Patents by Inventor Joseph R. Ecker

Joseph R. Ecker 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: 10913952
    Abstract: This disclosure provides methods of downregulating or eliminating gene expression of one or more Dynamic Influencer of Gene expression (DIG) and/or one or more DIG-like (DIL) sequences in plants and plant cells, as well as constructs and compositions useful in such methods. Such recombinant plants can have decreased abscisic acid (ABA) sensitivity, decreased salt sensitivity, or both.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: Salk Institute for Biological Studies
    Inventors: Joseph R. Ecker, Liang Song
  • Publication number: 20180112228
    Abstract: This disclosure provides methods of downregulating or eliminating gene expression of one or more Dynamic Influencer of Gene expression (DIG) and/or one or more DIG-like (DIL) sequences in plants and plant cells, as well as constructs and compositions useful in such methods. Such recombinant plants can have decreased abscisic acid (ABA) sensitivity, decreased salt sensitivity, or both.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2017
    Publication date: April 26, 2018
    Applicant: Salk Institute for Biological Studies
    Inventors: Joseph R. Ecker, Liang Song
  • Patent number: 9428811
    Abstract: Provided herein are methods of characterizing the epigenetic signature of human induced pluripotent stem cells. The methods are useful in identifying human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs), diagnostic markers for incomplete hiPSCs reprogramming, and characterization of the efficacy of different reprogramming techniques.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: Salk Institute for Biological Studies
    Inventors: Ronald M. Evans, Joseph R. Ecker, Ryan Lister
  • Patent number: 9000260
    Abstract: ETP1 and ETP2 bind to EIN2 and modulate plant ethylene sensitivity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: The Salk Institute for Biological Studies
    Inventors: Hong Qiao, Joseph R. Ecker
  • Publication number: 20150007362
    Abstract: The relationship between F-box proteins and proteins involved in the ethylene response in plants is described. In particular, F-box proteins may bind to proteins involved in the ethylene response and target them for degradation by the ubiquitin/proteasome pathway. The transcription factor EIN3 is a key transcription factor mediating ethylene-regulated gene expression and morphological responses. EIN3 is degraded through a ubiquitin/proteasome pathway mediated by F-box proteins EBF1 and EBF2. The link between F-box proteins and the ethylene response is a key step in modulating or regulating the response of a plant to ethylene. Described herein are transgenic plants having an altered sensitivity to ethylene, and methods for making transgenic plant having an altered sensitivity to ethylene by modulating the level of activity of F-box proteins. Methods of altering the ethylene response in a plant by modulating the activity or expression of an F-box protein are described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2013
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Applicant: Salk Institute for Biological Studies
    Inventors: Hongwei Guo, Joseph R. Ecker
  • Publication number: 20140196170
    Abstract: Provided herein are, inter alia, transgenic plants with altered ethylene sensitivity. The transgenic plants provided herein express an EIN2 protein including an amino acid mutation at a position corresponding to position 645 of SEQ ID NO:1. Expression of the EIN2 protein carrying the mutation at position 645 will result in plants with modulated ethylene sensitivity. In some embodiments, the mutation at position 645 of the EIN2 protein will result in plants with increased ethylene sensitivity. Alternatively, in other embodiments, the mutation at position 645 of the EIN2 protein will result in plants with decreased ethylene sensitivity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2013
    Publication date: July 10, 2014
    Applicant: Salk Institute for Biological Studies
    Inventors: Hong Qiao, Joseph R. Ecker
  • Patent number: 8624081
    Abstract: The relationship between F-box proteins and proteins involved in the ethylene response in plants is described. In particular, F-box proteins may bind to proteins involved in the ethylene response and target them for degradation by the ubiquitin/proteasome pathway. The transcription factor EIN3 is a key transcription factor mediating ethylene-regulated gene expression and morphological responses. EIN3 is degraded through a ubiquitin/proteasome pathway mediated by F-box proteins EBF1 and EBF2. The link between F-box proteins and the ethylene response is a key step in modulating or regulating the response of a plant to ethylene. Described herein are transgenic plants having an altered sensitivity to ethylene, and methods for making transgenic plant having an altered sensitivity to ethylene by modulating the level of activity of F-box proteins. Methods of altering the ethylene response in a plant by modulating the activity or expression of an F-box protein are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Salk Institute for Biological Studies
    Inventors: Hongwei Guo, Joseph R. Ecker
  • Publication number: 20130295569
    Abstract: Provided herein are methods of characterizing the epigenetic signature of human induced pluripotent stem cells. The methods are useful in identifying human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs), diagnostic markers for incomplete hiPSCs reprogramming, and characterization of the efficacy of different reprogramming techniques.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2013
    Publication date: November 7, 2013
    Inventors: Ronald M. Evans, Joseph R. Ecker, Ryan Lister
  • Publication number: 20110131688
    Abstract: The relationship between F-box proteins and proteins involved in the ethylene response in plants is described. In particular, F-box proteins may bind to proteins involved in the ethylene response and target them for degradation by the ubiquitin/proteasome pathway. The transcription factor EIN3 is a key transcription factor mediating ethylene-regulated gene expression and morphological responses. EIN3 is degraded through a ubiquitin/proteasome pathway mediated by F-box proteins EBF1 and EBF2. The link between F-box proteins and the ethylene response is a key step in modulating or regulating the response of a plant to ethylene. Described herein are transgenic plants having an altered sensitivity to ethylene, and methods for making transgenic plant having an altered sensitivity to ethylene by modulating the level of activity of F-box proteins. Methods of altering the ethylene response in a plant by modulating the activity or expression of an F-box protein are described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2011
