Patents by Inventor Frank Skraly
Frank Skraly 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: 8093022Abstract: Several novel PHA polymer compositions produced using biological systems include monomers such as 3-hydroxybutyrate, 3-hydroxypropionate, 2-hydroxybutyrate, 3-hydroxyvalerate, 4-hydroxybutyrate, 4-hydroxyvalerate and 5-hydroxyvalerate. These PHA compositions can readily be extended to incorporate additional monomers including, for example, 3-hydroxyhexanoate, 4-hydroxyhexanoate, 6-hydroxyhexanoate or other longer chain 3-hydroxyacids containing seven or more carbons. This can be accomplished by taking natural PHA producers and mutating through chemical or transposon mutagenesis to delete or inactivate genes encoding undesirable activities. Alternatively, the strains can be genetically engineered to express only those enzymes required for the production of the desired polymer composition. Methods for genetically engineering PHA producing microbes are widely known in the art (Huisman and Madison, 1998, Microbiology and Molecular Biology Reviews, 63: 21-53).Type: GrantFiled: March 8, 2007Date of Patent: January 10, 2012Assignee: Metabolix, Inc.Inventors: Frank A. Skraly, Oliver P. Peoples
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Patent number: 8071355Abstract: Organisms are provided containing genes encoding one or more enzymes, Coenzyme-A-dependent aldehyde dehydrogenase, acyl-CoA transferase, acyl-CoA synthetase, ?-ketothiolase, acetoacetyl-CoA reductase and/or PHA synthase. In some cases one or more of these genes are native to the host organism and the remainder are heterologous genes provided by genetic engineering. These organisms produce poly (3-hydroxyalkanoate) homopolymers or co-polymers comprising 3-hydroxalkanoate monomers other than 3-hydroxybutryrate wherein these 3-hydroxyalkanoate units are derived from the enzyme-catalyzed conversion of alcohols to 3-hydroxyacyl-CoA monomers, where at least one step in the conversion pathway involves a Co-enzyme A-dependent aldehyde dehydrogenase activity. The PHA polymers are readily recovered and industrially useful as polymers for articles such as films, latexes, coatings, adhesives, fibers, binders, resins, and medical devices.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 2003Date of Patent: December 6, 2011Assignee: Metabolix, Inc.Inventor: Frank A. Skraly
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Publication number: 20110262975Abstract: The present disclosure identifies pathways and mechanisms to confer production of carbon-based products of interest such as ethanol, ethylene, chemicals, polymers, n-alkanes, isoprenoids, pharmaceutical products or intermediates thereof in photoautotrophic organisms such that these organisms efficiently convert carbon dioxide and light into carbon-based products of interest, and in particular the use of such organisms for the commercial production of ethanol, ethylene, chemicals, polymers, n-alkanes, isoprenoids, pharmaceutical products or intermediates thereof.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 30, 2011Publication date: October 27, 2011Applicant: c/o JOULE UNLIMITED, INC.Inventors: David A. Berry, Dan E. Robertson, Frank A. Skraly, Brian D. Green, Christian P. Ridley, Sriram Kosuri, Nikos B. Reppas, Martha Sholl, Noubar B. Afeyan
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Patent number: 8039237Abstract: Genetically engineered organisms for production of PHA copolymers containing 2-hydroxyacid monomers and the methods of making and using thereof have been developed. The copolymers containing 2-hydroxyacid monomers can be synthesized via biosynthesis by the action of a PHA polymerase in a living cell. By changing the genetic background of the cells, one can control specific metabolic pathways allowing control of the level of glycolic acid co-monomer in the PHA polymer.Type: GrantFiled: May 7, 2003Date of Patent: October 18, 2011Assignees: Metabolix, Inc., Tepha, Inc.Inventors: David P. Martin, Frank A. Skraly
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Patent number: 7981647Abstract: The present disclosure identifies pathways and mechanisms to confer production of carbon-based products of interest such as ethanol, ethylene, chemicals, polymers, n-alkanes, isoprenoids, pharmaceutical products or intermediates thereof in photoautotrophic organisms such that these organisms efficiently convert carbon dioxide and light into carbon-based products of interest, and in particular the use of such organisms for the commercial production of ethanol, ethylene, chemicals, polymers, alkanes, isoprenoids, pharmaceutical products or intermediates thereof.Type: GrantFiled: March 3, 2009Date of Patent: July 19, 2011Assignee: Joule Unlimited, Inc.Inventors: David A. Berry, Dan E. Robertson, Frank A. Skraly, Brian D. Green, Christian P. Ridley, Sriram Kosuri, Nikos B. Reppas, Martha Sholl, Noubar B. Afeyan
