Patents by Inventor Michael B. Blackburn

Michael B. Blackburn 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: 10617121
    Abstract: Strains of Chromobacterium sphagni sp. nov. are described which have insecticidal activity against insect larvae, in general, and lepidopteran insect larvae, in particular. A biocontrol agent containing one or more C. sphagni, media in which the C. sphagni, or both, and optionally a carrier are also described. Methods of killing insect larvae and methods of reducing insect populations in an area by applying to the area or an object an effective amount of the biocontrol agent are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: The United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of Agriculture
    Inventors: Michael B. Blackburn, Dawn E. Gundersen-Rindal, Robert R. Farrar, Daniel J. Kuhar
  • Publication number: 20190343124
    Abstract: Strains of Chromobacterium sphagni sp. nov. are described which have insecticidal activity against insect larvae, in general, and lepidopteran insect larvae, in particular. A biocontrol agent containing one or more C. sphagni, media in which the C. sphagni, or both, and optionally a carrier are also described. Methods of killing insect larvae and methods of reducing insect populations in an area by applying to the area or an object an effective amount of the biocontrol agent are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2019
    Publication date: November 14, 2019
    Inventors: Michael B. Blackburn, Dawn E. Gundersen-Rindal, Robert R. Farrar, Daniel J. Kuhar
  • Patent number: 10334857
    Abstract: A novel Chromobacterium phragmitis sp. nov. strain 113-1 (NRRL B-67133) is described, which has insecticidal activity against insect larvae, in general, and dipteran and lepidopteran insect larvae, in particular. A biocontrol agent containing Chromobacterium phragmitis sp. nov. strain 113-1 (NRRL B-67133) and optionally a carrier are also described. Methods of killing insect larvae and methods of reducing insect populations in an area by applying to the area or an object an effective amount of the biocontrol agent are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: The United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of Agriculture
    Inventors: Michael B. Blackburn, Dawn E. Gundersen-Rindal, Robert R. Farrar, Daniel J. Kuhar, Ashaki D. Mitchell
  • Publication number: 20180127771
    Abstract: Provided are chimeric Hemiptera-active insecticidal toxin proteins comprising a Bt toxin peptide with activity against Hemiptera, a peptide multimer or fusion protein containing such peptide which binds to the gut of sap-sucking insects, preferably the Asian citrus psyllid, Diaphorina citri. This insect carries a bacterium associated with Huanlongbing disease or citrus greening and damages citrus crops. When bound, this peptide mediates the binding of the chimeric insecticidal protein to the target insect gut. Also described are coding sequences, vectors, and transgenic plants genetically modified to contain and express such insecticidal proteins. Other delivery mechanisms such as use of phloem-inhabiting bacteria, are also contemplated. Thus, the use of these toxins reduces economic loss due to feeding by the target insect and also reduces loss due to plant diseases spread by the target insect.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2017
    Publication date: May 10, 2018
    Inventors: BRYONY C. BONNING, NANASAHEB CHOUGULE, MARIA TERESA FERNANDEZ-LUNA, MICHAEL B. BLACKBURN, DAVID G. HALL
  • Publication number: 20180103646
    Abstract: A novel Chromobacterium phragmitis sp. nov. strain 113-1 (NRRL B-67133) is described, which has insecticidal activity against insect larvae, in general, and dipteran and lepidopteran insect larvae, in particular. A biocontrol agent containing Chromobacterium phragmitis sp. nov. strain 113-1 (NRRL B-67133) and optionally a carrier are also described. Methods of killing insect larvae and methods of reducing insect populations in an area by applying to the area or an object an effective amount of the biocontrol agent are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2017
    Publication date: April 19, 2018
    Inventors: Michael B. Blackburn, Dawn E. Gundersen-Rindal, Robert R. Farrar, Daniel J. Kuhar, Ashaki D. Mitchell
  • Publication number: 20170251676
