Patents by Inventor H. Ernest Schnepf

H. Ernest Schnepf 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: 8816157
    Abstract: This invention provides modified, insecticidal Cry34 proteins with enhanced properties as compared to wild-type Cry34 proteins. The modifications to these proteins were based in part on an analysis of the three-dimensional (3D) structure of this protein and other proteins in the Cry34 class. The subject invention also includes polynucleotides that encode these modified proteins, and transgenic plants that produce these modified proteins. This invention further provides methods of controlling plant pests, including rootworms, with these modified proteins. The modified proteins of the subject invention include chimeric toxins involving exchanged segments, domains, and motifs as discussed herein. The subject invention also provides methods of modifying Cry34 proteins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Dow AgroSciences, LLC.
    Inventor: H. Ernest Schnepf
  • Patent number: 8372803
    Abstract: This invention provides modified, insecticidal Cry34 proteins with enhanced properties as compared to wild-type Cry34 proteins. The modifications to these proteins were based in part on an analysis of the three-dimensional (3D) structure of this protein and other proteins in the Cry34 class. The subject invention also includes polynucleotides that encode these modified proteins, and transgenic plants that produce these modified proteins. This invention further provides methods of controlling plant pests, including rootworms, with these modified proteins. The modified proteins of the subject invention include chimeric toxins involving exchanged segments, domains, and motifs as discussed herein. The subject invention also provides methods of modifying Cry34 proteins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: Dow AgroSciences LLC
    Inventor: H. Ernest Schnepf
  • Patent number: 7939651
    Abstract: This invention provides modified, insecticidal Cry35 proteins with enhanced properties as compared to wild-type Cry35 proteins. The modifications to these proteins were based in part on analysis of the atomic coordinates and three-dimensional (3D) structure of the ˜45 kDa 149B1 protein and other proteins in the Cry35 class. The subject invention also includes polynucleotides that encode these modified proteins, and transgenic plants that produce these modified proteins. This invention further provides methods of controlling plant pests, including rootworms, with these modified proteins. The modified proteins of the subject invention include chimeric toxins involving exchanged segments, domains, and motifs as discussed herein. The subject invention also provides methods of modifying Cry35 proteins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Assignee: Dow AgroSciences LLC
    Inventors: H. Ernest Schnepf, Kenneth E. Narva, Steven L. Evans
  • Publication number: 20110003736
    Abstract: The subject invention concerns new classes of pesticidally active proteins and the polynucleotide sequences that encode these proteins. In preferred embodiments, these pesticidal proteins have molecular weights of approximately 40-50 kDa and of approximately 10-15 kDa.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2010
    Publication date: January 6, 2011
    Applicant: Mycogen Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth E. Narva, H. Ernest Schnepf, Mark Knuth, Michael R. Pollard, Guy A. Cardineau, George E. Schwab, Tracy Ellis Michaels, Stacey Finstad Lee, Paula Diehl, Joanna Dojillo, Lisa Stamp, Rod Herman
  • Patent number: 7790961
    Abstract: The subject invention concerns new classes of pesticidally active proteins and the polynucleotide sequences that encode these proteins. In preferred embodiments, these pesticidal proteins have molecular weights of approximately 40-50 kDa and of approximately 10-15 kDa.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: Hycogen Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth E. Narva, H. Ernest Schnepf, Mark Knuth, Michael R. Pollard, Guy A. Cardineau, George E. Schwab, Tracy Ellis Michaels
  • Publication number: 20100222273
    Abstract: This invention provides modified, insecticidal Cry35 proteins with enhanced properties as compared to wild-type Cry35 proteins. The modifications to these proteins were based in part on analysis of the atomic coordinates and three-dimensional (3D) structure of the ˜45 kDa 149B1 protein and other proteins in the Cry35 class. The subject invention also includes polynucleotides that encode these modified proteins, and transgenic plants that produce these modified proteins. This invention further provides methods of controlling plant pests, including rootworms, with these modified proteins. The modified proteins of the subject invention include chimeric toxins involving exchanged segments, domains, and motifs as discussed herein. The subject invention also provides methods of modifying Cry35 proteins.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2010
    Publication date: September 2, 2010
    Applicant: Dow AgroSciences LLC
    Inventors: H. Ernest Schnepf, Kenneth Edwin Narva, Steven Lee Evans
  • Patent number: 7737263
    Abstract: This invention provides modified, insecticidal Cry35 proteins with enhanced properties as compared to wild-type Cry35 proteins. The modifications to these proteins were based in part on analysis of the atomic coordinates and three-dimensional (3D) structure of the ˜45 kDa 149B1 protein and other proteins in the Cry35 class. The subject invention also includes polynucleotides that encode these modified proteins, and transgenic plants that produce these modified proteins. This invention further provides methods of controlling plant pests, including rootworms, with these modified proteins. The modified proteins of the subject invention include chimeric toxins involving exchanged segments, domains, and motifs as discussed herein. The subject invention also provides methods of modifying Cry35 proteins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: Dow Agrosciences LLC
