Patents by Inventor Jun Urano

Jun Urano 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).

  • Publication number: 20160122741
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates in part to recombinant microorganisms that include non-native genes encoding PUFA-PKS polypeptides, and to methods of making and using such microorganisms for producing at least one PUFA. In particular, the disclosure further relates to methods and related materials useful for the production of at least one PUFA by heterologous expression of the nucleic acid sequences disclosed herein encoding PUFA-PKS polypeptides.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2015
    Publication date: May 5, 2016
    Inventors: Gerardo V. Toledo, Karen D. Xu, Jun Urano
  • Publication number: 20150218596
    Abstract: The present invention provides recombinant microorganisms comprising an isobutanol producing metabolic pathway and methods of using said recombinant microorganisms to produce isobutanol. In various aspects of the invention, the recombinant microorganisms may comprise a modification resulting in the reduction of pyruvate decarboxylase and/or glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase activity. In various embodiments described herein, the recombinant microorganisms may be microorganisms of the Saccharomyces clade, Crabtree-negative yeast microorganisms, Crabtree-positive yeast microorganisms, post-WGD (whole genome duplication) yeast microorganisms, pre-WGD (whole genome duplication) yeast microorganisms, and non-fermenting yeast microorganisms.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2014
    Publication date: August 6, 2015
    Inventors: Reid M. Renny Feldman, Uvini Gunawardena, Jun Urano, Peter Meinhold, Aristos Aristidou, Catherine Asleson Dundon, Christopher Smith
  • Publication number: 20140363892
    Abstract: The present application provides novel regulatory elements including promoter sequences from marine microorganisms. The application further discloses DNA constructs containing these novel regulatory elements; transgenic cells, transgenic non-human organisms, and progeny containing these novel regulatory elements. Methods of modifying, producing, and using the regulatory elements are also disclosed. The regulatory elements disclosed herein are particularly suited for use in Nannochloropsis and other microalgae.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2013
    Publication date: December 11, 2014
    Applicant: SYNTHETIC GENOMICS, INC.
    Inventors: Michele M. Champagne, Toby H. Richardson, Jun Urano
  • Publication number: 20140308721
    Abstract: The present invention provides recombinant microorganisms comprising isobutanol producing metabolic pathway with at least one isobutanol pathway enzyme localized in the cytosol, wherein said recombinant microorganism is selected to produce isobutanol from a carbon source. Methods of using said recombinant microorganisms to produce isobutanol are also provided. In various aspects of the invention, the recombinant microorganisms may comprise a cytosolically active isobutanol pathway enzymes. In some embodiments, the invention provides mutated, modified, and/or chimeric isobutanol pathway enzymes with cytosolic activity. In various embodiments described herein, the recombinant microorganisms may be microorganisms of the Saccharomyces clade, Crabtree-negative yeast microorganisms, Crabtree-positive yeast microorganisms, post-WGD (whole genome duplication) yeast microorganisms, pre-WGD (whole genome duplication) yeast microorganisms, and non-fermenting yeast microorganisms.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2014
    Publication date: October 16, 2014
    Applicant: Gevo, Inc.
    Inventors: Jun Urano, Catherine Asleson Dundon, Peter Meinhold, Reid M. Renny Feldman, Aristos A. Aristidou, Andrew Hawkins, Thomas Buelter, Matthew Peters, Doug Lies, Stephanie Porter-Scheinman, Christopher Smith, Ruth Berry, Ishmeet Kalra
  • Publication number: 20140308710
    Abstract: The present invention discloses methods for assembling a nucleic acid molecule from a set of overlapping oligonucleotides. The method involves contacting a set of overlapping oligonucleotides with a DNA polymerase, a mixture of dNTPs, and a crowding agent to form an assembly mixture. In one embodiment the crowding agent is polyethylene glycol (PEG). The presence of the crowding agent facilitates the nucleic acid assembly process of the invention. The assembly mixture is then subjected to multiple cycles, each cycle comprising an annealing phase, an extension phase, and a denaturation phase, and the desired nucleic acid molecule is thereby assembled. In some embodiments one or more of the phases are time varied.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2013
    Publication date: October 16, 2014
    Applicant: Synthetic Genomics, Inc.
