Patents by Inventor George E. Pierce

George E. Pierce 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: 7943549
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods for delaying a plant development process comprising exposing a plant or plant part to one or more bacteria or enzymes. In specific embodiments, the one or more bacteria are selected from the group consisting of Rhodococcus spp., Pseudomonas chloroaphis, Brevibacterium ketoglutamicum, and a mixture comprising any combination of these bacteria. Apparatuses for delaying a plant development process comprising a catalyst that comprises one or more of the above bacteria.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Assignee: Georgia State University Research Foundation, Inc.
    Inventors: George E. Pierce, Sangeeta Ganguly, Gene K. Drago
  • Publication number: 20090203103
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods for inducing desired activity in enzymes or microorganisms capable of producing the enzymes. The invention is further directed to methods of stabilizing activity in microorganisms. In specific embodiments, the invention provides methods for inducing and stabilizing nitrile hydratase activity, amidase activity, and asparaginase I activity. The invention further provides compositions comprising enzymes or microorganisms having induced and/or stabilized activity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2009
    Publication date: August 13, 2009
    Applicant: GEORGIA STATE UNIVERSITY RESEARCH FOUNDATION, INC.
    Inventors: George E. Pierce, Gene K. Drago, Sangeeta Ganguly
  • Patent number: 7531343
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods for inducing desired activity in enzymes or microorganisms capable of producing the enzymes. The invention is further directed to methods of stabilizing activity in microorganisms. In specific embodiments, the invention provides methods for inducing and stabilizing nitrile hydratase activity, amidase activity, and asparaginase I activity. The invention further provides compositions comprising enzymes or microorganisms having induced and/or stabilized activity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2009
    Assignee: Georgia State University Research Foundation, Inc.
    Inventors: George E. Pierce, Gene K. Drago, Sangeeta Ganguly
  • Patent number: 7531344
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods for inducing desired activity in enzymes or microorganisms capable of producing the enzymes. The invention is further directed to methods of stabilizing activity in microorganisms. In specific embodiments, the invention provides methods for inducing and stabilizing nitrile hydratase activity, amidase activity, and asparaginase I activity. The invention further provides compositions comprising enzymes or microorganisms having induced and/or stabilized activity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2009
    Assignee: Georgia State University Research Foundation, Inc.
    Inventors: George E. Pierce, Gene Drago, Sangeeta Ganguly
  • Publication number: 20080236038
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods for delaying a plant development process comprising exposing a plant or plant part to one or more bacteria or enzymes. In specific embodiments, the one or more bacteria are selected from the group consisting of Rhodococcus spp., Pseudomonas chloroaphis, Brevibacterium ketoglutamicum, and a mixture comprising any combination of these bacteria. Apparatuses for delaying a plant development process comprising a catalyst that comprises one or more of the above bacteria.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2007
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Applicant: Georgia State University Research Foundation, Inc.
    Inventors: George E. Pierce, Sangeeta Ganguly, Gene K. Drago
  • Patent number: 6669720
    Abstract: An apparatus for endovascular repair of aortic aneurysms is disclosed. In one form, the apparatus includes a tube and an anchoring unit that includes a plurality of thin lines. The tube serves as a conduit for blood flow in an aneurysm of an aorta. A first end of the plurality of lines is connected to a first end of the tube. A second end of the plurality of lines is separated by a distance from the first end of the tube for anchoring the apparatus at a location away from the aneurysm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2003
    Inventor: George E. Pierce
  • Patent number: 6152956
    Abstract: An apparatus for endovascular repair of aortic aneurysms is disclosed. In one form, the apparatus includes a tube and an anchoring unit that includes a plurality of thin lines. The tube serves as a conduit for blood flow in an aneurysm of an aorta. First end of the lines are connected to a first end of the tube. Second end of the lines are separated by a distance from the first end of the tube for anchoring the apparatus at a location away from the aneurysm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2000
    Inventor: George E. Pierce
  • Patent number: 6132985
    Abstract: The present invention describes methods for the detoxification of a mixture of nitrile compounds, or a mixture of nitrile and amide compounds by conversion of the nitrile compound(s) to the corresponding amide or acid compounds using a pure culture of an induced microorganism strain capable of converting a nitrile moiety to an amide or acid moiety. If an amide is formed or is present in the mixture, the amide can be further converted, using the present methods for detoxification, to the corresponding acid. The acid can then, if desired, be further degraded to CO.sub.2, H.sub.2 O and biomass. The induced pure cultures are able to detoxify a mixture of nitriles or a mixture of nitrites and amides which are typically present, in high concentration(s), in nitrile production waste streams.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2000
    Assignee: Cytec Technology Corporation
    Inventor: George E. Pierce
  • Patent number: 6060265
    Abstract: The present invention describes methods for the detoxification of a mixture of nitrile compounds, or a mixture of nitrile and amide compounds by conversion of the nitrile compound(s) to the corresponding amide or acid compounds using a pure culture of an induced microorganism strain capable of converting a nitrile moiety to an amide or acid moiety. If an amide is formed or is present in the mixture, the amide can be further converted, using the present methods for detoxification, to the corresponding acid. The acid can then, if desired, be further degraded to CO.sub.2, H.sub.2 O and biomass. The induced pure cultures are able to detoxify a mixture of nitriles or a mixture of nitriles and amides which are typically present, in high concentration(s), in nitrile production waste streams.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2000
