Patents by Inventor James G. Metz

James G. Metz 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: 20110167508
    Abstract: The invention generally relates to polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) polyketide synthase (PKS) systems, to homologues thereof, to isolated nucleic acid molecules and recombinant nucleic acid molecules encoding biologically active domains of such a PUFA PKS system, to genetically modified organisms comprising PUFA PKS systems, to methods of making and using such systems for the production of bioactive molecules of interest, and to novel methods for identifying new bacterial and non-bacterial microorganisms having such a PUFA PKS system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2010
    Publication date: July 7, 2011
    Applicant: MARTEK BIOSCIENCES CORPORATION
    Inventors: JAMES G. METZ, CRAIG A. WEAVER, WILLIAM R. BARCLAY, JAMES H. FLATT
  • Patent number: 7973149
    Abstract: The invention generally relates to polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) polyketide synthase (PKS) systems isolated from or derived from non-bacterial organisms, to homologues thereof, to isolated nucleic acid molecules and recombinant nucleic acid molecules encoding biologically active domains of such a PUFA PKS system, to genetically modified organisms comprising PUFA PKS systems, to methods of making and using such systems for the production of bioactive molecules of interest, and to novel methods for identifying new bacterial and non-bacterial microorganisms having such a PUFA PKS system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: Martek Biosciences Corporation
    Inventors: James G. Metz, James H. Flatt, Jerry M. Kuner, William R. Barclay
  • Patent number: 7960524
    Abstract: The invention generally relates to polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) polyketide synthase (PKS) systems isolated from or derived from non-bacterial organisms, to homologues thereof, to isolated nucleic acid molecules and recombinant nucleic acid molecules encoding biologically active domains of such a PUFA PKS system, to genetically modified organisms comprising PUFA PKS systems, to methods of making and using such systems for the production of bioactive molecules of interest, and to novel methods for identifying new bacterial and non-bacterial microorganisms having such a PUFA PKS system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Martek Biosciences Corporation
    Inventors: James G. Metz, James H. Flatt, Jerry M. Kuner, William R. Barclay
  • Patent number: 7939716
    Abstract: Disclosed are the complete polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) polyketide synthase (PKS) systems from the bacterial microorganisms Shewanella japonica and Shewanella olleyana, and biologically active fragments and homologues thereof. More particularly, this invention relates to nucleic acids encoding such PUFA PKS systems, to proteins and domains thereof that comprise such PUFA PKS systems, to genetically modified organisms (plants and microorganisms) comprising such PUFA PKS systems, and to methods of making and using the PUFA PKS systems disclosed herein. This invention also relates to genetically modified plants and microorganisms and methods to efficiently produce lipids enriched in various polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) as well as other bioactive molecules by manipulation of a PUFA polyketide synthase (PKS) system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Assignee: Martek Biosciences Corporation
    Inventors: Craig A. Weaver, Ross Zirkle, James G. Metz
  • Publication number: 20110086390
    Abstract: Disclosed are nucleic acid and amino acid sequences for acetolactate synthase, acetolactate synthase regulatory regions, ?-tubulin promoter, a promoter from a Thraustochytriales polyketide synthase (PKS) system, and fatty acid desaturase promoter, each from a Thraustochytriales microorganism. Also disclosed are recombinant vectors useful for transformation of Thraustochytriales microorganisms, as well as a method of transformation of Thraustochytriales microorganisms. The recombinant nucleic acid molecules of the present invention can be used for the expression of foreign nucleic acids in a Thraustochytriales microorganism as well as for the deletion, mutation, or inactivation of genes in Thraustochytriales microorganisms.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2010
    Publication date: April 14, 2011
    Applicant: Martek Biosciences Corporation
    Inventors: Paul G. ROESSLER, T. Dave Matthews, Tom M. Ramseier, James G. Metz
  • Patent number: 7919320
    Abstract: The invention generally relates to polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) polyketide synthase (PKS) systems isolated from or derived from non-bacterial organisms, to homologues thereof, to isolated nucleic acid molecules and recombinant nucleic acid molecules encoding biologically active domains of such a PUFA PKS system, to genetically modified organisms comprising PUFA PKS systems, to methods of making and using such systems for the production of bioactive molecules of interest, and to novel methods for identifying new bacterial and non-bacterial microorganisms having such a PUFA PKS system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2011
    Assignee: Martek Biosciences Corporation
    Inventors: James G. Metz, James H. Flatt, Jerry M. Kuner, William R. Barclay
  • Patent number: 7906706
    Abstract: Disclosed are the complete polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) polyketide synthase (PKS) systems from the bacterial microorganisms Shewanella japonica and Shewanella olleyana, and biologically active fragments and homologues thereof. More particularly, this invention relates to nucleic acids encoding such PUFA PKS systems, to proteins and domains thereof that comprise such PUFA PKS systems, to genetically modified organisms (plants and microorganisms) comprising such PUFA PKS systems, and to methods of making and using the PUFA PKS systems disclosed herein. This invention also relates to genetically modified plants and microorganisms and methods to efficiently produce lipids enriched in various polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) as well as other bioactive molecules by manipulation of a PUFA polyketide synthase (PKS) system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2011
