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).

  • HYBRID POLYKETIDE SYNTHASES
    Publication number: 20130280766
    Abstract: The present invention provides for a polyketide synthase (PKS) capable of synthesizing an even-chain or odd-chain diacid or lactam or diamine. The present invention also provides for a host cell comprising the PKS and when cultured produces the even-chain diacid, odd-chain diacid, or KAPA. The present invention also provides for a host cell comprising the PKS capable of synthesizing a pimelic acid or KAPA, and when cultured produces biotin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2011
    Publication date: October 24, 2013
    Applicant: The Regents of the Unversity of California
    Inventors: Jeffrey L. Fortman, Andrew Hagen, Leonard Katz, Jay D. Keasling, Sean Poust, Jingwei Zhang, Sergey Zotchev
  • PRODUCING ALPHA-OLEFINS USING POLYKETIDE SYNTHASES
    Publication number: 20130267696
    Abstract: The present invention provides for a polyketide synthase (PKS) capable of synthesizing an ?-olefin, such as 1-hexene or butadiene. The present invention also provides for a host cell comprising the PKS and when cultured produces the ?-olefin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2011
    Publication date: October 10, 2013
    Applicant: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA
    Inventors: Jeffrey L. Fortman, Leonard Katz, Eric J. Steen, Jay D. Keasling
  • Host Cells and Methods for Producing Diacid Compounds
    Publication number: 20130267012
    Abstract: The present invention provides for a method of producing one or more fatty acid derived dicarboxylic acids in a genetically modified host cell which does not naturally produce the one or more derived fatty acid derived dicarboxylic acids. The invention provides for the biosynthesis of dicarboxylic acid ranging in length from C3 to C26. The host cell can be further modified to increase fatty acid production or export of the desired fatty acid derived compound, and/or decrease fatty acid storage or metabolism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2013
    Publication date: October 10, 2013
    Inventors: Eric J. Steen, Jeffrey L. Fortman, Jeffrey A. Dietrich, Jay D. Keasling
  • Transcription factor-based biosensor
    Patent number: 8552169
    Abstract: The present invention provides for a system comprising a BmoR transcription factor, a ?54-RNA polymerase, and a pBMO promoter operatively linked to a reporter gene, wherein the pBMO promoter is capable of expression of the reporter gene with an activated form of the BmoR and the ?54-RNA polymerase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. Dietrich, Jay D. Keasling
  • PRODUCTION OF FATTY ACIDS AND DERIVATIVES THEREOF
    Publication number: 20130245339
    Abstract: Compositions and methods for production of fatty alcohols using recombinant microorganisms are provided as well as fatty alcohol compositions produced by such methods.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2013
    Publication date: September 19, 2013
    Inventors: Jay D. KEASLING, Zhihao HU, Chris SOMERVILLE, George CHURCH, David BERRY, Lisa FRIEDMAN, Andreas SCHIRMER, Shane BRUBAKER, Stephen B. DEL CARDAYRE
  • Modified microorganisms and uses therefor
    Patent number: 8535916
    Abstract: The invention provides a genetically modified microorganism that acquires the ability to consume a renewable feedstock (such as cellulose) and produce products. This organism can be used to ferment cellulose, one of the most abundant renewable resources available, and produce products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: LS9, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen B. Del Cardayre, Shane Brubaker, Jay D. Keasling
  • Bioremediation of nanomaterials
    Patent number: 8440423
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method comprising the use of microorganisms for nanotoxicity study and bioremediation. In some embodiment, the microorganisms are bacterial organisms such as Gram negative bacteria, which are used as model organisms to study the nanotoxicity of the fullerene compounds: E. coli W3110, a human related enterobacterium and Shewanella oneidensis MR-1, an environmentally important bacterium with versatile metabolism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: U.S. Department of Energy
    Inventors: Frank Fanqing Chen, Jay D. Keasling, Yinjie J. Tang
  • Producing biofuels using polyketide synthases
    Patent number: 8420833
    Abstract: The present invention provides for a non-naturally occurring polyketide synthase (PKS) capable of synthesizing a carboxylic acid or a lactone, and a composition such that a carboxylic acid or lactone is included. The carboxylic acid or lactone, or derivative thereof, is useful as a biofuel. The present invention also provides for a recombinant nucleic acid or vector that encodes such a PKS, and host cells which also have such a recombinant nucleic acid or vector. The present invention also provides for a method of producing such carboxylic acids or lactones using such a PKS.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Leonard Katz, Jeffrey L Fortman, Jay D Keasling
  • Host Cells and Methods for Producing Fatty Acid
    Publication number: 20130059295
    Abstract: The present invention provides for a genetically modified host cell capable of producing fatty acid comprising an increased expression of FadR, or a functional variant thereof. The host cell under environmental conditions wherein fatty acid is produced expresses an increased amount of FadR when compared to an unmodified host cell. The present invention also provides for a method of producing a fatty acid or FAAE in the host cell. The present invention provides for a genetically modified host cell comprising a fatty acid biosensor and one or more fatty acid-responsive promoter operably linked to one or more genes of interest that is heterologous to the fatty acid-responsive promoter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2012
    Publication date: March 7, 2013
    Applicant: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA
    Inventors: Fuzhong Zhang, Eric J. Steen, Jay D. Keasling
