Patents by Inventor Eric Schepers
Eric 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).
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Patent number: 9593345Abstract: The invention provides nucleic acids, and variants and fragments thereof, obtained from strains of Bacillus thuringiensis encoding polypeptides having pesticidal activity against insect pests including, but not limited to, insect pests belonging to the orders Coleoptera and Lepidoptera. Particular embodiments of the invention provide isolated nucleic acids encoding pesticidal proteins, pesticidal compositions, polynucleotide constructs, and transformed microorganisms and plants comprising a nucleic acid of the embodiments. These compositions find use in methods for controlling pests, especially plant pests.Type: GrantFiled: October 14, 2013Date of Patent: March 14, 2017Assignees: PIONEER HI-BRED INTERNATIONAL, INC., E I DU PONT DE NEMOURS AND COMPANYInventors: Takashi Yamamoto, Michi Izumi Willcoxon, Lu Liu, Ute Schellenberger, Eric Schepers, Yi Zheng
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Publication number: 20160347799Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: February 6, 2015Publication date: December 1, 2016Applicants: PIONEER HI-BRED INTERNATIONAL, INC., E. I. DU PONT DE NEMOURS AND COMPANYInventors: JENNIFER BARRY, LU LIU, AMY LUM, ERIC SCHEPERS, NASSER YALPANI, GENHAI ZHU
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Publication number: 20160186204Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 14, 2014Publication date: June 30, 2016Inventors: LU LIU, JESSICA O'REAR, YOUNG JUN PARK, BARBARA ROSEN, UTE SCHELLENBERGER, ERIC SCHEPERS, ZUN-ZHI WEI, WEIPING XIE, NASSER YALPANI, XIAOHONG ZHONG, GENHAI ZHU
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Publication number: 20150259702Abstract: The invention provides nucleic acids, and variants and fragments thereof, obtained from strains of Bacillus thuringiensis encoding polypeptides having pesticidal activity against insect pests including, but not limited to, insect pests belonging to the orders Coleoptera and Lepidoptera. Particular embodiments of the invention provide isolated nucleic acids encoding pesticidal proteins, pesticidal compositions, polynucleotide constructs, and transformed microorganisms and plants comprising a nucleic acid of the embodiments. These compositions find use in methods for controlling pests, especially plant pests.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 14, 2013Publication date: September 17, 2015Inventors: Takashi Yamamoto, Michi Izumi Willcoxon, Lu Liu, Ute Schellenberger, Eric Schepers, Yi Zheng
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Patent number: 8433460Abstract: An onboard sensor suite generally includes two main components: a proximity sensor suite for measuring the projectile muzzle velocity; and a pressure sensor suite for measuring the projectile airspeed. The flight velocity of the projectile can then be estimated with a high degree of accuracy using either the muzzle velocity by itself or the airspeed by itself, or, in a preferred embodiment, by using both the muzzle velocity and the airspeed. The proximity sensor suite includes proximity sensors that are mounted along a projectile body; a wire harness; and an onboard computer or CPU. The pressure sensor suite includes a Pitot pressure transducer and two static pressure transducers that are mounted within the projectile body; a wire harness; and a CPU.Type: GrantFiled: November 10, 2010Date of Patent: April 30, 2013Assignee: The United States of America as Represented by the Secretary of the ArmyInventors: Thomas Recchia, Wilfredo Toledo, Jason Cahayla, Eric Scheper
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Patent number: 8148510Abstract: Compositions and methods for protecting a plant from a pathogen, particularly a fungal pathogen, are provided. Compositions include novel amino acid sequences, and variants and fragments thereof, for antipathogenic polypeptides that were isolated from microbial fermentation broths. Nucleic acid molecules comprising nucleotide sequences that encode the antipathogenic polypeptides of the invention 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: GrantFiled: June 8, 2010Date of Patent: April 3, 2012Assignees: Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc., E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company, The Regents of the University of CaliforniaInventors: Daniel J. Altier, Glen Dahlbacka, Irina Ellanskaya, Natalia Ellanskaya, legal representative, Rafael Herrmann, Jennie Hunter-Cevera, Billy F. McCutchen, James K. Presnail, Janet A. Rice, Eric Schepers, Carl R. Simmons, Tamas Torok, Nasser Yalpani
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Patent number: 8109213Abstract: A single multipurpose ammunition projectile/warhead is provided, which has the capability of clearing a variety of different types of hardened targets. The single projectile of this invention may be used for breaching steel reinforced concrete walls; may be used against light armor targets; may be used for defeating bunkers; and may also be used for antipersonnel applications. Huge savings in time, money, inventory and logistics are realized through utilizing only this one multipurpose ammunition against all these types of targets. This multipurpose projectile, among other superb capabilities, is able to puncture an eight inch double steel reinforced concrete wall timed to then have its warhead explode into fragments. This allows fragmentation in a more effective, nearly ideal direction. The projectile warhead of made of extremely thick walled 300M steel; with the projectile center of gravity to be located equidistant between a pair of bourrelets, for increased stability.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 2009Date of Patent: February 7, 2012Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the ArmyInventors: William Poulos, David Pfau, Eric Scheper, Stewart Gilman, Vladimir M. Gold, Ernest Baker
