Patents by Inventor Martine Whissel

Martine Whissel 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).

  • Patent number: 8143049
    Abstract: Provided are modified beta-glucosidase enzymes, derived from the Trichoderma reesei Cel3A beta-glucosidase, that exhibit improved stability at low pH, low pH and high aeration, low pH and high agitation, or low pH and elevated temperature. Also provided are genetic constructs comprising nucleotide sequences encoding for modified beta-glucosidase enzymes, methods for the production of modified beta-glucosidase enzymes from host strains and the use of the modified beta-glucosidase enzymes in the hydrolysis of cellulose.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Iogen Energy Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher Hill, James Lavigne, Martine Whissel, John J. Tomashek
  • Patent number: 8110389
    Abstract: A modified Trichoderma reesei Family 6 (TrCel6A) cellulase enzyme comprising amino acid substitutions at one or more positions selected from the group consisting of 129, 322, 363 and 410 of SEQ ID NO: 1 is provided. Genetic constructs and genetically modified microbes comprising nucleic sequences encoding the modified TrCel6a cellulase are also provided. The modified TrCel6A cellulase of the invention display at least a 15% decrease in inactivation by lignin relative to a parental TrCel6A cellulase from which the modified TrCel6A is derived. Such cellulases find use in a variety of applications in industry requiring enzymatic hydrolysis of cellulose in the presence of lignin, e.g., the hydrolysis of pretreated lignocellulosic feedstocks for the production of fermentable sugars, sugar alcohols and fuel alcohols.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: Iogen Energy Corporation
    Inventors: James A. Lavigne, Brian R. Scott, Martine Whissel, John J. Tomashek
  • Publication number: 20100093040
    Abstract: Provided are modified beta-glucosidase enzymes, derived from the Trichoderma reesei Cel3A beta-glucosidase, that exhibit improved stability at low pH, low pH and high aeration, low pH and high agitation, or low pH and elevated temperature. Also provided are genetic constructs comprising nucleotide sequences encoding for modified beta-glucosidase enzymes, methods for the production of modified beta-glucosidase enzymes from host strains and the use of the modified beta-glucosidase enzymes in the hydrolysis of cellulose.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2009
    Publication date: April 15, 2010
    Applicant: IOGEN ENERGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Christopher Hill, James Lavigne, Martine Whissel, John J. Tomashek
  • Publication number: 20100041100
    Abstract: A modified Trichoderma reesei Family 6 (TrCel6A) cellulase enzyme comprising amino acid substitutions at one or more positions selected from the group consisting of 129, 322, 363 and 410 of SEQ ID NO: 1 is provided. Genetic constructs and genetically modified microbes comprising nucleic sequences encoding the modified TrCel6a cellulase are also provided. The modified TrCel6A cellulase of the invention display at least a 15% decrease in inactivation by lignin relative to a parental TrCel6A cellulase from which the modified TrCel6A is derived. Such cellulases find use in a variety of applications in industry requiring enzymatic hydrolysis of cellulose in the presence of lignin, e.g., the hydrolysis of pretreated lignocellulosic feedstocks for the production of fermentable sugars, sugar alcohols and fuel alcohols.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2009
    Publication date: February 18, 2010
    Applicant: IOGEN ENERGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: James A. Lavigne, Brian R. Scott, Martine Whissel, John J. Tomashek