. More specifically, the present invention relates to novel pesticidal proteins, novel sources of pesticidal proteins, polynucleotides that encode such toxins, and to methods of using these toxins to control insects and other plant pests. The subject invention relates to the surprising discovery that Paenibacillus species, and proteins therefrom, have toxicity to lepidopterans. There have been no known reports of a Paenibacillus species, strain, or protein having toxicity to lepidopterans. This is also the first known example of a Paenibacillus Cry protein that is toxic to lepidopterans. Furthermore, this is the first known report of a Paenibacillus having toxin complex (TC)-like proteins. The DAS1529 isolate disclosed here is also the first known example of a natural bacterium that produces both a Cry toxin and TC proteins. The subject invention also relates to new classes of Cry and TC proteins that are pesticidally active.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignee: Dow AgroSciences LLC
    Inventors: Scott B. Bintrim, Scott A. Bevan, Baolong Zhu, Donald J. Merlo
  • Patent number: 7888069
    Abstract: The subject application provides various compositions of matter directed to West Nile virus (WNV) polypeptides and fragments thereof and polynucleotides, vectors and transformed host cells that encode, direct the expression of, or produce WNV polypeptides as set forth herein. Methods of using the polypeptides and polynucleotides for the production of immune responses in individuals or detecting the presence of WNV specific or neutralizing antibodies are also provided herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignees: Dow Agrosciences LLC, The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of Argriculture
    Inventors: Kelley A. Smith, Steven R. Webb, Steven L. Evans, Charles A. Mihaliak, Donald J. Merlo, Geoffrey J. Letchworth
  • Publication number: 20100261884
    Abstract: This invention pertains in part to the development of a vaccine for poultry against necrotic enteritis (NE). The vaccine utilizes a protective antigen that is a mutated, full-length, non-toxic Clostridium perfringens (Cp) ?-toxin protein (Mcpa). Utility of this vaccine was demonstrated by reduction of lesion severity in NE challenge trails, for example. Also disclosed herein are novel approaches for producing this vaccine in significant quantities. One exemplified approach involves producing NE vaccine (mutated alpha toxin) in bacterial expression systems, preferably utilizing the Pseudomonas fluorescens system, for commercial use in controlling NE in the poultry industry. The subject vaccines can be administered preferably to chickens in several different ways. A novel, Type VI alpha toxin from chicken isolates of Cp is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2010
    Publication date: October 14, 2010
    Applicant: Dow AgroSciences LLC
    Inventors: William M. Ainley, Janna Armstrong, Krishna Madduri, Donald J. Merlo, Kelley A. Smith, Mark A. Thompson, Steven R. Webb, Liu Y. Shen
  • Publication number: 20100251432
    Abstract: The subject invention provides novel plants that are not only resistant to 2,4-D, but also to a pyridyloxyacetate herbicide. The subject invention also includes plants that produce one or more enzymes of the subject invention “stacked” together with one or more other herbicide resistance genes. The subject invention enables novel combinations of herbicides to be used in new ways. Furthermore, the subject invention provides novel methods of preventing the development of, and controlling, strains of weeds that are resistant to one or more herbicides such as glyphosate. The preferred enzyme and gene for use according to the subject invention are referred to herein as AAD-13 (AryloxyAlkanoate Dioxygenase). This highly novel discovery is the basis of significant herbicide tolerant crop trait and selectable marker opportunities.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2008
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Applicant: Dow AgroSciences LLC
    Inventors: Justin M. Lira, Erika Megan Snodderley, Andrew E. Robinson, Terry R. Wright, Donald J. Merlo
  • Patent number: 7745175
    Abstract: This invention pertains in part to the development of a vaccine for poultry against necrotic enteritis (NE). The vaccine utilizes a protective antigen that is a mutated, full-length, non-toxic Clostridium perfringens (Cp) ?-toxin protein (Mcpa). Utility of this vaccine was demonstrated by reduction of lesion severity in NE challenge trails, for example. Also disclosed herein are novel approaches for producing this vaccine in significant quantities. One exemplified approach involves producing NE vaccine (mutated alpha toxin) in bacterial expression systems, preferably utilizing the Pseudomonas fluorescens system, for commercial use in controlling NE in the poultry industry. The subject vaccines can be administered preferably to chickens in several different ways. A novel, Type VI alpha toxin from chicken isolates of Cp is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: Dow AgroSciences LLC
