Patents by Inventor Michael Lassner

Michael Lassner 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: 20090192116
    Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided which employ a silencing element that, when ingested by a pest, such as a pest from the Aphididae family, they are capable of decreasing the expression of a target sequence in the pest. In specific embodiments, the decrease in expression of the target sequence controls the pest and thereby the methods and compositions are capable of limiting damage to a plant. The present invention provides target polynucleotides for specific protein classes and also target polynucleotides as set forth in SEQ ID NOS:1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 or active variants or fragments thereof, wherein a decrease in expression of one or more the sequences in the target pest controls the pest (i.e., has insecticidal activity). Further provided are silencing elements which when ingested by the pest decrease the level of the target polypeptide and thereby control the pest. In specific embodiment, the pest is Aphis glycines.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2009
    Publication date: July 30, 2009
    Applicants: Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc., E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Rafael Herrmann, Michael Lassner, Albert L. Lu, Mark Nelson, James K. Presnail, Janet A. Rice
  • Publication number: 20090192117
    Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided which employ a silencing element that, when ingested by a pest, such as a pest from the Lygus genus, they are capable of decreasing the expression of a target sequence in the pest. In specific embodiments, the decrease in expression of the target sequence controls the pest and thereby the methods and compositions are capable of limiting damage to a plant. The present invention provides various target polynucleotides from specific polypeptide families as disclosed herein, and further provides target polynucleotides set forth in SEQ ID NOS:1-21 or active variants thereof, wherein a decrease in expression of one or more the sequences in the target pest controls the pest (i.e., has insecticidal activity). Further provided are silencing elements which when ingested by the pest decrease the level of the target polypeptide and thereby control the pest. In specific embodiment, the pest is Lygus Hesperus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2009
    Publication date: July 30, 2009
    Applicants: Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc., E.I. Du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Rafael Herrmann, Michael Lassner, Albert L. Lu, Mark E. Nelson, James K. Presnail, Janet A. Rice
  • Publication number: 20090188008
    Abstract: Methods and compositions which increase the concentration of an inhibitory RNA specific for a target sequence in a cell are provided. In one embodiment, the methods and compositions employ a first polynucleotide comprising a silencing element for a target pest sequence operably linked to a promoter active in the plant cell; and, a second polynucleotide comprising a suppressor enhancer element comprising the target pest sequence or an active fragment or variant thereof operably linked to a promoter active in the plant cell. The combined expression of the silencing element with the target pest sequence, or an active variant or fragment thereof, leads to the amplification of the inhibitory RNA produced from the silencing element over the achievable with only the expression of the silencing element alone. Thus, the various methods and compositions of the invention provide improved methods for the delivery of inhibitory RNA to a target organism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2009
    Publication date: July 23, 2009
    Applicant: Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael Lassner
  • Patent number: 7563863
    Abstract: The present invention provides novel plastid transit peptides that direct localization of attached moieties (e.g., polypeptides) into plant plastids. The present invention also relates to methods and compositions for localizing polypeptides to plant plastids including, but not limited to, transgenic plant production.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2009
    Assignee: Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Lassner, Jack Q. Wilkinson
  • Patent number: 7557259
    Abstract: The present invention provides novel plastid transit peptides that direct localization of attached moieties (e.g., polypeptides) into plant plastids. The present invention also relates to methods and compositions for localizing polypeptides to plant plastids including, but not limited to, transgenic plant production.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2009
    Assignee: Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Lassner, Jack Q. Wilkinson
  • Patent number: 7557260
    Abstract: The present invention provides novel plastid transit peptides that direct localization of attached moieties (e.g., polypeptides) into plant plastids. The present invention also relates to methods and compositions for localizing polypeptides to plant plastids including, but not limited to, transgenic plant production.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2009
    Assignee: Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Lassner, Jack Q. Wilkinson
  • Patent number: 7553927
    Abstract: The present invention provides novel plastid transit peptides that direct localization of attached moieties (e.g., polypeptides) into plant plastids. The present invention also relates to methods and compositions for localizing polypeptides to plant plastids including, but not limited to, transgenic plant production.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2009
    Assignee: Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Lassner, Jack Q. Wilkinson
  • Patent number: 7528293
    Abstract: Methods for protecting a plant from a plant pathogenic fungus are provided. A method for enhancing fungal pathogen resistance in a plant using the nucleotide sequences disclosed herein is further provided. The method comprises introducing into a plant an expression cassette comprising a promoter operably linked to a nucleotide sequence that encodes an antifungal polypeptide of the invention. Transformed plants, plant cells, seeds, and microorganisms comprising a nucleotide sequence that encodes an antifungal polypeptide of the embodiments, or variant or fragment thereof, are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2009
    Assignee: Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc.
