Patents by Inventor Monto H. Kumagai

Monto H. Kumagai 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).

  • Melanin production by transformed organisms
    Patent number: 5631151
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a process for producing melanins, their precursors and their analogues, hereinafter referred to generically as melanins. According to the invention, melanins are produced in amounts greater than about 3.3 grams wet weight per liter of growth medium. The enhanced production of melanin can be achieved by manipulating the constituents of the growth medium, and/or attenuating fermentations conditions, and/or by genetically engineering microorganisms to produce melanins, and/or mutating the microorganisms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 20, 1997
    Assignee: Biosource Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Guy della-Cioppa, Stephen J. Garger, Jr., Genadie G. Sverlow, Thomas H. Turpen, Laurence K. Grill, Miles R. Chedekel, Monto H. Kumagai
  • DNA sequences encoding enzymes useful in carotenoid biosynthesis
    Patent number: 5539093
    Abstract: DNA sequences isolated from Nicotiana species (e.g., Nicotiana benthamiana and Nicotiana tabacum) have SEQ ID NOS: 1, 3, 5 and 7. The DNA sequences encode polypeptides having enzymatic activity for producing zeta-carotene. The polypeptides are referred to as phytoene desaturase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 23, 1996
    Inventors: Wayne P. Fitzmaurice, Gary M. Hellmann, Laurence K. Grill, Monto H. Kumagai, Guy R. della-Cioppa
  • Pichia pastoris alcohol oxidase ZZA1 regulatory region for heterologous gene expression
    Patent number: 5500483
    Abstract: Two novel genomic clones, ZZA1 and ZZA2, were isolated which encode for Pichia pastoris alcohol oxidase isozymes. The 5' non-coding region of ZZA1 contains common structural features involved in the transcription and translation of eukaryotic genes. Comparison of the nucleotide sequences of the ZZA1 and AOX15' noncoding regions showed that they are 66% similar to each other.The rice .alpha.-amylase gene OS103 was placed under the transcriptional control of the ZZA1 promoter. The nucleotide sequences of ZZA1 and other methanol-regulated promoters were analyzed. A highly conserved sequence (TTGNNNGCTTCCAANNNNNTGGT) (SEQ ID NO: 2) was found in the 5' flanking region. A yeast strain containing the ZZA1-OS103 fusion and secreting biologically active .alpha.-amylase into the culture media while converting starch to ethanol was produced. The ZZA1 and ZZA2 regulatory sequences may be used to contol the expression of other heterologous proteins in multiple yeast species.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 19, 1996
    Assignee: Biosource Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Monto H. Kumagai, Genadie G. Sverlow