Patents by Inventor Mark J. Burk

Mark J. Burk 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: 20190112247
    Abstract: A process of isolating 1,4-butanediol (1,4-BDO) from a fermentation broth includes separating a liquid fraction enriched in 1,4-BDO from a solid fraction comprising cells, removing water from said liquid fraction, removing salts from said liquid fraction, and purifying 1,4-BDO. A process for producing 1,4-BDO includes culturing a 1,4-BDO-producing microorganism in a fermentor for a sufficient period of time to produce 1,4-BDO. The 1,4-BDO-producing microorganism includes a microorganism having a 1,4-BDO pathway having one or more exogenous genes encoding a 1,4-BDO pathway enzyme and/or one or more gene disruptions. The process for producing 1,4-BDO further includes isolating 1,4-BDO.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2018
    Publication date: April 18, 2019
    Inventors: Warren Clark, Michael Japs, Mark J. Burk
  • Publication number: 20190085360
    Abstract: The invention provides non-naturally occurring microbial organisms containing an alkene pathway having at least one exogenous nucleic acid encoding an alkene pathway enzyme expressed in a sufficient amount to convert an alcohol to an alkene. The invention additionally provides methods of using such microbial organisms to produce an alkene, by culturing a non-naturally occurring microbial organism containing an alkene pathway as described herein under conditions and for a sufficient period of time to produce an alkene.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2018
    Publication date: March 21, 2019
    Inventors: Mark J. Burk, Robin E. Osterhout
  • Publication number: 20190085363
    Abstract: Provided herein is a non-naturally occurring microbial organism having a 1,3-butanediol (1,3-BDO) pathway and comprising at least one exogenous nucleic acid encoding a 1,3-BDO pathway enzyme expressed in a sufficient amount to produce 1,3-BDO. In some embodiments, the pathway includes reducing equivalents from CO or hydrogen. In certain embodiments, a 1,3-BDO pathway proceeds by way of central metabolites pyruvate, succinate or alpha-ketoglutarate. Also provided herein is a method for producing 1,3-BDO, includes culturing such microbial organisms under conditions and for a sufficient period of time to produce 1,3-BDO.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2018
    Publication date: March 21, 2019
    Inventors: Anthony P. Burgard, Mark J. Burk, Robin E. Osterhout, Jun Sun, Priti Pharkya
  • Publication number: 20190062758
    Abstract: The invention provides a non-naturally occurring microbial biocatalyst including a microbial organism having a 4-hydroxybutanoic acid (4-HB) biosynthetic pathway having at least one exogenous nucleic acid encoding 4-hydroxybutanoate dehydrogenase, succinyl-CoA synthetase, CoA-dependent succinic semialdehyde dehydrogenase, or ?-ketoglutarate decarboxylase, wherein the exogenous nucleic acid is expressed in sufficient amounts to produce monomeric 4-hydroxybutanoic acid (4-HB).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2018
    Publication date: February 28, 2019
    Inventors: Mark J. Burk, Stephen J. Van Dien, Anthony P. Burgard, Wei Niu
  • Publication number: 20190048366
    Abstract: The invention provides non-naturally occurring microbial organisms having a butadiene pathway. The invention additionally provides methods of using such organisms to produce butadiene.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2018
    Publication date: February 14, 2019
    Inventors: Mark J. Burk, Anthony P. Burgard, Jun Sun, Robin E. Osterhout, Priti Pharkya
  • Publication number: 20190032095
    Abstract: The invention provides non-naturally occurring microbial organisms having a (2-hydroxy-3-methyl-4-oxobutoxy)phosphonate (2H3M4OP) pathway, p-toluate pathway, and/or terephthalate pathway. The invention additionally provides methods of using such organisms to produce 2H3M4OP, p-toluate or terephthalate. Also provided herein are processes for isolating bio-based aromatic carboxylic acid, in particular, p-toluic acid or terephthalic acid, from a culture medium, wherein the processes involve contacting the culture medium with sufficient carbon dioxide (CO2) to lower the pH of the culture medium to produce a precipitate comprised of the aromatic carboxylic acid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2018
    Publication date: January 31, 2019
    Inventors: Robin E. Osterhout, Anthony P. Burgard, Mark J. Burk
  • Publication number: 20180363012
    Abstract: A non-naturally occurring eukaryotic or prokaryotic organism includes one or more gene disruptions occurring in genes encoding enzymes imparting increased fumarate, malate or acrylate production in the organism when the gene disruption reduces an activity of the enzyme. The one or more gene disruptions confers increased production of acrylate onto the organism. Organisms that produce acrylate have an acrylate pathway that at least one exogenous nucleic acid encoding an acrylate pathway enzyme expressed in a sufficient amount to produce acrylate, the acrylate pathway comprising a decarboxylase. Methods of producing fumarate, malate or acrylate include culturing these organisms.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2017
