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).

  • Publication number: 20080256662
    Abstract: Expressed Sequence Tags (ESTs) isolated from soybean are disclosed. The ESTs provide a unique molecular tool for the targeting and isolation of novel genes for plant protection and improvement. The disclosed ESTs have utility in the development of new strategies for understanding critical plant developmental and metabolic pathways. The disclosed ESTs have particular utility in isolating genes and promoters, identifying and mapping the genes involved in developmental and metabolic pathways, and determining gene function. Sequence homology analyses using the ESTs provided in the present invention, will result in more efficient gene screening for desirable agronomic traits. An expanding database of these select pieces of the plant genomics puzzle will quickly expand the knowledge necessary for subsequent functional validation, a key limitation in current plant biotechnology efforts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2005
    Publication date: October 16, 2008
    Inventors: Joseph R. Byrum, Thomas J. La Rosa, Gregory R. Heck
  • Publication number: 20080201801
    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: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2008
    Publication date: August 21, 2008
    Inventors: Edwards Allen, William P. Donovan, Gregory R. Heck, James K. Roberts, Virginia Ursin, Yuanji Zhang
  • Publication number: 20070192903
    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: February 13, 2007
    Publication date: August 16, 2007
    Inventors: Gregory R. Heck, JoAnne J. Fillatti, Jean C. Goley, Tichafa R.I. Munyikwa, Toni Voelker, Ty T. Vaughn
  • Patent number: 7195917
    Abstract: Methods and materials are disclosed for the inhibition and control of gibberellic acid levels. In particular, nucleic acid sequences of copalyl diphosphate synthase. 3-? hydroxylase, and 2-oxidase and additional nucleic acid sequences are disclosed. Gibberellic acid levels may be inhibited or controlled by preparation of a chimeric expression construct capable of expressing a RNA or protein product which suppresses the gibberellin biosynthetic pathway sequence, diverts substrates from the pathway or degrades pathway substrates or products. The sequence is preferably a copalyl diphosphate synthase sequence, a 3?-hydroxylase sequence, a 2-oxidase sequence, a phytoene synthase sequence, a C20-oxidase sequence, and a 2?,3?-hydroxylase sequence. Administration of a complementing agent, preferably a gibberellin or gibberellin precursor or intermediate restores bioactivity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Assignee: Monsanto Technology LLC
    Inventors: Sherri M. Brown, Tedd D. Elich, Gregory R. Heck, Ganesh M. Kishore, Eugene W. Logusch, Sherry J. Logusch, Kenneth J. Piller, Sudabathula Rao, Joel E. Ream, Scott R. Baerson
  • Patent number: 7193071
    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: March 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2007
    Assignee: Monsanto Technology LLC
    Inventors: Carl Frederick Behr, Gregory R. Heck, Catherine Hironaka Hironaka, Jinsong You
  • Patent number: 7132528
    Abstract: The present invention relates to polynucleotide molecules for regulating gene expression in plants. In particular, the invention relates to DNA sequences of the rice (Oryza sativa cv Nipponbare) triosephosphate isomerase (OsTPI) gene promoter that are useful for regulating gene expression of heterologous polynucleotide molecules in plants. The invention also relates to expression constructs and transgenic plants containing the heterologous polynucleotide molecules operably linked to and regulated by OsTPI DNA sequences.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2006
    Assignee: Monsanto Technology LLC
    Inventors: Gregory R. Heck, Jinsong You, Scott R. Baerson
  • Patent number: 6825400
    Abstract: The present invention relates to corn plant PV-ZMGT32 (nk603 ) having a transformation event that produces glyphosate tolerance. The invention also relates to progeny corn plants having this event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2004
    Assignee: Monsanto Technology LLC
    Inventors: Carl Frederick Behr, Gregory R. Heck, Catherine Hironaka Hironaka, Jinsong You
  • Patent number: 6803501
    Abstract: The methods and materials disclosed herein are directed to glyphosate herbicide tolerance in plants. In particular, the isolation of a glyphosate resistant EPSP synthase coding sequence from Eleusine indica. The coding sequence is useful to genetically engineer plants for tolerance to glyphosate herbicide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2004
    Assignee: Monsanto Technology, LLC
    Inventors: Scott R. Baerson, Damian J. Rodriguez, Gregory R. Heck
  • Publication number: 20040148650
    Abstract: The methods and materials disclosed herein are directed to glyphosate herbicide tolerance in plants. In particular, the isolation of a glyphosate resistant EPSP synthase coding sequence and its regulatory elements from Eleusine indica. The coding sequence and regulatory sequences are useful to genetically engineer plants for tolerance to glyphosate herbicide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2004
    Publication date: July 29, 2004
    Applicant: Monsanto Technology LLC.