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Patent number: 7923599Abstract: Compositions and methods for protecting a plant from a pathogen, particularly a fungal pathogen, are provided. Compositions include novel amino acid sequences, and variants and fragments thereof, for antipathogenic polypeptides that were isolated from microbial fermentation broths. Nucleic acid molecules comprising nucleotide sequences that encode the antipathogenic polypeptides of the invention 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: GrantFiled: August 3, 2007Date of Patent: April 12, 2011Assignee: Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc.Inventors: Daniel J. Altier, Glen Dahlbacka, Irina Elleskaya, Natalia Ellanskaya, legal representative, Rafael Herrmann, Jennie Hunter-Cevera, Billy F. McCutchen, James K. Presnail, Janet A. Rice, Eric Schepers, Carl R. Simmons, Tamas Torok, Nasser Yalpani
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Publication number: 20100303762Abstract: Compositions and methods for protecting a plant from a pathogen, particularly a fungal pathogen, are provided. Compositions include novel amino acid sequences, and variants and fragments thereof, for antipathogenic polypeptides that were isolated from microbial fermentation broths. Nucleic acid molecules comprising nucleotide sequences that encode the antipathogenic polypeptides of the invention 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: ApplicationFiled: June 8, 2010Publication date: December 2, 2010Applicants: Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc., E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company, The Regents of the University of CaliforniaInventors: Daniel J. Altier, Glen Dahlbacka, Irina Ellanskaya, Natalia Ellanskaya, Rafael Herrmann, Jennie Hunter-Cevera, Billy F. McCutchen, James K. Presnail, Janet A. Rice, Eric Schepers, Carl R. Simmons, Tamas Torok, Nasser Yalpani
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Patent number: 7825294Abstract: Compositions and methods for protecting a plant from a pathogen, particularly a fungal pathogen, are provided. Compositions include an amino acid sequence, and variants and fragments thereof, for an antipathogenic polypeptide that was isolated from a fungal fermentation broth. Nucleic acid molecules that encode the antipathogenic polypeptides of the invention, and antipathogenic domains thereof, 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: GrantFiled: July 16, 2009Date of Patent: November 2, 2010Assignees: Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc., E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company, The Regents of the University of CaliforniaInventors: Daniel J. Altier, I. A. Ellanskaya, Jacob T. Gilliam, Jennie Hunter-Cevera, James K Presnail, Eric Schepers, Carl R. Simmons, Tamas Torok, Nasser Yalpani
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Patent number: 7772370Abstract: Compositions and methods for protecting a plant from a pathogen, particularly a fungal pathogen, are provided. Compositions include novel amino acid sequences, and variants and fragments thereof, for antipathogenic polypeptides that were isolated from microbial fermentation broths. Nucleic acid molecules comprising nucleotide sequences that encode the antipathogenic polypeptides of the invention 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: GrantFiled: August 3, 2007Date of Patent: August 10, 2010Assignees: Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc, E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company, The Regents of the University of CaliforniaInventors: Daniel J. Altier, Glen Dahlbacka, Irina Elleskaya, Natalia Ellanskaya, legal representative, Rafael Herrmann, Jennie Hunter-Cevera, Billy F. McCutchen, James K. Presnail, Janet A. Rice, Eric Schepers, Carl R. Simmons, Tamas Torok, Nasser Yalpani
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Publication number: 20100031391Abstract: Compositions and methods for protecting a plant from a pathogen, particularly a fungal pathogen, are provided. Compositions include an amino acid sequence, and variants and fragments thereof, for an antipathogenic polypeptide that was isolated from a fungal fermentation broth. Nucleic acid molecules that encode the antipathogenic polypeptides of the invention, and antipathogenic domains thereof, 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: ApplicationFiled: July 16, 2009Publication date: February 4, 2010Applicants: Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc., E.I. du PONT de NEMOURS and COMPANY, The Regents of The University of CaliforniaInventors: Daniel J. Altier, I.A. Ellanskaya, Jacob T. Gilliam, Jennie Hunter-Cevera, James K. Presnail, Eric Schepers, Carl R. Simmons, Tamas Torok, Nasser Yalpani
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Publication number: 20090264351Abstract: Compositions and methods for protecting a plant from a pathogen, particularly a fungal pathogen, are provided. Compositions include novel amino acid sequences, and variants and fragments thereof, for antipathogenic polypeptides that were isolated from microbial fermentation broths. Nucleic acid molecules comprising nucleotide sequences that encode the antipathogenic polypeptides of the invention 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: ApplicationFiled: August 3, 2007Publication date: October 22, 2009Applicants: Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc., E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company, The Regents of the University of CaliforniaInventors: Daniel J. Altier, Glen Dahlbacka, Irina Ellanskaya, Natalia Ellanskaya, Rafael Herrmann, Jennie Hunter-Cevera, Billy F. McCutchen, James K. Presnail, Janet A. Rice, Eric Schepers, Carl R. Simmons, Tamas Torok, Nasser Yalpani