    Assignee: Cytec Technology Corporation
    Inventor: George E. Pierce
  • Patent number: 5863750
    Abstract: The present invention describes methods for the detoxification of a mixture of nitrile compounds, or a mixture of nitrile and amide compounds by conversion of the nitrile compound(s) to the corresponding amide or acid compounds using a pure culture of an induced microorganism strain capable of converting a nitrile moiety to an amide or acid moiety. If an amide is formed or is present in the mixture, the amide can be further converted, using the present methods for detoxification, to the corresponding acid. The acid can then, if desired, be further degraded to CO.sub.2, H.sub.2 O and biomass. The induced pure cultures are able to detoxify a mixture of nitrites or a mixture of nitriles and amides which are typically present, in high concentration(s), in nitrile production waste streams.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 26, 1999
    Inventor: George E. Pierce
  • Patent number: 5773283
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the aerobic reaction of compounds such as aromatic, nitro-aromatic, halo-aromatic, halo-nitro-aromatic, aliphatic and halo-aliphatic compounds with a microorganism, said microorganism being a member of the group consisting of microorganisms having ATCC Accession No. 55644, 55648, 55645, 55641, 55647, 55642, 55643, 55646, 55649, 55722, 55723, 55726, 55727, 55724, and 55725.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 30, 1998
    Assignee: Cytec Technology Corporation
    Inventor: George E. Pierce
  • Patent number: 5688685
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the aerobic reaction of compounds such as aromatic, nitro-aromatic, halo-aromatic, aliphatic and halo-aliphatic compounds with a microorganism, the microorganism being a member of the group consisting of microorganisms having ATCC Accession No. 55641, 55642, 55643, 55644, 55645, 55646, 55647, 55648 and 55649 More particularly, the present invention relates to the aerobic degradation of organic compounds in fluid or solid phase such that the compounds are bioremediated to products containing CO.sub.2 and H.sub.2 O.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 18, 1997
    Assignee: Cytec Technology Corporation
    Inventor: George E. Pierce
  • Patent number: 5641679
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the aerobic reaction of compounds such as aromatic, nitro-aromatic, halo-aromatic, aliphatic and halo-aliphatic compounds with a microorganism, the microorganism being a member of the group consisting of microorganisms having ATCC Accession No. 55641, 55642, 55643, 55644, 55645, 55646, 55647, 55648 and 55649. More particularly, the present invention relates to the aerobic degradation of organic compounds in fluid or solid phase such that the compounds are bioremediated to products containing CO.sub.2 and H.sub.2 O.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 24, 1997
    Assignee: Cytec Technology Corporation
    Inventor: George E. Pierce
  • Patent number: 5633164
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the aerobic reaction of compounds such as aromatic, nitro-aromatic, halo-aromatic, aliphatic and halo-aliphatic compounds with a microorganism, the microorganism being a member of the group consisting of microorganisms having ATCC Accession No. 55641, 55642, 55643, 55644, 55645, 55646, 55647, 55648 and 55649. More particularly, the present invention relates to the aerobic degradation of organic compounds in fluid or solid phase such that the compounds are bioremediated to products containing CO.sub.2 and H.sub.2 O.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 27, 1997
    Assignee: Cytec Technology Corporaton
    Inventors: George E. Pierce, Christopher V. Smith
  • Patent number: 5610061
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the aerobic reaction of compounds such as aromatic, nitro-aromatic, haloaromatic, aliphatic and halo-aliphatic compounds with a microorganism, the microorganism being a member of the group consisting of microorganisms having ATCC Accession No. 55641, 55642, 55643, 55644, 55645, 55646, 55647, 55648 and 55649. More particularly, the present invention relates to the aerobic degradation of organic compounds in fluid or solid phase such that the compounds are bioremediated to products containing CO.sub.2 and H.sub.2 O.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 11, 1997
    Assignee: Cytec Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: George E. Pierce
  • Patent number: 5585272
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the aerobic reaction of compounds such as aromatic, nitro-aromatic, halo-aromatic, aliphatic and halo-aliphatic compounds with a microorganism, the microorganism being a member of the group consisting of microorganisms having ATCC Accession No. 55641, 55642, 55643, 55644, 55645, 55646, 55647, 55648 and 55649. More particularly, the present invention relates to the aerobic degradation of organic compounds in fluid or solid phase such that the compounds are bioremediated to products containing CO.sub.2 and H.sub.2 O.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 17, 1996
    Assignee: Cytec Technology Corporation
    Inventors: George E. Pierce, Carolyn W. English
  • Patent number: 5571705
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the aerobic reaction of compounds such as aromatic, nitro-aromatic, halo-aromatic, aliphatic and halo-aliphatic compounds with a microorganism, the microorganism being a member of the group consisting of microorganisms having ATCC Accession No. 55641, 55642, 55643, 55644, 55645, 55646, 55647, 55648 and 55649. More particularly, the present invention relates to the aerobic degradation of organic compounds in fluid or solid phase such that the compounds are bioremediated to products containing CO.sub.2 and H.sub.2 O.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 5, 1996
    Assignee: Cytec Technology Corp.
    Inventor: George E. Pierce
  • Patent number: 4582804
    Abstract: The synthesis of hydroxy-fatty acids and keto-fatty acids from unsaturated fatty acids by Rhodococcus rhodochrous is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 1985
    Date of Patent: April 15, 1986
    Inventors: John H. Litchfield, George E. Pierce