    Inventors: Zhiqing Qi, Jun Urano, Nicky C. Caiazza, Daniel G. Gibson
  • Publication number: 20140212953
    Abstract: The present invention relates to recombinant microorganisms comprising biosynthetic pathways and methods of using said recombinant microorganisms to produce various beneficial metabolites. In various aspects of the invention, the recombinant microorganisms may further comprise one or more modifications resulting in the reduction or elimination of 3 keto-acid (e.g., acetolactate and 2-aceto-2-hydroxybutyrate) and/or aldehyde-derived by-products. In various embodiments described herein, the recombinant microorganisms may be microorganisms of the Saccharomyces Glade, Crabtree-negative yeast microorganisms, Crabtree-positive yeast microorganisms, post-WGD (whole genome duplication) yeast microorganisms, pre-WGD (whole genome duplication) yeast microorganisms, and non-fermenting yeast microorganisms.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2013
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Applicant: GEVO, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas BUELTER, Andrew Hawkins, Stephanie Porter-Scheinman, Peter Meinhold, Catherine Asleson Dundon, Aristos Aristidou, Jun Urano, Doug Lies, Matthew Peters, Melissa Dey, Justas Jancauskas, Kent Evans, Julie Kelly, Ruth Berry
  • Patent number: 8614077
    Abstract: This invention is directed to methods for recovery of C3-C6 alcohols from dilute aqueous solutions, such as fermentation broths. Such methods provide improved volumetric productivity for the fermentation and allows recovery of the alcohol. Such methods also allow for reduced energy use in the production and drying of spent fermentation broth due to increased effective concentration of the alcohol product by the simultaneous fermentation and recovery process which increases the quantity of alcohol produced and recovered per quantity of fermentation broth dried. Thus, the invention allows for production and recovery of C3-C6 alcohols at low capital and reduced operating costs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2013
    Assignee: Gevo, Inc.
    Inventors: William A. Evanko, Aharon M. Eyal, David A. Glassner, Fudu Miao, Aristos A. Aristidou, Kent Evans, Patrick R. Gruber, Andrew C. Hawkins, Peter Meinhold, Reid M. Renny Feldman, Uvini Gunawardena, Jun Urano
  • Publication number: 20130288377
    Abstract: Methods and materials useful for modulating the sensitivity of cells to an inhibitor of acetohydroxyacid synthase (AHAS) are disclosed. For example, nucleic acid molecules encoding AHAS large subunits are disclosed as well as methods for using such nucleic acid molecules to transform microbial cells and plant cells, and to confer modulated sensitivity to AHAS-inhibiting compounds onto such cells. Further provided are materials and methods useful for modulating growth, development, activity, and characteristics of host cells and organisms.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2013
    Publication date: October 31, 2013
    Applicant: Synthetic Genomics, Inc.
    Inventors: Michele M. Champagne, Jun Urano
  • Publication number: 20130252298
    Abstract: The present invention provides recombinant microorganisms comprising an isobutanol producing metabolic pathway and methods of using said recombinant microorganisms to produce isobutanol. In various aspects of the invention, the recombinant microorganisms may comprise a modification resulting in the reduction of pyruvate decarboxylase and/or glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase activity. In various embodiments described herein, the recombinant microorganisms may be microorganisms of the Saccharomyces clade, Crabtree-negative yeast microorganisms, Crabtree-positive yeast microorganisms, post-WGD (whole genome duplication) yeast microorganisms, pre-WGD (whole genome duplication) yeast microorganisms, and non-fermenting yeast microorganisms.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2013
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Applicant: GEVO, INC.
    Inventors: Reid M. Renny Feldman, Uvini Gunawardena, Jun Urano, Peter Meinhold, Aristos Aristidou, Catherine Asleson Dundon, Christopher Smith
  • Publication number: 20130183730
    Abstract: This invention is directed to methods for recovery of C3-C6 alcohols from dilute aqueous solutions, such as fermentation broths. Such methods provide improved volumetric productivity for the fermentation and allows recovery of the alcohol. Such methods also allow for reduced energy use in the production and drying of spent fermentation broth due to increased effective concentration of the alcohol product by the simultaneous fermentation and recovery process which increases the quantity of alcohol produced and recovered per quantity of fermentation broth dried. Thus, the invention allows for production and recovery of C3-C6 alcohols at low capital and reduced operating costs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2011
    Publication date: July 18, 2013
    Applicant: GENO, INC.
    Inventors: William A. Evanko, Aharon M. Eyal, David A. Glassner, Fudu Miao, Aristos A. Aristidou, Kent Evans, Patrick R. Gruber, Andrew C. Hawkins, Peter Meinhold, Reid M. Renny Feldman, Uvini Gunawardena, Jun Urano
  • Patent number: 8455239
    Abstract: The present invention provides recombinant mircoorganisms comprising an isobutanol producing metabolic pathway and methods of using said recombinant microorganisms to produce isobutanol. In various aspects of the invention, the recombinant microorganisms may comprise a modification resulting in the reduction of pyruvate decarboxylase and/or glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase activity. In various embodiments described herein, the recombinant microorganisms may be microorganisms of the Saccharomyces clade, Crabtree-negative yeast microorganisms, Crabtree-positive yeast microorganisms, post-WGD (whole genome duplication) yeast microorganisms, pre-WGD (whole genome duplication) yeast microorganisms, and non-fermenting yeast microorganisms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: Gevo, Inc.
