Patents by Inventor Gregory R. Heck

Gregory R. Heck 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: 9528121
    Abstract: This invention provides plants having resistance to invertebrate pests. More specifically, this invention discloses a non-natural transgenic plant cell expressing at least one invertebrate miRNA in planta for suppression of a target gene of an invertebrate pest or of a symbiont associated with the invertebrate pest. Also provided are recombinant DNA constructs for expression of at least one invertebrate miRNA in planta, a non-natural transgenic plant containing the non-natural transgenic plant cell of this invention, a non-natural transgenic plant grown from the non-natural transgenic plant cell of this invention, and non-natural transgenic seed produced by the non-natural transgenic plants, as well as commodity products produced from a non-natural transgenic plant cell, plant, or seed of this invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: Monsanto Technology LLC
    Inventors: Edwards Allen, William P. Donovan, Gregory R. Heck, James K. Roberts, Virginia Ursin, Yuanji Zhang
  • Patent number: 9322031
    Abstract: This invention provides transgenic plant cells with recombinant DNA for expression of proteins that are useful for imparting enhanced agronomic trait(s) to transgenic crop plants. This invention also provides transgenic plants and progeny seed comprising the transgenic plant cells where the plants are selected for having an enhanced trait selected from the group of traits consisting of enhanced water use efficiency, enhanced cold tolerance, increased yield, enhanced nitrogen use efficiency, enhanced seed protein and enhanced seed oil. Also disclosed are methods for manufacturing transgenic seed and plants with enhanced traits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: Monsanto Technology LLC
    Inventors: Scott E. Andersen, Yongwei Cao, Stanton B. Dotson, Michael D. Edgerton, David K. Kovalic, Linda L. Lutfiyya, Zhidong Xie, Gregory R. Heck, Thomas J. La Rosa, Jingdong Liu, Jingrui Wu, Garrett J. Lee, Thomas R. Adams, Donald E. Nelson, Timothy Conner
  • Publication number: 20140315312
    Abstract: This invention relates to methods of controlling gene expression or gene suppression in eukaryotic cells. One aspect of this invention includes modifying the degree of silencing of a target gene by use of a modified suppression element. Another aspect includes providing a eukaryotic cell having a desired phenotype resulting from transcription in the eukaryotic cell of a modified suppression element. Also provided are transgenic eukaryotic cells, transgenic plant cells, plants, and seeds containing modified suppression elements, and useful derivatives of such transgenic plant cells, plants, or seeds, such as food or feed products.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2014
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Inventors: Joanne Fillatti, Jean C. Coley, Gregory R. Heck, Tichafa R. I. Munyikwa, Ty T. Vaughn, Toni Voelker
  • Publication number: 20140304849
    Abstract: The present invention provides a DNA construct that confers tolerance to transgenic corn plant. Also provided are assays for detecting the presence of the PV-ZMGT32(nk603) corn event based on the DNA sequence of the recombinant construct inserted into the corn genome and of genomic sequences flanking the insertion site.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2014
    Publication date: October 9, 2014
    Applicant: Monsanto Technology LLC
    Inventors: Carl Frederick Behr, Gregory R. Heck, Catherine Hironaka, Jinsong You
  • Publication number: 20140194351
    Abstract: A novel Bacillus thuringiensis crystal protein exhibiting insect inhibitory activity is disclosed. Growth of Lygus insects is significantly inhibited by providing the novel crystal protein in Lygus insect diet. Polynucleotides encoding the crystal protein, transgenic plants and microorganisms that contain the polynucleotides, isolated peptides derived from the crystal protein, and antibodies directed against the crystal protein are also provided. Methods of using the crystal protein and polynucleotides encoding the crystal protein to control Hemipteran insects are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2013
    Publication date: July 10, 2014
    Applicant: Monsanto Technology LLC
    Inventors: James A. Baum, Stanislaw Flasinski, Gregory R. Heck, Stephen R. Penn, Uma Rao Sukuru, Xiaohong Shi
  • Patent number: 8759611
    Abstract: The present invention relates to control of pest infestation by inhibiting one or more biological functions. The invention provides methods and compositions for such control, By feeding one or more recombinant double stranded RNA molecules provided by the invention to the pest, a reduction in pest infestation is obtained through suppression of gene expression. The invention is also directed to methods for making transgenic plants that express the double stranded RNA molecules, and to particular combinations of transgenic pesticidal agents for use in protecting plants from pest infestation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Monsanto Technology LLC
