Patents by Inventor George Bennett

George Bennett 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: 9650654
    Abstract: Methods of making C4+ hydrocarbon feedstocks using anaerobic microbes are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: William Marsh Rice University
    Inventors: George Bennett, Chandresh Thakker
  • Patent number: 9562224
    Abstract: Production of products by engineered bacteria is increased by regulating cellular respiration. Cellular respiration is controlled by reducing electron transfer enzyme activity. Some examples of electron transfer enzymes include NADH dehydrogenases, Succinate dehydrogenases, ubiquinone synthesis, cytochrome O, and cytochrome D. In one example, deletion of UbiCA prevents respiration. Respiration can the be controlled by addition of ubiquinone or expression of ubiCA.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: William Marsh Rice University
    Inventors: Ka-Yiu San, George Bennett
  • Publication number: 20160040171
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to biological methods of making a hydrocarbon feedstock wherein one-carbon substrates are converted into useful chemicals and fuels. Particularly, genetically engineered bacteria are used to make C4-C10 fatty acids or derivatives from one-carbon substrates such as methanol and carbon dioxide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2015
    Publication date: February 11, 2016
    Inventors: Ka-Yiu SAN, George BENNETT, Mukund KARANJIKAR
  • Publication number: 20150376658
    Abstract: Methods of making C4+ hydrocarbon feedstocks using anaerobic microbes are described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2015
    Publication date: December 31, 2015
    Inventors: George BENNETT, Chandresh THAKKER
  • Patent number: 8906667
    Abstract: A method of increasing cellular NADPH levels by expressing one or more genes that encode an enzyme that causes the production of NADPH. The system is combined with other enzymes that require NADPH, thus improving the overall yield of the desired product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: William Marsh Rice University
    Inventors: Ka-Yiu San, George Bennett, Henry Lin, Irene Martinez, Jiangfeng Zhu
  • Patent number: 8795991
    Abstract: Improved bacteria for making succinate and other 4 carbon dicarboxylates from the Krebs cycle have modifications to reduce acetate, lactate, EtOH and formate, as well as turn on the glyoxylate shunt, produce more NADH and overexpress In one embodiment, the bacteria are ?adhE?ldhA?iclR?ack-pta plus PYC+ and NAD+-dependant FDH+.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: William Marsh Rice University
    Inventors: Ka-Yiu San, George Bennett, Grant Balzer, Jiangfeng Zhu, Chandresh Thakker, Ailen Sanchez
  • Patent number: 8486686
    Abstract: A new culture method for producing high levels of a metabolite, such as succinic acid uses oxygen rich culture without pH adjustment to increase the biomass, acclimation in under oxygen lean conditions having <5% partial pressure of oxygen, and the production of high levels of succinate under oxygen deprived conditions. The method can be performed in a single reactor, and is amenable to efficient scale up.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: William Marsh Rice University
    Inventors: Laurent Segueilha, Ka-Yiu San, George Bennett, Irene Martinez
  • Publication number: 20100317086
    Abstract: A new culture method for producing high levels of a metabolite, such as succinic acid uses oxygen rich culture without pH adjustment to increase the biomass, acclimation in under oxygen lean conditions having <5% partial pressure of oxygen, and the production of high levels of succinate under oxygen deprived conditions. The method can be performed in a single reactor, and is amenable to efficient scale up.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2007
    Publication date: December 16, 2010
    Applicants: ROQUETTE FRERES, WILLIAM MARSH RICE UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Laurent Segueilha, Ka-Yui San, George Bennett, Irene Martinez
  • Publication number: 20100009418
    Abstract: A method of increasing cellular NADPH levels by expressing one or more genes that encode an enzyme that causes the production of NADPH. The system is combined with other enzymes that require NADPH, thus improving the overall yield of the desired product.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2007
    Publication date: January 14, 2010
    Applicant: Rice University
    Inventors: Ka-Yiu San, George Bennett, Henry Lin, Irene Martinez, Jiangfeng Zhu
  • Publication number: 20100009403
    Abstract: Production of products by engineered bacteria is increased by regulating cellular respiration. Cellular respiration is controlled by reducing electron transfer enzyme activity. Some examples of electron transfer enzymes include NADH dehydrogenases, Succinate dehydrogenases, ubiquinone synthesis, cytochrome O, and cytochrome D. In one example, deletion of UbiCA prevents respiration. Respiration can the be controlled by addition of ubiquinone or expression of ubiCA.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2007
    Publication date: January 14, 2010
    Applicant: Rice University
    Inventors: Ka-Yiu San, George Bennett
  • Publication number: 20080009034
    Abstract: The present invention describes a novel recombinant NADH recycling system that is used as a process for producing reduced compounds. In a specific embodiment, the reduced compounds include ethanol, succinate, lactate, a vitamin, a pharmaceutical and a biodegraded organic molecule. The NADH recycling system effects metabolic flux of reductive pathways in aerobic and anaerobic environments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 4, 2007
