Patents by Inventor Jean-Francois Tomb

Jean-Francois Tomb 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: 10006058
    Abstract: The present invention is related to recombinant host cells comprising: (i) at least one deletion, mutation, and/or substitution in an endogenous gene encoding a polypeptide that converts pyruvate to acetaldehyde, acetyl-phosphate or acetyl-CoA; and (ii) a heterologous polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide having phosphoketolase activity. The present invention is also related to recombinant host cells further comprising (iii) a heterologous polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide having phosphotransacetylase activity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: Butamax Advanced Biofuels LLC
    Inventors: Michael Dauner, Lori Ann Maggio-Hall, Jean-Francois Tomb
  • Patent number: 9944954
    Abstract: Provided herein are glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GPD) enzymes with increased KM for NADH and GPD enzymes with substantially the same affinity for NADH and NADPH and/or are feedback inhibited by glycerol-3-phosphate. Also provided herein are recombinant microorganisms comprising a heterologous gene encoding GPD and a deletion or disruption in an endogenous gene encoding GPD. Also provided are recombinant microorganisms comprising a heterologous gene encoding GPD and a butanol biosynthetic pathway. Further provided are methods of producing butanol comprising providing the recombinant microorganisms described herein and contacting the recombinant microorganism with at least one fermentable carbon substrate under conditions wherein butanol is produced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: Butamax Advanced Biofuels LLC
    Inventors: Ritu Bhalla, Gopal K. Chotani, Michael Dauner, Mark J. Nelson, Daniel P. O'Keefe, Caroline M. Peres, Jahnavi Chandra Prasad, Jean-Francois Tomb
  • Publication number: 20170088863
    Abstract: The present invention is related to recombinant host cells comprising: (i) at least one deletion, mutation, and/or substitution in an endogenous gene encoding a polypeptide that converts pyruvate to acetaldehyde, acetyl-phosphate or acetyl-CoA; and (ii) a heterologous polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide having phosphoketolase activity. The present invention is also related to recombinant host cells further comprising (iii) a heterologous polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide having phosphotransacetylase activity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2016
    Publication date: March 30, 2017
    Inventors: Michael Dauner, Lori Ann Maggio-Hall, Jean-Francois Tomb
  • Patent number: 9550999
    Abstract: The present invention is related to recombinant host cells comprising: (i) at least one deletion, mutation, and/or substitution in an endogenous gene encoding a polypeptide that converts pyruvate to acetaldehyde, acetyl-phosphate, or acetyl-CoA; and (ii) a heterologous polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide having phosphoketolase activity. The present invention is also related to recombinant host cells further comprising (iii) a heterologous polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide having phosphotransacetylase activity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: Butamax Advanced Biofuels LLC
    Inventors: Michael Dauner, Lori Ann Maggio-Hall, Jean-Francois Tomb
  • Publication number: 20160376613
    Abstract: Provided herein are glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GPD) enzymes with increased KM for NADH and GPD enzymes with substantially the same affinity for NADH and NADPH and/or are feedback inhibited by glycerol-3-phosphate. Also provided herein are recombinant microorganisms comprising a heterologous gene encoding GPD and a deletion or disruption in an endogenous gene encoding GPD. Also provided are recombinant microorganisms comprising a heterologous gene encoding GPD and a butanol biosynthetic pathway. Further provided are methods of producing butanol comprising providing the recombinant microorganisms described herein and contacting the recombinant microorganism with at least one fermentable carbon substrate under conditions wherein butanol is produced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2016
    Publication date: December 29, 2016
    Inventors: RITU BHALLA, GOPAL K. CHOTANI, MICHAEL DAUNER, MARK J. NELSON, DANIEL P. O'KEEFE, CAROLINE M. PERES, JAHNAVI CHANDRA PRASAD, JEAN-FRANCOIS TOMB
  • Publication number: 20160319307
    Abstract: Ketol-acid reductoisomerase enzymes have been identified that provide high effectiveness in vivo as a step in an isobutanol biosynthetic pathway in bacteria and in yeast. These KARIs are members of a clade identified through molecular phylogenetic analysis called the SLSL Clade.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2016
    Publication date: November 3, 2016
    Inventors: Vasantha Nagarajan, Brian James Paul, Wonchul Suh, Jean-Francois Tomb, Rick W. Ye
  • Patent number: 9441250