    Publication date: December 20, 2018
    Inventors: Mark J. BURK, Anthony P. BURGARD, Priti PHARKYA
  • Patent number: 10150977
    Abstract: The invention provides a non-naturally occurring microbial organism having a 6-aminocaproic acid, caprolactam, hexametheylenediamine or levulinic acid pathway. The microbial organism contains at least one exogenous nucleic acid encoding an enzyme in the respective 6-aminocaproic acid, caprolactam, hexametheylenediamine or levulinic acid pathway. The invention additionally provides a method for producing 6-aminocaproic acid, caprolactam, hexametheylenediamine or levulinic acid. The method can include culturing a 6-aminocaproic acid, caprolactam or hexametheylenediamine producing microbial organism, where the microbial organism expresses at least one exogenous nucleic acid encoding a 6-aminocaproic acid, caprolactam, hexametheylenediamine or levulinic acid pathway enzyme in a sufficient amount to produce the respective product, under conditions and for a sufficient period of time to produce 6-aminocaproic acid, caprolactam, hexametheylenediamine or levulinic acid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: Genomatica, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark J. Burk, Anthony P. Burgard, Robin E. Osterhout, Priti Pharkya
  • Publication number: 20180334690
    Abstract: The invention provides a non-naturally occurring microbial organism having an acetyl-CoA pathway and the capability of utilizing syngas or syngas and methanol. In one embodiment, the invention provides a non-naturally occurring microorganism, comprising one or more exogenous proteins conferring to the microorganism a pathway to convert CO, CO2 and/or H2 to acetyl-coenzyme A (acetyl-CoA), methyl tetrahydrofolate (methyl-THF) or other desired products, wherein the microorganism lacks the ability to convert CO or CO2 and H2 to acetyl-CoA or methyl-THF in the absence of the one or more exogenous proteins. For example, the microbial organism can contain at least one exogenous nucleic acid encoding an enzyme or protein in an acetyl-CoA pathway. The microbial organism is capable of utilizing synthesis gases comprising CO, CO2 and/or H2, alone or in combination with methanol, to produce acetyl-CoA.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2018
    Publication date: November 22, 2018
    Inventors: Mark J. Burk, Christophe H. Schilling, Anthong P. Burgard, John D. Trawick
  • Publication number: 20180312883
    Abstract: The invention provides a non-naturally occurring microbial organism having a muconate pathway having at least one exogenous nucleic acid encoding a muconate pathway enzyme expressed in a sufficient amount to produce muconate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2018
    Publication date: November 1, 2018
    Inventors: Mark J. Burk, Robin E. Osterhout, Jun Sun
  • Patent number: 10081587
    Abstract: The invention provides a method of producing acrylic acid. The method includes contacting fumaric acid with a sufficient amount of ethylene in the presence of a cross-metathesis transformation catalyst to produce about two moles of acrylic acid per mole of fumaric acid. Also provided is an acrylate ester. The method includes contacting fumarate diester with a sufficient amount of ethylene in the presence of a cross-metathesis transformation catalyst to produce about two moles of acrylate ester per mole of fumarate diester. An integrated process for process for producing acrylic acid or acrylate ester is provided which couples bioproduction of fumaric acid with metathesis transformation. An acrylic acid and an acrylate ester production also is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2018
    Assignee: Genomatica, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark J. Burk, Priti Pharkya, Stephen J. Van Dien, Anthony P. Burgard, Christophe H. Schilling
  • Patent number: 10059967
    Abstract: The invention provides non-naturally occurring microbial organisms having a (2-hydroxy-3-methyl-4-oxobutoxy) phosphonate (2H3M40P) pathway, p-toluate pathway, and/or terephthalate pathway. The invention additionally provides methods of using such organisms to produce 2H3M40P, p-toluate or terephthalate. Also provided herein are processes for isolating bio-based aromatic carboxylic acid, in particular, p-toluic acid or terephthalic acid, from a culture medium, wherein the processes involve contacting the culture medium with sufficient carbon dioxide (CO2) to lower the pH of the culture medium to produce a precipitate comprised of the aromatic carboxylic acid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: Genomatica, Inc.
