Patents by Inventor John H. Verruto
John H. Verruto 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).
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Publication number: 20220348946Abstract: The invention involves mutant or recombinant Chlorophyte algal organisms that have a genetic modification in a gene encoding a chloroplastic signal recognition particle 43 (cpSRP43). In one embodiment the Chlorophyte organisms are Trebouxiophyte algae that are diploid or polyploid for a gene encoding a chloroplastic signal recognition particle 43 (cpSRP43). The mutant organisms can have a genetic modification in one allele of the gene but not in another allele of the gene. The mutant or algal organisms have higher biomass and lipid productivity. Additional mutant or algal organisms are disclosed that also have a genetic modification to one or more genes encoding a light harvesting chlorophyll a/b (binding) protein.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 22, 2022Publication date: November 3, 2022Inventors: Fedor KUZMINOV, Mahva NAGHIPOR, Moena AQUI, Yingjun WANG, John H. VERRUTO
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Patent number: 11193132Abstract: Mutant photosynthetic organisms having reduced chlorophyll and increased photosynthetic efficiency are provided. The mutant strains have mutated or attenuated: chloroplastic SRP54 gene and SGI1 gene; chloroplastic SRP54 gene and SGI2 gene; chloroplastic SRP54 gene, SGI1, and SGI2 genes are disclosed. The mutant photosynthetic organisms exhibit increased productivity with respect to wild-type strains. Also provided are mutant photosynthetic organisms having mutated or attenuated cytosolic SRP54 genes. Provided herein are methods of producing biomass and other products such as lipids using strains having mutations in an SRP54 gene, SGI1, SGI2 genes, a combination of SGI1/SRP54, and a combination of SGI2 and SRP54 genes. Also included are constructs and methods for attenuating or disrupting SRP54, SGI1, and SGI2 genes.Type: GrantFiled: December 27, 2018Date of Patent: December 7, 2021Assignee: Synthetic Genomics, Inc.Inventors: Imad Ajjawi, Fedor I. Kuzminov, Randor R. Radakovits, John H. Verruto, Sarah Potts, Roberto Spreafico, William F. Lambert, Jessica Greiner
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Publication number: 20210348183Abstract: The invention provides methods of transforming photosynthetic organisms, such as green algae. The methods involve methylating one or more DNA fragments of a DNA construct and transforming the one or more fragments into the photosynthetic organism. The DNA fragments can be the product of a DNA amplification procedure, such as PCR or a PCR-like procedure. In one embodiment the one or more fragments of DNA that comprise a DNA construct are dam methylated prior to being transformed into the photosynthetic organism.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 4, 2021Publication date: November 11, 2021Inventors: John H. Verruto, Jessica N. Weir
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Publication number: 20190203221Abstract: Mutant photosynthetic organisms having reduced chlorophyll and increased photosynthetic efficiency are provided. The mutant strains have mutated or attenuated: chloroplastic SRP54 gene and SGI1 gene; chloroplastic SRP54 gene and SGI2 gene; chloroplastic SRP54 gene, SGI1, and SGI2 genes are disclosed. The mutant photosynthetic organisms exhibit increased productivity with respect to wild-type strains. Also provided are mutant photosynthetic organisms having mutated or attenuated cytosolic SRP54 genes. Provided herein are methods of producing biomass and other products such as lipids using strains having mutations in an SRP54 gene, SGI1, SGI2 genes, a combination of SGI1/SRP54, and a combination of SGI2 and SRP54 genes. Also included are constructs and methods for attenuating or disrupting SRP54, SGI1, and SGI2 genes.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 27, 2018Publication date: July 4, 2019Inventors: Imad Ajjawi, Fedor I. Kuzminov, Randor R. Radakovits, John H. Verruto, Sarah Tacke, Roberto Spreafico, William F. Lambert, Jessica Nichole Greiner
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Publication number: 20170191094Abstract: The present invention provides recombinant algae expressing exogenous Type I fatty acid synthase (FAS) genes and demonstrating higher rates of fatty acid synthesis with respect to control microorgansims. The recombinant algae are able to produce greater amounts of FAME lipids under nitrogen replete conditions.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 29, 2016Publication date: July 6, 2017Inventors: Eric Moellering, Weidong Xu, John H. Verruto, Paul Gordon Roessler
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Publication number: 20170130238Abstract: The present invention provides an innovate method and device for depositing coated particles to prepare sample cartridges for use in a gene gun.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 3, 2016Publication date: May 11, 2017Inventors: Amanda R. Edwards, John H. Verruto
