Patents by Inventor Moena Aqui

Moena Aqui 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: 20240052001
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are mutant photosynthetic microorgnaisms having an attenuated SGI1 gene. The mutants have reduced chlorophyll and increased productivity with respect to wild type cells. Also disclosed are methods of using such mutants for producing biomass or bioproducts, and methods of screening for such mutants.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2023
    Publication date: February 15, 2024
    Inventors: Eric R. Moellering, Nicholas Bauman, Randor R. Radakovits, Roberto Spreafico, Fedor Kuzminov, Imad Ajjawi, Saheed Imam, Andrew Schultz, Kathleen Kwok, Moena Aqui, Jennifer Nominati, John Verruto, Shaun Bailey
  • Patent number: 11787843
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are mutant photosynthetic microorganisms having an attenuated SGI1 gene. The mutants have reduced chlorophyll and increased productivity with respect to wild type cells. Also disclosed are methods of using such mutants for producing biomass or bioproducts, and methods of screening for such mutants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: Viridos, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric R. Moellering, Nicholas Bauman, Randor R. Radakovits, Roberto Spreafico, Fedor Kuzminov, Imad Ajjawi, Saheed Imam, Andrew Schultz, Kathleen Kwok, Moena Aqui, Jennifer Nominati, John Verruto, Shaun Bailey
  • Publication number: 20220348946
    Abstract: The invention involves mutant or recombinant Chlorophyte algal organisms that have a genetic modification in a gene encoding a chloroplastic signal recognition particle 43 (cpSRP43). In one embodiment the Chlorophyte organisms are Trebouxiophyte algae that are diploid or polyploid for a gene encoding a chloroplastic signal recognition particle 43 (cpSRP43). The mutant organisms can have a genetic modification in one allele of the gene but not in another allele of the gene. The mutant or algal organisms have higher biomass and lipid productivity. Additional mutant or algal organisms are disclosed that also have a genetic modification to one or more genes encoding a light harvesting chlorophyll a/b (binding) protein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2022
    Publication date: November 3, 2022
    Inventors: Fedor KUZMINOV, Mahva NAGHIPOR, Moena AQUI, Yingjun WANG, John H. VERRUTO
  • Patent number: 11434493
    Abstract: The invention provides important tools for the use of Chlorophyte organisms, including regulatory sequences useful for the expression of transgenes in such organisms. Also provided are vectors and expression cassettes containing promoters and/or terminators disclosed herein for expression of transgenes in Chlorophyte organisms. Methods of using these tools are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: Viridos, Inc.
    Inventors: John Verruto, Moena Aqui
  • Patent number: 11332764
    Abstract: The present invention provides mutant microorganism that have higher lipid productivity than the wild type microorganisms from which they are derived while biomass at levels that are within approximately 50% of wild type biomass productivities under nitrogen replete conditions. Particular mutants produce at least twice as much FAME lipid as wild type while producing at least 75% of the biomass produced by wild type cells under nitrogen replete conditions. Also provided are methods of producing lipid using the mutant strains.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: Viridos, Inc.