    Abstract: Provided herein are glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GPD) enzymes with increased KM for NADH and GPD enzymes with substantially the same affinity for NADH and NADPH and/or are feedback inhibited by glycerol-3-phosphate. Also provided herein are recombinant microorganisms comprising a heterologous gene encoding GPD and a deletion or disruption in an endogenous gene encoding GPD. Also provided are recombinant microorganisms comprising a heterologous gene encoding GPD and a butanol biosynthetic pathway. Further provided are methods of producing butanol comprising providing the recombinant microorganisms described herein and contacting the recombinant microorganism with at least one fermentable carbon substrate under conditions wherein butanol is produced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: Butamax Advanced Biofuels LLC
    Inventors: Ritu Bhalla, Gopal K Chotani, Michael Dauner, Mark J Nelson, Daniel P O'Keefe, Caroline M Peres, Jahnavi Chandra Prasad, Jean-Francois Tomb
  • Publication number: 20160222370
    Abstract: Yeast strains were engineered that have increased activity of heterologous proteins that require binding of an Fe—S cluster for their activity. The yeast strains have reduced activity of an endogenous Fe—S protein. Activities of heterologous bacterial, fungal or plant 2Fe-2S dihydroxy-acid dehydratases and Fe—S propanediol dehydratase reactivase were increased for increased production of products made using biosynthetic pathways including these enzymes, such as valine, isoleucine, leucine, pantothenic acid (vitamin B5), isobutanol, 2-butanone and 2-butanol.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2016
    Publication date: August 4, 2016
    Inventors: Larry Cameron ANTHONY, Dennis Flint, Wonchul Suh, Rick W. Ye, Steven Cary Rothman, Jean-Francois Tomb
  • Publication number: 20160024534
    Abstract: Yeast strains were engineered that have increased activity of heterologous proteins that require binding of an Fe—S cluster for their activity. The yeast strains have reduced activity of an endogenous Fe—S protein. Activities of heterologous fungal or plant 2Fe-2S dihydroxy-acid dehydratases and Fe—S propanediol dehydratase reactivase were increased for increased production of products made using biosynthetic pathways including these enzymes, such as valine, isoleucine, leucine, pantothenic acid (vitamin B5), isobutanol, 2-butanone and 2-butanol.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2015
    Publication date: January 28, 2016
    Inventors: Larry Cameron Anthony, Lori Ann Maggio-Hall, Steven Cary Rothman, Jean-Francois Tomb
  • Publication number: 20160017360
    Abstract: Methods for modulating plants using optimized Bacterial MFS constructs are disclosed. Also disclosed are nucleotide sequences, constructs, vectors, and modified plant cells, as well as transgenic plants displaying increased seed and/or biomass yield, improved tolerance to abiotic stress such as drought or high plant density, improved nitrogen utilization efficiency, increased ear tissue growth or kernel number.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2014
    Publication date: January 21, 2016
    Inventors: Robel KAHSAY, Dale F. LOUSSAERT, Bo SHEN, Jean-Francois TOMB, Haiyin WANG, Zhenglin HOU
  • Patent number: 9206447
    Abstract: Yeast strains were engineered that have increased activity of heterologous proteins that require binding of an Fe—S cluster for their activity. The yeast strains have reduced activity of an endogenous Fe—S protein. Activities of heterologous fungal or plant 2Fe-2S dihydroxy-acid dehydratases and Fe—S propanediol dehydratase reactivase were increased for increased production of products made using biosynthetic pathways including these enzymes, such as valine, isoleucine, leucine, pantothenic acid (vitamin B5), isobutanol, 2-butanone and 2-butanol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: Butamax Advanced Biofuels LLC
    Inventors: Larry Cameron Anthony, Steven Cary Rothman, Jean-Francois Tomb
  • Publication number: 20150203876
    Abstract: Recombinant bacteria capable of metabolizing sucrose are described. The recombinant bacteria comprise in their genome or on at least one recombinant construct, a novel nucleotide sequence encoding a polypeptide having sucrose transporter activity and a nucleotide sequence encoding a polypeptide having sucrose hydrolase activity. These nucleotide sequences are each operably linked to the same or a different promoter. Recombinant bacteria capable of metabolizing sucrose to produce glycerol and/or glycerol-derived products such as 1,3-propanediol and 3-hydroxypropionic acid are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2015
    Publication date: July 23, 2015
    Applicant: E.I. DU PONT DE NEMOURS AND COMPANY
    Inventors: Kristin RUEBLING-JASS, Jean-Francois TOMB, Tina K. VAN DYK, Zheng YOU
  • Patent number: 9017961
    Abstract: Recombinant bacteria capable of metabolizing sucrose are described. The recombinant bacteria comprise in their genome or on at least one recombinant construct, a novel nucleotide sequence encoding a polypeptide having sucrose transporter activity and a nucleotide sequence encoding a polypeptide having sucrose hydrolase activity. These nucleotide sequences are each operably linked to the same or a different promoter. Recombinant bacteria capable of metabolizing sucrose to produce glycerol and/or glycerol-derived products such as 1,3-propanediol and 3-hydroxypropionic acid are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Kristin Ruebling-Jass, Jean-Francois Tomb, Tina K Van Dyk, Zheng You
