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).

  • Biosynthetic genes for spinosyn insecticide production
    Publication number: 20040023343
    Abstract: Spinosyn biosynthetic genes, 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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2002
    Publication date: February 5, 2004
    Inventors: Richard H. Baltz, M. Christine Broughton, Kathryn P. Crawford, Krishnamurthy Madduri, Donald J. Merlo, Patti J. Treadway, Jan R. Turner, Clive Waldron
  • Insecticidal protein toxins from Photorhabdus
    Publication number: 20030207806
    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 Heterorhabditis. These protein toxins can be applied to, or genetically engineered into, insect larvae food and plants for insect control.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2002
    Publication date: November 6, 2003
    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
  • Transgenic plants expressing photorhabdus toxin
    Publication number: 20030182685
    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 a nucleic acid of SEQ ID NO: 3 or SEQ ID NO:4 are insect resistant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2003
    Publication date: September 25, 2003
    Inventors: James K. Petell, Donald J. Merlo, Rod A. Herman, Jean L. Roberts, Lining Guo, Barry W. Schafer, Kitisri Sukhapinda, Ann Owens Merlo
  • Transgenic plants expressing photorhabdus toxin
    Patent number: 6590142
    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 a nucleic acid of SEQ ID NO: 3 or SEQ ID NO:4 are insect resistant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2003
    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
  • Insecticidal protein toxins from Photorhabdus
    Patent number: 6528484
    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 Heterorhabditis. These protein toxins can be applied to, or genetically engineered into, insect larvae food and plants for insect control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2003
    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
  • SpnG, a gene for spinosyn insecticide biosynthesis
    Patent number: 6521406
    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: June 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2003
    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
  • Compositions and method for modulation of gene expression in plants
    Publication number: 20030014775
    Abstract: An enzymatic nucleic acid molecule with RNA cleaving activity, wherein said nucleic acid molecule modulates the expression of an gene in a plant. A transgenic plant comprising nucleic acids encoding for an enzymatic nucleic acid molecule with RNA cleaving activity, wherein said nucleic acid molecule modulates the expression of a gene in said plant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2001
    Publication date: January 16, 2003
    Applicant: Ribozyme Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael G. Zwick, Brent V. Edington, James A. McSwiggen, Patricia Ann Owens Merlo, Lining Guo, Thomas A. Skokut, Scott A. Young, Otto Folkerts, Donald J. Merlo
  • Modification of fatty acid composition in plants by expression of a fungal acyl-CoA desaturase
    Patent number: 6495738
    Abstract: Genes-encoding a delta-9 CoA desaturase from Aspergillus nidulans have been isolated. The proteins encoded by genes, when expressed in a plant, can alter the saturate levels of the oil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2002
    Assignee: Dow AgroSciences LLC
    Inventors: Otto Folkerts, Donald J. Merlo
  • Nucleic acid encoding delta-9 desaturase
    Patent number: 6350934
    Abstract: The present invention relates to nucleic acid molecules encoding delta 9 desaturase gene, and expression vectors, plant cells, and transgenic plants expressing delta 9 desaturase nucleic acid. The nucleic acid molecules of the present invention can be used, for example, to decrease delta 9 desaturase activity in plant cells, resulting in decreased unsaturated fatty acid production.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2002
    Assignees: Ribozyme Pharmaceuticals, Inc., DowElanco
    Inventors: Michael G. Zwick, Brent E. Edington, James A. McSwiggen, Patricia Ann Owens Merlo, Lining Guo, Thomas A. Skokut, Scott A. Young, Otto Folkerts, Donald J. Merlo
  • Biosynthetic genes for spinosyn insecticide production
    Patent number: 6274350
    Abstract: Spinosyn biosynthetic genes, 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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2001
    Assignee: Dow AgroSciences LLC
