Patents by Inventor Eric J. Schepers

Eric J. Schepers 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: 10435706
    Abstract: Compositions and methods for controlling pests are provided. The methods involve transforming organisms with a nucleic acid sequence encoding an insecticidal protein. In particular, the nucleic acid sequences are useful for preparing plants and microorganisms that possess insecticidal activity. Thus, transformed bacteria, plants, plant cells, plant tissues and seeds are provided. Compositions are insecticidal nucleic acids and proteins of bacterial species. The sequences find use in the construction of expression vectors for subsequent transformation into organisms of interest including plants, as probes for the isolation of other homologous (or partially homologous) genes. The pesticidal proteins find use in controlling, inhibiting growth or killing Lepidopteran, Coleopteran, Dipteran, fungal, Hemipteran and nematode pest populations and for producing compositions with insecticidal activity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignees: PIONEER HI-BRED INTERNATIONAL, INC., E I DU PONT DE NEMOURS AND COMPANY
    Inventors: Jennifer Kara Barry, Deborah W. Clark, James J English, Azalea Ong, Eric J Schepers, Julie Qi, Janet A. Rice
  • Patent number: 10294490
    Abstract: Compositions and methods for controlling pests are provided. The methods involve transforming organisms with a nucleic acid sequence encoding an insecticidal protein. In particular, the nucleic acid sequences are useful for preparing plants and microorganisms that possess insecticidal activity. Thus, transformed bacteria, plants, plant cells, plant tissues and seeds are provided. Compositions are insecticidal nucleic acids and proteins of bacterial species. The sequences find use in the construction of expression vectors for subsequent transformation into organisms of interest including plants, as probes for the isolation of other homologous (or partially homologous) genes. The pesticidal proteins find use in controlling, inhibiting growth or killing Lepidopteran, Coleopteran, Dipteran, fungal, Hemipteran and nematode pest populations and for producing compositions with insecticidal activity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignees: PIONEER HI-BRED INTERNATIONAL, INC., E I DU PONT NEMOURS AND COMPANY
    Inventors: Daniel J Altier, Jennifer K Barry, Carol A Hendrick, Lu Liu, Phillip A Patten, Claudia D Perez-Ortega, Eric J Schepers, Weiping Xie, Nasser Yalpani, Jianzhou Zhao, Xiaohong Zhong, Genhai Zhu
  • Publication number: 20170233440
    Abstract: Compositions and methods for controlling pests are provided. The methods involve transforming organisms with a nucleic acid sequence encoding an insecticidal protein. In particular, the nucleic acid sequences are useful for preparing plants and microorganisms that possess insecticidal activity. Thus, transformed bacteria, plants, plant cells, plant tissues and seeds are provided. Compositions are insecticidal nucleic acids and proteins of bacterial species. The sequences find use in the construction of expression vectors for subsequent transformation into organisms of interest including plants, as probes for the isolation of other homologous (or partially homologous) genes. The pesticidal proteins find use in controlling, inhibiting growth or killing Lepidopteran, Coleopteran, Dipteran, fungal, Hemipteran and nematode pest populations and for producing compositions with insecticidal activity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2015
    Publication date: August 17, 2017
    Applicants: PIONEER HI-BRED INTERNATIONAL, INC., E. I. DU PONT DE NEMOURS AND COMPANY
    Inventors: JENNIFER KARA BARRY, DEBORAH W. CLARK, JAMES J ENGLISH, AZALEA ONG, ERIC J SCHEPERS, JULIE QI, JANET A. RICE
  • Publication number: 20170006867
    Abstract: Compositions and methods for controlling pests are provided. The methods involve transforming organisms with a nucleic acid sequence encoding an insecticidal protein. In particular, the nucleic acid sequences are useful for preparing plants and microorganisms that possess insecticidal activity. Thus, transformed bacteria, plants, plant cells, plant tissues and seeds are provided. Compositions are insecticidal nucleic acids and proteins of bacterial species. The sequences find use in the construction of expression vectors for subsequent transformation into organisms of interest including plants, as probes for the isolation of other homologous (or partially homologous) genes. The pesticidal proteins find use in controlling, inhibiting growth or killing Lepidopteran, Coleopteran, Dipteran, fungal, Hemipteran and nematode pest populations and for producing compositions with insecticidal activity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2016
    Publication date: January 12, 2017
    Applicants: PIONEER HI-BRED INTERNATIONAL, INC., E. I. DU PONT DE NEMOURS AND COMPANY
    Inventors: DANIEL J ALTIER, JENNIFER K BARRY, CAROL A HENDRICK, LU LIU, PHILLIP A PATTEN, CLAUDIA D PEREZ-ORTEGA, ERIC J SCHEPERS, WEIPING XIE, NASSAR YALPANI, JIANZHOU ZHAO, XIAOHONG ZHONG, GENHAI ZHU
  • Patent number: 9475847
