Patents by Inventor Eric R. Ward

Eric R. Ward 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: 5880328
    Abstract: The present invention provides chemically regulatable DNA sequences capable of regulating transcription of an associated DNA sequence in plants or plant tissues, chimeric constructions containing such sequences, vectors containing such sequences and chimeric constructions, and transgenic plants and plant tissues containing these chimeric constructions. In one aspect, the chemically regulatable DNA sequences of the invention are derived from the 5' region of genes encoding pathogenisis-related (PR) proteins. The present invention also provides anti-pathogenic sequences derived from novel cDNAs coding for PR proteins which can be genetically engineered and transformed into plants to confer enhanced resistance to disease.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1999
    Assignee: Novartis Finance Corporation
    Inventors: John A. Ryals, Eric R. Ward, George B. Payne, Mary B. Moyer, Frederich Meins, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5856154
    Abstract: The present invention provides chemically regulatable DNA sequences capable of regulating transcription of an associated DNA sequence in plants or plant tissues, chimeric constructions containing such sequences, vectors containing such sequences and chimeric constructions, and transgenic plants and plant tissues containing these chimeric constructions. In one aspect, the chemically regulatable DNA sequences of the invention are derived from the 5' region of genes encoding pathogenisis-related (PR) proteins. The present invention also provides anti-pathogenic sequences derived from novel cDNAs coding for PR proteins which can be genetically engineered and transformed into plants to confer enhanced resistance to disease.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 5, 1999
    Assignee: Novartis Finance Corporation
    Inventors: John A. Ryals, Danny C. Alexander, Robert M. Goodman, Eric R. Ward
  • Patent number: 5847258
    Abstract: The present invention provides chemically regulatable DNA sequences capable of regulating transcription of an associated DNA sequence in plants or plant tissues, chimeric constructions containing such sequences, vectors containing such sequences and chimeric constructions, and transgenic plants and plant tissues containing these chimeric constructions. In one aspect, the chemically regulatable DNA sequences of the invention are derived from the 5' region of genes encoding pathogenisis-related (PR) proteins. The present invention also provides anti-pathogenic sequences derived from novel cDNAs coding for PR proteins which can be genetically engineered and transformed into plants to confer enhanced resistance to disease.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1998
    Assignee: Novartis Finance Corporation
    Inventors: John A. Ryals, Mary B. Moyer, George B. Payne, Eric R. Ward
  • Patent number: 5804693
    Abstract: The present invention provides chemically regulatable DNA sequences capable of regulating transcription of an associated DNA sequence in plants or plant tissues, chimeric constructions containing such sequences, vectors containing such sequences and chimeric constructions, and transgenic plants and plant tissues containing these chimeric constructions. In one aspect, the chemically regulatable DNA sequences of the invention are derived from the 5' region of genes encoding pathogenisis-related (PR) proteins. The present invention also provides anti-pathogenic sequences derived from novel cDNAs coding for PR proteins which can be genetically engineered and transformed into plants to confer enhanced resistance to disease.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1998
    Assignee: Novartis Finance Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas D. Gaffney, John A. Ryals, Leslie B. Friedrich, Scott J. Uknes, Eric R. Ward, Helmut Kessmann, Bernardus T. Vernooij
  • Patent number: 5792904
    Abstract: Methods are provided for selecting parental plants having disease resistance and for using these plants in breeding programs. In one method of the invention, lesion mimic mutants are screened for either resistance to a pathogen of interest or for the expression of systemic acquired resistance (SAR) genes. Such mutants having the desired traits or expressing the desired genes are then used in breeding programs. Parent plants can also be selected based on the constitutive expression of SAR genes. These mutants are phenotypically normal yet exhibit a significant level of disease resistance. Also disclosed are plant mutants that do not express systemic acquired resistance genes even when induced by a pathogen and methods of use for such mutants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1998