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Publication number: 20110008856Abstract: The gene encoding a 4-hydroxybutyryl-Co A transferase has been isolated from bacteria and integrated into the genome of bacteria also expressing a polyhydroxyalkanoate synthase, to yield an improved production process for 4HB-containing polyhydroxyalkanoates using transgenic organisms, including both bacteria and plants. The new pathways provide means for producing 4HB containing PHAs from cheap carbon sources such as sugars and fatty acids, in high yields, which are stable. Useful strains are obtaining by screening strains having integrated into their genomes a gene encoding a 4HB-CoA transferase and/or PHA synthase, for polymer production. Processes for polymer production use recombinant systems that can utilize cheap substrates. Systems are provided which can utilize amino acid degradation pathways, ?-ketoglutarate, or succinate as substrate.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 25, 2007Publication date: January 13, 2011Inventors: Gjalt W. Huisman, Frank A. Skraly, David P. Martin, Oliver P. Peoples
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Publication number: 20110008861Abstract: The present disclosure identifies pathways and mechanisms to confer production of carbon-based products of interest such as ethanol, ethylene, chemicals, polymers, n-alkanes, isoprenoids, pharmaceutical products or intermediates thereof in photoautotrophic organisms such that these organisms efficiently convert carbon dioxide and light into carbon-based products of interest, and in particular the use of such organisms for the commercial production of ethanol, ethylene, chemicals, polymers, alkanes, isoprenoids, pharmaceutical products or intermediates thereof.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 3, 2009Publication date: January 13, 2011Applicant: Joule Unlimited, Inc.Inventors: David A. Berry, Dan E. Robertson, Frank A. Skraly, Brian D. Green, Christian P. Ridley, Sriram Kosuri, Nikos B. Reppas, Martha Sholl, Noubar B. Afeyan
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Publication number: 20100267016Abstract: Transgenic microbial strains are provided which contain the genes required for PHA formation integrated on the chromosome. The strains are advantageous in PHA production processes, because (1) no plasmids need to be maintained, generally obviating the required use of antibiotics or other stabilizing pressures, and (2) no plasmid loss occurs, thereby stabilizing the number of gene copies per cell throughout the fermentation process, resulting in homogeneous PHA product formation throughout the production process. Genes are integrated using standard techniques, preferably transposon mutagenesis. In a preferred embodiment wherein multiple genes are incorporated, these are incorporated as an operon. Sequences are used to stabilize mRNA, to induce expression as a function of culture conditions (such as phosphate concentration), temperature, and stress, and to aid in selection, through the incorporation of selection markers such as markers conferring antibiotic resistance.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 26, 2007Publication date: October 21, 2010Inventors: GJALT W. HUISMAN, OLIVER P. PEOPLES, FRANK A. SKRALY
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Publication number: 20100168481Abstract: Recombinant hosts for producing polyhydroxyalkanoates and methods of producing polyhydroxyalkanoates from renewable carbon substrates are provided. Certain recombinant hosts that produce 5 carbon chemicals such as 5-aminopentanoate (5AP), 5-hydroxyvalerate (5HV), glutarate, and 1,5 pentanediol (PDO) are also provided. One embodiment provides a recombinant host expressing a gene encoding a heterologous enzyme selected from the group consisting of a polyhydroxyalkanoate synthase and a 5-hydroxyvalerate-CoA (5HV-CoA) transferase, wherein the host produces a polymer containing 5-hydroxyvalerate. Preferably, the host expresses both a polyhydroxyalkanoate synthase and a 5HV-CoA transferase. The host can be prokaryotic or eukaryotic. A preferred prokaryotic host is E. coli. The polymers produced by the recombinant hosts can be homopolymers or copolymers of 5-hydroxyvalerate. A preferred copolymer is poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-5-hydroxyvalerate).Type: ApplicationFiled: December 14, 2009Publication date: July 1, 2010Inventors: William R. Farmer, Jeff Bickmeier, Chenfeng Lu, Dong-Eun Chang, Frank Skraly, Thomas Martin Ramseier
