Patents by Inventor Maija-Leena Vehkomaki

Maija-Leena Vehkomaki 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).

  • A GENETICALLY MODIFIED FUNGUS AND METHODS AND USES RELATED THERETO
    Publication number: 20220275409
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the fields of industrial biotechnology, renewable raw materials and microbial production organisms. Specifically, the invention relates to a method of producing lactic acid or lactate or one or more products selected from the group consisting of polymers, polyesters and polylactic acids. Still, the present invention relates to a genetically modified fungus comprising increased specific enzyme activities, a method of preparing said genetically modified fungus, and use of said fungus for producing lactic acid, lactate or polymers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2020
    Publication date: September 1, 2022
    Inventors: Simo ELLILÄ, Marja ILMÉN, Maija-Leena VEHKOMÄKI
  • Method for the production of xylitol
    Patent number: 7482144
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the production of xylitol, the method comprising (a1) providing (i) a microorganism having xylanolytic activity, and (ii) a microorganism capable of converting a pentose sugar to xylitol; or (a2) providing a microorganism having xylanolytic activity and being capable of converting a pentose sugar to xylitol, (b) culturing the microorganism of step (a1) (i) or the microorganism of step (a2) in a medium comprising polymer or oligomer materials containing pentose sugars in conditions sufficient for enabling hydrolysis of said polymers or oligomers by the microorganism; (c) producing xylitol in the microorganism of step (a1) (ii) or in the microorganism of step (a2) by bioconversion of the hydrolysis products obtained in step (b), and (d) recovering said xylitol produced. The invention also relates to a microorganism, which has xylanolytic activity and has been genetically modified (i) to enhance its xylanolytic activity, and (ii) to reduce its xylitol metabolism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2009
    Assignee: Danisco Sweeteners Oy
    Inventors: Heikki Ojamo, Merja Penttila, Heikki Heikkila, Jaana Uusitalo, Marja Ilmen, Marja-Leena Sarkki, Maija-Leena Vehkomaki
  • Method for the production of xylitol
    Publication number: 20040014185
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the production of xylitol, the method comprising
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2003
    Publication date: January 22, 2004
    Applicant: Danisco Sweeteners Oy
    Inventors: Heikki Ojamo, Merja Penttila, Heikki Heikkila, Jaana Uusitalo, Marja Ilmen, Marja-Leena Sarkki, Maija-Leena Vehkomaki