    Inventors: James A. Buam, Claire A. Cajacob, Pascale Feldmann, Gregory R. Heck, Irene Nooren, Geert Plaetinck, Wendy Maddelein, Ty T. Vaughn
  • Patent number: 8722969
    Abstract: The present invention provides a recombinant DNA molecule that confers herbicide tolerance to transgenic corn plants. Also provided by the present invention are methods for growing a corn plant that tolerate application of glyphosate comprising planting and growing seeds comprising the recombinant DNA molecule and applying glyphosate to the corn plant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Monsanto Technology LLC
    Inventors: Carl Frederick Behr, Gregory R. Heck, Catherine Hironaka, Jinsong You
  • Publication number: 20140080755
    Abstract: The invention provides methods for selecting nucleotide sequences that yield dsRNA-mediated gene suppression in a target organism and enable their uptake by the target organism. The invention further provides expression constructs that confer stabilized expression of such sequences in a transgenic host cell, and methods for their use. Also provided are organisms, cells and tissues prepared by a method of the invention.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2013
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Applicant: Monsanto Technology LLC
    Inventors: Gregory R. Heck, Tichafa R.I. Munyikwa, Jean C. Goley, James K. Roberts, Scott C. Johnson, Ty T. Vaughn
  • Patent number: 8609936
    Abstract: A novel Bacillus thuringiensis crystal protein exhibiting insect inhibitory activity is disclosed. Growth of Lygus insects is significantly inhibited by providing the novel crystal protein in Lygus insect diet. Polynucleotides encoding the crystal protein, transgenic plants and microorganisms that contain the polynucleotides, isolated peptides derived from the crystal protein, and antibodies directed against the crystal protein are also provided. Methods of using the crystal protein and polynucleotides encoding the crystal protein to control Hemipteran insects are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Monsanto Technology LLC
    Inventors: James Baum, Stanislaw Flasinski, Gregory R. Heck, Stephen R. Penn, Uma Rao Sukuru, Xiaohong Shi
  • Publication number: 20130305416
    Abstract: A novel Bacillus thuringiensis crystal protein exhibiting insect inhibitory activity is disclosed. Growth of Lygus insects is significantly inhibited by providing the novel crystal protein in Lygus insect diet. Polynucleotides encoding the crystal protein, transgenic plants and microorganisms that contain the polynucleotides, isolated peptides derived from the crystal protein, and antibodies directed against the crystal protein are also provided. Methods of using the crystal protein and polynucleotides encoding the crystal protein to control Hemipteran insects are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2013
    Publication date: November 14, 2013
    Applicant: MONSANTO TECHNOLOGY LLC
    Inventors: James A. Baum, Stanislaw Flasinski, Gregory R. Heck, Stephen R. Penn, Uma Rao Sukuru, Xiaohong Shi
  • Patent number: 8513493
    Abstract: A novel Bacillus thuringiensis crystal protein exhibiting insect inhibitory activity is disclosed. Growth of Lygus insects is significantly inhibited by providing the novel crystal protein in Lygus insect diet. Polynucleotides encoding the crystal protein, transgenic plants and microorganisms that contain the polynucleotides, isolated peptides derived from the crystal protein, and antibodies directed against the crystal protein are also provided. Methods of using the crystal protein and polynucleotides encoding the crystal protein to control Hemipteran insects are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Monsanto Technology LLC
    Inventors: James Baum, Stanislaw Flasinski, Gregory R. Heck, Stephen R. Penn, Uma Rao Sukuru, Xiaohong Shi
  • Patent number: 8436159
    Abstract: The compositions and methods disclosed herein provide novel DNA molecules that encode glyphosate resistant EPSPS proteins and plants containing these new proteins. The plants that express the new EPSPS proteins are themselves tolerant to the herbicidal effects of glyphosate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: Monsanto Technology LLC
    Inventors: Murtaza F. Alibhai, Claire Cajacob, Paul C. C. Feng, Gregory R. Heck, Youlin Qi, Stanislaw Flasinski, William C. Stallings
  • Patent number: 8410334
    Abstract: This invention provides a non-natural transgenic plant cell expressing at least one invertebrate miRNA in planta for suppression of a target gene of an invertebrate pest or of a symbiont associated with the invertebrate pest, recombinant DNA constructs for expression of at least one invertebrate miRNA in planta and methods of use thereof, a non-natural transgenic plant containing the non-natural transgenic plant cell of this invention, a non-natural transgenic plant grown from the non-natural transgenic plant cell of this invention, and non-natural transgenic seed produced by the non-natural transgenic plants, as well as commodity products produced from a non-natural transgenic plant cell, plant, or seed of this invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: Monsanto Technology LLC