    Inventors: H. Ernest Schnepf, Kenneth E. Narva, Steven L. Evans
  • Publication number: 20090205087
    Abstract: This invention provides modified, insecticidal Cry34 proteins with enhanced properties as compared to wild-type Cry34 proteins. The modifications to these proteins were based in part on an analysis of the three-dimensional (3D) structure of this protein and other proteins in the Cry34 class. The subject invention also includes polynucleotides that encode these modified proteins, and transgenic plants that produce these modified proteins. This invention further provides methods of controlling plant pests, including rootworms, with these modified proteins. The modified proteins of the subject invention include chimeric toxins involving exchanged segments, domains, and motifs as discussed herein. The subject invention also provides methods of modifying Cry34 proteins.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2009
    Publication date: August 13, 2009
    Applicant: Dow Agrosciences LLC
    Inventor: H. Ernest Schnepf
  • Patent number: 7524810
    Abstract: This invention provides modified, insecticidal Cry34 proteins with enhanced properties as compared to wild-type Cry34 proteins. The modifications to these proteins were based in part on an analysis of the three-dimensional (3D) structure of this protein and other proteins in the Cry34 class. The subject invention also includes polynucleotides that encode these modified proteins, and transgenic plants that produce these modified proteins. This invention further provides methods of controlling plant pests, including rootworms, with these modified proteins. The modified proteins of the subject invention include chimeric toxins involving exchanged segments, domains, and motifs as discussed herein. The subject invention also provides methods of modifying Cry34 proteins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2009
    Assignee: Dow AgroSciences LLC
    Inventor: H. Ernest Schnepf
  • Patent number: 7355003
    Abstract: The subject invention concerns new classes of pesticidally active proteins and the polynucleotide sequences which encode these proteins. More specifically, in preferred embodiments, pesticidal proteins of approximately 40-50 kDa and of approximately 10-15 kDa are used for controlling corn rootworms. Also described are novel pesticidal isolates of Bacillus thuringiensis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2008
    Assignee: Mycogen Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth E. Narva, H. Ernest Schnepf, Mark Knuth, Michael R. Pollard, Guy A. Cardineau, George E. Schwab, Tracy Ellis Michaels
  • Patent number: 7309785
    Abstract: This invention provides modified, insecticidal Cry35 proteins with enhanced properties as compared to wild-type Cry35 proteins. The modifications to these proteins were based in part on analysis of the atomic coordinates and three-dimensional (3D) structure of the ˜45 kDa 149B1 protein and other proteins in the Cry35 class. The subject invention also includes polynucleotides that encode these modified proteins, and transgenic plants that produce these modified proteins. This invention further provides methods of controlling plant pests, including rootworms, with these modified proteins. The modified proteins of the subject invention include chimeric toxins involving exchanged segments, domains, and motifs as discussed herein. The subject invention also provides methods of modifying Cry35 proteins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2007
    Assignee: Dow AgroSciences LLC
    Inventors: H. Ernest Schnepf, Kenneth Edwin Narva, Steven Lee Evans
  • Patent number: 7247613
    Abstract: The subject invention concerns new classes of pesticidally active proteins and the polynucleotide sequences that encode these proteins. In preferred embodiments, these pesticidal protein have molecular weights of approximately 40–50 kDa and of approximately 10–15 kDa.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Assignee: Mycogen Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth E. Narva, H. Ernest Schnepf, Mark Knuth, Michael R. Pollard, Guy A. Cardineau, George E. Schwab, Tracy Ellis Michaels, Stacey Finstad Lee, Paula Diehl, Joanna Dojillo, Lisa Stamp, Rod Herman
  • Patent number: 7091177
    Abstract: The subject invention concerns the discovery of Bacillus thuringiensis isolates with advantageous activity against weevils. In preferred embodiments of the invention, B.t. isolates, or toxins therefrom, are used to control alfalfa weevils, boll weevils, and/or rice water weevils. The toxins can be administered to the pests through a variety of methods including the transformation of bacteria or plants to produce the weevil-active toxins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2006
    Assignee: Mycogen Corporation
    Inventors: Gregory A. Bradfisch, H. Ernest Schnepf, Leo Kim
  • Patent number: 7056888
    Abstract: The subject invention provides KB59A4-6 pesticidal proteins and preferred methods of using these proteins to control lepidoteran pests. This invention provides Bacillus thuringiensis isolate KB59A4-6.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2006
    Assignee: Dow AgroSciences LLC
    Inventors: Jerald S. Feitelson, H. Ernest Schnepf, Kenneth E. Narva, Brian A. Stockhoff, James Schmeits, David Loewer, Charles Joseph Dullum, Judy Muller-Cohn, Lisa Stamp, George Morrill, Stacey Finstad-Lee
  • Patent number: 6956116
    Abstract: Disclosed and claimed are novel toxins and genes obtainable from Bacillus laterosporus isolates disclosed herein. In preferred embodiments, the subject genes and toxins are used to control Western corn rootworm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2005
    Assignee: Mycogen Corp.