  • Host Cells and Methods for Producing 1-Deoxyxylulose 5-phosphate (DXP) and/or a DXP Derived Compound
    Publication number: 20130052692
    Abstract: The present invention provides for a genetically modified host cell capable of producing 1-deoxyxylulose 5-phosphate or 1-deoxy-D-xylulose 5-phosphate (DXP) (12), and optionally one or more DXP derived compounds, comprising: (a) a mutant RibB, or functional variant thereof, capable of catalyzing xylulose 5-phosphate and/or ribulose 5-phosphate to DXP, or (b) a YajO, or functional variant thereof, and a XylB, or functional variant thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2012
    Publication date: February 28, 2013
    Applicant: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA
    Inventors: James Kirby, Jeffrey L. Fortman, Minobu Nishimoto, Jay D. Keasling
  • POLYNUCLEOTIDES ENCODING ISOPRENOID MODIFYING ENZYMES AND METHODS OF USE THEREOF
    Publication number: 20120288905
    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: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2012
    Publication date: November 15, 2012
    Inventors: Dae-Kyun Ro, Karyn Newman, Eric M. Paradise, Jay D. Keasling, Mario Ouellet, Rachel a. Krupa, Kimberly Ho, Timothy Ham
  • Host cells for production of isoprenoid compounds
    Patent number: 8288147
    Abstract: Methods for synthesizing isopentenyl pyrophosphate are provided. A first method comprises introducing into a host microorganism a plurality of heterologous nucleic acid sequences, each coding for a different enzyme in the mevalonate pathway for producing isopentenyl pyrophosphate. A related method comprises introducing into a host microorganism an intermediate in the mevalonate pathway and at least one heterologous nucleic acid sequence, each sequence coding for an enzyme in the mevalonate pathway necessary for converting the intermediate into isopentenyl pyrophosphate. The invention also provides nucleic acid sequences, enzymes, expression vectors, and transformed host cells for carrying out the methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Jay D. Keasling, Vincent J.J. Martin, Douglas J. Pitera, Seon-Won Kim, Sydnor T. Withers, III, Yasuo Yoshikuni, Jack Newman, Artem Valentinovich Khlebnikov
  • Production of isoprenoids and isoprenoid precursors
    Patent number: 8257957
    Abstract: The present invention provides genetically modified host cells and use of same for producing isoprenoid compounds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignees: The Regents of the University of California, Amyris Biotechnologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Jay D. Keasling, Farnaz Nowroozi, Douglas J. Pitera, Jennifer Anthony, Jack D. Newman, Larry Anthony
  • Producing a Trimethylpentanoic Acid Using Hybrid Polyketide Synthases
    Publication number: 20120219998
    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: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2011
    Publication date: August 30, 2012
    Applicant: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA
    Inventors: Leonard Katz, Jeffrey L. Fortman, Jay D. Keasling
  • MICROBIAL CONVERSION OF PLANT BIOMASS TO ADVANCED BIOFUELS
    Publication number: 20120190090
    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: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2012
    Publication date: July 26, 2012
    Applicant: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Gregory BOKINSKY, Jay D. Keasling
  • PRODUCTION OF FATTY ACIDS & DERIVATIVES THEREOF
    Publication number: 20120142979
    Abstract: Compositions and methods for production of fatty alcohols using recombinant microorganisms are provided as well as fatty alcohol compositions produced by such methods.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2011
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Applicant: LS9, INC.
    Inventors: Jay D. KEASLING, Zhihao Hu, Chris Somerville, George Church, David Berry, Lisa Friedman, Andreas Schirmer, Shane Brubaker, Stephen B. Del Cardayre
  • Inducible expression vectors and methods of use thereof
    Patent number: 8178338
    Abstract: The present invention provides nucleic acids that include a promoter that is inducible by a transcriptional activator protein; and a nucleotide sequence that encodes the transcriptional activator protein. The present invention provides expression vectors that provide for inducible production of gene products in a host cell. The present invention further provides host cells genetically modified with a subject expression vector. The present invention further provides methods for producing a gene product in a host cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Jay D. Keasling, Sung Kuk Lee
  • PRODUCT OF FATTY ACID ESTERS FROM BIOMASS POLYMERS
    Publication number: 20120115195
    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: April 30, 2010
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Applicant: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Jay D. Keasling, Yisheng (Connie) Kang, Eric J. Steen, Gregory Bokinsky
  • Polynucleotides encoding isoprenoid modifying enzymes and methods of use thereof
    Patent number: 8163980
    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: June 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    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
  • Methods of generating protein variants
    Patent number: 8158383
    Abstract: The present invention provides methods of designing and generating polypeptide variants that have altered properties compared to a parent polypeptide. The present invention further provides a computer program product for carrying out the design of a variant polypeptide. The present invention further provides nucleic acids encoding enzyme variants, as well as vectors and host cells comprising the nucleic acids. The present invention further provides variant enzymes; methods of producing the variant enzymes; and methods of producing compounds using the enzymes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Jay D. Keasling, Yasuo Yoshikuni, Jeffrey Allen Dietrich, Farnaz F. Nowroozi, Patricia C. Babbitt