Patents by Inventor James George Metz

James George 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: 20220170037
    Abstract: The invention provides recombinant host organisms (e.g., plants) genetically modified with a polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) synthase system and one or more accessory proteins (e.g., PPTase and/or ACoAS) that allow for and/or improve the production of PUFAs in the host organism. The present invention also relates to methods of making and using such organisms (e.g., to obtain PUFAs) as well as products obtained from such organisms (e.g., oil and/or seed).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2022
    Publication date: June 2, 2022
    Inventors: Terence A. WALSH, Daniel GACHOTTE, Ann Owens MERLO, Paul G. ROESSLER, James George METZ, Scott BEVAN, Jerry M. KUNER
  • Patent number: 10968437
    Abstract: Factors For the Production and Accumulation of Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids (PUFAs) Derived from PUFA Synthases Abstract Disclosed are novel enhancing factor proteins of the PUFA synthase systems, nucleic acid molecules encoding the same, recombinant nucleic acid molecules and recombinant host cells comprising such nucleic acid molecules, genetically modified microorganisms comprising the same, and methods of making and using the same. Also disclosed are genetically modified microorganisms that have been genetically modified to express a PUFA synthase system for the production of PUFAs, wherein the microorganisms have been modified to express the novel enhancing factor proteins of the PUFA synthase system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: DSM IP Assets B.V.
    Inventors: James George Metz, Jerry M. Kuner, David Glen McCaskill, Mendy Louise Foster
  • Patent number: 10087430
    Abstract: Disclosed are novel enhancing factor proteins of the PUFA synthase systems, nucleic acid molecules encoding the same, recombinant nucleic acid molecules and recombinant host cells comprising such nucleic acid molecules, genetically modified microorganisms comprising the same, and methods of making and using the same. Also disclosed are genetically modified microorganisms that have been genetically modified to express a PUFA synthase system for the production of PUFAs, wherein the microorganisms have been modified to express the novel enhancing factor proteins of the PUFA synthase system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: DSM IP Assets B.V.
    Inventors: James George Metz, Jerry M. Kuner, David Glen McCaskill, Mendy Louise Foster
  • Publication number: 20160348083
    Abstract: Factors For the Production and Accumulation of Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids (PUFAs) Derived from PUFA Synthases Abstract Disclosed are novel enhancing factor proteins of the PUFA synthase systems, nucleic acid molecules encoding the same, recombinant nucleic acid molecules and recombinant host cells comprising such nucleic acid molecules, genetically modified microorganisms comprising the same, and methods of making and using the same. Also disclosed are genetically modified microorganisms that have been genetically modified to express a PUFA synthase system for the production of PUFAs, wherein the microorganisms have been modified to express the novel enhancing factor proteins of the PUFA synthase system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2015
    Publication date: December 1, 2016
    Inventors: James George METZ, Jerry M. KUNER, David Glen MCCASKILL, Mendy Louise FOSTER
  • Patent number: 8829274
    Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods for preparing poly-unsaturated long chain fatty acids in plants, plant parts and plant cells, such as leaves, roots, fruits and seeds. Nucleic acid sequences and constructs encoding PKS-like genes required for the poly-unsaturated long chain fatty acid production, including the genes responsible for eicosapentenoic acid production of Shewanella putrefaciens and novel genes associated with the production of docosahexenoic acid in Vibrio marinus are used to generate transgenic plants, plant parts and cells which contain and express one or more transgenes encoding one or more of the PKS-like genes associated with such long chain polyunsaturated fatty acid production. Expression of the PKS-like genes in the plant system permits the large scale production of poly-unsaturated long chain fatty acids such as eicosapentenoic acid and docosahexenoic acid for modification of the fatty acid profile of plants, plant parts and tissues.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: DSM IP Assets B.V.