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Publication number: 20100093043Abstract: The gene encoding a 4-hydroxybutyryl-Co A transferase has been isolated from bacteria and integrated into the genome of bacteria also expressing a polyhydroxyalkanoate synthase, to yield an improved production process for 4HB-containing polyhydroxyalkanoates using transgenic organisms, including both bacteria and plants. The new pathways provide means for producing 4HB containing PHAs from cheap carbon sources such as sugars and fatty acids, in high yields, which are stable. Useful strains are obtaining by screening strains having integrated into their genomes a gene encoding a 4HB-CoA transferase and/or PHA synthase, for polymer production. Processes for polymer production use recombinant systems that can utilize cheap substrates. Systems are provided which can utilize amino acid degradation pathways, ?-ketoglutarate, or succinate as substrate.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 16, 2007Publication date: April 15, 2010Inventors: Gjalt W. Huisman, Frank Skraly, David P. Martin, Oliver P. Peoples
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Publication number: 20100021919Abstract: Recombinant processes are provided whereby additional genes are introduced into E. coli which have been genetically engineered to produce PHA so that the improved strains produce PHA homopolymers and copolymers directly from diols. In preferred embodiments, PHAs containing 4-hydroxybutyrate monomers are produced directly from 1,4-butanediol; PHAs containing 5-hydroxyvalerate are produced from 1,5-pentanediol; PHAs containing 6-hydroxyhexanoate (6HH) are produced from 1,6-hexanediol; PHAs containing 3-hydroxypropionate are produced from 1,3-propanediol; PHAs containing 2-hydroxypropionate (lactate) are produced from 1,2-propanediol (propylene glycol); PHAs containing 2-hydroxyethanoate (glycolate) are produced from 1,2-ethanediol (ethylene glycol). Genes encoding these same enzyme activities can be introduced or their expression amplified in wild type PHA producers to improve the production of PHA homopolymers and copolymers directly from diol and other alcohol feedstocks.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 11, 2009Publication date: January 28, 2010Inventors: Frank A. Skraly, Martha Sholl
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Patent number: 7553923Abstract: Devices formed of or including biocompatible polyhydroxyalkanoates are provided with controlled degradation rates, preferably less than one year under physiological conditions. Preferred devices include sutures, suture fasteners, meniscus repair devices, rivets, tacks, staples, screws (including interference screws), bone plates and bone plating systems, surgical mesh, repair patches, slings, cardiovascular patches, orthopedic pins (including bone filling augmentation material), adhesion barriers, stents, guided tissue repair/regeneration devices, articular cartilage repair devices, nerve guides, tendon repair devices, atrial septal defect repair devices, pericardial patches, bulking and filling agents, vein valves, bone marrow scaffolds, meniscus regeneration devices, ligament and tendon grafts, ocular cell implants, spinal fusion cages, skin substitutes, dural substitutes, bone graft substitutes, bone dowels, wound dressings, and hemostats.Type: GrantFiled: October 26, 2007Date of Patent: June 30, 2009Assignee: Metabolix, Inc.Inventors: Simon F. Williams, David P. Martin, Frank A. Skraly