    Inventors: Richard H. Baltz, Kathryn P. Crawford, M. Christine Broughton, Krishnamurthy Madduri, Donald J. Merlo, Jan R. Turner, Patti J. Treadway, Clive Waldron
  • Modified Bacillus thuringiensis gene for lepidopteran control in plants
    Patent number: 6166302
    Abstract: Synthetic DNA sequences which are optimized for expression in plants, particularly maize, and which encode a Bacillus thuringiensis protein that is toxic to specific insects are provided, along with methods for the engineering of any synthetic insecticidal gene in maize.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2000
    Assignee: Dow AgroSciences LLC
    Inventors: Donald J. Merlo, Otto Folkerts
  • Biosynthetic genes for spinosyn insecticide production
    Patent number: 6143526
    Abstract: Spinosyn biosynthetic genes, 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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2000
    Inventors: Richard H. Baltz, M. Christine Broughton, Kathryn P. Crawford, Krishnamurthy Madduri, Donald J. Merlo, Patti J. Treadway, Jan R. Turner, Clive Waldron
  • Insecticidal proteins and method for plant protection
    Patent number: 5743477
    Abstract: The present invention provides a composition and method of using plant non-specific lipid acyl hydrolases to protect plants otherwise susceptible to insect infestation by one or more of corn rootworms, potato beetles, armyworms, borers, cutworms, wireworms, earworms and aphids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1998
    Assignee: DowElanco
    Inventors: Terence A. Walsh, Robert A. Houtchens, James A. Strickland, Gregory L. Orr, Donald J. Merlo
  • Virus resistant plants having coat protein
    Patent number: 5736627
    Abstract: The making of plant cells which contain coat protein of a target plant virus is disclosed. Construction of coat protein genes and transformation of coat protein genes into plant cells is also taught. Such cells are relatively resistant to infection by the target virus when compared with cells not containing coat protein. Furthermore, methods and DNA molecules useful for producing plant cells containing coat protein are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1998
    Assignee: Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc.
    Inventors: L. Sue Loesch-Fries, Nancy P. Jarvis, Donald J. Merlo
  • Synthetic insecticidal crystal protein gene
    Patent number: 5567862
    Abstract: Synthetic Bacillus thuringiensis toxin genes designed to be expressed in plants at a level higher than naturally-occurring Bt genes are provided. These genes utilize codons preferred in highly expressed monocot or dicot proteins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 22, 1996
    Assignee: Mycogen Plant Sciences, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. Adang, Thomas A. Rocheleau, Donald J. Merlo, Elizabeth E. Murray
  • Synthetic insecticidal crystal protein gene
    Patent number: 5567600
    Abstract: Synthetic Baccilus thuringiensis toxin genes designed to be expressed in plants at a level higher than naturally-occurring Bt genes are provided. These genes utilize codons preferred in highly expressed monocot or dicot proteins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 22, 1996
    Assignee: Mycogen Plant Sciences, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. Adang, Thomas A. Rocheleau, Donald J. Merlo, Elizabeth E. Murray
  • Synthetic insecticidal crystal protein gene
    Patent number: 5380831
    Abstract: Synthetic Bacillus thuringiensis toxin genes designed to be expressed in plants at a level higher than naturally-occurring Bt genes are provided. These genes utilize codons preferred in highly expressed monocot or dicot proteins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 10, 1995
    Assignee: Mycogen Plant Science, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. Adang, Thomas A. Rocheleau, Donald J. Merlo, Elizabeth E. Murray
  • Virus resistant plants having antisense RNA
    Patent number: 5316930
    Abstract: The making of plant cells which contain antisense RNA (aRNA) complementary to the mRNA of an alfalfa mosaic virus is disclosed. Construction of such aRNA genes and transformation thereof into plant cells is also taught. Such cells are relatively resistant to infection by the target virus when compared with cells not containing the aRNA. Methods and DNA molecules useful for producing plant cells containing said aRNA are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 31, 1994
    Assignee: Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc.
    Inventors: L. Sue Loesch-Fries, Nancy J. Eagan, Donald J. Merlo, Carol Alexandrescu