Patents by Inventor John W. Rice

John W. Rice 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).

  • Methods for the identification of inhibitors of serine acetyltransferase activity in plants
    Patent number: 6770452
    Abstract: The present inventors have discovered that serine acetyltransferase (SAT) is essential for plant growth. Specifically, the inhibition of SAT gene expression in plant seedlings results in reduced growth and altered pigmentation. Thus, SAT is useful as a target for the identification of herbicides. Accordingly, the present invention provides methods for the identification of herbicides by measuring the activity of an SAT in the presence and absence of a compound, wherein an alteration of SAT activity in the presence of the compound indicates the compound as a candidate for a herbicide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2004
    Assignee: Paradigm Genetics, Inc.
    Inventors: John W Rice, Lining Guo, Keith Davis, Adel Zayed, Robert Ascenzi, Joseph Cameron Mitchell, Daniel N Riggsbee, Douglas Boyes, Rao Mulpuri, Neil Hoffman, Susanne Kjemtrup, Carol Hamilton, Jeffrey Woessner, Jorn Gorlach
  • Methods for the identification of inhibitors of 2'-hydroxyisoflavone reductase expression or activity in plants
    Publication number: 20020177527
    Abstract: The present invention discloses that 2′-hydroxyisoflavone reductase (IFR) is essential for plant growth. Specifically, the inhibition of IFR gene expression in plant seedlings results in seedlings that fail to produce roots or leaves. Thus, IFR is a useful target for the identification of herbicides. Accordingly, the present invention provides compositions and methods for the identification of compounds that inhibit IFR expression or activity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2002
    Publication date: November 28, 2002
    Inventors: Neil Hoffman, John W. Rice, Keith Davis, Adel Zayed, Robert Ascenzi, Douglas Boyes, Jorn Gorlach, Jeffrey Woessner, Carol Hamilton, Kenneth Phillips
  • Methods and compositions for the identification of modulators of deoxyxylulose 5-phosphate synthase activity
    Publication number: 20020168743
    Abstract: The invention is directed to methods and compositions for the determination of deoxyxylulose 5-phosphate synthase (DXPS) activity. The methods and compositions of the invention are amenable to high throughput screening assays for the identification of inhibitors and enhancers of DXPS activity. Such compounds have use in the modulation of plant and microbial growth. The compositions of the invention are DXPS fragments and chimeric polypeptides that have increased solubility as compared to the wild type DXPS polypeptide. These DXPS fragments and chimeric polypeptides, or variants thereof, can be recombinantly expressed and purified in quantities suitable for high throughput screening assays. The assays of the invention are based on the detection of substrates of DXPS that remain after a DXPS reaction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2001
    Publication date: November 14, 2002
    Inventors: John W. Rice, Andreas S. Kloti, John M. Crawford, Beth Lanning, Sandy J. Stewart
  • Methods for determining deoxyxylulose 5-phosphate synthase activity
    Patent number: 6326164
    Abstract: The invention is directed to methods and compositions for the determination of deoxyxylulose 5-phosphate synthase (DXPS) activity. The methods and compositions of the invention are amenable to high-throughput screening assays for the identification of inhibitors and enhancers of DXPS activity. Such compounds have use in the modulation of plant and microbial growth. The compositions of the invention are DXPS fragments and chimeric polypeptides that have increased solubility as compared to the wild-type DXPS polypeptide. These DXPS fragments and chimeric polypeptides can be recombinantly expressed and purified in quantities suitable for high-throughput screening assays. The assays of the invention are based on the detection of substrates of DXPS that remain after a DXPS reaction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2001
    Assignee: Paradigm Genetics, Inc.
    Inventors: John W. Rice, Andreas S. Kloti, John M. Crawford, Jr., Beth Lanning, Sandy J. Stewart