Patents by Inventor Kari Koivuranta

Kari Koivuranta 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: 20240132860
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the fields of life sciences, micro-organisms and degradation of hydrocarbon chains such as plastics or synthetic polymers. Specifi-cally, the invention relates to an isolated specific enzyme, or a fragment thereof, wherein said enzyme or fragment is capable of degrading a hydrocarbon chain, and to a micro-organism or a host cell comprising the enzyme or a fragment thereof. Also, the present invention relates to a polynucleotide encoding the enzyme or fragment thereof, and to an expression vector or plasmid comprising the polynucleotide of the present invention. And still, the present invention relates to use of the enzyme, fragment, micro-organism, host cell, polynucleotide, expression vector or plasmid of the present invention for degrading a hydrocarbon chain; to a method of degrading a hydrocarbon chain with the specific enzyme or a fragment thereof; and to a method of producing the enzyme or fragment thereof of the present invention.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2022
    Publication date: April 25, 2024
    Inventors: Kari KOIVURANTA, Martina BLOMSTER ANDBERG, Heli NYGREN, Sandra CASTILLO
  • Publication number: 20230312253
    Abstract: Yeast cells are genetically modified to disrupt a native metabolic pathway from dihydroxyacetone to glycerol. In certain aspects, the yeast cell is of the genera Kluyveromyces, Candida or Issatchenkia. In other aspects, the yeast cell is capable of producing at least one organic acid, such as lactate. The yeast cells produce significantly less glycerol than the wild-type strains, and usually produce greater yields of desired fermentation products. Yeast cells of the invention often grow well when cultivated, despite their curtailed glycerol production.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2023
    Publication date: October 5, 2023
    Applicant: CARGILL, INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Catherine Asleson DUNDON, Pirkko SUOMINEN, Aristos ARISTIDOU, Brian J. RUSH, Kari KOIVURANTA, Benjamin Matthew HAUSE, Thomas William McMULLIN, Kevin ROBERG-PEREZ
  • Patent number: 11691817
    Abstract: Yeast cells are genetically modified to disrupt a native metabolic pathway from dihydroxyacetone to glycerol. In certain aspects, the yeast cell is of the genera Kluyveromyces, Candida or Issatchenkia. In other aspects, the yeast cell is capable of producing at least one organic acid, such as lactate. The yeast cells produce significantly less glycerol than the wild-type strains, and usually produce greater yields of desired fermentation products. Yeast cells of the invention often grow well when cultivated, despite their curtailed glycerol production.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: CARGILL, INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Catherine Asleson Dundon, Pirkko Suominen, Aristos Aristidou, Brian J. Rush, Kari Koivuranta, Benjamin Matthew Hause, Thomas William McMullin, Kevin Roberg-Perez
  • Patent number: 11655478
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel promoter for regulating ADH gene expression in an organic acid-resistant yeast, and a method of producing an organic acid by expressing an organic acid production-related gene using the same. When an organic acid production-related target gene is expressed in the organic acid-resistant yeast using the novel promoter according to the present invention, there is an advantage in that the yeast can produce the organic acid with high efficiency while having resistance to the organic acid without inhibiting the growth ability of the yeast.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: SK Innovation Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jae Yeon Park, Tae Young Lee, Ki Sung Lee, Outi Koivistoinen, Kari Koivuranta
  • Publication number: 20210155411
    Abstract: Yeast cells are genetically modified to disrupt a native metabolic pathway from dihydroxyacetone to glycerol. In certain aspects, the yeast cell is of the genera Kluyveromyces, Candida or Issatchenkia. In other aspects, the yeast cell is capable of producing at least one organic acid, such as lactate. The yeast cells produce significantly less glycerol than the wild-type strains, and usually produce greater yields of desired fermentation products. Yeast cells of the invention often grow well when cultivated, despite their curtailed glycerol production.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2021