    Inventors: Imad Ajjawi, Eric R. Moellering, Leah Soriaga, Moena Aqui
  • Publication number: 20210238611
    Abstract: The invention provides important tools for the use of Chlorophyte organisms, including regulatory sequences useful for the expression of transgenes in such organisms. Also provided are vectors and expression cassettes containing promoters and/or terminators disclosed herein for expression of transgenes in Chlorophyte organisms. Methods of using these tools are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2021
    Publication date: August 5, 2021
    Inventors: John Verruto, Moena Aqui
  • Publication number: 20210188924
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are mutant photosynthetic microorganisms having an attenuated SGI1 gene. The mutants have reduced chlorophyll and increased productivity with respect to wild type cells. Also disclosed are methods of using such mutants for producing biomass or bioproducts, and methods of screening for such mutants.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2021
    Publication date: June 24, 2021
    Inventors: Eric R. Moellering, Nicholas Bauman, Randor R. Radakovits, Roberto Spreafico, Fedor Kuzminov, Imad Ajjawi, Saheed Imam, Andrew Schultz, Kathleen Kwok, Moena Aqui, Jennifer Nominati, John Verruto, Shaun Bailey
  • Patent number: 10968259
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are mutant photosynthetic microorgnaisms having an attenuated SGI1 gene. The mutants have reduced chlorophyll and increased productivity with respect to wild type cells. Also disclosed are methods of using such mutants for producing biomass or bioproducts, and methods of screening for such mutants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: Synthetic Genomics, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric R. Moellering, Nicholas Bauman, Randor R. Radakovits, Roberto Spreafico, Fedor Kuzminov, Imad Ajjawi, Saheed Imam, Andrew Schultz, Kathleen Kwok, Moena Aqui, Jennifer Nominati, John Verruto, Shaun Bailey
  • Publication number: 20210040515
    Abstract: The present invention provides mutant microorganism that have higher lipid productivity than the wild type microorganisms from which they are derived while biomass at levels that are within approximately 50% of wild type biomass productivities under nitrogen replete conditions. Particular mutants produce at least twice as much FAME lipid as wild type while producing at least 75% of the biomass produced by wild type cells under nitrogen replete conditions. Also provided are methods of producing lipid using the mutant strains.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2020
    Publication date: February 11, 2021
    Inventors: Imad Ajjawi, Eric R. Moellering, Leah Soriaga, Moena Aqui
  • Patent number: 10689676
    Abstract: The present invention provides mutant microorganism that have higher lipid productivity than the wild type microorganisms from which they are derived while producing biomass at levels that are at least 45% of wild type biomass productivity under nitrogen replete conditions. Particular mutants produce at least 50% as much FAME lipid as wild type while producing at least the amount of biomass produced by wild type cells under nitrogen replete conditions. Also provided are methods of producing lipid using the mutant strains.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignee: Synthetic Genomics, Inc.
    Inventors: Imad Ajjawi, Leah Soriaga, Moena Aqui, Eric R. Moellering
  • Publication number: 20200172943
    Abstract: The present invention provides mutant microorganism that have higher lipid productivity than the wild type microorganisms from which they are derived while biomass at levels that are within approximately 50% of wild type biomass productivities under nitrogen replete conditions. Particular mutants produce at least twice as much FAME lipid as wild type while producing at least 75% of the biomass produced by wild type cells under nitrogen replete conditions. Also provided are methods of producing lipid using the mutant strains.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2020
    Publication date: June 4, 2020
    Inventors: Imad Ajjawi, Eric R. Moellering, Leah Soriaga, Moena Aqui
  • Patent number: 10563232
    Abstract: The present invention provides mutant microorganism that have higher lipid productivity than the wild type microorganisms from which they are derived while biomass at levels that are within approximately 50% of wild type biomass productivities under nitrogen replete conditions. Particular mutants produce at least twice as much FAME lipid as wild type while producing at least 75% of the biomass produced by wild type cells under nitrogen replete conditions. Also provided are methods of producing lipid using the mutant strains.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: Synthetic Genomics, Inc.
    Inventors: Imad Ajjawi, Eric R. Moellering, Leah Soriaga, Moena Aqui
  • Publication number: 20190233855
    Abstract: The present invention provides mutant microorganism that have higher lipid productivity than the wild type microorganisms from which they are derived while biomass at levels that are within approximately 50% of wild type biomass productivities under nitrogen replete conditions. Particular mutants produce at least twice as much FAME lipid as wild type while producing at least 75% of the biomass produced by wild type cells under nitrogen replete conditions. Also provided are methods of producing lipid using the mutant strains.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2019
    Publication date: August 1, 2019
    Inventors: Imad Ajjawi, Eric R. Moellering, Leah Soriaga, Moena Aqui
  • Patent number: 10227619
    Abstract: The present invention provides mutant microorganism that have higher lipid productivity than the wild type microorganisms from which they are derived while biomass at levels that are within approximately 50% of wild type biomass productivities under nitrogen replete conditions. Particular mutants produce at least twice as much FAME lipid as wild type while producing at least 75% of the biomass produced by wild type cells under nitrogen replete conditions. Also provided are methods of producing lipid using the mutant strains.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2019
    Assignee: Synthetic Genomics, Inc.