    Abstract: Compositions and methods for controlling pests are provided. The methods involve transforming organisms with a nucleic acid sequence encoding an insecticidal protein. In particular, the nucleic acid sequences are useful for preparing plants and microorganisms that possess insecticidal activity. Thus, transformed bacteria, plants, plant cells, plant tissues and seeds are provided. Compositions are insecticidal nucleic acids and proteins of bacterial species. The sequences find use in the construction of expression vectors for subsequent transformation into organisms of interest including plants, as probes for the isolation of other homologous (or partially homologous) genes. The pesticidal proteins find use in controlling, inhibiting growth or killing Lepidopteran, Coleopteran, Dipteran, fungal, Hemipteran and nematode pest populations and for producing compositions with insecticidal activity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignees: PIONEER HI-BRED INTERNATIONAL, INC., E.I. DU PONT DE NEMOURS AND COMPANY
    Inventors: Daniel J. Altier, Jennifer K. Barry, Carol A. Hendrick, Lu Liu, Phillip A. Patten, Claudia D. Perez-Ortega, Eric J. Schepers, Weiping Xie, Nasser Yalpani, Jianzhou Zhao, Xiaohong Zhong, Genhai Zhu
  • Patent number: 8802932
    Abstract: Compositions and methods for protecting a plant from a pathogen, particularly a fungal pathogen, are provided. Compositions include amino acid sequences, and variants and fragments thereof, for family members of a novel family of antipathogenic polypeptides. Polynucleotides that encode the antipathogenic polypeptides are also provided. A method for inducing pathogen resistance in a plant using the polynucleotides disclosed herein is further provided. Compositions comprising an antipathogenic polypeptide or a microorganism comprising an antipathogenic polynucleotide of the invention in combination with a carrier and methods of using these compositions to protect a plant from a pathogen are further provided. Plants, plant cells, seeds, and microorganisms comprising an antipathogenic polnucleotide or polypeptide of the invention are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignees: Pioneer Hi Bred International Inc, E I Du Pont De Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Daniel J. Altier, Jacob T. Gilliam, Eric J. Schepers, Nasser Yalpani
  • Publication number: 20140033361
    Abstract: Compositions and methods for controlling pests are provided. The methods involve transforming organisms with a nucleic acid sequence encoding an insecticidal protein. In particular, the nucleic acid sequences are useful for preparing plants and microorganisms that possess insecticidal activity. Thus, transformed bacteria, plants, plant cells, plant tissues and seeds are provided. Compositions are insecticidal nucleic acids and proteins of bacterial species. The sequences find use in the construction of expression vectors for subsequent transformation into organisms of interest including plants, as probes for the isolation of other homologous (or partially homologous) genes. The pesticidal proteins find use in controlling, inhibiting growth or killing Lepidopteran, Coleopteran, Dipteran, fungal, Hemipteran and nematode pest populations and for producing compositions with insecticidal activity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Publication date: January 30, 2014
    Applicants: E.I Du PONT de NEMOURS and COMPANY, PIONEER HI BRED INTERNATIONAL INC
    Inventors: Daniel J. Altier, Jennifer K. Barry, Carol A. Hendrick, Lu Liu, Phillip A. Patten, Claudia D. Perez-Ortega, Eric J. Schepers, Weiping Xie, Nasser Yalpani, Jianzhou Zhao, Xiaohong Zhong, Genhai Zhu
  • Publication number: 20120054910
    Abstract: Compositions and methods for protecting a plant from a pathogen, particularly a fungal pathogen, are provided. Compositions include amino acid sequences, and variants and fragments thereof, for family members of a novel family of antipathogenic polypeptides. Polynucleotides that encode the antipathogenic polypeptides are also provided. A method for inducing pathogen resistance in a plant using the polynucleotides disclosed herein is further provided. Compositions comprising an antipathogenic polypeptide or a microorganism comprising an antipathogenic polynucleotide of the invention in combination with a carrier and methods of using these compositions to protect a plant from a pathogen are further provided. Plants, plant cells, seeds, and microorganisms comprising an antipathogenic polnucleotide or polypeptide of the invention are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2011
    Publication date: March 1, 2012
    Applicant: PIONEER HI-BRED INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: Daniel J. Altier, Jacob T. Gilliam, Eric J. Schepers, Nasser Yalpani
  • Patent number: 7700832
    Abstract: Compositions and methods for protecting a plant from a pathogen, particularly a fungal pathogen, are provided. Compositions include amino acid sequences, and variants and fragments thereof, for antipathogenic polypeptides that were isolated from fungal fermentation broths. Nucleic acids that encode the antipathogenic polypeptides are also provided. A method for inducing pathogen resistance in a plant using the nucleotide sequences disclosed herein is further provided. The method comprises introducing into a plant an expression cassette comprising a promoter operably linked to a nucleotide sequence that encodes an antipathogenic polypeptide of the invention. Compositions comprising an antipathogenic polypeptide or a transformed microorganism comprising a nucleic acid of the invention in combination with a carrier and methods of using these compositions to protect a plant from a pathogen are further provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignees: Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc., E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company, The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Daniel J. Altier, Virginia C. Crane, Irina Ellanskaya, Natalia Ellanskaya, legal representative, Jacob T. Gilliam, Jennie Hunter-Cevera, James K. Presnail, Eric J. Schepers, Carl R. Simmons, Tamas Torok, Nasser Yalpani