    Inventors: Reid M. Renny Feldman, Uvini Gunawardena, Jun Urano, Peter Meinhold, Aristos Aristidou, Catherine Asleson Dundon, Christopher Smith
  • Publication number: 20120288910
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to recombinant microorganisms comprising one or more dihydroxyacid dehydratase (DHAD)-requiring biosynthetic pathways and methods of using said recombinant microorganisms to produce beneficial metabolites derived from said DHAD-requiring biosynthetic pathways. In various aspects of the invention, the recombinant microorganisms may be engineered to overexpress one or more polynucleotides encoding one or more Aft proteins or homologs thereof. In some embodiments, the recombinant microorganisms may comprise a cytosolically localized DHAD enzyme. In additional embodiments, the recombinant microorganisms may comprise a mitochondrially localized DHAD enzyme.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2012
    Publication date: November 15, 2012
    Applicant: Gevo, Inc.
    Inventors: Jun Urano, Catherine Asleson Dundon, Peter Meinhold, Reid M. Renny Feldman, Aristos Aristidou, Andrew Hawkins, Thomas Buelter, Matthew Peters, Doug Lies, Stephanie Porter-Scheinman, Christopher Smith, Lynne H. Albert
  • Patent number: 8232089
    Abstract: The present invention provides recombinant microorganisms comprising isobutanol producing metabolic pathway with at least one isobutanol pathway enzyme localized in the cytosol, wherein said recombinant microorganism is selected to produce isobutanol from a carbon source. Methods of using said recombinant microorganisms to produce isobutanol are also provided. In various aspects of the invention, the recombinant microorganisms may comprise a cytosolically active isobutanol pathway enzymes. In some embodiments, the invention provides mutated, modified, and/or chimeric isobutanol pathway enzymes with cytosolic activity. In various embodiments described herein, the recombinant microorganisms may be microorganisms of the Saccharomyces clade, Crabtree-negative yeast microorganisms, Crabtree-positive yeast microorganisms, post-WGD (whole genome duplication) yeast microorganisms, pre-WGD (whole genome duplication) yeast microorganisms, and non-fermenting yeast microorganisms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: Gevo, Inc.
    Inventors: Jun Urano, Catherine Asleson Dundon
  • Publication number: 20120190089
    Abstract: The present invention is generally provides recombinant microorganisms comprising engineered metabolic pathways capable of producing C3-C5 alcohols under aerobic and anaerobic conditions. The invention further provides ketol-acid reductoisomerase enzymes which have been mutated or modified to increase their NADH-dependent activity or to switch the cofactor preference from NADPH to NADH and are expressed in the modified microorganisms. In addition, the invention provides isobutyraldehyde dehydrogenase enzymes expressed in modified microorganisms. Also provided are methods of producing beneficial metabolites under aerobic and anaerobic conditions by contacting a suitable substrate with the modified microorganisms of the present invention.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2011
    Publication date: July 26, 2012
    Applicants: California Institute of Technology, Gevo, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Buelter, Peter Meinhold, Reid M. Renny Feldman, Andrew C. Hawkins, Sabine Bastian, Frances Arnold, Jun Urano
  • Patent number: 8153415
    Abstract: The present invention relates to recombinant microorganisms comprising biosynthetic pathways and methods of using said recombinant microorganisms to produce various beneficial metabolites. In various aspects of the invention, the recombinant microorganisms may further comprise one or more modifications resulting in the reduction or elimination of 3 keto-acid (e.g., acetolactate and 2-aceto-2-hydroxybutyrate) and/or aldehyde-derived by-products. In various embodiments described herein, the recombinant microorganisms may be microorganisms of the Saccharomyces clade, Crabtree-negative yeast microorganisms, Crabtree-positive yeast microorganisms, post-WGD (whole genome duplication) yeast microorganisms, pre-WGD (whole genome duplication) yeast microorganisms, and non-fermenting yeast microorganisms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Gevo, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Buelter, Andrew Hawkins, Stephanie Porter-Scheinman, Peter Meinhold, Catherine Asleson Dundon, Aristos Aristidou, Jun Urano, Doug Lies, Matthew Peters, Melissa Dey, Justas Jancauskas, Julie Kelly, Ruth Berry
  • Patent number: 8133715