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Publication number: 20090260106Abstract: Compositions and methods for protecting a plant from a pathogen, particularly a fungal pathogen, are provided. Compositions include novel amino acid sequences, and variants and fragments thereof, for antipathogenic polypeptides that were isolated from microbial fermentation broths. Nucleic acid molecules comprising nucleotide sequences that encode the antipathogenic polypeptides of the invention 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: ApplicationFiled: August 3, 2007Publication date: October 15, 2009Applicants: Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc., E.I. duPont de Nemours and Company, The Regents of the University of CaliforniaInventors: Daniel J. Altier, Glen Dahlbacka, Irina Ellenskaya, Natalia Ellanskaya, Rafael Herrmann, Jennie Hunter-Cevera, Billy F. McCutchen, James K. Presnail, Janet A. Rice, Eric Schepers, Carl R. Simmons, Tamas Torok, Nasser Yalpani
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Patent number: 7589176Abstract: The invention relates to antifungal compositions and methods for protecting a plant from a fungal pathogen. Compositions including antifungal polypeptides isolated from a fungal fermentation broth are provided.Type: GrantFiled: January 24, 2007Date of Patent: September 15, 2009Assignees: Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc., E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company, The Regents of the University of CaliforniaInventors: Daniel J. Altier, Irina Ellanskaya, Natalia Ellanskaya, legal representative, Jacob T. Gilliam, Jennie Hunter-Cevera, James K. Presnail, Eric Schepers, Carl R. Simmons, Tamas Torok, Nasser Yalpani
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Patent number: 7378499Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 12, 2005Date of Patent: May 27, 2008Assignees: Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc., E.I. Du Pont De Nemours and CompanyInventors: André Abad, Hua Dong, Rafael Herrmann, Albert Lu, Billy F. McCutchen, Janet Rice, Eric Schepers, James Wong
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Patent number: 7306946Abstract: Compositions and methods for protecting a plant from a pathogen, particularly a fungal pathogen, are provided. Compositions include novel amino acid sequences, and variants and fragments thereof, for antipathogenic polypeptides that were isolated from microbial fermentation broths. Nucleic acid molecules comprising nucleotide sequences that encode the antipathogenic polypeptides of the invention 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: GrantFiled: July 1, 2005Date of Patent: December 11, 2007Assignees: Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc., E.I. duPunt de Nemours and Company, The Regents of the University of CaliforniaInventors: Daniel J. Altier, Glen Dahlbacka, Natalia Ellanskaya, legal representative, Rafael Herrmann, Jennie Hunter-Cevera, Billy F. McCutchen, James K. Presnail, Janet A. Rice, Eric Schepers, Carl R. Simmons, Tamas Torok, Nasser Yalpani, Irina Ellanskaya, deceased
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Publication number: 20070192899Abstract: Compositions and methods for protecting a plant from a pathogen, particularly a fungal pathogen, are provided. Compositions include an amino acid sequence, and variants and fragments thereof, for an antipathogenic polypeptide that was isolated from a fungal fermentation broth. Nucleic acid molecules that encode the antipathogenic polypeptides of the invention, and antipathogenic domains thereof, 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: ApplicationFiled: January 24, 2007Publication date: August 16, 2007Applicants: Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc., E.I. du PONT de NEMOURS and COMPANY, The Regents of The University of CaliforniaInventors: Daniel Altier, I.A. Ellanskaya, Jacob Gilliam, Jennie Hunter-Cevera, James Presnail, Eric Schepers, Carl Simmons, Tamas Torok, Nasser Yalpani
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Publication number: 20060288448Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: June 7, 2006Publication date: December 21, 2006Applicants: Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc., E.I du PONT de NEMOURS and COMPANYInventors: Andre Abad, Gary Chun, Ronald Flannagan, Rafael Herrmann, Albert Lu, Janet Rice, Eric Schepers
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Publication number: 20060031962Abstract: Compositions and methods for protecting a plant from a pathogen, particularly a fungal pathogen, are provided. Compositions include novel amino acid sequences, and variants and fragments thereof, for antipathogenic polypeptides that were isolated from microbial fermentation broths. Nucleic acid molecules comprising nucleotide sequences that encode the antipathogenic polypeptides of the invention 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: ApplicationFiled: July 1, 2005Publication date: February 9, 2006Applicants: Pioneer-Hi-Bred International, Inc., E.I. du pont de Nemours and Company, The Regents of the University of CaliforniaInventors: Daniel Altier, Glen Dahlbacka, I.A. Ellanskaya, Rafael Herrmann, Jennie Hunter-Cevera, Billy McCutchen, James Presnail, Janet Rice, Eric Schepers, Carl Simmons, Tamas Torok, Nasser Yalpani