Patents by Inventor Donald Merlo

Donald 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: 20220290175
    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: May 23, 2022
    Publication date: September 15, 2022
    Inventors: Terry R. WRIGHT, Justin M. LIRA, Terence Anthony WALSH, Donald MERLO, Jayakumar Pon SAMUEL, Gaofeng LIN
  • Patent number: 11371055
    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: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: Corteva Agriscience LLC
    Inventors: Terry R. Wright, Justin M. Lira, Terence Anthony Walsh, Donald Merlo, Jayakumar Pon Samuel, Gaofeng Lin
  • Patent number: 11299745
    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: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: DOW AGROSCIENCES LLC
    Inventors: Terry Wright, Justin Lira, Donald Merlo, Nicole Arnold
  • Publication number: 20220098610
    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: August 16, 2021
    Publication date: March 31, 2022
    Inventors: Terry WRIGHT, Justin LIRA, Donald MERLO, Nicole ARNOLD
  • Patent number: 11149283
    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: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: Dow Agrosciences LLC
    Inventors: Terry Wright, Justin Lira, Donald Merlo, Nicole Arnold
  • Publication number: 20210254090
    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: February 15, 2021
    Publication date: August 19, 2021
    Inventors: Terry WRIGHT, Justin LIRA, Donald MERLO, Nicole ARNOLD
  • Publication number: 20210214745
    Abstract: The invention provides synthetic nucleic acid sequences encoding proteins of interest that are particularly adapted to express well in plants. The claimed synthetic sequences utilize plant-optimized codons roughly in the same frequency at which they are utilized, on average, in genes naturally occurring in the plant species. The invention further includes synthetic DNA sequence for herbicide tolerance, water and/or heat stress tolerance, healthy oil modifications and for transformation marker genes and selectable marker genes are used. DNA construct and transgenic plants containing the synthetic sequences are taught as are methods and compositions for using the plants in agriculture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2021
    Publication date: July 15, 2021
    Applicant: CORTEVA AGRISCIENCE LLC
    Inventors: IGNACIO MARIO LARRINUA, DONALD MERLO, AVUTU SAMBI REDDY, ARVIND KUMAR THIRUMALAISWAMYSEKHAR, AARON TODD WOOSLEY
  • Publication number: 20210147867
    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: January 7, 2021
    Publication date: May 20, 2021
    Inventors: Terry WRIGHT, Justin LIRA, Donald MERLO, Nicole ARNOLD
  • Patent number: 10947555
    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: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: Dow AgroSciences LLC
    Inventors: Terry Wright, Justin Lira, Donald Merlo, Nicole Arnold
  • Patent number: 10174337
    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: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Assignee: Dow AgroSciences LLC
    Inventors: Terry Wright, Justin Lira, Donald Merlo, Nicole Arnold
  • Patent number: 10167483
    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: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Assignee: Dow AgroSciences LLC
    Inventors: Terry R. Wright, Justin M. Lira, Terence Anthony Walsh, Donald Merlo, Jayakumar Pon Samuel, Gaofeng Lin
  • Patent number: 9765350
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides novel compositions and methods for the production and use of Agrobacterium tumefaciens strains (for example LBA4404) that are deficient in RecA activity relative to the parent strain. Combinations with other gene-deficient-strains of Agrobacterium tumefaciens are also disclosed. Specifically, two exemplary s recA minus strains, UIA777 where chloramphenicol resistant gene disrupting the recA gene and UIA770 where kanamycin resistant gene disrupting the recA gene are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: Dow AgroSciences LLC
    Inventors: Manju Gupta, Sara Bennett, Sandeep Kumar, Donald Merlo, Nagesh Sardesai
  • Publication number: 20170211087
    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: March 24, 2017
    Publication date: July 27, 2017
    Inventors: Terry R. WRIGHT, Justin M. LIRA, Terence Anthony WALSH, Donald MERLO, Jayakumar Pon SAMUEL, Gaofeng LIN
  • Patent number: 9624505
    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: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: Dow AgroSciences LLC
    Inventors: Justin M. Lira, Erika Snodderley, Andrew E. Robinson, Terry R. Wright, Donald Merlo
  • Publication number: 20170022515
    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: October 7, 2016
    Publication date: January 26, 2017
    Inventors: Terry WRIGHT, Justin LIRA, Donald MERLO, Nicole ARNOLD
  • Publication number: 20170009214
    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: September 19, 2014
    Publication date: January 12, 2017
    Inventors: Terry R. Wright, Justin M. Lira, Terence Anthony Walsh, Donald Merlo, Jayakumar Pon Samuel, Gaofeng Lin
  • Publication number: 20160304900
    Abstract: The invention provides synthetic nucleic acid sequences encoding proteins of interest that are particularly adapted to express well in plants. The claimed synthetic sequences utilize plant-optimized codons roughly in the same frequency at which they are utilized, on average, in genes naturally occurring in the plant species. The invention further includes synthetic DNA sequence for herbicide tolerance, water and/or heat stress tolerance, healthy oil modifications and for transformation marker genes and selectable marker genes are used. DNA construct and transgenic plants containing the synthetic sequences are taught as are methods and compositions for using the plants in agriculture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2016
    Publication date: October 20, 2016
    Inventors: Ignacio M. Larrinua, Donald Merlo, Avutu Sambi Reddy, Arvind Kumar ThirumalaiswamySekhar, Aaron T. Woosley
  • Publication number: 20160068851
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides novel compositions and methods for the production and use of Agrobacterium tumefaciens strains (for example LBA4404) that are deficient in RecA activity relative to the parent strain. Combinations with other gene-deficient-strains of Agrobacterium tumefaciens are also disclosed. Specifically, two exemplary s recA minus strains, UIA777 where chloramphenicol resistant gene disrupting the recA gene and UIA770 where kanamycin resistant gene disrupting the recA gene are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2015
    Publication date: March 10, 2016
    Inventors: Manju GUPTA, Sara BENNETT, Sandeep KUMAR, Donald MERLO, Nagesh SARDESAI
  • Publication number: 20160002662
    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 29, 2015
    Publication date: January 7, 2016
    Inventors: Justin M. Lira, Erika Snodderley, Andrew E. Robinson, Terry R. Wright, Donald Merlo
  • Publication number: 20150344903
    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: August 7, 2015
    Publication date: December 3, 2015
    Applicant: DOW AGROSCIENCES LLC
    Inventors: Terry Wright, Justin Lira, Donald Merlo, Nicole Arnold