    Inventors: Robin E. Osterhout, Anthony P. Burgard, Mark J. Burk
  • Patent number: 10041093
    Abstract: The invention provides a non-naturally occurring microbial organism having a muconate pathway having at least one exogenous nucleic acid encoding a muconate pathway enzyme expressed in a sufficient amount to produce muconate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Assignee: GENOMATICA, INC.
    Inventors: Mark J. Burk, Robin E. Osterhout, Jun Sun
  • Patent number: 10006055
    Abstract: The invention provides non-naturally occurring microbial organisms having a butadiene or crotyl alcohol pathway. The invention additionally provides methods of using such organisms to produce butadiene or crotyl alcohol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: Genomatica, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark J. Burk, Anthony P. Burgard, Robin E. Osterhout, Jun Sun, Priti Pharkya
  • Patent number: 9994505
    Abstract: A process of isolating 1,4-butanediol (1,4-BDO) from a fermentation broth includes separating a liquid fraction enriched in 1,4-BDO from a solid fraction comprising cells, removing water from said liquid fraction, removing salts from said liquid fraction, and purifying 1,4-BDO. A process for producing 1,4-BDO includes culturing a 1,4-BDO-producing microorganism in a fermentor for a sufficient period of time to produce 1,4-BDO. The 1,4-BDO-producing microorganism includes a microorganism having a 1,4-BDO pathway having one or more exogenous genes encoding a 1,4-BDO pathway enzyme and/or one or more gene disruptions. The process for producing 1,4-BDO further includes isolating 1,4-BDO.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: Genomatica, Inc.
    Inventors: Warren Clark, Michael Japs, Mark J. Burk
  • Publication number: 20180155742
    Abstract: The invention provides non-naturally occurring microbial organisms having a butadiene pathway. The invention additionally provides methods of using such organisms to produce butadiene.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2017
    Publication date: June 7, 2018
    Inventors: Mark J. BURK, Anthony P. BURGARD, Jun SUN, Robin E. OSTERHOUT, Priti PHARKYA
  • Patent number: 9988648
    Abstract: The invention provides non-naturally occurring microbial organisms containing an alkene pathway having at least one exogenous nucleic acid encoding an alkene pathway enzyme expressed in a sufficient amount to convert an alcohol to an alkene. The invention additionally provides methods of using such microbial organisms to produce an alkene, by culturing a non-naturally occurring microbial organism containing an alkene pathway as described herein under conditions and for a sufficient period of time to produce an alkene.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: Genomatica, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark J. Burk, Robin E. Osterhout
  • Patent number: 9988656
    Abstract: The invention provides non-naturally occurring microbial organisms comprising 1,4-butanediol (14-BDO) and gamma-butyrolactone (GBL) pathways comprising at least one exogenous nucleic acid encoding a 14-BDO and GBL pathway enzyme expressed in a sufficient amount to produce 14-BDO and GBL. The invention additionally provides methods of using such microbial organisms to produce 14-BDO and GBL.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: Genomatica, Inc.
    Inventors: Jun Sun, Mark J. Burk, Anthony P. Burgard, Robin E. Osterhout, Wei Niu, John D. Trawick, Robert Haselbeck
  • Patent number: 9982281
    Abstract: Provided herein is a non-naturally occurring microbial organism having a 1,3-butanediol (1,3-BDO) pathway and comprising at least one exogenous nucleic acid encoding a 1,3-BDO pathway enzyme expressed in a sufficient amount to produce 1,3-BDO. In some embodiments, the pathway includes reducing equivalents from CO or hydrogen. In certain embodiments, a 1,3-BDO pathway proceeds by way of central metabolites pyruvate, succinate or alpha-ketoglutarate. Also provided herein is a method for producing 1,3-BDO, includes culturing such microbial organisms under conditions and for a sufficient period of time to produce 1,3-BDO.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: Genomatica, Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony P. Burgard, Mark J. Burk, Robin E. Osterhout, Jun Sun, Priti Pharkya
  • Publication number: 20180142269
    Abstract: The invention provides non-naturally occurring microbial organisms comprising a 1,4-butanediol (BDO) pathway comprising at least one exogenous nucleic acid encoding a BDO pathway enzyme expressed in a sufficient amount to produce BDO. The invention additionally provides methods of using such microbial organisms to produce BDO.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2017
    Publication date: May 24, 2018
    Inventors: Mark J. BURK, Anthony P. BURGARD, Robin E. OSTERHOUT, Jun SUN