  • Patent number: 8980612
    Abstract: Methods for the fermentive production of four carbon alcohols are provided. Specifically, butanol, preferably 2-butanol is produced by the fermentive growth of a recombinant bacteria expressing a 2-butanol biosynthetic pathway. The recombinant microorganisms and methods of the invention can also be adapted to produce 2-butanone, an intermediate in the 2-butanol biosynthetic pathways disclosed herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Butamax Advanced Biofuels LLC
    Inventors: Gail K. Donaldson, Andrew C. Eliot, Vasantha Nagarajan, Charles E. Nakamura, Jean-Francois Tomb
  • Publication number: 20150064755
    Abstract: Recombinant bacteria capable of metabolizing sucrose are described. The recombinant bacteria comprise in their genome or on at least one recombinant construct, a novel nucleotide sequence encoding a polypeptide having sucrose transporter activity and a nucleotide sequence encoding a polypeptide having sucrose hydrolase activity. These nucleotide sequences are each operably linked to the same or a different promoter. Recombinant bacteria capable of metabolizing sucrose to produce glycerol and/or glycerol-derived products such as 1,3-propanediol and 3-hydroxypropionic acid are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2013
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Applicant: E I DU PONT DE NEMOURS AND COMPANY
    Inventors: Kristin Ruebling-Jass, Jean-Francois Tomb, Tina K Van Dyk, Zheng You
  • Patent number: 8962298
    Abstract: Methods for the fermentive production of four carbon alcohols are provided. Specifically, butanol, preferably 2-butanol is produced by the fermentive growth of a recombinant bacteria expressing a 2-butanol biosynthetic pathway. The recombinant microorganisms and methods of the invention can also be adapted to produce 2-butanone, an intermediate in the 2-butanol biosynthetic pathways disclosed herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Butamax Advanced Biofuels LLC
    Inventors: Gail K. Donaldson, Andrew C. Eliot, Vasantha Nagarajan, Charles E. Nakamura, Jean-Francois Tomb
  • Patent number: 8951937
    Abstract: A group of bacterial dihydroxy-acid dehydratases having a [2Fe-2S] cluster was discovered. Bacterial [2Fe-2S] DHADs were expressed as heterologous proteins in bacteria and yeast cells, providing DHAD activity for conversion of 2,3-dihydroxyisovalerate to ?-ketoisovalerate or 2,3-dihydroxymethylvalerate to ?-ketomethylvalerate. Isobutanol and other compounds may be synthesized in pathways that include bacterial [2Fe-2S] DHAD activity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Butamax Advanced Biofuels LLC
    Inventors: Dennis Flint, Steven Cary Rothman, Wonchul Suh, Jean-Francois Tomb, Rick W. Ye
  • Publication number: 20140349349
    Abstract: The present invention is related to recombinant host cells comprising: (i) at least one deletion, mutation, and/or substitution in an endogenous gene encoding a polypeptide that converts pyruvate to acetaldehyde, acetyl-phosphate, or acetyl-CoA; and (ii) a heterologous polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide having phosphoketolase activity. The present invention is also related to recombinant host cells further comprising (iii) a heterologous polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide having phosphotransacetylase activity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2014
    Publication date: November 27, 2014
    Inventors: MICHAEL DAUNER, Lori Ann Maggio-Hall, Jean-Francois Tomb
  • Patent number: 8871488
    Abstract: The present invention is related to recombinant host cells comprising: (i) at least one deletion, mutation, and/or substitution in an endogenous gene encoding a polypeptide that converts pyruvate to acetaldehyde, acetyl-phosphate or acetyl-CoA; and (ii) a heterologous polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide having phosphoketolase activity. The present invention is also related to recombinant host cells further comprising (iii) a heterologous polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide having phosphotransacetylase activity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Butamax Advanced Biofuels LLC
    Inventors: Michael Dauner, Lori Ann Maggio-Hall, Jean-Francois Tomb
  • Publication number: 20140273129
    Abstract: Provided herein are glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GPD) enzymes with increased KM for NADH and GPD enzymes with substantially the same affinity for NADH and NADPH and/or are feedback inhibited by glycerol-3-phosphate. Also provided herein are recombinant microorganisms comprising a heterologous gene encoding GPD and a deletion or disruption in an endogenous gene encoding GPD. Also provided are recombinant microorganisms comprising a heterologous gene encoding GPD and a butanol biosynthetic pathway. Further provided are methods of producing butanol comprising providing the recombinant microorganisms described herein and contacting the recombinant microorganism with at least one fermentable carbon substrate under conditions wherein butanol is produced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: BUTAMAX ADVANCED BIOFUELS LLC
    Inventors: Ritu Bhalla, Gopal K. Chotani, Michael Dauner, Mark J. Nelson, Daniel P. O'keefe, Caroline M. Peres, Jahnavi Chandra Prasad, Jean-Francois Tomb