Patents by Inventor Jay D. Keasling

Jay D. Keasling 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: 9200298
    Abstract: The invention provides for a method of producing an isoprenyl alkanoate in a genetically modified host cell. In one embodiment, the method comprises culturing a genetically modified host cell which expresses an enzyme capable of catalyzing the esterification of an isoprenol and a straight-chain fatty acid, such as an alcohol acetyltransferase (AAT), wax ester synthase/diacylglycerol acyltransferase (WS/DGAT) or lipase, under a suitable condition so that the isoprenyl alkanoate is produced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Taek Soon Lee, Jeffrey L. Fortman, Jay D. Keasling
  • Publication number: 20150330992
    Abstract: Described herein are methods, systems, and compositions for detecting enzyme activity. In some embodiments, the reaction product(s) are coupled with a mass tag, and the enzyme activity is determiner by analyzing the reaction product(s). The enzyme assays can be performed using mass spectrometry, for example nanostructure-initiator mass spectrometry (NIMS). Also described are methods, systems, and compositions for monitoring enzymatic degradation process of a substrate sample, for example a biomass.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2013
    Publication date: November 19, 2015
    Applicants: The Regents of the University of California, Sandia Corporation
    Inventors: Trent R Northen, Kai Deng, Tristan P De Rond, Pamela P Peralta-Yahya, Xiaoliang Cheng, Jay D Keasling
  • Publication number: 20150307855
    Abstract: The present invention provides for a polyketide synthase (PKS) capable of synthesizing a 3-hydroxycarboxylic acid or ketone. The present invention also provides for a host cell comprising the PKS and when cultured produces the 3-hydroxycarboxylic acid or ketone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2015
    Publication date: October 29, 2015
    Applicant: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA
    Inventors: Satoshi Yuzawa, Leonard Katz, Jay D. Keasling
  • Patent number: 9109175
    Abstract: Fuel compositions are provided comprising a hydrogenation product of a monocyclic sesquiterpene (e.g., hydrogenated bisabolene) and a fuel additive. Methods of making and using the fuel compositions are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Taek Soon Lee, Pamela Peralta-Yahya, Jay D. Keasling
  • Patent number: 9096859
    Abstract: The invention provides consolidated bioprocessing methods and host cells. The host cells are capable of directly converting biomass polymers or sunlight into alcohols or branched-chain hydrocarbons. In particular, the invention provides a method for producing alcohols or branched-chain hydrocarbons from a biomass polymer, including providing a genetically engineered host cell, culturing the host cell in a medium containing a biomass polymer as a carbon source such that recombinant nucleic acids in the cell are expressed, and extracting alcohols or branched-chain hydrocarbons from the culture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Gregory Bokinsky, Jay D. Keasling
  • Patent number: 9040282
    Abstract: The present invention provides for a polyketide synthase (PKS) capable of synthesizing a dicarboxylic acid (diacid). Such diacids include diketide-diacids and triketide-diacids. The invention includes recombinant nucleic acid encoding the PKS, and host cells comprising the PKS. The invention also includes methods for producing the diacids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Leonard Katz, Jeffrey L Fortman, Jay D Keasling
  • Publication number: 20150087042
    Abstract: The present invention provides genetically modified eukaryotic host cells that produce isoprenoid precursors or isoprenoid compounds. A subject genetically modified host cell comprises increased activity levels of one or more of mevalonate pathway enzymes, increased levels of prenyltransferase activity, and decreased levels of squalene synthase activity. Methods are provided for the production of an isoprenoid compound or an isoprenoid precursor in a subject genetically modified eukaryotic host cell. The methods generally involve culturing a subject genetically modified host cell under conditions that promote production of high levels of an isoprenoid or isoprenoid precursor compound.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2014
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Inventors: Jay D. Keasling, James Kirby, Eric M. Paradise
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20150044734
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to engineered microorganisms that produce amino acids and amino acid intermediates. In particular, the disclosure relates to recombinant nucleic acids encoding operons that increase production of aromatic amino acids and the aromatic amino acid intermediate shikimate; microorganisms with increased production of aromatic amino acids and the aromatic amino acid intermediate shikimate; and methods related to the production of aromatic amino acids, the aromatic amino acid intermediate shikimate, and commodity chemicals derived therefrom.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2012
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Applicant: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFONIA
    Inventors: Darmawi Juminaga, Jay D. Keasling
  • Publication number: 20140370595
    Abstract: The present invention provides methods of producing a product or product precursor of a biosynthetic pathway in a genetically modified host cell. The present invention also provides genetically modified host cells comprising nucleic acids encoding a scaffold polypeptide and nucleic acids comprising nucleotide sequences encoding two or more enzymes in a biosynthetic pathway. The present invention further provides nucleic acids comprising nucleotide sequences encoding scaffold polypeptides, for use in a subject method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2014
    Publication date: December 18, 2014
    Inventors: John E. Dueber, Jay D. Keasling, Gabriel C. Wu, Ghulam Reza K. Malmirchegini
  • Patent number: 8852902
    Abstract: The present invention provides for a polyketide synthase (PKS) capable of synthesizing trimethylpentanoic acid. The present invention also provides for a host cell comprising the PKS and when cultured produces the trimethylpentanoic acid. The present invention also provides for a method of producing the trimethylpentanoic acid, comprising: providing a host cell of the present invention, and culturing said host cell in a suitable culture medium such that the trimethylpentanoic acid is produced, optionally isolating the trimethylpentanoic acid, and optionally, reducing the isolated trimethylpentanoic acid into a trimethylpentanol or an iso-octane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Leonard Katz, Jeffrey L. Fortman, Jay D. Keasling