    Abstract: The present invention relates to recombinant microorganisms comprising biosynthetic pathways and methods of using said recombinant microorganisms to produce various beneficial metabolites. In various aspects of the invention, the recombinant microorganisms may further comprise one or more modifications resulting in the reduction or elimination of 3 keto-acid (e.g., acetolactate and 2-aceto-2-hydroxybutyrate) and/or aldehyde-derived by-products. In various embodiments described herein, the recombinant microorganisms may be microorganisms of the Saccharomyces clade, Crabtree-negative yeast microorganisms, Crabtree-positive yeast microorganisms, post-WGD (whole genome duplication) yeast microorganisms, pre-WGD (whole genome duplication) yeast microorganisms, and non-fermenting yeast microorganisms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: Gevo, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Buelter, Andrew Hawkins, Stephanie Porter-Scheinman, Peter Meinhold, Catherine Asleson Dundon, Aristos Aristidou, Jun Urano, Matthew Peters, Melissa Dey, Justas Jancauskas, Julie Kelly, Ruth Berry
  • Publication number: 20120058532
    Abstract: The present invention is generally provides recombinant microorganisms comprising engineered metabolic pathways capable of producing C3-C5 alcohols under aerobic and anaerobic conditions. The invention further provides ketol-acid reductoisomerase enzymes which have been mutated or modified to increase their NADH-dependent activity or to switch the cofactor preference from NADPH to NADH and are expressed in the modified microorganisms. In addition, the invention provides isobutyraldehyde dehydrogenase enzymes expressed in modified microorganisms. Also provided are methods of producing beneficial metabolites under aerobic and anaerobic conditions by contacting a suitable substrate with the modified microorganisms of the present invention.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2011
    Publication date: March 8, 2012
    Applicants: California Institute of Technology, Gevo, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Buelter, Peter Meinhold, Reid M. Renny Feldman, Andrew Hawkins, Sabine Bastian, Frances Arnold, Jun Urano
  • Publication number: 20120045809
    Abstract: The present invention provides recombinant microorganisms comprising an isobutanol producing metabolic pathway and methods of using said recombinant microorganisms to produce isobutanol. In various aspects of the invention, the recombinant microorganisms comprise isobutanol producing metabolic pathway with one or more isobutanol pathway enzymes localized in the mitochondria. In various embodiments described herein, the recombinant microorganisms may be Crabtree-negative yeast microorganisms, microorganisms of the Saccharomyces clade, Crabtree-positive yeast microorganisms, post-WGD (whole genome duplication) yeast microorganisms, pre-WGD (whole genome duplication) yeast microorganisms, and non-fermenting yeast microorganisms.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2009
    Publication date: February 23, 2012
    Applicant: GEVO, INC.
    Inventors: Thomas Buelter, Peter Meinhold, Christopher Smith, Aristos Aristidou, Catherine Asleson Dundon, Jun Urano
  • Publication number: 20120028324
    Abstract: The present invention is generlly provides recombinant microorganisms comprising engineered metabolic pathways capable of producing C3-C5 alcohols under aerobic and anaerobic conditions. The invention further provides ketol-acid reductoisomerase enzymes which have been mutated or modified to increase their NADH-dependent activity or to switch the cofactor preference from NADPH to NADH and are expressed in the modified microorganisms. In addition, the invention provides isobutyraldehyde dehydrogenase enzymes expressed in modified microorganisms. Also provided are methods of producing beneficial metabolites under aerobic and anaerobic conditions by contacting a suitable substrate with the modified microorganisms of the present invention.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2011
    Publication date: February 2, 2012
    Applicants: California Institute of Technology, Gevo, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Buelter, Peter Meinhold, Reid M. Renny Feldman, Andrew Hawkins, Sabine Bastian, Frances Arnold, Jun Urano
  • Publication number: 20120028323
    Abstract: The present invention provides recombinant microorganisms comprising an isobutanol producing metabolic pathway and methods of using said recombinant microorganisms to produce isobutanol. In various aspects of the invention, the recombinant microorganisms may comprise a modification resulting in the reduction of pyruvate decarboxylase and/or glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase activity. In various embodiments described herein, the recombinant microorganisms may be microorganisms of the Saccharomyces clade, Crabtree-negative yeast microorganisms, Crabtree-positive yeast microorganisms, post-WGD (whole genome duplication) yeast microorganisms, pre-WGD (whole genome duplication) yeast microorganisms, and non-fermenting yeast microorganisms.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2011
    Publication date: February 2, 2012
    Applicant: GEVO, INC.
    Inventors: Reid M. Renny Feldman, Uvini Gunawardena, Jun Urano, Peter Meinhold, Aristos Aristidou, Catherine Asleson Dundon, Christopher Smith