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Publication number: 20080275208Abstract: Several novel PHA polymer compositions produced using biological systems include monomers such as 3-hydroxybutyrate, 3-hydroxypropionate, 2-hydroxybutyrate, 3-hydroxyvalerate, 4-hydroxybutyrate, 4-hydroxyvalerate and 5-hydroxyvalerate. These PHA compositions can readily be extended to incorporate additional monomers including, for example, 3-hydroxyhexanoate, 4-hydroxyhexanoate, 6-hydroxyhexanoate or other longer chain 3-hydroxyacids containing seven or more carbons. This can be accomplished by taking natural PHA producers and mutating through chemical or transposon mutagenesis to delete or inactivate genes encoding undesirable activities. Alternatively, the strains can be genetically engineered to express only those enzymes required for the production of the desired polymer composition. Methods for genetically engineering PHA producing microbes are widely known in the art (Huisman and Madison, 1998, Microbiology and Molecular Biology Reviews, 63: 21-53).Type: ApplicationFiled: March 8, 2007Publication date: November 6, 2008Inventors: Frank A. Skraly, Oliver P. Peoples
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Publication number: 20080095823Abstract: Devices formed of or including biocompatible polyhydroxyalkanoates are provided with controlled degradation rates, preferably less than one year under physiological conditions. Preferred devices include sutures, suture fasteners, meniscus repair devices, rivets, tacks, staples, screws (including interference screws), bone plates and bone plating systems, surgical mesh, repair patches, slings, cardiovascular patches, orthopedic pins (including bone filling augmentation material), adhesion barriers, stents, guided tissue repair/regeneration devices, articular cartilage repair devices, nerve guides, tendon repair devices, atrial septal defect repair devices, pericardial patches, bulking and filling agents, vein valves, bone marrow scaffolds, meniscus regeneration devices, ligament and tendon grafts, ocular cell implants, spinal fusion cages, skin substitutes, dural substitutes, bone graft substitutes, bone dowels, wound dressings, and hemostats.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 26, 2007Publication date: April 24, 2008Inventors: Simon Williams, David Martin, Frank Skraly
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Publication number: 20080051490Abstract: Devices formed of or including biocompatible polyhydroxyalkanoates are provided with controlled degradation rates, preferably less than one year under physiological conditions. Preferred devices include sutures, suture fasteners, meniscus repair devices, rivets, tacks, staples, screws (including interference screws), bone plates and bone plating systems, surgical mesh, repair patches, slings, cardiovascular patches, orthopedic pins (including bone filling augmentation material), adhesion barriers, stents, guided tissue repair/regeneration devices, articular cartilage repair devices, nerve guides, tendon repair devices, atrial septal defect repair devices, pericardial patches, bulking and filling agents, vein valves, bone marrow scaffolds, meniscus regeneration devices, ligament and tendon grafts, ocular cell implants, spinal fusion cages, skin substitutes, dural substitutes, bone graft substitutes, bone dowels, wound dressings, and hemostats.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 9, 2007Publication date: February 28, 2008Inventors: Simon Williams, David Martin, Frank Skraly
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Patent number: 7268205Abstract: Devices formed of or including biocompatible polyhydroxyalkanoates are provided with controlled degradation rates, preferably less than one year under physiological conditions. Preferred devices include sutures, suture fasteners, meniscus repair devices, rivets, tacks, staples, screws (including interference screws), bone plates and bone plating systems, surgical mesh, repair patches, slings, cardiovascular patches, orthopedic pins (including bone filling augmentation material), adhesion barriers, stents, guided tissue repair/regeneration devices, articular cartilage repair devices, nerve guides, tendon repair devices, atrial septal defect repair devices, pericardial patches, bulking and filling agents, vein valves, bone marrow scaffolds, meniscus regeneration devices, ligament and tendon grafts, ocular cell implants, spinal fusion cages, skin substitutes, dural substitutes, bone graft substitutes, bone dowels, wound dressings, and hemostats.Type: GrantFiled: January 16, 2007Date of Patent: September 11, 2007Assignee: Metabolix, Inc.Inventors: Simon F. Williams, David P. Martin, Frank A. Skraly