    Abstract: Strains of Chromobacterium sphagni sp. nov. are described which have insecticidal activity against insect larvae, in general, and lepidopteran insect larvae, in particular. A biocontrol agent containing one or more C. sphagni, media in which the C. sphagni, or both, and optionally a carrier are also described. Methods of killing insect larvae and methods of reducing insect populations in an area by applying to the area or an object an effective amount of the biocontrol agent are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2017
    Publication date: September 7, 2017
    Inventors: Michael B. Blackburn, Dawn E. Gundersen-Rindal, Robert R. Farrar, Daniel J. Kuhar
  • Patent number: 8691219
    Abstract: Chromobacterium subtsugae sp. nov., a new species of the genus Chromobacterium which possesses insecticidal activity, is described. The invention also relates to insecticidally-active metabolites obtained from the strain and to insecticidal compositions comprising cultures of the strain and/or supernatants, filtrates, and extracts obtained from the strain, and use thereof to control insect pests.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of Agriculture
    Inventors: Phyllis A. W. Martin, Ashaki D. S. Shropshire, Dawn E. Gundersen-Rindal, Michael B. Blackburn
  • Patent number: 7569748
    Abstract: Proteins from the genus Photorhabdus are toxic to insects upon exposure. Photorhabdus luminescens (formerly Xenorhabdus luminescens) have been found in mammalian clinical samples and as a bacterial symbiont of entomopathogenic nematodes of genus Heterohabditis. These protein toxins can be applied to, or genetically engineered into, insect larvae food and plants for insect control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2009
    Assignee: Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation
    Inventors: Jerald C. Ensign, David J. Bowen, James Petell, Raymond Fatig, Sue Schoonover, Richard H. Ffrench-Constant, Thomas A. Rocheleau, Michael B. Blackburn, Timothy D. Hey, Donald J. Merlo, Gregory L Orr, Jean L. Roberts, James A. Strickland, Lining Guo, Todd A. Ciche, Kitisri Sukhapinda
  • Patent number: 7244607
    Abstract: Chromobacterium suttsuga sp. nov., a new species of the genus Chromobacterium which possesses insecticidal activity, is described. The invention also relates to insecticidally-active metabolites obtained from the strain and to insecticidal compositions comprising cultures of the strain and/or supernatants, filtrates, and extracts obtained from the strain, and use thereof to control insect pests.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Assignee: The United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of Agriculture
    Inventors: Phyllis A. W. Martin, Ashaki D. S. Shropshire, Dawn E. Gundersen-Rindal, Michael B. Blackburn
  • Publication number: 20030207806
    Abstract: Proteins from the genus Photorhabdus are toxic to insects upon exposure. Photorhabdus luminescens (formerly Xenorhabdus luminescens) have been found in mammalian clinical samples and as a bacterial symbiont of entomopathogenic nematodes of genus Heterorhabditis. These protein toxins can be applied to, or genetically engineered into, insect larvae food and plants for insect control.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2002
    Publication date: November 6, 2003
    Inventors: Jerald C. Ensign, David J. Bowen, James Petell, Raymond Fatig, Sue Schoonover, Richard H. Ffrench-Constant, Thomas A. Rocheleau, Michael B. Blackburn, Timothy D. Hey, Donald J. Merlo, Gregory L. Orr, Jean L. Roberts, James A. Strickland, Lining Guo, Todd A. Ciche, Kitisri Sukhapinda
  • Patent number: 6528484
    Abstract: Proteins from the genus Photorhabdus are toxic to insects upon exposure. Photorhabdus luminescens (formerly Xenorhabdus luminescens) have been found in mammalian clinical samples and as a bacterial symbiont of entomopathogenic nematodes of genus Heterorhabditis. These protein toxins can be applied to, or genetically engineered into, insect larvae food and plants for insect control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2003
    Assignee: Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation
    Inventors: Jerald C. Ensign, David J. Bowen, James Petell, Raymond Fatig, Sue Schoonover, Richard H. ffrench-Constant, Thomas A. Rocheleau, Michael B. Blackburn, Timothy D. Hey, Donald J. Merlo, Gregory L. Orr, Jean L. Roberts, James A. Strickland, Lining Guo, Todd A. Ciche, Kitisri Sukhapinda