    Assignee: Martek Biosciences Corporation
    Inventors: Craig A. Weaver, Ross Zirkle, James G. Metz
  • Patent number: 7902427
    Abstract: Disclosed are the complete polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) polyketide synthase (PKS) systems from the bacterial microorganisms Shewanella japonica and Shewanella olleyana, and biologically active fragments and homologues thereof. More particularly, this invention relates to nucleic acids encoding such PUFA PKS systems, to proteins and domains thereof that comprise such PUFA PKS systems, to genetically modified organisms (plants and microorganisms) comprising such PUFA PKS systems, and to methods of making and using the PUFA PKS systems disclosed herein. This invention also relates to genetically modified plants and microorganisms and methods to efficiently produce lipids enriched in various polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) as well as other bioactive molecules by manipulation of a PUFA polyketide synthase (PKS) system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignee: Martek Biosciences Corporation
    Inventors: Craig A. Weaver, Ross Zirkle, James G. Metz
  • Patent number: 7897391
    Abstract: Disclosed are the complete polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) polyketide synthase (PKS) systems from the bacterial microorganisms Shewanella japonica and Shewanella olleyana, and biologically active fragments and homologues thereof. More particularly, this invention relates to nucleic acids encoding such PUFA PKS systems, to proteins and domains thereof that comprise such PUFA PKS systems, to genetically modified organisms (plants and microorganisms) comprising such PUFA PKS systems, and to methods of making and using the PUFA PKS systems disclosed herein. This invention also relates to genetically modified plants and microorganisms and methods to efficiently produce lipids enriched in various polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) as well as other bioactive molecules by manipulation of a PUFA polyketide synthase (PKS) system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: Martek Biosciences Corporation
    Inventors: Craig A. Weaver, Ross Zirkle, James G. Metz
  • Patent number: 7897393
    Abstract: Disclosed are the complete polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) polyketide synthase (PKS) systems from the bacterial microorganisms Shewanella japonica and Shewanella olleyana, and biologically active fragments and homologues thereof. More particularly, this invention relates to nucleic acids encoding such PUFA PKS systems, to proteins and domains thereof that comprise such PUFA PKS systems, to genetically modified organisms (plants and microorganisms) comprising such PUFA PKS systems, and to methods of making and using the PUFA PKS systems disclosed herein. This invention also relates to genetically modified plants and microorganisms and methods to efficiently produce lipids enriched in various polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) as well as other bioactive molecules by manipulation of a PUFA polyketide synthase (PKS) system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: Martek Biosciences Corporation
    Inventors: Craig A. Weaver, Ross Zirkle, James G. Metz
  • Patent number: 7897392
    Abstract: Disclosed are the complete polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) polyketide synthase (PKS) systems from the bacterial microorganisms Shewanella japonica and Shewanella olleyana, and biologically active fragments and homologues thereof. More particularly, this invention relates to nucleic acids encoding such PUFA PKS systems, to proteins and domains thereof that comprise such PUFA PKS systems, to genetically modified organisms (plants and microorganisms) comprising such PUFA PKS systems, and to methods of making and using the PUFA PKS systems disclosed herein. This invention also relates to genetically modified plants and microorganisms and methods to efficiently produce lipids enriched in various polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) as well as other bioactive molecules by manipulation of a PUFA polyketide synthase (PKS) system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: Martek Biosciences Corporation
    Inventors: Craig A. Weaver, Ross Zirkle, James G. Metz
  • Patent number: 7897844
    Abstract: Disclosed are the complete polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) polyketide synthase (PKS) systems from Schizochytrium, and biologically active fragments and homologues thereof. More particularly, this invention relates to nucleic acids encoding such PUFA PKS systems, to proteins and domains thereof that comprise such PUFA PKS systems, to genetically modified organisms (plants and microorganisms) comprising such PUFA PKS systems, and to methods of making and using the PUFA PKS systems disclosed herein. This invention also relates to genetically modified plants and microorganisms and methods to efficiently produce lipids enriched in various polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) as well as other bioactive molecules by manipulation of a PUFA polyketide synthase (PKS) system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: Martek Biosciences Corporation
    Inventors: James G. Metz, James H. Flatt, Jerry M. Kuner, William R. Barclay
  • Patent number: 7879608
    Abstract: Disclosed are the complete polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) polyketide synthase (PKS) systems from the bacterial microorganisms Shewanella japonica and Shewanella olleyana, and biologically active fragments and homologues thereof. More particularly, this invention relates to nucleic acids encoding such PUFA PKS systems, to proteins and domains thereof that comprise such PUFA PKS systems, to genetically modified organisms (plants and microorganisms) comprising such PUFA PKS systems, and to methods of making and using the PUFA PKS systems disclosed herein. This invention also relates to genetically modified plants and microorganisms and methods to efficiently produce lipids enriched in various polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) as well as other bioactive molecules by manipulation of a PUFA polyketide synthase (PKS) system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: Martek Biosciences Corporation