    Inventors: Edwards Allen, William P. Donovan, Gregory R. Heck, James K. Roberts, Virginia Ursin, Yuanji Zhang
  • Publication number: 20120329654
    Abstract: The present invention provides a DNA construct that confers tolerance to transgenic corn plant. Also provided are assays for detecting the presence of the PV-ZMGT32(nk603) corn event based on the DNA sequence of the recombinant construct inserted into the corn genome and of genomic sequences flanking the insertion site.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2012
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Inventors: Carl Frederick Behr, Gregory R. Heck, Catherine Hironaka, Jinsong You
  • Publication number: 20120317677
    Abstract: This invention provides transgenic plant cells with recombinant DNA for expression of proteins that are useful for imparting enhanced agronomic trait(s) to transgenic crop plants. This invention also provides transgenic plants and progeny seed comprising the transgenic plant cells where the plants are selected for having an enhanced trait selected from the group of traits consisting of enhanced water use efficiency, enhanced cold tolerance, increased yield, enhanced nitrogen use efficiency, enhanced seed protein and enhanced seed oil.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2012
    Publication date: December 13, 2012
    Inventors: Scott E. Andersen, Yongwei Cao, Stanton B. Dotson, Michael D. Edgerton, David K. Kovalic, Linda L. Lutfiyya, Zhidong Xie, Gregory R. Heck, Thomas J. La Rosa, Jingdong Liu, Jingrui Wu, Garrett J. Lee, Thomas R. Adams, Donald E. Nelson, Timothy Conner
  • Patent number: 8273959
    Abstract: The present invention provides a DNA construct that confers tolerance to transgenic corn plant. Also provided are assays for detecting the presence of the PV-ZMGT32(nk603) corn event based on the DNA sequence of the recombinant construct inserted into the corn genome and of genomic sequences flanking the insertion site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: Monsanto Technology LLC
    Inventors: Carl Frederick Behr, Gregory R. Heck, Catherine Hironaka Hironaka, Jinsong You
  • Publication number: 20120192317
    Abstract: The invention provides methods for selecting nucleotide sequences that yield dsRNA-mediated gene suppression in a target organism and enable their uptake by the target organism. The invention further provides expression constructs that confer stabilized expression of such sequences in a transgenic host cell, and methods for their use. Also provided are organisms, cells and tissues prepared by a method of the invention.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2011
    Publication date: July 26, 2012
    Inventors: GREGORY R. HECK, Tichafa R. I. Munyikwa, Jean C. Goley, James K. Roberts, Scott C. Johnson, Ty T. Vaughn
  • Publication number: 20120137387
    Abstract: The present invention relates to control of pest infestation by inhibiting one or more biological functions. The invention provides methods and compositions for such control, By feeding one or more recombinant double stranded RNA molecules provided by the invention to the pest, a reduction in pest infestation is obtained through suppression of gene expression. The invention is also directed to methods for making transgenic plants that express the double stranded RNA molecules, and to particular combinations of transgenic pesticidal agents for use in protecting plants from pest infestation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2010
    Publication date: May 31, 2012
    Applicants: DevGen NV, Monsanto Technology LLC
    Inventors: James A. Baum, Claire A. Cajacob, Pascale Feldmann, Gregory R. Heck, Irene Nooren, Geert Plaetinck, Wendy Maddelein, Ty T. Vaughn
  • Publication number: 20120015810
    Abstract: The present invention provides polynucleotide molecules isolated from Zea mays and Oryza sativa and useful for expressing transgenes in plants. The present invention also provides expression constructs containing the polynucleotide molecules useful for expressing transgenes in plants. The present invention also provides transgenic plants and seeds containing the polynucleotide molecules useful for expressing transgenes in plants.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2011
    Publication date: January 19, 2012
    Inventors: Gregory R. Heck, Marianne Malven, James D. Masucci, Jinsong You
  • Patent number: 8088911
    Abstract: The present invention provides polynucleotide molecules isolated from Zea mays and Oryza sativa and useful for expressing transgenes in plants. The present invention also provides expression constructs containing the polynucleotide molecules useful for expressing transgenes in plants. The present invention also provides transgenic plants and seeds containing the polynucleotide molecules useful for expressing transgenes in plants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Assignee: Monsanto Technology LLC
    Inventors: Gregory R. Heck, Marianne Malven, James D. Masucci, Jinsong You