    Inventors: Imad Ajjawi, Eric R. Moellering, Leah Soriaga, Moena Aqui
  • Publication number: 20180186842
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are mutant photosynthetic microorgnaisms having an attenuated SGI1 gene. The mutants have reduced chlorophyll and increased productivity with respect to wild type cells. Also disclosed are methods of using such mutants for producing biomass or bioproducts, and methods of screening for such mutants.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2017
    Publication date: July 5, 2018
    Inventors: Eric R. Moellering, Nicholas Bauman, Randor R. Radakovits, Roberto Spreafico, Fedor Kuzminov, Imad Ajjawi, Saheed Imam, Andrew Schultz, Kathleen Kwok, Moena Aqui, Jennifer Nominati, John Verruto, Shaun Bailey
  • Patent number: 9765126
    Abstract: The disclosure generally relates to methods and materials for modulating cell productivity. In particular, the present disclosure provides polynucleotides encoding transcription factor proteins that when overexpressed in microorganisms result in increased in productivity, such as increased biomass productivity. Also disclosed are methods of using the genetically engineered host strains to modulate or increase productivity of host cells such as, for example, algal or heterokont cells. Genetically engineered host cells, such as algal and heterokont cells having increased biomass productivity and bioproducts derived from such host cells are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: Synthetic Genomics, Inc.
    Inventors: Imad Ajjawi, Moena Aqui, Leah Soriaga
  • Publication number: 20170121742
    Abstract: The present invention provides mutant microorganism that have higher lipid productivity than the wild type microorganisms from which they are derived while producing biomass at levels that are at least 45% of wild type biomass productivity under nitrogen replete conditions. Particular mutants produce at least 50% as much FAME lipid as wild type while producing at least the amount of biomass produced by wild type cells under nitrogen replete conditions. Also provided are methods of producing lipid using the mutant strains.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2016
    Publication date: May 4, 2017
    Inventors: Imad Ajjawi, Leah Soriaga, Moena Aqui, Eric R. Moellering
  • Publication number: 20170058303
    Abstract: The present invention provides mutant microorganism that have higher lipid productivity than the wild type microorganisms from which they are derived while biomass at levels that are within approximately 50% of wild type biomass productivities under nitrogen replete conditions. Particular mutants produce at least twice as much FAME lipid as wild type while producing at least 75% of the biomass produced by wild type cells under nitrogen replete conditions. Also provided are methods of producing lipid using the mutant strains.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2016
    Publication date: March 2, 2017
    Inventors: Imad Ajjawi, Eric R. Moellering, Leah Soriaga, Moena Aqui
  • Patent number: 9441020
    Abstract: The disclosure generally relates to methods and materials for modulating cell productivity. In particular, the present disclosure provides polynucleotides and polypeptides that when overexpressed in microorganisms result in increased in productivity, such as increased biomass productivity. Also disclosed are methods of using the polynucleotides and polypeptides to modulate or increase productivity of host cells such as, for example, algal or heterokont cells. Genetically engineered host cells, such as algal and heterokont cells having increased biomass productivity and bioproducts derived from such host cells are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: Synthetic Genomics, Inc.
    Inventors: Imad Ajjawi, Moena Aqui, Carlos Chavez-Torres
  • Publication number: 20150191515
    Abstract: The disclosure generally relates to methods and materials for modulating cell productivity. In particular, the present disclosure provides polynucleotides encoding transcription factor proteins that when overexpressed in microrganisms result in increased in productivity, such as increased biomass productivity. Also disclosed are methods of using the genetically engineered host strains to modulate or increase productivity of host cells such as, for example, algal or heterokont cells. Genetically engineered host cells, such as algal and heterokont cells having increased biomass productivity and bioproducts derived from such host cells are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2014
    Publication date: July 9, 2015
    Inventors: IMAD AJJAWI, MOENA AQUI, LEAH SORIAGA