Patents by Inventor John Ohlrogge

John Ohlrogge 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: 9328335
    Abstract: The present invention relates to novel diacylglycerol acyltransferase genes and proteins, and methods of their use. In particular, the invention describes genes encoding proteins having diacylglycerol acetyltransferase activity, specifically for transferring an acetyl group to a diacylglycerol substrate to form acetyl-Triacylglycerols (ac-TAGS), for example, a 3-acetyl-1,2-diacyl-sn-glycerol. The present invention encompasses both native and recombinant wild-type forms of the transferase, as well as mutants and variant forms. The present invention also relates to methods of using novel diacylglycerol acyltransferase genes and proteins, including their expression in transgenic organisms at commercially viable levels, for increasing production of 3-acetyl-1,2-diacyl-sn-glycerols in plant oils and altering the composition of oils produced by microorganisms, such as yeast, by increasing ac-TAG production.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: Board of Trustees of Michigan State University
    Inventors: Timothy Durrett, John Ohlrogge, Michael Pollard
  • Publication number: 20130116462
    Abstract: The present invention relates to novel diacylglycerol acyltransferase genes and proteins, and methods of their use. In particular, the invention describes genes encoding proteins having diacylglycerol acetyltransferase activity, specifically for transferring an acetyl group to a diacylglycerol substrate to form acetyl-Triacylglycerols (ac-TAGS), for example, a 3-acetyl-1,2-diacyl-sn-glycerol. The present invention encompasses both native and recombinant wild-type forms of the transferase, as well as mutants and variant forms. The present invention also relates to methods of using novel diacylglycerol acyltransferase genes and proteins, including their expression in transgenic organisms at commercially viable levels, for increasing production of 3-acetyl-1,2-diacyl-sn-glycerols in plant oils and altering the composition of oils produced by microorganisms, such as yeast, by increasing ac-TAG production.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2010
    Publication date: May 9, 2013
    Applicant: Board of Trustees of Michigan State University
    Inventors: Timothy Durrett, John Ohlrogge, Michael Pollard
  • Publication number: 20090163729
    Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions comprising acyltransferase nucleic acid molecules for altering lipids on the surface of plants, and related methods. In particular, the present invention provides compositions and methods for increasing the amount of free fatty acids, acylglycerols, and other lipids on the surface of a plant. In a preferred embodiment, the present invention relates to increasing activity of a GPAT acyltransferase for altering lipid on the plant surface, for increasing surface lipids, for enhancing environmental stress tolerance, increasing resistance to biotic stress, and providing novel plant lipids for commercial products. In further embodiments, the present invention relates to using an Arabidopsis thaliana GPAT acyltransferase for altering lipid compounds on the surface of a plant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2007
    Publication date: June 25, 2009
    Applicant: The Board of Trustees Operating Michigan State University
    Inventors: Yonghua Li, Fred Beisson, Mike Pollard, John Ohlrogge
  • Publication number: 20070143879
    Abstract: Disclosed are genetic constructs, transgenic plant cells and transgenic plants, as well as associated methods, for increasing oil production in a plant using F-box gene sequences.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2006
    Publication date: June 21, 2007
    Applicant: Michigan State University
    Inventors: John Ohlrogge, Sari Ruuska, Yonghua Li
  • Publication number: 20070022502
    Abstract: The present invention relates to novel seed specific promoter regions. The present invention further provide methods of producing proteins and other products of interest and methods of controlling expression of nucleic acid sequences of interest using the seed specific promoter regions. The present invention also provides methods of identifying and isolating novel seed specific promoters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2006
    Publication date: January 25, 2007
    Inventors: John Ohlrogge, Christoph Benning, Hongbo Gao, Thomas Girke, Joseph White
  • Publication number: 20060053512
    Abstract: The present invention provides cyclopropane fatty acid synthase genes and proteins, and methods of their use. The present invention encompasses both native and recombinant wild-type forms of the synthase, as well as mutants and variant forms, some of which possess altered characteristics relative to the wild-type synthase. The present invention also provides methods of using cyclopropane fatty acid synthase genes and proteins, including in their expression in transgenic organisms and in the production of cyclopropane fatty acids in plant oils, and in particular seed oils.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2002
    Publication date: March 9, 2006
    Inventors: Xiaoming Bao, John Ohlrogge, Michael Pollard