    Inventors: Hana S. Ali, Robert J. Keenan, Michael Lassner, Mathias L. Muller, Gusui Wu
  • Publication number: 20090098622
    Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods for preparing poly-unsaturated long chain fatty acids in plants, plant parts and plant cells, such as leaves, roots, fruits and seeds. Nucleic acid sequences and constructs encoding PKS-like genes required for the poly-unsaturated long chain fatty acid production, including the genes responsible for eicosapentenoic acid production of Shewanella putrefaciens and novel genes associated with the production of docosahexenoic acid in Vibrio marinus are used to generate transgenic plants, plant parts and cells which contain and express one or more transgenes encoding one or more of the PKS-like genes associated with such long chain polyunsaturated fatty acid production. Expression of the PKS-like genes in the plant system permits the large scale production of poly-unsaturated long chain fatty acids such as eicosapentenoic acid and docosahexenoic acid for modification of the fatty acid profile of plants, plant parts and tissues.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2007
    Publication date: April 16, 2009
    Applicant: MARTEK BIOSCIENCES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Daniel Facciotti, James George Metz, Michael Lassner
  • Patent number: 7511188
    Abstract: Methods for protecting a plant from a plant pathogenic fungus are provided. A method for enhancing fungal pathogen resistance in a plant using the nucleotide sequences disclosed herein is further provided. The method comprises introducing into a plant an expression cassette comprising a promoter operably linked to a nucleotide sequence that encodes an antifungal polypeptide of the invention. Transformed plants, plant cells, seeds, and microorganisms comprising a nucleotide sequence that encodes an antifungal polypeptide of the embodiments, or variant or fragment thereof, are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc.
    Inventors: Hana S. Ali, Robert J. Keenan, Michael Lassner, Mathias L. Muller, Gusui Wu
  • Publication number: 20080244765
    Abstract: Pollination process is disrupted by use of a pollination-disruption polynucleotide that renders the pollen unable to fertilize a sexually compatible ovule. The non-lethal nature of the pollen disruption polynucleotide is advantageous, particularly when operably linked to a transgenic polynucleotide of interest and prevents transmission of the polynucleotide through pollen. non-lethal markers are employed in an embodiment in which transgenic and non-transgenic seed can be sorted. A recombinase excision system is employed in an embodiment to activate the pollen disruption polynucleotide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2008
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Applicant: Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc.