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Patent number: 8962299Abstract: The invention relates to methods for producing a wax ester in recombinant host cells engineered to express a thioesterase, an acyl-CoA synthetase, an alcohol-forming fatty acyl reductase, and a wax ester synthase. The methods of the invention may take place in photosynthetic microorganisms, and particularly in cyanobacteria. Isolated nucleotide molecules and vectors expressing the thioesterase, acyl-CoA synthetase, alcohol-forming fatty acyl reductase, and wax ester synthase, recombinant host cells expressing the thioesterase, acyl-CoA synthetase, alcohol-forming fatty acyl reductase, and wax ester synthase, and systems for producing a wax ester via a pathway using these four enzymes, are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: February 29, 2012Date of Patent: February 24, 2015Assignee: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering CompanyInventors: Erik Holtzapple, John H. Verruto
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Patent number: 8921090Abstract: The invention relates to acyl-CoA-independent methods of producing a wax ester in recombinant host cells engineered to express an acyl-ACP wax ester synthase, and an alcohol-forming acyl-ACP reductase. The methods of the invention may take place in photosynthetic microorganisms, and particularly in cyanobacteria. Isolated nucleotide molecules and vectors expressing an acyl-ACP wax ester synthase and/or an alcohol-forming acyl-ACP reductase, recombinant host cells expressing an acyl-ACP wax ester synthase and optionally an alcohol-forming acyl-ACP reductase, and systems for producing a wax ester via an acyl-CoA-independent pathway, are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: March 6, 2012Date of Patent: December 30, 2014Assignee: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering CompanyInventors: Erik Holtzapple, John H. Verruto
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Patent number: 8883993Abstract: The present invention provides novel promoter and terminator sequences for use in gene expression in eukaryotic cells, such as algal cells. The invention further provides expression cassettes comprising a promoter, as described herein, operably linked to a gene. The invention further provides expression vectors and host eukaryotic cells, such as algal cells, for expressing a protein encoded by the gene; and methods for stably transforming eukaryotic algae such as Tetraselmis with transgenes.Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 2012Date of Patent: November 11, 2014Assignee: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering CompanyInventors: Jane C. Schneider, Soyan Lieberman, Bo Liu, Eric R. Moellering, John H. Verruto, Amanda Skaggs
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Publication number: 20140154806Abstract: The present invention provides novel promoter and terminator sequences for use in gene expression in eukaryotic cells, such as algal cells. The invention further provides expression cassettes comprising a promoter, as described herein, operably linked to a gene. The invention further provides expression vectors and host eukaryotic cells, such as algal cells, for expressing a protein encoded by the gene; and methods for stably transforming eukaryotic algae such as Tetraselmis with transgenes.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 4, 2012Publication date: June 5, 2014Applicant: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering CompanyInventors: Jane C. Schneider, Soyan Lieberman, Bo Liu, Eric R. Moellering, John H. Verruto, Amanda Skaggs
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Publication number: 20130224811Abstract: The invention relates to methods for producing a wax ester in recombinant host cells engineered to express a thioesterase, an acyl-CoA synthetase, an alcohol-forming fatty acyl reductase, and a wax ester synthase. The methods of the invention may take place in photosynthetic microorganisms, and particularly in cyanobacteria. Isolated nucleotide molecules and vectors expressing the thioesterase, acyl-CoA synthetase, alcohol-forming fatty acyl reductase, and wax ester synthase, recombinant host cells expressing the thioesterase, acyl-CoA synthetase, alcohol-forming fatty acyl reductase, and wax ester synthase, and systems for producing a wax ester via a pathway using these four enzymes, are also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 29, 2012Publication date: August 29, 2013Applicant: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering CompanyInventors: Erik Holtzapple, John H. Verruto
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Publication number: 20130078684Abstract: The invention relates to acyl-CoA-independent methods of producing a wax ester in recombinant host cells engineered to express an acyl-ACP wax ester synthase, and an alcohol-forming acyl-ACP reductase. The methods of the invention may take place in photosynthetic microorganisms, and particularly in cyanobacteria. Isolated nucleotide molecules and vectors expressing an acyl-ACP wax ester synthase and/or an alcohol-forming acyl-ACP reductase, recombinant host cells expressing an acyl-ACP wax ester synthase and optionally an alcohol-forming acyl-ACP reductase, and systems for producing a wax ester via an acyl-CoA-independent pathway, are also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 6, 2012Publication date: March 28, 2013Applicant: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering CompanyInventors: Erik Holtzapple, John H. Verruto