    Assignee: Novartis Finance Corporation
    Inventors: John A. Ryals, Scott J. Uknes, Terrence Patrick Delaney, Eric R. Ward, Henry-York Steiner
  • Patent number: 5789214
    Abstract: The present invention provides chemically regulatable DNA sequences capable of regulating transcription of an associated DNA sequence in plants or plant tissues, chimeric constructions containing such sequences, vectors containing such sequences and chimeric constructions, and transgenic plants and plant tissues containing these chimeric constructions. In one aspect, the chemically regulatable DNA sequences of the invention are derived from the 5' region of genes encoding pathogenisis-related (PR) proteins. The present invention also provides anti-pathogenic sequences derived from novel cDNAs coding for PR proteins which can be genetically engineered and transformed into plants to confer enhanced resistance to disease.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1998
    Assignee: Novartis Finance Corporation
    Inventors: John A. Ryals, Leslie B. Friedrich, Scott J. Uknes, Eric R. Ward
  • Patent number: 5767373
    Abstract: The present invention provides novel eukaryotic DNA sequences coding for native protoporphyrinogen oxidase (protox) or modified forms of the enzyme which are herbicide tolerant. Plants having altered protox activity which confers tolerance to herbicides are also provided. These plants may be bred or engineered for resistance to protox inhibitors via mutation of the native protox gene to a resistant form or through increased levels of expression of the native protox gene, or they may be transformed with modified eukaryotic or prokaryotic protox coding sequences or wild type prokaryotic protox sequences which are herbicide tolerant. Diagnostic and other uses for the novel eukaryotic protox sequence are also described. Plant genes encoding wild-type and altered protox, purified plant protox, methods of isolating protox from plants, and methods of using protox-encoding genes are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 16, 1998
    Assignee: Novartis Finance Corporation
    Inventors: Eric R. Ward, Sandra Volrath
  • Patent number: 5712382
    Abstract: The present invention provides novel plant DNA sequences coding for native adenylosuccinate lyase (ADSL). Methods for using the complete or partial ADSL coding sequence as a probe for diagnostic, mapping and other purposes are taught. Generation of transformed host cells capable of expressing ADSL is also taught. Methods of using the transformed host cells are taught, including methods for recombinant production of ADSL enzymes. A method for using the plant ADSL enzyme to screen for inhibitors of ADSL activity is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 27, 1998
    Assignee: Novartis Finance Corporation
    Inventors: Charles David Guyer, Eric R. Ward
  • Patent number: 5689044
    Abstract: The present invention provides chemically regulatable DNA sequences capable of regulating transcription of an associated DNA sequence in plants or plant tissues, chimeric constructions containing such sequences, vectors containing such sequences and chimeric constructions, and transgenic plants and plant tissues containing these chimeric constructions. In one aspect, the chemically regulatable DNA sequences of the invention are derived from the 5' region of genes encoding pathogenisis-related (PR) proteins. The present invention also provides anti-pathogenic sequences derived from novel cDNAs coding for PR proteins which can be genetically engineered and transformed into plants to confer enhanced resistance to disease.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 18, 1997
    Assignee: Novartis Corporation
    Inventors: John A. Ryals, Leslie B. Friedrich, Scott J. Uknes, Eric R. Ward
  • Patent number: 5688939
    Abstract: The present invention provides novel plant DNA sequences coding for native adenylosuccinate synthetase (ADSS). Methods for using the complete or partial ADSS coding sequence as a probe for diagnostic, mapping and other purposes are taught. Generation of transformed host cells capable of expressing ADSS is also taught. Methods of using the transformed host cells are taught, including methods for recombinant production of ADSS enzymes. A method for using the plant ADSS enzyme to screen for inhibitors of ADSS activity is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 18, 1997
    Assignee: Novartis Finance Corporation
    Inventors: Sharon Lee Potter, Eric R. Ward
  • Patent number: 5650505