    Inventors: H. Ernest Schnepf, Kenneth E. Narva, Brian A. Stockhoff, Stacey Finstad Lee, Mikki Walz, Blake Sturgis
  • Patent number: 6900371
    Abstract: The subject invention concerns new classes of pesticidally active proteins and the polynucleotide sequences which encode these proteins. More specifically, in preferred embodiments, pesticidal proteins of approximately 40-50 kDa and of approximately 10-15 kDa are used for controlling corn rootworms. Also described are novel pesticidal isolates of Bacillus thuringiensis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2005
    Assignee: Mycogen Corp.
    Inventors: Kenneth E. Narva, H. Ernest Schnepf, Mark Knuth, Michael R. Pollard, Guy A. Cardineau, George E. Schwab, Tracy Ellis Michaels, Stacey Finstad Lee, Paula Burmeister, Joanna Dojillo
  • Patent number: 6893872
    Abstract: The subject invention concerns new classes of insecticidal proteins obtainable from Bacillus thuringiensis, and polynucleotides that encode these proteins. The subject invention also includes transgenic cells and plants that produce these proteins. The proteins are preferably in the 10-15 kDa and 40-50 kDa size range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2005
    Assignee: Mycogen Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth E. Narva, H. Ernest Schnepf, Mark Knuth, Michael R. Pollard, Guy A. Cardineau, George E. Schwab, Tracy Ellis Michaels
  • Publication number: 20040139497
    Abstract: The subject invention concerns new classes of pesticidally active proteins and the polynucleotide sequences that encode these proteins. In preferred embodiments, these pesticidal protein have molecular weights of approximately 40-50 kDa and of approximately 10-15 kDa.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2003
    Publication date: July 15, 2004
    Applicant: Mycogen Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth E. Narva, H. Ernest Schnepf, Mark Knuth, Michael R. Pollard, Guy A. Cardineau, George E. Schwab, Tracy Ellis Michaels, Stacey Finstad Lee, Paula Diehl, Joanna Dojillo, Lisa Stamp, Rod Herman
  • Patent number: 6752992
    Abstract: The subject invention concerns materials and methods useful in the control of non-mammalian pests and, particularly, plant pests. In a specific embodiment, the subject invention provides new Bacillus thuringiensis toxins useful for the control of lepidopterans. The subject invention further provides nucleotide sequences which encode the toxins of the subject invention. The nucleotide sequences of the subject invention can be used to transform hosts, such as plants, to express the pesticidal toxins of the subject invention. The subject invention further concerns novel nucleotide primers for the identification of genes encoding toxins active against pests. The primers are useful in PCR techniques to produce gene fragments which are characteristic of genes encoding these toxins. The primers are also useful as nucleotide probes to detect the toxin-encoding genes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2004
    Assignee: Mycogen Corporation
    Inventors: H. Ernest Schnepf, Carol Wicker, Kenneth E. Narva, Michele Walz, Brian A. Stockhoff, Judy Muller-Cohn
  • Publication number: 20040097721
    Abstract: Disclosed and claimed are novel toxins and genes obtainable from Bacillus laterosporus isolates disclosed herein. In preferred embodiments, the subject genes and toxins are used to control Western corn rootworm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2003
    Publication date: May 20, 2004
    Applicant: Mycogen Corporation
    Inventors: H. Ernest Schnepf, Kenneth E. Narva, Brian A. Stockhoff, Stacey Finstad Lee, Mikki Walz, Blake Sturgis