Patents by Inventor Howard Chou

Howard Chou 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: 20190194705
    Abstract: Provided herein is a genetically modified host cell comprising a heterologous nucleic acid encoding a biofilm dispersal polypeptide that decreases intracellular c-di-GMP levels and enhances the production of lysine and lysine derivatives. Further provided are methods of generating such cell and producing lysine and lysine derivatives using the genetically modified host cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2016
    Publication date: June 27, 2019
    Applicants: SHANGHAI CATHAY BIOTECH R&D CENTER LTD., CIBT AMERICA INC.
    Inventors: Howard CHOU, Xiucai LIU
  • Publication number: 20190031726
    Abstract: Provided are microorganisms genetically modified to overexpress porin polypeptides to enhance the production of lysine and lysine derivatives by the microorganism. Also provided are methods of generating such microorganism, and methods of producing lysine and lysine derivatives using the genetically modified microorganisms.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2015
    Publication date: January 31, 2019
    Applicants: Cathay R&D Center Co., Ltd., Cathay Industrial Biotech Ltd.
    Inventors: Howard Chou, Lijun Yu, Xiucai Liu
  • Publication number: 20180371028
    Abstract: Provided are lysine decarboxylase polypeptides comprising mutants of SEQ ID NO: 2 and/or fragments thereof. The mutants or fragments have at least 95% sequence identity with SEQ ID NO: 2. Also provided are DNA polynucleotides encoding said lysine decarboxylases, expression vector comprising the DNA polynucleotides, transformants, mutant host cells, methods for the production of lysine decarboxylases, and methods for the production of a lysine-derived product.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2015
    Publication date: December 27, 2018
    Applicants: CATHAY R&D CENTER CO., LTD., CATHAY INDUSTRIAL BIOTECH LTD.
    Inventors: Howard CHOU, Naiqiang LI, Xiucai LIU
  • Publication number: 20180163239
    Abstract: The present invention provides a mutant polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of Escherichia coli tetracycline efflux pump A (TetA), and a polynucleotide encoding the polypeptide. The present invention provides a first expression plasmid vector comprising one or more first polynucleotides encoding a tetracycline efflux pump, one or more second polynucleotides independently selected from the group consisting of a third polynucleotides encoding a lysine decarboxylase polypeptide and a fourth polynucleotides encoding a lysine biosynthesis polypeptide, and a transformant comprising the expression plasmid vector. The present invention provides a host cell comprising one or more first, third or fourth polynucleotides as described herein integrated into a chromosome of the host cell. The present invention also provides a method for producing a lysine of a cadaverine using the transformant and/or the host cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2014
    Publication date: June 14, 2018
    Applicants: CATHAY R&D CENTER CO., LTD., CATHAY INDUSTRIAL BIOTECH LTD.
    Inventors: Howard CHOU, Xiucai LIU
  • Publication number: 20170145403
    Abstract: The expression plasmid vectors comprise a polynucleotide sequence encoding Ldc2 polypeptide, a fragment, and/or a mutant. A backbone plasmid is capable of autonomous replication in a host cell. The host cell is not a P. aeruginosa cell. Transformants are transformed with expression plasmid vector. The transformants are not P. aeruginosa. Mutant host cells comprise a polynucleotide sequence encoding Ldc2 polypeptide, a fragment and/or a mutant that has been integrated into the host cell chromosome. A polypeptide, a fragment and/or a mutant comprise Ldc2. A non-naturally occurring polynucleotide, and/or a mutant encodes polypeptide comprising Ldc2. Biobased cadaverine is produced using the transformants and the biobased cadaverine is prepared by the method. Polyamides are formed using the biobased cadaverine and compositions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2014
    Publication date: May 25, 2017
    Applicants: CATHAY R&D CENTER CO., LTD., CATHAY INDUSTRIAL BIOTECH LTD.
    Inventors: Howard CHOU, Naiqiang LI, Xiucai LIU
  • Patent number: 9631210
    Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and compositions for increasing production of 3-methyl-2-butenol in a de novo synthetic pathway in a genetically modified host cell using isopentenyl disphosphate (IPP) as a substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Howard Chou, Jay D. Keasling
  • Patent number: 9519613
    Abstract: A method for integrating interactions in an address book application that includes managing a plurality of contacts of an electronic address book, identifying a contact with a relationship to an interaction service, collecting dynamic information corresponding to the identified contact, and facilitating an interaction using the dynamic information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: Asurion, LLC
    Inventors: Howard Chou, Nancy Benovich Gilby, Sharad Uni, Nisha Ravi, Brandon Salzberg, Jonathan Salcedo
  • Patent number: 9501407
    Abstract: A first-in-first-out memory may have first and second memory banks. A write controller may write data into the first and second memory banks. In performing write operations, the write controller may determine whether to write the data into the first bank or the second bank by evaluating a first bank empty flag and a second bank empty flag. When transitioning between writing in the first bank and the second bank, the write controller may latch a write address value indicative of the last location at which valid data was written in a given bank. A read controller may read data from the first and second memory bank. The read controller may determine when to transition between reading in the first bank and reading in the second bank by comparing a current read address to the latched write address value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: Altera Corporation
    Inventors: Ray Ruey-Hsien Hu, Andy L. Lee, David Lewis, Tony Ngai, Haiming Yu, Hao-Yuan Howard Chou
  • Patent number: 9256266
    Abstract: Integrated circuits with memory elements are provided. Data may be loaded into the memory elements using write driver circuitry. The write driver circuitry may be provided with a fixed positive power supply voltage and an time-varying ground power supply voltage that is less than the positive power supply voltage. The time-varying ground power supply voltage may be generated using programmable power supply circuitry. The programmable power supply circuitry may include a pulse generation circuit and a configurable capacitive circuit. The pulse generation circuit may output a pulse signal to the capacitive circuit. In response to receiving the pulse signal, the capacitive circuit may push the time-varying ground power supply voltage to a negative value. The time-varying ground power supply voltage may be driven below zero volts for at least a portion of a write cycle to help improve write margins and increase memory yield.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Assignee: Altera Corporation