  • Patent number: 7598346
    Abstract: The invention relates to compositions including amino acid sequences isolated from fungal fermentation broths and methods for protecting a plant from a pathogen, particularly a fungal pathogen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2009
    Assignees: Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc., E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company, The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Daniel J. Altier, Virginia C. Crane, Irina Ellanskaya, Natalia Ellanskaya, legal representative, Jacob T. Gilliam, Jennie Hunter-Cevera, James K. Presnail, Eric J. Schepers, Carl R. Simmons, Tamas Torok, Nasser Yalpani
  • Publication number: 20090089895
    Abstract: Compositions and methods for protecting a plant from a pathogen, particularly a fungal pathogen, are provided. Compositions include amino acid sequences, and variants and fragments thereof, for antipathogenic polypeptides that were isolated from fungal fermentation broths. Nucleic acids that encode the antipathogenic polypeptides are also provided. A method for inducing pathogen resistance in a plant using the nucleotide sequences disclosed herein is further provided. The method comprises introducing into a plant an expression cassette comprising a promoter operably linked to a nucleotide sequence that encodes an antipathogenic polypeptide of the invention. Compositions comprising an antipathogenic polypeptide or a transformed microorganism comprising a nucleic acid of the invention in combination with a carrier and methods of using these compositions to protect a plant from a pathogen are further provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2008
    Publication date: April 2, 2009
    Applicants: Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc., E.I. du PONT de NEMOURS and COMPANY, The Regents of The University of California
    Inventors: Daniel J. Altier, Virginia C. Crane, Irina Ellanskaya, Jacob T. Gilliam, Jennie Hunter-Cevera, James K. Presnail, Eric J. Schepers, Carl R. Simmons, Tamas Torok, Nasser Yalpani, Natalia Ellanskaya
  • Patent number: 7473821
    Abstract: Compositions and methods for protecting a plant from an insect pest are provided. Nucleic acid molecules encoding insect protoxins or insect toxins modified to comprise at least one proteolytic activation site that is sensitive to an insect gut protease are provided. Cleavage of a modified insect protoxin at the proteolytic activation site by an insect gut protease produces an active insect toxin in the gut of the insect pest. Cleavage of a modified insect toxin of the invention at a proteolytic activation site results in the production of an active insect toxin in the insect gut that displays improved pesticidal activity relative to the insect toxin that lacks the proteolytic activation site. Methods of using the modified insect protoxin and modified insect toxin nucleic acid sequences and the polypeptides they encode to protect a plant from an insect pest are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2009
    Assignees: Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc., E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Andre R. Abad, Gary C. Chun, Ronald D. Flannagan, Rafael Herrmann, Albert L. Lu, Janet A. Rice, Eric J. Schepers
  • Patent number: 7462760
    Abstract: Compositions and methods for protecting a plant from an insect pest are provided. The invention provides mutagenized nucleic acids that have been engineered to encode pesticidal polypeptides having increased resistance to proteolytic degradation by a plant protease. In particular, nucleic acid sequences encoding pesticidal polypeptides modified to comprise a proteolytic protection site that confers resistance to degradation or proteolytic inactivation by a plant protease are provided. Particular embodiments of the invention provide expression cassettes and transformed plants, plant cells, and seeds. These compositions find use in methods for protecting a plant from a pest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2008
    Assignees: Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc., E.I. duPont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: André Abad, Hua Dong, Rafael Herrmann, Albert Lu, Billy F. McCutchen, Janet A. Rice, Eric J. Schepers, James F. Wong
  • Publication number: 20040210963
    Abstract: Compositions and methods for protecting a plant from an insect pest are provided. The invention provides mutagenized nucleic acids that have been engineered to encode pesticidal polypeptides having increased resistance to proteolytic degradation by a plant protease. In particular, nucleic acid sequences encoding pesticidal polypeptides modified to comprise a proteolytic protection site that confers resistance to degradation or proteolytic inactivation by a plant protease are provided. Particular embodiments of the invention provide pesticidal polypeptide compositions and formulations, expression cassettes, and transformed plants, plant cells, and seeds. These compositions find use in methods for controlling pests, especially plant pests. Novel plant proteases, sequences encoding these proteases, and methods for their use are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 24, 2003
    Publication date: October 21, 2004
    Applicants: Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc., E.I. du PONT de NEMOURS and COMPANY
    Inventors: Andre Abad, Hua Dong, Rafael Herrmann, Albert Lu, Billy F. McCutchen, Janet A. Rice, Eric J. Schepers, James F. Wong