    Inventors: William M. Ainley, Janna Armstrong, Krishna Madduri, Donald J. Merlo, Kelley A. Smith, Mark A. Thompson, Steven R. Webb, Liu Y. Shen
  • Publication number: 20090221501
    Abstract: The subject invention relates to the surprising discovery that toxin complex (TC) proteins, obtainable from Xenorhabdus, Photorhabdus, and Paenibacillus, can be used interchangeably with each other. In particularly preferred embodiments of the subject invention, the toxicity of a “stand-alone” TC protein (from Photorhabdus, Xenorhabdus, or Paenibacillus, for example) is enhanced by one or more TC protein “potentiators” derived from a source organism of a different genus from which the toxin was derived. As one skilled in the art will recognize with the benefit of this disclosure, this has broad implications and expands the range of utility that individual types of TC proteins will now be recognized to have. Among the most important advantages is that one skilled in the art will now be able to use a single set of potentiators to enhance the activity of a stand-alone Xenorhabdus protein toxin as well as a stand-alone Photorhabdus protein toxin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2009
    Publication date: September 3, 2009
    Applicant: Dow AgroSciences LLC
    Inventors: Timothy D. Hey, Amanda D. Schleper, Scott A. Bevan, Scott B. Bintrim, Jon C. Mitchell, Ze Sheng Li, Weiting Ni, Baolong Zhu, Donald J. Merlo, Patricia C. Apel-Birkhold, Thomas Meade
  • Patent number: 7569748
    Abstract: Proteins from the genus Photorhabdus are toxic to insects upon exposure. Photorhabdus luminescens (formerly Xenorhabdus luminescens) have been found in mammalian clinical samples and as a bacterial symbiont of entomopathogenic nematodes of genus Heterohabditis. These protein toxins can be applied to, or genetically engineered into, insect larvae food and plants for insect control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2009
    Assignee: Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation
    Inventors: Jerald C. Ensign, David J. Bowen, James Petell, Raymond Fatig, Sue Schoonover, Richard H. Ffrench-Constant, Thomas A. Rocheleau, Michael B. Blackburn, Timothy D. Hey, Donald J. Merlo, Gregory L Orr, Jean L. Roberts, James A. Strickland, Lining Guo, Todd A. Ciche, Kitisri Sukhapinda
  • Publication number: 20090093366
    Abstract: The subject invention provides novel plants that are not only resistant to 2,4-D and other phenoxy auxin herbicides, but also to aryloxyphenoxypropionate herbicides. Heretofore, there was no expectation or suggestion that a plant with both of these advantageous properties could be produced by the introduction of a single gene. The subject invention also includes plants that produce one or more enzymes of the subject invention alone or “stacked” together with another herbicide resistance gene, preferably a glyphosate resistance gene, so as to provide broader and more robust weed control, increased treatment flexibility, and improved herbicide resistance management options. More specifically, preferred enzymes and genes for use according to the subject invention are referred to herein as AAD (aryloxyalkanoate dioxygenase) genes and proteins. No ?-ketoglutarate-dependent dioxygenase enzyme has previously been reported to have the ability to degrade herbicides of different chemical classes and modes of action.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2005
    Publication date: April 9, 2009
    Applicant: Dow AgroSciences LLC
    Inventors: Terry R. Wright, Justin M. Lira, Donald J. Merlo, Nicole L. Arnold
  • Publication number: 20090069229
    Abstract: The subject application provides various compositions of matter directed to West Nile virus (WNV) polypeptides and fragments thereof and polynucleotides, vectors and transformed host cells that encode, direct the expression of, or produce WNV polypeptides as set forth herein. Methods of using the polypeptides and polynucleotides for the production of immune responses in individuals or detecting the presence of WNV specific or neutralizing antibodies are also provided herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Publication date: March 12, 2009
    Inventors: Kelley A. Smith, Steven R. Webb, Steven L. Evans, Charles A. Mihaliak, Donald J. Merlo, Geoffrey Letchworth
  • Patent number: 7491698
    Abstract: The subject invention relates to the surprising discovery that toxin complex (TC) proteins, obtainable from Xenorhabdus, Photorhabdus, and Paenibacillus, can be used interchangeably with each other. In particularly preferred embodiments of the subject invention, the toxicity of a “stand-alone” TC protein (from Photorhabdus, Xenorhabdus, or Paenibacillus, for example) is enhanced by one or more TC protein “potentiators” derived from a source organism of a different genus from which the toxin was derived. As one skilled in the art will recognize with the benefit of this disclosure, this has broad implications and expands the range of utility that individual types of TC proteins will now be recognized to have. Among the most important advantages is that one skilled in the art will now be able to use a single set of potentiators to enhance the activity of a stand-alone Xenorhabdus protein toxin as well as a stand-alone Photorhabdus protein toxin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2009