  • Publication number: 20140295517
    Abstract: The present invention provides for a modified host cell comprising a heterologous pinene synthase (PS), or enzymatically active fragment or variant thereof, and optionally a geranyl pyrophosphate synthase (GPPS), or enzymatically active fragment or variant thereof, or a fusion protein comprising: (a) a PS and (b) a GPPS linked by a linker.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2013
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Applicant: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Pamela P. Peralta-Yahya, Jay D. Keasling
  • Patent number: 8828684
    Abstract: The present invention provides genetically modified eukaryotic host cells that produce isoprenoid precursors or isoprenoid compounds. A subject genetically modified host cell comprises increased activity levels of one or more of mevalonate pathway enzymes, increased levels of prenyltransferase activity, and decreased levels of squalene synthase activity. Methods are provided for the production of an isoprenoid compound or an isoprenoid precursor in a subject genetically modified eukaryotic host cell. The methods generally involve culturing a subject genetically modified host cell under conditions that promote production of high levels of an isoprenoid or isoprenoid precursor compound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Jay D. Keasling, James Kirby, Eric M. Paradise
  • Patent number: 8765403
    Abstract: The present invention provides methods of producing a product or product precursor of a biosynthetic pathway in a genetically modified host cell. The present invention also provides genetically modified host cells comprising nucleic acids encoding a scaffold polypeptide and nucleic acids comprising nucleotide sequences encoding two or more enzymes in a biosynthetic pathway. The present invention further provides nucleic acids comprising nucleotide sequences encoding scaffold polypeptides, for use in a subject method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: John E. Dueber, Jay D. Keasling, Gabriel C. Wu, Ghulam Reza Khan Malmirchegini
  • Patent number: 8759632
    Abstract: The present invention provides isolated nucleic acids comprising nucleotide sequences encoding isoprenoid modifying enzymes, as well as recombinant vectors comprising the nucleic acids. The present invention further provides genetically modified host cells comprising a subject nucleic acid or recombinant vector. The present invention further provides a transgenic plant comprising a subject nucleic acid. The present invention further provides methods of producing an isoprenoid compound, the method generally involving culturing a subject genetically modified host cell under conditions that permit synthesis of an isoprenoid compound modifying enzyme encoded by a subject nucleic acid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Dae-Kyun Ro, Karyn Newman, Eric M. Paradise, Jay D. Keasling, Mario Ouellet, Rachel Eachus, Kimberly Ho, Timothy Ham
  • Publication number: 20140134689
    Abstract: The present invention provides for a method of producing an oxidation product of an aromatic amino acid in a genetically modified host cell. The method comprises culturing the genetically modified host cell under a suitable condition such that the culturing results in the genetically modified host cell producing oxidation product of an aromatic amino acid. The host cell comprises an enzyme capable of catalyzing the oxidation of aromatic amino acid. In some embodiments, the host cell is capable of biosynthesizing BH4 or MH4 from GTP.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2013
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Applicant: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Taek Soon Lee, Yasuharu Satoh, Jay D. Keasling
  • Publication number: 20140038248
    Abstract: The invention provides consolidated bioprocessing methods and host cells. The host cells are capable of directly converting biomass polymers or sunlight into biodiesel equivalents and other fatty acid derivatives. In particular, the invention provides a method for producing biodiesel equivalents and other fatty acid derivatives from a biomass polymer including providing a genetically engineered host cell, culturing the host cell in a medium containing a carbon source such that recombinant nucleic acids in the cell are expressed, and extracting biodiesel equivalents and other fatty acid derivatives from the culture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2013
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Applicant: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA
    Inventors: Jay D. KEASLING, Yisheng (Connie) KANG, Eric J. STEEN, Gregory BOKINSKY
  • Publication number: 20140030789
    Abstract: The present invention provides for a polyketide synthase (PKS) capable of synthesizing a dicarboxylic acid (diacid). Such diacids include diketide-diacids and triketide-diacids. The invention includes recombinant nucleic acid encoding the PKS, and host cells comprising the PKS. The invention also includes methods for producing the diacids.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2013
    Publication date: January 30, 2014
    Applicant: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Leonard Katz, Jeffrey L. Fortman, Jay D. Keasling
  • Publication number: 20130298861
    Abstract: Fuel compositions are provided comprising a hydrogenation product of a monocyclic sesquiterpene (e.g., hydrogenated bisabolene) and a fuel additive. Methods of making and using the fuel compositions are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2011
    Publication date: November 14, 2013
    Applicant: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Taek Soon Lee, Pamela Peralta-Yahya, Jay D. Keasling
  • Patent number: 8569023
    Abstract: The present invention provides for a polyketide synthase (PKS) capable of synthesizing a dicarboxylic acid (diacid). Such diacids include diketide-diacids and triketide-diacids. The invention includes recombinant nucleic acid encoding the PKS, and host cells comprising the PKS. The invention also includes methods for producing the diacids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Leonard Katz, Jeffrey L Fortman, Jay D Keasling