Patents by Inventor Nicky C. Caiazza

Nicky C. Caiazza 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: 11873497
    Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to novel polynucleotide molecules for use in regulating gene expression in recombinant cells, such as labyrinthulomycetes cells. The disclosure further relates to nucleic acid constructs, such as vectors and expression cassettes, containing a regulatory element operably linked to a heterologous nucleotide sequence. The disclosure further relates to methods for stably transforming a host cell, such as a labyrinthulomycetes cell with transgenes. Stably transformed recombinant cells, progeny, biomaterials derived therefrom, and methods for preparing and using the same are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: Conagen Inc.
    Inventors: Nicky C. Caiazza, Maung N. Win, Jun Urano
  • Publication number: 20210189002
    Abstract: The invention provides a recombinant Thraustochytriaceae cell for the production of a glycomolecule. The cell comprises a nucleic acid encoding a heterologous glycomolecule, and a sequence encoding a heterologous oligosaccharyltransferase. The cell produces the heterologous glycomolecule having a higher glycan occupancy compared to the same heterologous glycomolecule produced by a corresponding cell not comprising the heterologous oligosaccharyltransferase. The glycan occupancy can be more than 25%. The cells advantageously produce and, optionally secrete, the heterologous glycomolecule. Thus, the invention provides recombinant organisms that provide glycomolecules having a glycosylation profile that is more similar to the glycosylation profile produced in a manunalian cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2020
    Publication date: June 24, 2021
    Applicant: Conagen Inc.
    Inventors: Nicky C. Caiazza, Jun Urano, Spiros Kambourakis
  • Publication number: 20210087540
    Abstract: The invention provides a recombinant Labyrinthulomycetes cell for the production of a low sulfate glycomolecule. The cell comprises a nucleic acid encoding a heterologous glycomolecule, and a sequence encoding a heterologous oligosaccharyltransferase. The cell produces the heterologous glycomolecule having fewer sulfated glycans compared to the same heterologous glycomolecule produced by a corresponding cell not comprising the heterologous oligosaccharyltransferase. The cells advantageously produce and, optionally secrete, the heterologous glycomolecule. Thus, the invention provides recombinant organisms that provide glycomolecules having a glycosylation profile that is more similar to the glycosylation profile produced in mammalian cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2020
    Publication date: March 25, 2021
    Inventors: Nicky C. Caiazza, Jun Urano, Spiros Kambourakis
  • Publication number: 20200399649
    Abstract: The invention provides recombinant organisms containing a nucleic acid encoding a heterologous glycomolecule that has a low sulfation profile or that is unsulfated. In one embodiment the heterologous glycomolecule is an immunoglobulin molecule. The recombinant organisms have a genetic modification to at least one sulfotransferase gene, such as a deletion, disruption, or other genetic modification. The cells advantageously produce and, optionally secrete, the heterologous glycomolecule. Thus, the invention provides recombinant organisms that provide glycomolecules having a glycosylation profile that is more similar to the glycosylation profile produced in a mammalian cell, and therefore may be safer and more effective for use as a therapeutic in humans or animals. The glycomolecules can be a glycoprotein, glycopeptide, or a glycolipid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2020
    Publication date: December 24, 2020
    Applicant: Conagen Inc.
    Inventors: Nicky C. Caiazza, Jun Urano
  • Publication number: 20200318124
    Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to novel polynucleotide molecules for use in regulating gene expression in recombinant cells, such as labyrinthulomycetes cells. The disclosure further relates to nucleic acid constructs, such as vectors and expression cassettes, containing a regulatory element operably linked to a heterologous nucleotide sequence. The disclosure further relates to methods for stably transforming a host cell, such as a labyrinthulomycetes cell with transgenes. Stably transformed recombinant cells, progeny, biomaterials derived therefrom, and methods for preparing and using the same are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2020
    Publication date: October 8, 2020
    Applicant: Conagen Inc.
    Inventors: Nicky C. Caiazza, Maung N. Win, Jun Urano
  • Patent number: 10633454
    Abstract: The present invention provides recombinant cells that contain a genetic modification to at least one mannosyl transferase gene. As a result of the modification the cells produce a glycoprotein or glycopeptide that has an N-linked glycan profile that is simplified or more easily humanized. The glycoprotein or glycopeptide can have at least 25% fewer high mannose structures on than the glycoprotein or glycopeptide produced by a reference cell. In some embodiments the modification is a deletion or disruption of a mannosyl transferase gene, which can be in an alg3 gene. Therefore, the proteins produced are more useful for the production of therapeutic glycoproteins than those produced by species having foreign or plant-like patterns of glycosylation. The invention also provides compositions of the glycoproteins or glycopeptides and methods of making them.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: Conagen Inc.
