Patents by Inventor Laura B. Willis

Laura B. Willis 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).

  • Co-fermentation of glucose, xylose and/or cellobiose by yeast
    Patent number: 8530211
    Abstract: Provided herein are methods of using yeast cells to produce ethanol by contacting a mixture comprising xylose with a Spathaspora yeast cell under conditions suitable to allow the yeast to ferment at least a portion of the xylose to ethanol. The methods allow for efficient ethanol production from hydrolysates derived from lignocellulosic material and sugar mixtures including at least xylose and glucose or xylose, glucose and cellobiose.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignees: Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation, U.S. Department of Agriculture
    Inventors: Thomas W. Jeffries, Laura B. Willis, Tanya M. Long, Yi-Kai Su
  • CO-FERMENTATION OF GLUCOSE, XYLOSE AND/OR CELLOBIOSE BY YEAST
    Publication number: 20120270289
    Abstract: Provided herein are methods of using yeast cells to produce ethanol by contacting a mixture comprising xylose with a Spathaspora yeast cell under conditions suitable to allow the yeast to ferment at least a portion of the xylose to ethanol. The methods allow for efficient ethanol production from hydrolysates derived from lignocellulosic material and sugar mixtures including at least xylose and glucose or xylose, glucose and cellobiose.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2012
    Publication date: October 25, 2012
    Applicants: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, WISCONSIN ALUMNI RESEARCH FOUNDATION
    Inventors: Thomas W. Jeffries, Laura B. Willis, Tanya M. Long, Yi-Kai Su
  • Feedback-resistant pyruvate carboxylase gene from corynebacterium
    Patent number: 7300777
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a mutated pyruvate carboxylase gene from Corynebacterium. The mutant pyruvate carboxylase gene encodes a pyruvate carboxylase enzyme which is resistant to feedback inhibition from aspartic acid. The present invention also relates to a method of replacing the wild-type pyruvate carboxylase gene in Corynebacterium with this feedback-resistant pyruvate carboxylase gene. The present invention further relates to methods of the production of amino acids, preferably lysine, comprising the use of this mutant pyruvate carboxylase enzyme in microorganisms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2007
    Assignees: Archer-Daniels-Midland Company, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Paul D. Hanke, Anthony J. Sinskey, Laura B. Willis, Stephane Guillouet
  • Feedback-resistant pyruvate carboxylase gene from corynebacterium
    Patent number: 6965021
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a mutated pyruvate carboxylase gene from Corynebacterium. The mutant pyruvate carboxylase gene encodes a pyruvate carboxylase enzyme which is resistant to feedback inhibition from aspartic acid. The present invention also relates to a method of replacing the wild-type pyruvate carboxylase gene in Corynebacterium with this feedback-resistant pyruvate carboxylase gene. The present invention further relates to methods of the production of amino acids, preferably lysine, comprising the use of this mutant pyruvate carboxylase enzyme in microorganisms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2005
    Assignees: Archer-Daniels-Midland Company, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Paul D. Hanke, Anthony J. Sinskey, Laura B. Willis
  • Pyruvate carboxylase from Corynebacterium glutamicum
    Patent number: 6884606
    Abstract: The present invention concerns an anaplerotic enzyme from Corynebacterium glutamicum which replenishes oxaloacetate consumed during lysine and glutamic acid production in industrial fermentations. In particular, isolated nucleic acid molecules are provided encoding the pyruvate carboxylase protein. Pyruvate carboxylase polypeptides are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2005
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Anthony J. Sinskey, Philip A. Lessard, Laura B. Willis
  • Pyruvate carboxylase from Corynebacterium glutamicum
    Publication number: 20030027305
    Abstract: The present invention concerns an anaplerotic enzyme from Corynebacterium glutamicum which replenishes oxaloacetate consumed during lysine and glutamic acid production in industrial fermentations. In particular, isolated nucleic acid molecules are provided encoding the pyruvate carboxylase protein. Pyruvate carboxylase polypeptides are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2002
    Publication date: February 6, 2003
    Applicant: Archer-Daniels-Midland Company
    Inventors: Anthony J. Sinskey, Philip A. Lessard, Laura B. Willis
  • Pyruvate carboxylase polypeptide from Corynebacterium glutamicum
    Patent number: 6403351
    Abstract: The present invention concerns an anaplerotic enzyme from Corynebacterium glutamicum which replenishes oxaloacetate consumed during lysine and glutamic acid production in industrial fermentations. In particular, isolated nucleic acid molecules are provided encoding the pyruvate carboxylase protein. Pyruvate carboxylase polypeptides are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2002
    Assignee: Archer Daniels Midland Company
    Inventors: Anthony J. Sinskey, Philip A. Lessard, Laura B. Willis
  • Pyruvate carboxylase from corynebacterium glutamicum
    Patent number: 6171833
    Abstract: The present invention concerns an anaplerotic enzyme from Corynebacterium glutamicum which replenishes oxaloacetate consumed during lysine and glutamic acid production in industrial fermentations. In particular, isolated nucleic acid molecules are provided encoding the pyruvate carboxylase protein. Pyruvate carboxylase polypeptides are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Anthony J. Sinskey, Philip A. Lessard, Laura B. Willis