Patents by Inventor Merry B. McLaird

Merry B. McLaird 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).

  • Nematode phosphoethanolamine N-methyltransferase-like sequences
    Patent number: 8198060
    Abstract: Nucleic acid molecules from nematodes encoding phosphoethanolamine n-methyltransferase polypeptides are described. PEAMT-like polypeptide sequences are also provided, as are vectors, host cells, and recombinant methods for production of PEAMT-like nucleotides and polypeptides. Also described are screening methods for identifying inhibitors and/or activators, as well as methods for antibody production.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Divergence, Inc.
    Inventors: Deryck J. Williams, Merry B. McLaird, Michelle Coutu Hresko, Anita M. Frevert, Ronald E. Worthington, Andrew P. Kloek, Jennifer A. Davila-Aponte, John D. Bradley, Siqun Xu
  • Nematode fatty acid desaturase-like sequences
    Patent number: 7993894
    Abstract: Nucleic acid molecules from nematodes encoding fatty acid desaturase polypeptides are described. Fatty acid desaturase-like polypeptide sequences are also provided, as are vectors, host cells, and recombinant methods for production of fatty acid desaturase-like nucleotides and polypeptides. Also described are screening methods for identifying inhibitors and/or activators of fatty acid desaturase-like polypeptides, as well as methods for antibody production.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Divergence, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew P. Kloek, Deryck J. Williams, Merry B. McLaird, John D. Bradley, Jennifer A. DaVila-Aponte, Siqun Xu, Anita M. Frevert
  • Method for screening transgenic plants for anthelmintic activity
    Patent number: 7939713
    Abstract: The present invention provides DNA constructs, transgenic plants containing such constructs, and methods of making the plants. The DNA constructs encode a polypeptide that when expressed results in the production of fatty acid compounds having anthelmintic activity. Transgenic plants expressing such a polypeptide can exhibit enhanced resistance to plant parasitic nematodes, particularly when expressed in vegetative tissues.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Assignee: Divergence, Inc.
    Inventors: Michelle L. Verbsky, Catherine Baublite, Deryck J. Williams, Andrew P. Kloek, Jennifer A. Davila-Aponte, Michelle Coutu Hresko, Merry B. McLaird, Rodolfo Zentella
  • Method of screening transgenic plants for anthelmintic activity
    Patent number: 7932435
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method of screening transgenic plants containing a DNA construct encoding a polypeptide that when expressed in the plant results in the production of fatty acid compounds for anthelmintic activity by contacting the plants with a plurality of nematodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2011
    Assignee: Divergence, Inc.
    Inventors: Michelle L. Verbsky, Catherine Baublite, Andrew P. Kloek, Jennifer A. Davila-Aponte, Michelle Coutu Hresko, Merry B. McLaird, Rodolfo Zentella, Deryck J. Williams
  • Nucleic acids encoding anthelmintic agents and plants made therefrom
    Patent number: 7919680
    Abstract: The present invention provides DNA constructs, transgenic plants containing such constructs, and methods of making the plants. The DNA constructs encode a polypeptide that when expressed results in the production of fatty acid compounds having anthelmintic activity. Transgenic plants expressing such a polypeptide can exhibit enhanced resistance to plant parasitic nematodes, particularly when expressed in vegetative tissues. Transgenic plants expressing such a polypeptide can also be useful for non-pesticidal industrial uses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2011
    Assignee: Divergence, Inc.
    Inventors: Michelle L. Gasper, Catherine Baublite, Andrew P. Kloek, Jennifer A. Davila-Aponte, Michelle Coutu Hresko, Merry B. McLaird, Rodolfo Zentella, Deryck J. Williams
  • Nematode phosphoethanolamine N-methyltransferase-like sequences
    Patent number: 7867749
    Abstract: Nucleic acid molecules from nematodes encoding phosphoethanolamine n-methyltransferase polypeptides are described. PEAMT-like polypeptide sequences are also provided, as are vectors, host cells, and recombinant methods for production of PEAMT-like nucleotides and polypeptides. Also described are screening methods for identifying inhibitors and/or activators, as well as methods for antibody production.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: Divergence, Inc.