    Inventor: Nicky C. Caiazza
  • Patent number: 10633665
    Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to novel polynucleotide molecules for use in regulating gene expression in recombinant cells, such as labyrinthulomycetes cells. The disclosure further relates to nucleic acid constructs, such as vectors and expression cassettes, containing a regulatory element operably linked to a heterologous nucleotide sequence. The disclosure further relates to methods for stably transforming a host cell, such as a labyrinthulomycetes cell with transgenes. Stably transformed recombinant cells, progeny, biomaterials derived therefrom, and methods for preparing and using the same are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: Conagen Inc.
    Inventors: Nicky C. Caiazza, Maung Nyan Win, Jun Urano
  • Patent number: 10584347
    Abstract: The present invention provides recombinant host cells that produce proteins or therapeutic proteins, and nucleic acid constructs for producing the cells. The cells have nucleic acid constructs that encode a heterologous protein, for example an antibody. The nucleic acid constructs also can have a functional signal sequence that directs the secretion of the protein from the cell. The signal sequence can be any functional signal sequence, and various signal sequences are disclosed herein. The invention also provides methods of producing the proteins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2020
    Assignee: Conagen Inc.
    Inventors: Nicky C. Caiazza, Jun Urano, Maung N. Win, Kent S. Boles
  • Patent number: 10457970
    Abstract: The present invention provides recombinant cells that contain a modification causing altered expression or function of at least one mannosyl transferase enzyme. As a result of the modification the cells produce a glycoprotein or glycopeptide that has an N-linked glycan profile that is simplified or humanized. The glycoprotein or glycopeptide can have at least 25% fewer high mannose structures on than the glycoprotein or glycopeptide produced by a cell that does not have the modification. In some embodiments the modification is a deletion, knock out, or disruption of a gene encoding a mannosyl transferase, which can be in an Alg3 gene. Therefore, the proteins produced avoid many of the problems associated with the therapeutic use of glycoproteins from species having foreign or plant-like patterns of glycosylation. The invention also provides compositions of the glycoproteins or glycopeptides and methods of making them.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: Conagen Inc.
    Inventor: Nicky C. Caiazza
  • Publication number: 20190177759
    Abstract: The present invention discloses methods for assembling a nucleic acid molecule from a set of overlapping oligonucleotides. The method involves contacting a set of overlapping oligonucleotides with a DNA polymerase, a mixture of dNTPs, and a crowding agent to form an assembly mixture. In one embodiment the crowding agent is polyethylene glycol (PEG). The presence of the crowding agent facilitates the nucleic acid assembly process of the invention. The assembly mixture is then subjected to multiple cycles, each cycle comprising an annealing phase, an extension phase, and a denaturation phase, and the desired nucleic acid molecule is thereby assembled. In some embodiments one or more of the phases are time varied.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2018
    Publication date: June 13, 2019
    Inventors: ZHIQING Qi, Jun Urano, Nicky C. Caiazza, Daniel G. Gibson
  • Publication number: 20180201941
    Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to novel polynucleotide molecules for use in regulating gene expression in recombinant cells, such as labyrinthulomycetes cells. The disclosure further relates to nucleic acid constructs, such as vectors and expression cassettes, containing a regulatory element operably linked to a heterologous nucleotide sequence. The disclosure further relates to methods for stably transforming a host cell, such as a labyrinthulomycetes cell with transgenes. Stably transformed recombinant cells, progeny, biomaterials derived therefrom, and methods for preparing and using the same are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2018
    Publication date: July 19, 2018
    Inventors: Nicky C. Caiazza, Maung Nyan Win, Jun Urano
  • Publication number: 20180119193
    Abstract: The present invention provides recombinant cells that contain a modification causing altered expression or function of at least one mannosyl transferase enzyme. As a result of the modification the cells produce a glycoprotein or glycopeptide that has an N-linked glycan profile that is simplified or humanized. The glycoprotein or glycopeptide can have at least 25% fewer high mannose structures on than the glycoprotein or glycopeptide produced by a cell that does not have the modification. In some embodiments the modification is a deletion, knock out, or disruption of a gene encoding a mannosyl transferase, which can be in an Alg3 gene. Therefore, the proteins produced avoid many of the problems associated with the therapeutic use of glycoproteins from species having foreign or plant-like patterns of glycosylation. The invention also provides compositions of the glycoproteins or glycopeptides and methods of making them.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2017
    Publication date: May 3, 2018
    Inventor: Nicky C. Caiazza
  • Patent number: 9932599
    Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to novel polynucleotide molecules for use in regulating gene expression in recombinant cells, such as labyrinthulomycetes cells. The disclosure further relates to nucleic acid constructs, such as vectors and expression cassettes, containing a regulatory element operably linked to a heterologous nucleotide sequence. The disclosure further relates to methods for stably transforming a host cell, such as a labyrinthulomycetes cell with transgenes. Stably transformed recombinant cells, progeny, biomaterials derived therefrom, and methods for preparing and using the same are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: Synthetic Genomics, Inc.