    Abstract: The present invention provides chemically regulatable DNA sequences capable of regulating transcription of an associated DNA sequence in plants or plant tissues, chimeric constructions containing such sequences, vectors containing such sequences and chimeric constructions, and transgenic plants and plant tissues containing these chimeric constructions. In one aspect, the chemically regulatable DNA sequences of the invention are derived from the 5' region of genes encoding pathogenisis-related (PR) proteins. The present invention also provides anti-pathogenic sequences derived from novel cDNAs coding for PR proteins which can be genetically engineered and transformed into plants to confer enhanced resistance to disease.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 22, 1997
    Assignee: Novartis Corporation
    Inventors: John A. Ryals, Danny C. Alexander, James J. Beck, John H. Duesing, Robert M. Goodman, Leslie B. Friedrich, Christian Harms, Frederich Meins, Jr., Alice Montoya, deceased, Mary B. Moyer, Jean-Marc Neuhaus, George B. Payne, Christoph Sperisen, Jeffrey R. Stinson, Scott J. Uknes, Eric R. Ward, Shericca C. Williams
  • Patent number: 5614395
    Abstract: The present invention provides chemically regulatable DNA sequences capable of regulating transcription of an associated DNA sequence in plants or plant tissues, chimeric constructions containing such sequences, vectors containing such sequences and chimeric constructions, and transgenic plants and plant tissues containing these chimeric constructions. In one aspect, the chemically regulatable DNA sequences of the invention are derived from the 5' region of genes encoding pathogenisis-related (PR) proteins. The present invention also provides anti-pathogenic sequences derived from novel cDNAs coding for PR proteins which can be genetically engineered and transformed into plants to confer enhanced resistance to disease.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 25, 1997
    Assignee: Ciba-Geigy Corporation
    Inventors: John A. Ryals, Danny C. Alexander, James J. Beck, John H. Duesing, Robert M. Goodman, Leslie B. Friedrich, Christian Harms, Frederich Meins, Jr., Alice Montoya, deceased, Mary B. Moyer, Jean-Marc Neuhaus, George B. Payne, Christoph Sperisen, Jeffrey R. Stinson, Scott J. Uknes, Eric R. Ward, Shericca C. Williams
  • Patent number: 5541310
    Abstract: Disclosed are plants, plant tissue and plant seed, whose growth and development are tolerant of, or resistant to various imidazole and triazole herbicidal compounds, at levels which normally are inhibitory to the plants. The tolerance or resistance is conferred by an altered imidazoleglycerol phosphate dehydratase (IGPD). Plant genes encoding wild-type and altered IGPD, purified plant IGPD, methods of isolating IGPD from plants, and methods of using both purified IGPD and IGPD-encoding genes are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 30, 1996
    Assignee: Ciba-Geigy Corporation
    Inventors: Eric R. Ward, Sandra Volrath, Shinichi Koizumi, Sachiyo Tada, Ichiro Mori, Genji Iwasaki
  • Patent number: 5519125
    Abstract: The present invention provides novel plant DNA sequences coding for native adenylosuccinate synthetase (ADSS). Methods for using the complete or partial ADSS coding sequence as a probe for diagnostic, mapping and other purposes are taught. Generation of transformed host cells capable of expressing ADSS is also taught. Methods of using the transformed host cells are taught, including methods for recombinant production of ADSS enzymes. A method for using the plant ADSS enzyme to screen for inhibitors of ADSS activity is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 21, 1996
    Assignee: Ciba-Geigy Corporation
    Inventors: Sharon L. Potter, Eric R. Ward
  • Patent number: 5290926
    Abstract: The present invention comprises cDNA coding for histidinol dehydrogenase from plants, the final step in histidine biosynthesis. The invention also comprises a novel method of purifying histidinol dehydrogenase from plants to essential honogeneity, the purified histidinol dehydrogenase, an assay for identifying inhibitors of histidinol dehydrogenase, an assay to identify mutants of histidinol dehydrogenase that are not inhibited by inhibitors of wild-type histidinol dehydrogenase, the inhibitors so identified as well as herbicide compositions containing them, the non-inhibited mutants of histidinol dehydrogenase, transgenic crop plants containing the non-inhibited mutants of histidinol dehydrogenase, and methods of treating weeds utilizing the application of histidinol dehydrogenase inhibitors to the transgenic crops containing the non-inhibited mutants of histidinol dehydrogenase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 1, 1994
    Assignee: Ciba-Geigy Corporation
    Inventors: Alfred Scheidegger, Eric R. Ward, John A. Ryals, Atsuko Nagai-Hayashi