    Inventors: Zuo-Yu Zhao, Youngzhong Wu, Michael Lassner, Howard Hershey
  • Publication number: 20080178352
    Abstract: The present invention provides novel plastid transit peptides that direct localization of attached moieties (e.g., polypeptides) into plant plastids. The present invention also relates to methods and compositions for localizing polypeptides to plant plastids including, but not limited to, transgenic plant production.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2008
    Publication date: July 24, 2008
    Inventors: Michael Lassner, Jack Q. Wilkinson
  • Publication number: 20080178351
    Abstract: The present invention provides novel plastid transit peptides that direct localization of attached moieties (e.g., polypeptides) into plant plastids. The present invention also relates to methods and compositions for localizing polypeptides to plant plastids including, but not limited to, transgenic plant production.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2008
    Publication date: July 24, 2008
    Inventors: Michael Lassner, Jack Q. Wilkinson
  • Publication number: 20080168579
    Abstract: The present invention provides novel plastid transit peptides that direct localization of attached moieties (e.g., polypeptides) into plant plastids. The present invention also relates to methods and compositions for localizing polypeptides to plant plastids including, but not limited to, transgenic plant production.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2008
    Publication date: July 10, 2008
    Inventors: Michael Lassner, Jack Q. Wilkinson
  • Publication number: 20080168580
    Abstract: The present invention provides novel plastid transit peptides that direct localization of attached moieties (e.g., polypeptides) into plant plastids. The present invention also relates to methods and compositions for localizing polypeptides to plant plastids including, but not limited to, transgenic plant production.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2008
    Publication date: July 10, 2008
    Inventors: Michael Lassner, Jack Q. Wilkinson
  • Publication number: 20080127375
    Abstract: Methods for protecting a plant from a plant pathogenic fungus are provided. A method for enhancing fungal pathogen resistance in a plant using the nucleotide sequences disclosed herein is further provided. The method comprises introducing into a plant an expression cassette comprising a promoter operably linked to a nucleotide sequence that encodes an antifungal polypeptide of the invention. Transformed plants, plant cells, seeds, and microorganisms comprising a nucleotide sequence that encodes an antifungal polypeptide of the embodiments, or variant or fragment thereof, are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2007
    Publication date: May 29, 2008
    Inventors: Hana S. Ali, Robert J. Keenan, Michael Lassner, Mathias L. Muller, Gusui Wu
  • Publication number: 20080120745
    Abstract: Methods for protecting a plant from a plant pathogenic fungus are provided. A method for enhancing fungal pathogen resistance in a plant using the nucleotide sequences disclosed herein is further provided. The method comprises introducing into a plant an expression cassette comprising a promoter operably linked to a nucleotide sequence that encodes an antifungal polypeptide of the invention. Transformed plants, plant cells, seeds, and microorganisms comprising a nucleotide sequence that encodes an antifungal polypeptide of the embodiments, or variant or fragment thereof, are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2007
    Publication date: May 22, 2008
    Inventors: Hana S. Ali, Robert J. Keenan, Michael Lassner, Mathias L. Muller, Gusui Wu
  • Publication number: 20080120744
    Abstract: Methods for protecting a plant from a plant pathogenic fungus are provided. A method for enhancing fungal pathogen resistance in a plant using the nucleotide sequences disclosed herein is further provided. The method comprises introducing into a plant an expression cassette comprising a promoter operably linked to a nucleotide sequence that encodes an antifungal polypeptide of the invention. Transformed plants, plant cells, seeds, and microorganisms comprising a nucleotide sequence that encodes an antifungal polypeptide of the embodiments, or variant or fragment thereof, are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2007
    Publication date: May 22, 2008
    Inventors: Hana S. Ali, Robert J. Keenan, Michael Lassner, Mathias L. Muller, Gusui Wu
  • Publication number: 20080120743
    Abstract: Methods for protecting a plant from a plant pathogenic fungus are provided. A method for enhancing fungal pathogen resistance in a plant using the nucleotide sequences disclosed herein is further provided. The method comprises introducing into a plant an expression cassette comprising a promoter operably linked to a nucleotide sequence that encodes an antifungal polypeptide of the invention. Transformed plants, plant cells, seeds, and microorganisms comprising a nucleotide sequence that encodes an antifungal polypeptide of the embodiments, or variant or fragment thereof, are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2007
    Publication date: May 22, 2008
    Inventors: Hana S. Ali, Robert J. Keenan, Michael Lassner, Mathias L. Muller, Gusui Wu
  • Publication number: 20080120742
    Abstract: Methods for protecting a plant from a plant pathogenic fungus are provided. A method for enhancing fungal pathogen resistance in a plant using the nucleotide sequences disclosed herein is further provided. The method comprises introducing into a plant an expression cassette comprising a promoter operably linked to a nucleotide sequence that encodes an antifungal polypeptide of the invention. Transformed plants, plant cells, seeds, and microorganisms comprising a nucleotide sequence that encodes an antifungal polypeptide of the embodiments, or variant or fragment thereof, are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2007
    Publication date: May 22, 2008
    Inventors: Hana S. Ali, Robert J. Keenan, Michael Lassner, Mathias L. Muller, Gusui Wu