    Inventors: Haiming Yu, Wei Zhang, Hao-Yuan Howard Chou, Ray Ruey-Hsien Hu
  • Publication number: 20150044747
    Abstract: The invention relates, in part, to nucleic acid constructs, genetically modified host cells and methods employing such constructs and host cells to increase the production of 3-methyl-2-butenol from IPP. Thus, in some aspects, the invention provides a genetically modified host cell transformed with a nucleic acid construct encoding a fusion protein comprising a phosphatase capable of catalyzing the dephosphorylation of dimethylallyl diphosphate (DMAPP) linked to an IPP isomerase capable of converting IPP to DMAPP, wherein the nucleic acid construct is operably linked to a promoter. In some embodiments, the genetically modified host cell 5 further comprises a nucleic acid encoding a reductase that is capable of converting 3-methyl-2-butenol to 3-methyl-butanol. In some embodiments, the reductase is encoded by a nucleic acid construct introduced into the cell. In some embodiments, the IPP isomerase is a Type I isomerase. In some embodiments, the IPP isomerase is a Type II isomerase.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Applicant: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Howard Chou, Jay D. Keasling
  • Patent number: 8867303
    Abstract: An integrated circuit with memory elements is provided. The memory elements may be single-port memory cells that are used to provide multiport memory functionality. The integrated circuit may include an arbitration circuit operable to receive memory access requests from at least first and second request generators. The arbitration circuit may be configured to operate in a synchronous mode and an asynchronous mode. The arbitration circuit operating in the synchronous mode may perform port selection based on a predetermined logic table. The arbitration circuit operating in the asynchronous mode may execute a memory request as soon as it is received by the arbitration circuit. Requests received while a current memory access is being performed may be put on hold until the current memory access has been completed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Altera Corporation
    Inventors: Ray Ruey-Hsien Hu, Haiming Yu, Hao-Yuan Howard Chou
  • Patent number: 8483006
    Abstract: Integrated circuits with memory elements are provided. A memory element may include a storage circuit coupled to data lines through access transistors. The access transistors may have gates that are controlled by an address signal. The address signal may be asserted during read/write operations to turn on the access transistors so that read/write data can be passed through the access transistors. The voltage level to which the address signal is raised during read/write operations may be adjusted using programmable voltage biasing circuitry. A number of integrated circuits may be tested during device characterization procedures to determine the amount by which the address signal should be adjusted using the programmable voltage biasing circuit so that the memory elements in the integrated circuits satisfy design criteria.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Altera Corporation
    Inventors: Hao-Yuan Howard Chou, Wei Zhang, Haiming Yu
  • Publication number: 20130073763
    Abstract: An integrated circuit with memory elements is provided. The memory elements may be single-port memory cells that are used to provide multiport memory functionality. The integrated circuit may include an arbitration circuit operable to receive memory access requests from at least first and second request generators. The arbitration circuit may be configured to operate in a synchronous mode and an asynchronous mode. The arbitration circuit operating in the synchronous mode may perform port selection based on a predetermined logic table. The arbitration circuit operating in the asynchronous mode may execute a memory request as soon as it is received by the arbitration circuit. Requests received while a current memory access is being performed may be put on hold until the current memory access has been completed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2011
    Publication date: March 21, 2013
    Inventors: Ray Ruey-Hsien Hu, Haiming Yu, Hao-Yuan Howard Chou
  • Publication number: 20110035673
    Abstract: A method for integrating interactions in an address book application that includes managing a plurality of contacts of an electronic address book, identifying a contact with a relationship to an interaction service, collecting dynamic information corresponding to the identified contact, and facilitating an interaction using the dynamic information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2010
    Publication date: February 10, 2011
    Inventors: Howard Chou, Nancy Benovich Gilby, Sharad Uni, Nisha Ravi, Brandon Salzberg, Jonathan Salcedo
  • Patent number: 7639557
    Abstract: Integrated circuits such as programmable logic device integrated circuits are provided that have memory arrays that may be configured for true dual port operation or simple dual port operation. The memory arrays include memory cells arranged in rows and columns and associated row address lines and data lines. Sense amplifiers and write drivers are used for reading and writing data. Precharge drivers are used to precharge the data lines prior to read operations. Configurable multiplexer circuitry in the array has read paths through which data is provided to the sense amplifiers from the memory cells. The multiplexer circuitry has write paths through which data from the write drivers is written into the memory cells. The read paths and the write paths contain no more than a single pass gate each. Each precharge driver may be connected to a respective one of the data lines with no intervening pass gates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: Altera Corporation
    Inventors: Hao-Yuan Howard Chou, Haiming Yu
  • Publication number: 20050019828
    Abstract: A protein microarray element comprising: a) a support; b) a gelatin layer containing functional groups capable of binding biological probes; and interposed between the support and the gelatin layer and c) an adhesive interlayer layer capable of maintaining contact with the support and with the gelatin layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2003
    Publication date: January 27, 2005
    Inventors: Tiecheng Qiao, Thomas Penner, Howard Chou, George Roth