    Inventors: Deryck J. Williams, Merry B. McLaird, Michelle Coutu Hresko, Anita M. Frevert-Thompson, Ronald E. Worthington, Andrew P. Kloek, Jennifer A. Davila-Aponte, John D. Bradley, Siqun Xu
  • Nematode Fatty Acid Desaturase-Like Sequences
    Publication number: 20100248357
    Abstract: Nucleic acid molecules from nematodes encoding fatty acid desaturase polypeptides are described. Fatty acid desaturase-like polypeptide sequences are also provided, as are vectors, host cells, and recombinant methods for production of fatty acid desaturase-like nucleotides and polypeptides. Also described are screening methods for identifying inhibitors and/or activators of fatty acid desaturase-like polypeptides, as well as methods for antibody production.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2009
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Inventors: Andrew P. Kloek, Deryck J. Williams, Merry B. McLaird, John D. Bradley, Jennifer A. DaVila-Aponte, Siqun Xu, Anita M. Frevert
  • Nucleic Acids Encoding Anthelmintic Agents And Plants Made Therefrom
    Publication number: 20100138960
    Abstract: The present invention provides DNA constructs, transgenic plants containing such constructs, and methods of making the plants. The DNA constructs encode a polypeptide that when expressed results in the production of fatty acid compounds having anthelmintic activity. Transgenic plants expressing such a polypeptide can exhibit enhanced resistance to plant parasitic nematodes, particularly when expressed in vegetative tissues. Transgenic plants expressing such a polypeptide can also be useful for non-pesticidal industrial uses.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2010
    Publication date: June 3, 2010
    Inventors: Michelle L. Verbsky, Catherine Baublite, Andrew P. Kloek, Jennifer A. Davila-Aponte, Michelle Coutu Hresko, Merry B. McLaird, Rodolfo Zentella, Deryck J. Williams
  • Transgenic plants having anthelmintic activity and methods of producing them
    Patent number: 7667095
    Abstract: The present invention provides DNA constructs, transgenic plants containing such constructs, and methods of making the plants. The DNA constructs encode a polypeptide that when expressed results in the production of fatty acid compounds having anthelmintic activity. Transgenic plants expressing such a polypeptide can exhibit enhanced resistance to plant parasitic nematodes, particularly when expressed in vegetative tissues. Transgenic plants expressing such a polypeptide can also be useful for non-pesticidal industrial uses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: Divergence, Inc.
    Inventors: Michelle L. Verbsky, Catherine Baublite, Andrew P. Kloek, Jennifer A. Davila-Aponte, Michelle Coutu Hresko, Merry B. McLaird, Rodolfo Zentella, Deryck J. Williams
  • Nematode fatty acid desaturase-like sequences
    Patent number: 7666642
    Abstract: Nucleic acid molecules from nematodes encoding fatty acid desaturase polypeptides are described. Fatty acid desaturase-like polypeptide sequences are also provided, as are vectors, host cells, and recombinant methods for production of fatty acid desaturase-like nucleotides and polypeptides. Also described are screening methods for identifying inhibitors and/or activators of fatty acid desaturase-like polypeptides, as well as methods for antibody production.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: Divergence, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew P. Kloek, Deryck J. Williams, Merry B. McLaird, John D. Bradley, Jennifer A. Davila-Aponte, Siqun Xu, Anita M. Frevert
  • Nematicidal Compositions and Methods
    Publication number: 20090318563
    Abstract: Certain ethanolamine analogs and related compounds useful in the control of nematodes that infest plants or the situs of plants are described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2008
    Publication date: December 24, 2009
    Inventors: Michelle Coutu Hresko, Deryck J. Williams, Merry B. McLaird, John D. Bradley, Barry J. Shortt, Ronald E. Worthington
  • Nematode Fatty Acid Desaturase-Like Sequences
    Publication number: 20090203127
    Abstract: Nucleic acid molecules from nematodes encoding fatty acid desaturase polypeptides are described. Fatty acid desaturase-like polypeptide sequences are also provided, as arc vectors, host cells, and recombinant methods for production of fatty acid desaturase-like nucleotides and polypeptides. Also described are screening methods for identifying inhibitors and/or activators of fatty acid desaturase-like polypeptides, as well as methods for antibody production.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2009
    Publication date: August 13, 2009
    Inventors: Andrew P. Kloek, Deryck J. Williams, Merry B. McLaird, John D. Bradley, Jennifer A. Davila-Aponte, Siqun Xu, Anita M. Frevert
  • Nematode Phosphoethanolamine N-Methyltransferase-Like Sequences
    Publication number: 20090123986
    Abstract: Nucleic acid molecules from nematodes encoding phosphoethanolamine n-methyltransferase polypeptides are described. PEAMT-like polypeptide sequences are also provided, as are vectors, host cells, and recombinant methods for production of PEAMT-like nucleotides and polypeptides. Also described are screening methods for identifying inhibitors and/or activators, as well as methods for antibody production.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2008
    Publication date: May 14, 2009
    Inventors: Deryck J. Williams, Merry B. McLaird, Michelle Coutu Hresko, Anita M. Frevert, Ronald E. Worthington, Andrew P. Kloek, Jennifer A. Davila-Aponte, John D. Bradley, Siqun Xu
  • Nematode fatty acid desaturase-like sequences
    Patent number: 7479382
    Abstract: Nucleic acid molecules from nematodes encoding fatty acid desaturase polypeptides are described. Fatty acid desaturase-like polypeptide sequences are also provided, as are vectors, host cells, and recombinant methods for production of fatty acid desaturase-like nucleotides and polypeptides. Also described are screening methods for identifying inhibitors and/or activators of fatty acid desaturase-like polypeptides, as well as methods for antibody production.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2009
    Assignee: Divergence, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew P. Kloek, Deryck J. Williams, Merry B. McLaird, John D. Bradley, Jennifer A. Davila-Aponte, Siqun Xu, Anita M. Frevert
  • Nematode phosphoethanolamine N-methyltransferase-like sequences
    Patent number: 7442533
    Abstract: Nucleic acid molecules from nematodes encoding phosphoethanolamine n-methyltransferase polypeptides are described. PEAMT-like polypeptide sequences are also provided, as are vectors, host cells, and recombinant methods for production of PEAMT-like nucleotides and polypeptides. Also described are screening methods for identifying inhibitors and/or activators, as well as methods for antibody production.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2008
    Assignee: Divergence, Inc.