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Publication number: 20070135929Abstract: Devices formed of or including biocompatible polyhydroxyalkanoates are provided with controlled degradation rates, preferably less than one year under physiological conditions. Preferred devices include sutures, suture fasteners, meniscus repair devices, rivets, tacks, staples, screws (including interference screws), bone plates and bone plating systems, surgical mesh, repair patches, slings, cardiovascular patches, orthopedic pins (including bone filling augmentation material), adhesion barriers, stents, guided tissue repair/regeneration devices, articular cartilage repair devices, nerve guides, tendon repair devices, atrial septal defect repair devices, pericardial patches, bulking and filling agents, vein valves, bone marrow scaffolds, meniscus regeneration devices, ligament and tendon grafts, ocular cell implants, spinal fusion cages, skin substitutes, dural substitutes, bone graft substitutes, bone dowels, would dressings, and hemostats.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 16, 2007Publication date: June 14, 2007Inventors: Simon Williams, David Martin, Frank Skraly
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Patent number: 7229804Abstract: The gene encoding a 4-hydroxybutyryl-CoA transferase has been isolated from bacteria and integrated into the genome of bacteria also expressing a polyhydroxyalkanoate synthase, to yield an improved production process for 4HB-containing polyhydroxyalkanoates using transgenic organisms, including both bacteria and plants. The new pathways provide means for producing 4HB containing PHAs from cheap carbon sources such as sugars and fatty acids, in high yields, which are stable. Useful strains are obtaining by screening strains having integrated into their genomes a gene encoding a 4HB-CoA transferase and/or PHA synthase, for polymer production. Processes for polymer production use recombinant systems that can utilize cheap substrates. Systems are provided which can utilize amino acid degradation pathways, ?-ketoglutarate, or succinate as substrate.Type: GrantFiled: October 7, 2005Date of Patent: June 12, 2007Assignee: Metabolix, Inc.Inventors: Gjalt W. Huisman, Frank A. Skraly, David P. Martin, Oliver P. Peoples
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Patent number: 7202064Abstract: Several novel PHA polymer compositions produced using biological systems include monomers such as 3-hydroxybutyrate, 3-hydroxypropionate, 2-hydroxybutyrate, 3-hydroxyvalerate, 4-hydroxybutyrate, 4-hydroxyvalerate and 5-hydroxyvalerate. These PHA compositions can readily be extended to incorporate additional monomers including, for example, 3-hydroxyhexanoate, 4-hydroxyhexanoate, 6-hydroxyhexanoate or other longer chain 3-hydroxyacids containing seven or more carbons. This can be accomplished by taking natural PHA producers and mutating through chemical or transposon mutagenesis to delete or inactivate genes encoding undesirable activities. Alternatively, the strains can be genetically engineered to express only those enzymes required for the production of the desired polymer composition. Methods for genetically engineering PHA producing microbes are widely known in the art (Huisman and Madison, 1998, Microbiology and Molecular Biology Reviews, 63: 21–53).Type: GrantFiled: June 20, 2003Date of Patent: April 10, 2007Assignee: Metabolix, Inc.Inventors: Frank A. Skraly, Oliver P. Peoples
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Patent number: 7179883Abstract: Devices formed of or including biocompatible polyhydroxyalkanoates are provided with controlled degradation rates, preferably less than one year under physiological conditions. Preferred devices include sutures, suture fasteners, meniscus repair devices, rivets, tacks, staples, screws (including interference screws), bone plates and bone plating systems, surgical mesh, repair patches, slings, cardiovascular patches, orthopedic pins (including bone filling augmentation material), adhesion barriers, stents, guided tissue repair/regeneration devices, articular cartilage repair devices, nerve guides, tendon repair devices, atrial septal defect repair devices, pericardial patches, bulking and filling agents, vein valves, bone marrow scaffolds, meniscus regeneration devices, ligament and tendon grafts, ocular cell implants, spinal fusion cages, skin substitutes, dural substitutes, bone graft substitutes, bone dowels, wound dressings, and hemostats.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2004Date of Patent: February 20, 2007Assignee: Metabolix, Inc.Inventors: Simon F. Williams, David P. Martin, Frank A. Skraly