    Publication date: June 2, 2011
    Inventors: Hongwei Guo, Joseph R. Ecker
  • Patent number: 7902422
    Abstract: The invention relates to transgenic plants having reduced sensitivity to ethylene as a result of having a recombinant nucleic acid encoding an F-box protein that interacts with a EIN3 involved in an ethylene response of plants, and a method of producing a transgenic plant with reduced ethylene sensitivity by transforming the plant with a nucleic acid sequence encoding an F-box protein. The inventions also relates to methods of altering the ethylene response in a plant by modulating the activity or expression of an F-box protein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignee: The Salk Institute for Biological Studies
    Inventors: Hongwei Guo, Joseph R. Ecker
  • Publication number: 20100242135
    Abstract: ETP1 and ETP2 bind to EIN2 and modulate plant ethylene sensitivity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2010
    Publication date: September 23, 2010
    Applicant: The Salk Institute for Biological Studies
    Inventors: Hong Qiao, Joseph R. Ecker
  • Publication number: 20100175153
    Abstract: The relationship between F-box proteins and proteins involved in the ethylene response in plants is described. In particular, F-box proteins may bind to proteins involved in the ethylene response and target them for degradation by the ubiquitin/proteasome pathway. The transcription factor EIN3 is a key transcription factor mediating ethylene-regulated gene expression and morphological responses. EIN3 is degraded through a ubiquitin/proteasome pathway mediated by F-box proteins EBF1 and EBF2. The link between F-box proteins and the ethylene response is a key step in modulating or regulating the response of a plant to ethylene. Described herein are transgenic plants having an altered sensitivity to ethylene, and methods for making transgenic plant having an altered sensitivity to ethylene by modulating the level of activity of F-box proteins. Methods of altering the ethylene response in a plant by modulating the activity or expression of an F-box protein are described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2009
    Publication date: July 8, 2010
    Inventors: Hongwei Guo, Joseph R. Ecker
  • Patent number: 7655835
    Abstract: The invention relates to transgenic plants having reduced sensitivity to ethylene as a result of having a recombinant nucleic acid encoding a F-box protein, and a method of producing a transgenic plant with reduced ethylene sensitivity by transforming the plant with a nucleic acid sequence encoding a F-box protein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2010
    Assignee: The Salk Institute For Biological Studies
    Inventors: Hongwei Guo, Joseph R. Ecker
  • Patent number: 7220587
    Abstract: Nucleic acid and polypeptide sequences are described which relate to an EIN6 gene, a gene involved in the plant ethylene response. Plant transformation vectors and transgenic plants are described which display an altered ethylene-dependent phenotype due to altered expression of EIN6 in transformed plants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2007
    Assignees: The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, The Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania
    Inventors: Joseph R. Ecker, Ramlah Nehring, Robert B. McGrath
  • Patent number: 7169964
    Abstract: A method for decreasing the rate of organ or floral abscission is described. The method includes modifying the ARF GAP domain of a gene. In one instance the gene is the NEVERSHED gene.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Assignee: The Salk Institute for Biological Studies
    Inventors: Sarah J. Liljegren, Joseph R. Ecker, Martin F. Yanofsky
  • Patent number: 7169972
    Abstract: The field of the invention relates to plants and plant genes, including both plant mutants and transgenic plants containing a gene that confers an ethylene insensitive phenotype. Also encompassed by the invention are methods of using the disclosed plant gene to confer an ethylene insensitive phenotype.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Assignee: The Salk Institute for Biological Studies
    Inventors: Anna N. Stepanova, Joseph R. Ecker
  • Publication number: 20040143872
    Abstract: A method for decreasing the rate of organ or floral abscission is described. The method includes modifying the ARF GAP domain of a gene. In one instance the gene is the NEVERSHED gene.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2003
    Publication date: July 22, 2004
    Inventors: Sarah J. Liljegren, Joseph R. Ecker, Martin F. Yanofsky
  • Publication number: 20030166197
    Abstract: Nucleic acid and polypeptide sequences are described which relate to an EIN6 gene, a gene involved in the plant ethylene response. Plant transformation vectors and transgenic plants are described which display an altered ethylene-dependent phenotype due to altered expression of EIN6 in transformed plants.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2002
    Publication date: September 4, 2003
    Inventors: Joseph R. Ecker, Ramlah Nehring, Robert B. McGrath
  • Patent number: 5674701
    Abstract: A process for identifying a plant having disease tolerance comprising administering to a plant an inhibitory amount of ethylene and screening for ethylene insensitivity, thereby identifying a disease tolerant plant, is described. Plants identified by the foregoing process are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 7, 1997
    Assignees: The Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania, The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Joseph R. Ecker, Brian J. Staskawicz, Andrew F. Bent, Roger W. Innes
  • Patent number: 5602322
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to nucleic acid sequences for constitutive triple response mutants and corresponding amino acid sequences. Several ctr mutations are included within the scope of the present invention. The nucleic acid sequences set forth in SEQUENCE ID NUMBERS 1, and 3-6 as well as amino acid sequences set forth in SEQUENCE ID NUMBERS 1 and 2 are particular embodiments of the present invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 11, 1997
    Assignee: The Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania
    Inventors: Joseph R. Ecker, Joseph J. Kieber