    Publication date: May 27, 2021
    Applicant: Cargill, Incorporated
    Inventors: Catherine Asleson DUNDON, Pirrko Suominen, Aristos Aristidou, Brian J. Rush, Kari Koivuranta, Benjamin Matthew Hause, Thomas William McMullin, Kevin Roberg-Perez
  • Publication number: 20210108216
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel promoter for regulating ADH gene expression in an organic acid-resistant yeast, and a method of producing an organic acid by expressing an organic acid production-related gene using the same. When an organic acid production-related target gene is expressed in the organic acid-resistant yeast using the novel promoter according to the present invention, there is an advantage in that the yeast can produce the organic acid with high efficiency while having resistance to the organic acid without inhibiting the growth ability of the yeast.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2019
    Publication date: April 15, 2021
    Inventors: Jae Yeon PARK, Tae Young LEE, Ki Sung LEE, Outi KOIVISTOINEN, Kari KOIVURANTA
  • Patent number: 10899544
    Abstract: Yeast cells are genetically modified to disrupt a native metabolic pathway from dihydroxyacetone to glycerol. In certain aspects, the yeast cell is of the genera Kluyveromyces, Candida or Issatchenkia. In other aspects, the yeast cell is capable of producing at least one organic acid, such as lactate. The yeast cells produce significantly less glycerol than the wild-type strains, and usually produce greater yields of desired fermentation products. Yeast cells of the invention often grow well when cultivated, despite their curtailed glycerol production.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: CARGILL, INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Catherine Asleson Dundon, Pirrko Suominen, Aristos Aristidou, Brian J. Rush, Kari Koivuranta, Benjamin Matthew Hause, Thomas William McMullin, Kevin Roberg-Perez
  • Publication number: 20200377302
    Abstract: Yeast cells are genetically modified to disrupt a native metabolic pathway from dihydroxyacetone to glycerol. In certain aspects, the yeast cell is of the genera Kluyveromyces, Candida or Issatchenkia. In other aspects, the yeast cell is capable of producing at least one organic acid, such as lactate. The yeast cells produce significantly less glycerol than the wild-type strains, and usually produce greater yields of desired fermentation products. Yeast cells of the invention often grow well when cultivated, despite their curtailed glycerol production.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2018
    Publication date: December 3, 2020
    Applicant: Cargill Incorporated
    Inventors: Catherine Asleson Dundon, Pirrko Suominen, Aristos Aristidou, Brian J. Rush, Kari Koivuranta, Benjamin Matthew Hause, Thomas William McMullin, Kevin Roberg-Perez
  • Publication number: 20180257864
    Abstract: Yeast cells are genetically modified to disrupt a native metabolic pathway from dihydroxyacetone to glycerol. In certain aspects, the yeast cell is of the genera Kluyveromyces, Candida or Issatchenkia. In other aspects, the yeast cell is capable of producing at least one organic acid, such as lactate. The yeast cells produce significantly less glycerol than the wild-type strains, and usually produce greater yields of desired fermentation products. Yeast cells of the invention often grow well when cultivated, despite their curtailed glycerol production.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2018
    Publication date: September 13, 2018
    Applicant: Cargill Incorporated
    Inventors: Catherine Asleson Dundon, Pirrko Suominen, Aristos Aristidou, Brian J. Rush, Kari Koivuranta, Benjamin Matthew Hause, Thomas William McMullin, Kevin Roberg-Perez
  • Patent number: 9758799
    Abstract: Yeast cells are transformed with an exogenous xylose isomerase gene. Additional genetic modifications enhance the ability of the transformed cells to ferment xylose to ethanol or other desired fermentation products. Those modifications include deletion of non-specific or specific aldose reductase gene(s), deletion of xylitol dehydrogenase gene(s) and/or overexpression of xylulokinase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: Cargill Incorporated