    Inventors: Deryck J. Williams, Merry B. McLaird, Michelle Coutu Hresko, Anita M. Frevert, Ronald E. Worthington, Andrew P. Kloek, Jennifer A. Davila-Aponte, John D. Bradley, Siqun Xu
  • Nucleic Acids Encoding Anthelmintic Agents And Plants Made Therefrom
    Publication number: 20080250530
    Abstract: The present invention provides DNA constructs, transgenic plants containing such constructs, and methods of making the plants. The DNA constructs encode a polypeptide that when expressed results in the production of fatty acid compounds having anthelmintic activity. Transgenic plants expressing such a polypeptide can exhibit enhanced resistance to plant parasitic nematodes, particularly when expressed in vegetative tissues. Transgenic plants expressing such a polypeptide can also be useful for non-pesticidal industrial uses.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2008
    Publication date: October 9, 2008
    Applicant: DIVERGENCE, INC.
    Inventors: Michelle L. Verbsky, Catherine Baublite, Andrew P. Kloek, Jennifer A. Davila-Aponte, Michelle Coutu Hresko, Merry B. McLaird, Rodolfo Zentella, Deryck J. Williams
  • Nematicidal Fatty Acid and Fatty Acid Ester Related Compounds
    Publication number: 20080249160
    Abstract: Certain fatty acids and related compounds useful in the control nematodes that infest plants or the situs of plants are described. Nematodes that parasitize animals can also be controlled using the methods and compounds of this invention.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2008
    Publication date: October 9, 2008
    Inventors: Deryck J. Williams, Andrew P. Kloek, Michelle Coutu Hresko, Barry J. Shortt, Jennifer A. Davila-Aponte, John D. Bradley, James McCarter, Merry B. McLaird
  • Nematode Fatty Acid Desaturase-Like Sequences
    Publication number: 20080227193
    Abstract: Nucleic acid molecules from nematodes encoding fatty acid desaturase polypeptides are described. Fatty acid desaturase-like polypeptide sequences are also provided, as are vectors, host cells, and recombinant methods for production of fatty acid desaturase-like nucleotides and polypeptides. Also described are screening methods for identifying inhibitors and/or activators of fatty acid desaturase-like polypeptides, as well as methods for antibody production.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2008
    Publication date: September 18, 2008
    Inventors: Andrew P. Kloek, Deryck J. Williams, Merry B. McLaird, John D. Bradley, Jennifer A. Davila-Aponte, Siqun Xu, Anita M. Frevert
  • Nematode PAN and ZP Receptor-Like Sequences
    Publication number: 20080227955
    Abstract: Nucleic acid molecules from nematodes encoding PAN and ZP domain containing receptor polypeptides are described. PANZP polypeptide sequences are also provided, as are vectors, host cells, and recombinant methods for production of PANZP nucleotides and polypeptides. Also described are screening methods for identifying inhibitors and/or activators, as well as methods for antibody production.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2008
    Publication date: September 18, 2008
    Inventors: Michelle Coutu Hresko, Merry B. Mclaird, Deryck J. Williams, Anita M. Frevert, Brandi Chiapelli, Catherine Baublite, Andrew P. Kloek, Jennifer A. Davila-Aponte, John D. Bradley, Siqun Xu
  • Nucleic acids encoding anthelmintic agents and plants made therefrom
    Patent number: 7368629
    Abstract: The present invention provides DNA constructs, transgenic plants containing such constructs, and methods of making the plants. The DNA constructs encode a polypeptide that when expressed results in the production of fatty acid compounds having anthelmintic activity. Transgenic plants expressing such a polypeptide can exhibit enhanced resistance to plant parasitic nematodes, particularly when expressed in vegetative tissues. Transgenic plants expressing such a polypeptide can also be useful for non-pesticidal industrial uses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2008
    Assignee: Divergence, Inc.
    Inventors: Michelle L. Verbsky, Catherine Baublite, Andrew P. Kloek, Jennifer A. Davila-Aponte, Michelle Coutu Hresko, Merry B. McLaird, Rodolfo Zentella, Deryck J. Williams