    Inventors: Daniel Facciotti, James George Metz, Michael Lassner
  • Publication number: 20090098622
    Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods for preparing poly-unsaturated long chain fatty acids in plants, plant parts and plant cells, such as leaves, roots, fruits and seeds. Nucleic acid sequences and constructs encoding PKS-like genes required for the poly-unsaturated long chain fatty acid production, including the genes responsible for eicosapentenoic acid production of Shewanella putrefaciens and novel genes associated with the production of docosahexenoic acid in Vibrio marinus are used to generate transgenic plants, plant parts and cells which contain and express one or more transgenes encoding one or more of the PKS-like genes associated with such long chain polyunsaturated fatty acid production. Expression of the PKS-like genes in the plant system permits the large scale production of poly-unsaturated long chain fatty acids such as eicosapentenoic acid and docosahexenoic acid for modification of the fatty acid profile of plants, plant parts and tissues.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2007
    Publication date: April 16, 2009
    Applicant: MARTEK BIOSCIENCES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Daniel Facciotti, James George Metz, Michael Lassner
  • Patent number: 7214853
    Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods for preparing poly-unsaturated long chain fatty acids in plants, plant parts and plant cells, such as leaves, roots, fruits and seeds. Nucleic acid sequences and constructs encoding PKS-like genes required for the poly-unsaturated long chain fatty acid production, including the genes responsible for eicosapentenoic acid production of Shewanella putrefaciens and novel genes associated with the production of docosahexenoic acid in Vibrio marinus are used to generate transgenic plants, plant parts and cells which contain and express one or more transgenes encoding one or more of the PKS-like genes associated with such long chain polyunsaturated fatty acid production. Expression of the PKS-like genes in the plant system permits the large scale production of poly-unsaturated long chain fatty acids such as eicosapentenoic acid and docosahexenoic acid for modification of the fatty acid profile of plants, plant parts and tissues.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2007
    Assignee: Martek Biosciences Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel Facciotti, James George Metz, Michael Lassner
  • Patent number: 6828475
    Abstract: By this invention, a plant &bgr;-ketoacyl-CoA synthase condensing enzyme is provided free from intact cells of said plant and capable of catalyzing the production of very long chain fatty acid molecules. Also contemplated are constructs comprising the nucleic acid sequence and a heterologous DNA sequence not naturally associated with the condensing enzyme encoding sequences, and which provide for at least transcription of a plant condensing enzyme encoding sequence in a host cell. In this fashion very long chain fatty acid molecules may be produced in a plant cell. Included are methods of modifying the composition of very long chain fatty acid molecules in a plant cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2004
    Assignee: Calgene LLC
    Inventors: James George Metz, Kathryn Dennis Lardizabal, Michael W. Lassner
  • Publication number: 20030228668
    Abstract: By this invention, nucleic acid sequences encoding for fatty acyl-CoA:fatty alcohol acyltransferase (wax synthase) are provided, wherein said wax synthase is active in the formation of a wax ester from fatty alcohol and fatty acyl-CoA substrates. Of special interest is are nucleic acid sequences obtainable from a jojoba embryo wax synthase having an apparent molecular mass of approximately 33 kD. Also considered are amino acid and nucleic acid sequences obtainable from wax synthase proteins and the use of such sequences to provide transgenic host cells capable of producing wax esters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2003
    Publication date: December 11, 2003
    Inventors: Kathryn Dennis Lardizabal, James George Metz, Michael W. Lassner
  • Patent number: 6596538
    Abstract: By this invention, nucleic acid sequences encoding for fatty acyl-CoA: fatty alcohol acyltransferase (wax synthase) are provided, wherein said wax synthase is active in the formation of a wax ester from fatty alcohol and fatty acyl-CoA substrates. Of special interest is are nucleic acid sequences obtainable from a jojoba embryo wax synthase having an apparent molecular mass of approximately 33 kD. Also considered are amino acid and nucleic acid sequences obtainable from wax synthase proteins and the use of such sequences to provide transgenic host cells capable of producing wax esters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2003
    Assignee: Calgene LLC
    Inventors: Kathryn Dennis Lardizabal, James George Metz, Michael W. Lassner
  • Publication number: 20030101486
    Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods for preparing poly-unsaturated long chain fatty acids in plants, plant parts and plant cells, such as leaves, roots, fruits and seeds. Nucleic acid sequences and constructs encoding PKS-like genes required for the poly-unsaturated long chain fatty acid production, including the genes responsible for eicosapentenoic acid production of Shewanella putrefaciens and novel genes associated with the production of docosahexenoic acid in Vibrio marinus are used to generate transgenic plants, plant parts and cells which contain and express one or more transgenes encoding one or more of the PKS-like genes associated with such long chain polyunsaturated fatty acid production. Expression of the PKS-like genes in the plant system permits the large scale production of poly-unsaturated long chain fatty acids such as eicosapentenoic acid and docosahexenoic acid for modification of the fatty acid profile of plants, plant parts and tissues.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2002
    Publication date: May 29, 2003
    Applicant: Martek Biosciences Boulder Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel Facciotti, James George Metz, Michael Lassner
  • Patent number: 6566583
    Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods for preparing poly-unsaturated long chain fatty acids in plants, plant parts and plant cells, such as leaves, roots, fruits and seeds. Nucleic acid sequences and constructs encoding PKS-like genes required for the poly-unsaturated long chain fatty acid production, including the genes responsible for eicosapentenoic acid production of Shewanella putrefaciens and novel genes associated with the production of docosahexenoic acid in Vibrio marinus are used to generate transgenic plants, plant parts and cells which contain and express one or more transgenes encoding one or more of the PKS-like genes associated with such long chain polyunsaturated fatty acid production. Expression of the PKS-like genes in the plant system permits the large scale production of poly-unsaturated long chain fatty acids such as eicosapentenoic acid and docosahexenoic acid for modification of the fatty acid profile of plants, plant parts and tissues.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2003
    Inventors: Daniel Facciotti, James George Metz, Michael Lassner
  • Patent number: 6492509
    Abstract: By this invention, nucleic acid sequences encoding for fatty acyl-CoA: fatty alcohol acyltransferase (wax synthase) are provided, wherein wax synthase is active in the formation of a wax ester from fatty alcohol and fatty acyl-CoA substrates. Of special interest is are nucleic acid sequences obtainable from a jojoba embryo wax synthase having an apparent molecular mass of approximately 33 kD. Also considered are amino acid and nucleic acid sequences obtainable from wax synthase proteins and the use of such sequences to provide transgenic host cells capable of producing wax esters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2002
    Assignee: Calgene LLC
    Inventors: Kathryn Dennis Lardizabal, James George Metz, Michael W. Lassner
  • Patent number: 6140486
    Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods for preparing poly-unsaturated long chain fatty acids in plants, plant parts and plant cells, such as leaves, roots, fruits and seeds. Nucleic acid sequences and constructs encoding PKS-like genes required for the poly-unsaturated long chain fatty acid production, including the genes responsible for eicosapentenoic acid production of Shewanella putrefaciens and novel genes associated with the production of docosahexenoic acid in Vibrio marinus are used to generate transgenic plants, plant parts and cells which contain and express one or more transgenes encoding one or more of the PKS-like genes associated with such long chain polyunsaturated fatty acid production. Expression of the PKS-like genes in the plant system permits the large scale production of poly-unsaturated long chain fatty acids such as eicosapentenoic acid and docosahexenoic acid for modification of the fatty acid profile of plants, plant parts and tissues.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2000
    Assignee: Calgene LLC
    Inventors: Daniel Facciotti, James George Metz, Michael Lassner
  • Patent number: 5723747
    Abstract: The invention provides a method of producing a wax ester in a plant cell whereby a plant cell having a fatty acyl reductase expressed from a sequence heterologous to said plant is grown in the absence of a wax synthase expressed from a sequence which is heterologous to the plant. The invention also provides plant cells containing wax ester.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 3, 1998
    Assignee: Calgene, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Lassner, James George Metz
  • Patent number: 5679881
    Abstract: By this invention, a plant cytoplasmic synthase protein is provided which is selected from the group consisting of a .beta.-ketoacyl-CoA synthase and a wax synthase, and is also free from intact cells of said plant and capable of catalyzing the production of very long chain fatty acid molecules. Also contemplated are constructs comprising the nucleic acid sequence and a heterologous DNA sequence not naturally associated with the plant cytoplasmic protein encoding sequences, and which provide for at least transcription of a plant cytoplasmic protein encoding sequence in a host cell. In this fashion very long chain fatty acid molecules may be produced in a host cell. Included are methods of modifying the composition of very long chain fatty acid molecules in a plant cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 21, 1997
    Assignee: Calgene, Inc.
    Inventors: James George Metz, Kathryn Dennis Lardizabal, Michael Lassner