    Inventors: Craig A. Weaver, Ross Zirkle, James G. Metz
  • Publication number: 20100330039
    Abstract: Disclosed are a fatty acid synthase (FAS) from Schizochytrium, biologically active fragments and homologues thereof, a nucleic acid sequence encoding such FAS, fragments and homologues thereof, the gene encoding Schizochytrium FAS, host cells and organisms that recombinantly express the FAS, host cells and organisms in which the expression and/or activity of the endogenous FAS has been attenuated, and various methods for making and using any of these proteins, nucleic acid molecules, genes, host cells or organisms.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2010
    Publication date: December 30, 2010
    Applicant: Martek Biosciences Corporation
    Inventors: James G. METZ, Craig A. WEAVER, Jerry KUNER
  • Patent number: 7851191
    Abstract: Disclosed are nucleic acid and amino acid sequences for acetolactate synthase, acetolactate synthase regulatory regions, ?-tubulin promoter, a promoter from a Thraustochytriales polyketide synthase (PKS) system, and fatty acid desaturase promoter, each from a Thraustochytriales microorganism. Also disclosed are recombinant vectors useful for transformation of Thraustochytriales microorganisms, as well as a method of transformation of Thraustochytriales microorganisms. The recombinant nucleic acid molecules of the present invention can be used for the expression of foreign nucleic acids in a Thraustochytriales microorganism as well as for the deletion, mutation, or inactivation of genes in Thraustochytriales microorganisms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: Martek Biosciences Corporation
    Inventors: Paul S. Roessler, T. Dave Matthews, Tom M. Ramseier, James G. Metz
  • Publication number: 20100313309
    Abstract: Disclosed are novel acyl-CoA synthetases and novel acyltransferases, nucleic acid molecules encoding the same, recombinant nucleic acid molecules and recombinant host cells comprising such nucleic acid molecules, genetically modified organisms (microorganisms and plants) comprising the same, and methods of making and using the same. Also disclosed are genetically modified organisms (e.g., plants, microorganisms) that have been genetically modified to express a PKS-like system for the production of PUFAs (a PUFA PKS system or PUFA synthase), wherein the organisms have been modified to express an acyl-CoA synthetase, to express an acyl transferase, to delete or inactivate a fatty acid synthase (FAS) expressed by the organism, to reduce competition for malonyl CoA with the PUFA synthase or to increase the level of malonyl CoA in the organism, and in one aspect, to inhibit KASII or KASIII.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2010
    Publication date: December 9, 2010
    Inventors: JAMES G. METZ, JERRY M. KUNER, JAMES CASEY LIPPMEIER
  • Patent number: 7847077
    Abstract: The invention generally relates to polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) polyketide synthase (PKS) systems, to homologues thereof, to isolated nucleic acid molecules and recombinant nucleic acid molecules encoding biologically active domains of such a PUFA PKS system, to genetically modified organisms comprising PUFA PKS systems, to methods of making and using such systems for the production of bioactive molecules of interest, and to novel methods for identifying new bacterial and non-bacterial microorganisms having such a PUFA PKS system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: Martek Biosciences Corporation
    Inventors: James G. Metz, Craig A. Weaver, William R. Barclay, James H. Flatt
  • Patent number: 7842796
    Abstract: The invention generally relates to polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) polyketide synthase (PKS) systems isolated from or derived from non-bacterial organisms, to homologues thereof, to isolated nucleic acid molecules and recombinant nucleic acid molecules encoding biologically active domains of such a PUFA PKS system, to genetically modified organisms comprising PUFA PKS systems, to methods of making and using such systems for the production of bioactive molecules of interest, and to novel methods for identifying new bacterial and non-bacterial microorganisms having such a PUFA PKS system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2010
    Assignee: Martek Biosciences Corporation
    Inventors: James G. Metz, James H. Flatt, Jerry M. Kuner, William R. Barclay
  • Patent number: 7838649
    Abstract: The invention generally relates to polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) polyketide synthase (PKS) systems, to homologues thereof, to isolated nucleic acid molecules and recombinant nucleic acid molecules encoding biologically active domains of such a PUFA PKS system, to genetically modified organisms comprising PUFA PKS systems, to methods of making and using such systems for the production of bioactive molecules of interest, and to novel methods for identifying new bacterial and non-bacterial microorganisms having such a PUFA PKS system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: Martek Biosciences Corporation
    Inventors: James G. Metz, Craig A. Weaver, William R. Barclay, James H. Flatt
  • Patent number: 7820407
    Abstract: Disclosed are a fatty acid synthase (FAS) from Schizochytrium, biologically active fragments and homologues thereof, a nucleic acid sequence encoding such FAS, fragments and homologues thereof, the gene encoding Schizochytrium FAS, host cells and organisms that recombinantly express the FAS, host cells and organisms in which the expression and/or activity of the endogenous FAS has been attenuated, and various methods for making and using any of these proteins, nucleic acid molecules, genes, host cells or organisms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Assignee: Martek Biosciences Corporation
    Inventors: James G. Metz, Craig A. Weaver, Jerry Kuner