Patents by Inventor Ljerka Kunst

Ljerka Kunst 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).

  • Gene regulatory region that promotes early seed-specific transcription
    Patent number: 7253337
    Abstract: Nucleic acid sequence capable of regulating transcription during embryogenesis in plants is provided. This sequence may be used in transgenic plants to promote high levels of expression of foreign and endogenous genes in developing seeds to affect seed lipid metabolism, protein or carbohydrate composition and accumulation, or seed development. In addition, these sequences may be useful for the production of modified seed containing novel recombinant proteins which have pharmaceutical, industrial or nutritional value, or novel products like plastics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: The University of British Columbia
    Inventors: Ljerka Kunst, Mark Andrew Smith, Hangsik Moon
  • Plant long chain fatty acid biosynthetic enzyme
    Patent number: 6815579
    Abstract: In various aspects, the present invention provides nucleic acid sequence encoding all or part of a new plant long chain fatty acid condensing enzyme (a fatty acid elongase), designated herein as KCS2 (for beta-ketoacyl-coenzyme A synthase 2). In some embodiments, KCS2 may mediate the biosynthesis of C18, C20, C22 and C24 fatty acids. The activity of the enzyme is typically characterized by two carbon (malonyl-CoA) additions to C16, C18, C20 and C22 moieties (C16-C22 acyl CoA molecules), i.e. condensation of malonyl-CoA with a C16, C18, C20 or C22 acyl-CoA. The fatty acids produced by the enzyme may for example be saturated 18:0, 20:0, 22:0 and 24:0 fatty acids. The invention includes recombinant nucleic acid molecules comprising a heterologous nucleic acid coding sequence encoding the plant long chain fatty acid condensing enzyme.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2004
    Assignee: The University of British Columbia
    Inventors: Ljerka Kunst, Sabine Clemens
  • Regulation of embryonic transcription in plants
    Patent number: 6784342
    Abstract: Nucleic acid constructs are provided comprising transcriptional regulatory regions homologous to plant FAE1 promoters. In some embodiments, these constructs may be used in transgenic cells or plants to promote expression of foreign and endogenous genes in developing seeds, for example to affect seed lipid metabolism, protein or carbohydrate composition and accumulation, or seed development.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Assignee: The University of British Columbia
    Inventors: Ljerka Kunst, Sabine Clemens
  • Gene regulatory region that promotes early seed-specific transcription
    Publication number: 20040049811
    Abstract: Nucleic acid sequence capable of regulating transcription during embryogenesis in plants is provided. This sequence may be used in transgenic plants to promote high levels of expression of foreign and endogenous genes in developing seeds to affect seed lipid metabolism, protein or carbohydrate composition and accumulation, or seed development. In addition, these sequences may be useful for the production of modified seed containing novel recombinant proteins which have pharmaceutical, industrial or nutritional value, or novel products like plastics.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2003
    Publication date: March 11, 2004
    Inventors: Ljerka Kunst, Mark Andrew Smith, Hangsik Moon
  • Nucleic acid encoding a plant very long chain fatty acid biosynthetic enzyme
    Publication number: 20040049806
    Abstract: A genomic DNA sequence encoding a condensing enzyme involved in very long chain fatty acid production in plants is provided. Applications for the isolated nucleic acid sequence to include the expression of the condensing enzyme of the present invention in seeds, which would allow the production of crop plants, which are capable of synthesizing hydroxylated very long chain fatty acids in seed oil for industrial applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2003
    Publication date: March 11, 2004
    Inventors: Ljerka Kunst, Mark Andrew Smith, Hangsik Moon
  • Nucleic acids encoding a plant enzyme involved in very long chain fatty acid synthesis
    Publication number: 20020116735
    Abstract: Nucleic acid molecules encoding an enzyme involved in very long chain fatty acid (VLCFA) elongation in plants are disclosed. The invention includes a cDNA, genomic clone and encoded protein, as well as plants having modified VLCFA composition, such as modified epicuticular waxes, and methods of making such plants.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2001
    Publication date: August 22, 2002
    Applicant: The University of British Columbia
    Inventors: Ljerka Kunst, Anthony A. Millar
  • Nucleic acids encoding a plant enzyme involved in very long chain fatty acid synthesis
    Patent number: 6274790
    Abstract: Nucleic acid molecules encoding an enzyme involved in very long chain fatty acid (VLCFA) elongation in plants are disclosed. The invention includes a cDNA, genomic clone and encoded protein, as well as plants having modified VLCFA composition, such as modified epicuticular waxes, and methods of making such plants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2001
    Assignee: The University of British Columbia
    Inventors: Ljerka Kunst, Anthony A. Millar