    Inventors: Nicky C. Caiazza, Maung Nyan Win, Jun Urano
  • Publication number: 20170268015
    Abstract: The present invention provides recombinant host cells that produce proteins or therapeutic proteins, and nucleic acid constructs for producing the cells. The cells have nucleic acid constructs that encode a heterologous protein, for example an antibody. The nucleic acid constructs also can have a functional signal sequence that directs the secretion of the protein from the cell. The signal sequence can be any functional signal sequence, and various signal sequences are disclosed herein. The invention also provides methods of producing the proteins.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2017
    Publication date: September 21, 2017
    Inventors: Nicky C. Caiazza, Jun Urano, Maung N. Win, Kent S. Boles
  • Publication number: 20160264985
    Abstract: Recombinant microorganisms engineered for the production of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) are provided. Also provided are biomass, microbial oils, and food products and ingredients produced by or comprising the microorganisms of the invention.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2016
    Publication date: September 15, 2016
    Inventors: Nicky C. Caiazza, Elizabeth A. Felnagle, Jun Urano, Maung N. Win, Randor R. Radakovits
  • Publication number: 20140308710
    Abstract: The present invention discloses methods for assembling a nucleic acid molecule from a set of overlapping oligonucleotides. The method involves contacting a set of overlapping oligonucleotides with a DNA polymerase, a mixture of dNTPs, and a crowding agent to form an assembly mixture. In one embodiment the crowding agent is polyethylene glycol (PEG). The presence of the crowding agent facilitates the nucleic acid assembly process of the invention. The assembly mixture is then subjected to multiple cycles, each cycle comprising an annealing phase, an extension phase, and a denaturation phase, and the desired nucleic acid molecule is thereby assembled. In some embodiments one or more of the phases are time varied.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2013
    Publication date: October 16, 2014
    Applicant: Synthetic Genomics, Inc.
    Inventors: Zhiqing Qi, Jun Urano, Nicky C. Caiazza, Daniel G. Gibson
  • Publication number: 20120094343
    Abstract: One aspect of the invention relates to a genetically modified thermophilic or mesophilic microorganism, wherein a first native gene is partially, substantially, or completely deleted, silenced, inactivated, or down-regulated, which first native gene encodes a first native enzyme involved in the metabolic production of an organic acid or a salt thereof, thereby increasing the native ability of said thermophilic or mesophilic microorganism to produce lactate or acetate as a fermentation product. In certain embodiments, the aforementioned microorganism further comprises a first non-native gene, which first non-native gene encodes a first non-native enzyme involved in the metabolic production of lactate or acetate. Another aspect of the invention relates to a process for converting lignocellulosic biomass to lactate or acetate, comprising contacting lignocellulosic biomass with a genetically modified thermophilic or mesophilic microorganism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2009
    Publication date: April 19, 2012
    Applicant: Mascoma Corporation
    Inventors: David A. Hogsett, Vineet Rajgarhia, Arthur J. Shaw, IV, Nicky C. Caiazza
  • Publication number: 20020123077
    Abstract: The invention features a novel method for identifying compounds capable of affecting a microbial biological activity, such as biofilm formation, development and dissolution. The method includes: (a) obtaining supernatant from a closed culture system that contains at least one type of microorganism; (b) exposing a target organism to the supernatant or an extract thereof; and (c) measuring the level of the biological activity. Compounds identified by this method are provided, as wells as methods for disrupting biofilms and inhibiting or promoting their formation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2001
    Publication date: September 5, 2002
    Inventors: George A. O'Toole, Roberto Kolter, Mary Ellen Davey, David H. Blank, Nicky C. Caiazza, Deborah A. Hogan