    Inventors: Scott R. Baerson, Damian J. Rodriguez, Gregory R. Heck
  • Publication number: 20040139493
    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 1, 2004
    Publication date: July 15, 2004
    Inventors: Carl Frederick Behr, Gregory R. Heck, Catherine Hironaka, Jinsong You
  • Publication number: 20040121321
    Abstract: The present invention is in the field of plant biochemistry. More specifically the invention relates to nucleic acid sequences from plant cells, in particular, nucleic acid sequences from maize and soybean associated with the gibberellin pathway enzymes. The invention encompasses nucleic acid molecules that encode proteins and fragments of proteins. In addition, the invention also encompasses proteins and fragments of proteins so encoded and antibodies capable of binding these proteins or fragments. The invention also relates to methods of using the nucleic acid molecules, proteins and fragments of proteins and antibodies, for example for genome mapping, gene identification and analysis, plant breeding, preparation of constructs for use in plant gene expression and transgenic plants.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2001
    Publication date: June 24, 2004
    Inventors: Sherri M. Brown, Gregory R. Heck, Jingdong Liu
  • Publication number: 20040123339
    Abstract: The present invention is in the field of plant biochemistry. More specifically the invention relates to nucleic acid sequences from plant cells, in particular, nucleic acid sequences from maize, soybean and Arabidopsis thaliana associated with transcription factors. The invention encompasses nucleic acid molecules that encode proteins and fragments of proteins. In addition, the invention also encompasses proteins and fragments of proteins so encoded and antibodies capable of binding these proteins or fragments. The invention also relates to methods of using the nucleic acid molecules, proteins and fragments of proteins and antibodies, for example for genome mapping, gene identification and analysis, plant breeding, preparation of constructs for use in plant gene expression and transgenic plants.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2001
    Publication date: June 24, 2004
    Inventors: Timothy W. Conner, Gregory R. Heck, Jingdong Liu
  • Patent number: 6723897
    Abstract: Methods and materials are disclosed for the inhibition and control of gibberellic acid levels. In particular, nucleic acid sequences of copalyl diphosphate synthase, 3-&bgr; hydroxylase, and 2-oxidase and additional nucleic acid sequences are disclosed. Gibberellic acid levels may be inhibited or controlled by preparation of a chimeric expression construct capable of expressing antisense RNA which suppresses the gibberellin biosynthetic pathway sequence. The antisense sequence is the complement of a copalyl diphosphate synthase sequence, a 3&bgr;-hydroxylase sequence, or a C20-oxidase sequence. Administration of a complementing agent, preferably a gibberellin or gibberellin precursor or intermediate restores bioactivity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: Monsanto Technology, LLC
    Inventors: Sherri M. Brown, Tedd D. Elich, Gregory R. Heck, Ganesh M. Kishore, Eugene W. Logusch, Sherry J. Logusch, Kenneth J. Piller, Sudabathula Rao, Joel E. Ream, Scott R. Baerson
  • Publication number: 20030233679
    Abstract: Methods and materials are disclosed for the inhibition and control of gibberellic acid levels. In particular, nucleic acid sequences of copalyl diphosphate synthase. 3-&bgr; hydroxylase, and 2-oxidase and additional nucleic acid sequences are disclosed. Gibberellic acid levels may be inhibited or controlled by preparation of a chimeric expression construct capable of expressing a RNA or protein product which suppresses the gibberellin biosynthetic pathway sequence, diverts substrates from the pathway or degrades pathway substrates or products. The sequence is preferably a copalyl diphosphate synthase sequence, a 3&bgr;-hydroxylase sequence, a 2-oxidase sequence, a phytoene synthase sequence, a C20-oxidase sequence, and a 2&bgr;,3&bgr;-hydroxylase sequence. Administration of a complementing agent, preferably a gibberellin or gibberellin precursor or intermediate restores bioactivity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2003
    Publication date: December 18, 2003
    Applicant: Monsanto Technology LLC.