    Assignee: Dow AgroSciences LLC
    Inventors: Timothy D. Hey, Amanda D. Schleper, Scott A. Bevan, Scott B. Bintrim, Jon C. Mitchell, Ze Sheng Li, Weiting Ni, Baolong Zhu, Donald J. Merlo, Patricia C. Apel-Birkhold, Thomas Meade
  • Patent number: 7129212
    Abstract: Disclosed and claimed are novel Bacillus thuringiensis isolates, pesticidal toxins, and genes. The subject invention also provides novel methods of controlling diamond back moths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2006
    Assignee: Mycogen Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth E. Narva, Donald J. Merlo
  • Patent number: 7015001
    Abstract: Spinosyn biosynthetic genes from Saccharopolyspora spinosa, spinosyn producing microorganisms transformed with the biosynthetic genes, methods using the biosynthetic genes to increase production of spinosyn insecticidal macrolides, and methods using the genes or fragments thereof to change the products produced by spinosyn-producing microorganisms are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2006
    Assignee: Dow AgroSciences LLC
    Inventors: Richard H. Baltz, M. Christine Broughton, Kathryn P. Crawford, Krishnamurthy Madduri, Donald J. Merlo, Patti J. Treadway, Jan R. Turner, Clive Waldron
  • Publication number: 20040208907
    Abstract: The subject invention relates to the surprising discovery that toxin complex (TC) proteins, obtainable from Xenorhabdus, Photorhabdus, and Paenibacillus, can be used interchangeably with each other. In particularly preferred embodiments of the subject invention, the toxicity of a “stand-alone” TC protein (from Photorhabdus, Xenorhabdus, or Paenibacillus, for example) is enhanced by one or more TC protein “potentiators” derived from a source organism of a different genus from which the toxin was derived. As one skilled in the art will recognize with the benefit of this disclosure, this has broad implications and expands the range of utility that individual types of TC proteins will now be recognized to have. Among the most important advantages is that one skilled in the art will now be able to use a single set of potentiators to enhance the activity of a stand-alone Xenorhabdus protein toxin as well as a stand-alone Photorhabdus protein toxin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2004
    Publication date: October 21, 2004
    Applicant: Dow AgroSciences, LLC
    Inventors: Timothy D. Hey, Amanda D. Schleper, Scott A. Bevan, Scott B. Bintrim, Jon C. Mitchell, Ze Sheng Li, Weiting Ni, Baolong Zhu, Donald J. Merlo, Patricia C. Apel-Birkhold, Thomas Meade
  • Publication number: 20040128716
    Abstract: Disclosed and claimed are novel Bacillus thuringiensis isolates, pesticidal toxins, and genes. The subject invention also provides novel methods of controlling diamond back moths.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2003
    Publication date: July 1, 2004
    Applicant: Mycogen Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth E. Narva, Donald J. Merlo
  • Publication number: 20040110184
    Abstract: The subject invention provides unique biological alternatives for pest control. More specifically, the present invention relates to novel pesticidal proteins, novel sources of pesticidal proteins, polynucleotides that encode such toxins, and to methods of using these toxins to control insects and other plant pests. The subject invention relates to the surprising discovery that Paenibacillus species, and proteins therefrom, have toxicity to lepidopterans. There have been no known reports of a Paenibacillus species, strain, or protein having toxicity to lepidopterans. This is also the first known example of a Paenibacillus Cry protein that is toxic to lepidopterans. Furthermore, this is the first known report of Paenibacillus having toxin complex (TC)-like proteins. The DAS1529 isolate disclosed here is also the first known example of a natural bacterium that produces both a Cry toxin and TC proteins. The subject invention also relates to new classes of Cry and TC proteins that are pesticidally active.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2003
    Publication date: June 10, 2004
    Applicant: Dow AgroSciences LLC
    Inventors: Scott B. Bintrim, Scott A. Bevan, Baolong Zhu, Donald J. Merlo
  • Patent number: 6717035
    Abstract: Novel polynucleotide sequences that encode insect toxins TcdA and TcbA have base compositions that differ substantially from the native genes, making them more similar to plant genes. The new sequences are suitable for use for high expression in both monocots and dicots. Transgenic plants with a genome comprising the nucleic acid of SEQ ID NO:4 are insect resistant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2004
    Assignee: Dow AgroSciences LLC
    Inventors: James K. Petell, Donald J. Merlo, Rod A. Herman, Jean L. Roberts, Lining Guo, Barry W. Schafer, Kitisri Sukhapinda, Ann Owens Merlo