    Inventors: Vineet Rajgarhia, Kari Koivuranta, Merja Penttila, Marja Ilmen, Pirkko Suominen, Aristos Aristidou, Christopher Kenneth Miller, Stacey Olson, Laura Ruohonen
  • Publication number: 20170088842
    Abstract: The invention refers to fungal cells, and especially to oleaginous fungal cells that have been genetically modified to produce enzymes of the pyruvate dehydrogenase bypass route to enhance their lipid production. Especially the cells are modified to overexpress genes encoding pyruvate decarboxylase (PDC), acetaldehyde dehydrogenase (ALD) and/or acetyl-CoA synthetase (ACS), optionally together with a gene encoding diacylglycerol acyltransferase (DAT), or to express genes encoding PDC together with ALD and/or ACS. Methods of producing lipids, biofuels and lubricants using the modified fungi are also disclosed as well as expression cassettes useful therein. A new enzyme having phosholipid:diacylglycerol acyltransferase (PDAT) activity and a polynucleotide encoding it are also disclosed, which are useful in the lipid production. A recombinant Cryptococcus cell and its construction is described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2016
    Publication date: March 30, 2017
    Applicant: TEKNOLOGIAN TUTKIMUSKESKUS VTT
    Inventors: Kari KOIVURANTA, Laura RUOHONEN, Merja PENTTILÄ
  • Patent number: 9518276
    Abstract: The invention refers to fungal cells, and especially to oleaginous fungal cells that have been genetically modified to produce enzymes of the pyruvate dehydrogenase bypass route to enhance their lipid production. Especially the cells are modified to over-express genes encoding pyruvate decarboxylase (PDC), acetaldehyde dehydrogenase (ALD) and/or acetyl-CoA synthetase (ACS), optionally together with a gene encoding diacylglycerol acyltransferase (DAT), or to express genes encoding PDC together with ALD and/or ACS. Methods of producing lipids, biofuels and lubricants using the modified fungi are also disclosed as well as expression cassettes useful therein. A new enzyme having phospholipid: diacylglycerol acyltransferase (PDAT) activity and a polynucleotide encoding it are also disclosed, which are useful in the lipid production. A recombinant Cryptococcus cell and its construction is described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: TEKNOLOGIAN TUTKIMUSKESKUS VTT
    Inventors: Kari Koivuranta, Laura Ruohonen, Merja Penttilä
  • Publication number: 20160340697
    Abstract: Yeast cells are transformed with an exogenous xylose isomerase gene. Additional genetic modifications enhance the ability of the transformed cells to ferment xylose to ethanol or other desired fermentation products. Those modifications include deletion of non-specific or specific aldose reductase gene(s), deletion of xylitol dehydrogenase gene(s) and/or overexpression of xylulokinase.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 5, 2016
    Publication date: November 24, 2016
    Inventors: Vineet Rajgarhia, Kari Koivuranta, Merja Penttila, Marja Ilmen, Pirkko Suominen, Aristos Aristidou, Christopher Kenneth Miller, Stacey Olson, Laura Ruohonen
  • Patent number: 9410158
    Abstract: Yeast cells are transformed with an exogenous xylose isomerase gene. Additional genetic modifications enhance the ability of the transformed cells to ferment xylose to ethanol or other desired fermentation products. Those modifications include deletion of non-specific or specific aldose reductase gene(s), deletion of xylitol dehydrogenase gene(s) and/or overexpression of xylulokinase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: Cargill Incorporated
    Inventors: Vineet Rajgarhia, Kari Koivuranta, Merja Penttila, Marja Ilmen, Pirkko Suominen, Aristos Aristidou, Christopher Kenneth Miller, Stacey Olson, Laura Ruohonen
  • Publication number: 20150315616