    Inventors: Sherri M. Brown, Tedd D. Elich, Gregory R. Heck, Ganesh M. Kishore, Eugene W. Logusch, Sherry J. Logusch, Kenneth J. Piller, Sudabathula Rao, Joel E. Ream, Scott R. Baerson
  • Publication number: 20030192072
    Abstract: The methods and materials disclosed herein are directed to glyphosate herbicide tolerance in plants. In particular, the isolation of a glyphosate resistant EPSP synthase coding sequence and its regulatory elements from Eleusine indica. The coding sequence and regulatory sequences are useful to genetically engineer plants for tolerance to glyphosate herbicide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2003
    Publication date: October 9, 2003
    Applicant: Monsanto Technology LLC
    Inventors: Scott R. Baerson, Damian J. Rodriguez, Gregory R. Heck
  • Publication number: 20030188346
    Abstract: The methods and materials disclosed herein are directed to glyphosate herbicide tolerance in plants. In particular, the isolation of a glyphosate resistant EPSP synthase coding sequence and its regulatory elements from Eleusine indica. The coding sequence and regulatory sequences are useful to genetically engineer plants for tolerance to glyphosate herbicide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2001
    Publication date: October 2, 2003
    Inventors: Scott R. Baerson, Damian J. Rodriguez, Gregory R. Heck
  • Publication number: 20020053095
    Abstract: Methods and materials are disclosed for the inhibition and control of gibberellic acid levels. In particular, nucleic acid sequences of copalyl diphosphate synthase, 3-&bgr; hydroxylase, and 2-oxidase and additional nucleic acid sequences are disclosed. Gibberellic acid levels may be inhibited or controlled by preparation of a chimeric expression construct capable of expressing a RNA or protein product which suppresses the gibberellin biosynthetic pathway sequence, diverts substrates from the pathway or degrades pathway substrates or products. The sequence is preferably a copalyl diphosphate synthase sequence, a 3&bgr;-hydroxylase sequence, a 2-oxidase sequence, a phytoene synthase sequence, a C20-oxidase sequence, and a 2&bgr;,3&bgr;-hydroxylase sequence. Administration of a complementing agent, preferably a gibberellin or gibberellin precursor or intermediate restores bioactivity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 1999
    Publication date: May 2, 2002
    Applicant: ARNOLD WHITE & DURKEE
    Inventors: SHERRI M. BROWN, TEDD D. ELICH, GREGORY R. HECK, GANESH M. KISHORE, EUGENE W. LOGUSCH, SHERRY J. LOGUSCH, KENNETH J. PILLER, SUDABATHULA RAO, JOEL E. REAM
  • Publication number: 20020013960
    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: June 1, 2001
    Publication date: January 31, 2002
    Inventors: Carl Frederick Behr, Gregory R. Heck, Catherine Hironaka Hironaka, Jinsong You
  • Patent number: 6133435
    Abstract: A transgenic flowering plant exhibiting a novel phenotype contains in its genome a genetic construct in which an AGL15 sequence is placed under the control of a promoter that is expressed in the plant, the promoter not being natively associated with the AGL15 sequence. A genetic construct that is useful for obtaining transgenic plants includes an AGL15 sequence under the control of a promoter, not natively associated with the AGL15 sequence, which is functional in plants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2000
    Inventors: Donna E. Fernandez, Gregory R. Heck