    Publication date: January 10, 2008
    Applicant: RICE UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Ka-Yiu San, Susana Berrios-Rivera, George Bennett
  • Publication number: 20070249028
    Abstract: Methods of increasing yields of succinate using aerobic culture methods and a multi-mutant E. coli strain are provided. Also provided is a mutant strain of E. coli that produces high amounts of succinic acid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2007
    Publication date: October 25, 2007
    Applicant: RICE UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Ka-Yiu San, George Bennett, Henry Lin
  • Publication number: 20070184539
    Abstract: The invention relates to a mutant strain of bacteria, which either lacks or contains mutant genes for several key metabolic enzymes, and which produces high amounts of succinic acid under anaerobic conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2007
    Publication date: August 9, 2007
    Applicant: RICE UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Ka-Yiu San, George Bennett, Allen Sanchez
  • Publication number: 20070020740
    Abstract: We have shown that the control of solventogenesis and sporulation can be genetically uncoupled in C. acetobutylicum. In strain 824(pASspo), the absence of SpoIIE causes sporulation to be blocked at stage II. The cell remains in a vegetative state, and this allows solvent production to proceed for longer and for solvents to accumulate more rapidly and to a higher concentration. The characteristic drop in OD600 observed in wild type and control strains of C. acetobutylicum after 48-72 hours as the cells transition from the solventogenic phase to sporulation is notably absent in the fermentations of 824(pASspo). Mutant S (wild type background, spoIIE disrupted), Mutant BS (Mutant B background, spoIIE disrupted), Mutant HS (Mutant H background, spoIIE disrupted) and Mutant bukS (buk- background, spoIIE disrupted) were generated to create stable solvent producing bacteria with complete inactivation of the SpoIIE protein. Similarity between the SpoIIE protein of C. acetobutylicum, B.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2005
    Publication date: January 25, 2007
    Inventors: George Bennett, Miles Scotcher
  • Publication number: 20060141594
    Abstract: In vivo method of producing esters from acetyle coA, such as isoamyl acetate and succinate, has been developed by producing null mutants in pathways that use acetyl coA and by overexpressing products that use NADH and in order to maintain the proper redox balance between NADH and NAD+. The method is exemplified with null mutations in ldhA, adhE, ackA-pta and overexpression of pyruvate carboxylase and alcohol acetyltransferase. This strain produces higher levels of both isoamyl acetate and succinate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2005
    Publication date: June 29, 2006
    Inventors: Ka-Yiu San, Ailen Sanchez, George Bennett, Cheryl Dittrich
  • Publication number: 20060129301
    Abstract: A method for monitoring performance of a gas turbine engine includes, during acceleration of an engine, accumulating regulator indices from an engine controller and times accumulated on acceleration regulators. At least one engine sensor value is also monitored after reaching a steady state takeoff power. The regulator indices, accumulated times, and the one or more monitored engine sensor values are used in a regression equation to normalize current engine regulator usage to a reference condition. The method further includes comparing the normalized current engine regulator usage to a historical value of engine regulator usage derived from prior takeoff data, and utilizing results of the comparison to indicate whether to perform proactive maintenance on the engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2004
    Publication date: June 15, 2006
    Inventors: Malcolm Ashby, George Bennett
  • Publication number: 20060073577
    Abstract: The invention relates to a hybrid succinate production system that has a high capacity to produce succinate under aerobic and anaerobic conditions. The metabolic engineering of a hybrid bacterial succinate production system that can function under both aerobic and anaerobic conditions makes the production process more efficient, and the process control and optimization less difficult.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2005
    Publication date: April 6, 2006
    Inventors: San Ka-Yiu, George Bennett, Lin Henry, Ailen Sanchez
  • Publication number: 20060046288
    Abstract: The invention relates to a mutant strain of bacteria, which either lacks or contains mutant genes for several key metabolic enzymes, and which produces high amounts of succinic acid under anaerobic conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2005
    Publication date: March 2, 2006
    Inventors: San Ka-Yiu, George Bennett, Ailen Sanchez
  • Publication number: 20060040368
    Abstract: Methods of increasing yields of succinate using aerobic culture methods and a multi-mutant E. coli strain are provided. Also provided is a mutant strain of E. coli that produces high amounts of succinic acid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2005
    Publication date: February 23, 2006
    Inventors: Ka-Yiu San, George Bennett, Henry Lin
  • Publication number: 20050196866
    Abstract: A method of increasing cellular NADPH levels by expressing one or more genes that encode a enzyme that causes the production of NADPH. The system can be combined with other enzymes that require NADPH, thus improving the overall production of the desired protein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2004
    Publication date: September 8, 2005
    Applicant: Rice University
    Inventors: Ka-Yiu San, George Bennett, Ailen Sanchez