    Abstract: Yeast cells are genetically modified to disrupt a native metabolic pathway from dihydroxyacetone to glycerol. In certain aspects, the yeast cell is of the genera Kluyveromyces, Candida or Issatchenkia. In other aspects, the yeast cell is capable of producing at least one organic acid, such as lactate. The yeast cells produce significantly less glycerol than the wild-type strains, and usually produce greater yields of desired fermentation products. Yeast cells of the invention often grow well when cultivated, despite their curtailed glycerol production.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2015
    Publication date: November 5, 2015
    Inventors: Catherine Asleson Dundon, Pirrko Suominen, Aristos Aristidou, Brian J. Rush, Kari Koivuranta, Benjamin Matthew Hause, Thomas William McMullin, Kevin Roberg-Perez
  • Publication number: 20140080192
    Abstract: Yeast cells are transformed with an exogenous xylose isomerase gene. Additional genetic modifications enhance the ability of the transformed cells to ferment xylose to ethanol or other desired fermentation products. Those modifications include deletion of non-specific or specific aldose reductase gene(s), deletion of xylitol dehydrogenase gene(s) and/or overexpression of xylulokinase.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2013
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Applicant: Cargill Incorporated
    Inventors: Vineet Rajgarhia, Kari Koivuranta, Merja Penttila, Marja Ilmen, Pirkko Suominen, Aristos Aristidou, Christopher Kenneth Miller, Stacey Olson, Laura Ruohonen
  • Patent number: 8623633
    Abstract: Yeast cells are transformed with an exogenous xylose isomerase gene. Additional genetic modifications enhance the ability of the transformed cells to ferment xylose to ethanol or other desired fermentation products. Those modifications include deletion of non-specific or specific aldose reductase gene(s), deletion of xylitol dehydrogenase gene(s) and/or overexpression of xylulokinase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Cargill Incorporated
    Inventors: Vineet Rajgarhia, Kari Koivuranta, Merja Penttilä, Marja Ilmen, Pirkko Suominen, Aristos Aristidou, Christopher Kenneth Miller, Stacey Olson, Laura Ruohonen
  • Patent number: 8440451
    Abstract: Yeast cells are transformed with an exogenous xylose isomerase gene. Additional genetic modifications enhance the ability of the transformed cells to ferment xylose to ethanol or other desired fermentation products. Those modifications include deletion of non-specific or specific aldose reductase gene(s), deletion of xylitol dehydrogenase gene(s) and/or overexpression of xylulokinase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Cargill, Incorporated
    Inventors: Vineet Rajgarhia, Kari Koivuranta, Merja Penttilä, Marja Ilmen, Pirkko Suominen, Aristos Aristidou, Christopher Kenneth Miller, Stacey Olson, Laura Ruohonen
  • Publication number: 20130102042
    Abstract: The invention refers to fungal cells, and especially to oleaginous fungal cells that have been genetically modified to produce enzymes of the pyruvate dehydrogenase bypass route to enhance their lipid production. Especially the cells are modified to over-express genes encoding pyruvate decarboxylase (PDC), acetaldehyde dehydrogenase (ALD) and/or acetyl-CoA synthetase (ACS), optionally together with a gene encoding diacylglycerol acyltransferase (DAT), or to express genes encoding PDC together with ALD and/or ACS. Methods of producing lipids, biofuels and lubricants using the modified fungi are also disclosed as well as expression cassettes useful therein. A new enzyme having phosholipid: diacylglycerol acyltransferase (PDAT)activity it and a polynucleotide encoding it are also disclosed, which are useful in the lipid production. A recombinant Cryptococcus cell and its construction is described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2011
    Publication date: April 25, 2013
    Applicant: TEKNOLOGIAN TUTKIMUSKESKUS VTT
    Inventors: Kari Koivuranta, Laura Ruohonen, Merja Penttilä
  • Publication number: 20120129230
    Abstract: Cells of the species Issatchenkia orientalis and closely related yeast species are transformed with a vector to introduce an exogenous lactate dehydrogenase gene. The cells produce lactic acid efficiently and are resistant at low pH, high lactate titer conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2011
    Publication date: May 24, 2012
    Inventors: Pirkko Suominen, Aristos Aristidou, Merja Penttila, Marja Ilmen, Laura Ruohonen, Kari Koivuranta, Kevin Roberg-Perez