Patents by Inventor Oliver J. Ratcliffe

Oliver J. Ratcliffe 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: 7939715
    Abstract: Polynucleotides incorporated into expression vectors have been introduced into plants and were ectopically expressed. The encoded polypeptides of the invention have been shown to confer at least one regulatory activity and confer greater size, greater organ size, greater biomass, greater yield, curlier leaves, darker coloration, greater tolerance to water deprivation, delayed flowering, delayed development, delayed senescence, greater tolerance to cold, and/or greater tolerance to hyperosmotic stress as compared to a control plant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Assignee: Mendel Biotechnology, Inc.
    Inventors: Oliver J. Ratcliffe, Roderick W. Kumimoto, Cai-Zhong Jiang, Jeffrey M. Libby, Robert Creelman, Peter P. Repetti, T. Lynne Reuber, Neal I. Gutterson, Ganesh Kumar, Balasulojini Karunanandaa, Karen Gabbert
  • Publication number: 20110010796
    Abstract: Water deficit-inducible promoter sequences were identified that may be used to produce transgenic plants that are more tolerant to water deficit and related hyperosmotic stresses than control plants, and yet are wild-type or nearly wild type in appearance. Any of these water deficit-inducible promoters may be incorporated into an expression vector that comprises a polynucleotide regulated by one such promoter and which encodes a polypeptide that, when ectopically expressed, improves water deficit tolerance in plants that are similar to control plants in their morphology and development.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2008
    Publication date: January 13, 2011
    Applicant: Mendel Biotechnology, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter P. Repetti, Hans E. Holtan, Roderick W. Kumimoto, Oliver J. Ratcliffe
  • Publication number: 20100223689
    Abstract: Polynucleotides and polypeptides incorporated into expression vectors have been introduced into plants and were ectopically expressed. The polypeptides of the invention regulate transcription in these plants and have been shown to confer at least one regulatory activity that results in increased size, biomass, growth rate, and/or yield as compared to a control plan.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2007
    Publication date: September 2, 2010
    Applicant: MENDEL BIOTECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Oliver J. Ratcliffe, Peter P. Repetti, Neal I. Gutterson, Robert A. Creelman
  • Publication number: 20100192249
    Abstract: Polynucleotides and polypeptides incorporated into expression vectors have been introduced into plants and were ectopically expressed. The polypeptides of the invention have been shown to confer at least one regulatory activity and confer increased yield, greater height, greater early season growth, greater canopy coverage, greater stem diameter, greater late season vigor, increased secondary rooting, more rapid germination, greater cold tolerance, greater tolerance to water deprivation, reduced stomatal conductance, altered C/N sensing, increased low nitrogen tolerance, increased low phosphorus tolerance, or increased tolerance to hyperosmotic stress as compared to the control plant as compared to a control plant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2010
    Publication date: July 29, 2010
    Applicant: Mendel Biotechnology, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert A. CREELMAN, Neal I. Gutterson, Oliver J. Ratcliffe, T. Lynne Reuber, R. Eric Cerny, Kimberly Faye Zobrist Duff, Susanne Kjemtrup-Lovelace, Robert J. Meister, Marie E. Petracek, Thomas Ruff, Qingzhang Xu
  • Publication number: 20100186106
    Abstract: Polynucleotides and polypeptides incorporated into expression vectors have been introduced into plants and were ectopically expressed. The polypeptides of the invention have been shown to confer at least one regulatory activity and confer increased yield, greater height, greater early season growth, greater canopy coverage, greater stem diameter, greater late season vigor, increased secondary rooting, more rapid germination, greater cold tolerance, greater tolerance to water deprivation, reduced stomatal conductance, altered C/N sensing, increased low nitrogen tolerance, increased low phosphorus tolerance, or increased tolerance to hyperosmotic stress as compared to the control plant as compared to a control plant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2010
    Publication date: July 22, 2010
    Applicant: Mendel Biotechnology, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert A. Creelman, Neal I. Gutterson, Oliver J. Ratcliffe, T. Lynne Reuber, R. Eric Cerny, Kimberly Faye Zobrist Duff, Susanne Kjemtrup-Lovelace, Robert J. Meister, Marie E. Petracek, Thomas Ruff, Qingzhang Xu
  • Publication number: 20100186105
    Abstract: Polynucleotides and polypeptides incorporated into expression vectors have been introduced into plants and were ectopically expressed. The polypeptides of the invention have been shown to confer at least one regulatory activity and confer increased yield, greater height, greater early season growth, greater canopy coverage, greater stem diameter, greater late season vigor, increased secondary rooting, more rapid germination, greater cold tolerance, greater tolerance to water deprivation, reduced stomatal conductance, altered C/N sensing, increased low nitrogen tolerance, increased low phosphorus tolerance, or increased tolerance to hyperosmotic stress as compared to the control plant as compared to a control plant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2010
    Publication date: July 22, 2010
    Applicant: Mendel Biotechnology, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert A. Creelman, Neal I. Gutterson, Oliver J. Ratcliffe, T. Lynne Reuber, R. Eric Cerny, Kimberly Faye Zobrist Duff, Susanne Kjemtrup-Lovelace, Robert J. Meister, Marie E. Petracek, Thomas Ruff, Qingzhang Xu
  • Publication number: 20100154078
    Abstract: Expression of two Arabidopsis thaliana GARP-family transcription factors, AtGLK1, SEQ ID NO: 2, and AtGLK2, SEQ ID NO: 4, in tomato plants resulted in intensely green fruit that ripen to a normal red color. These Golden2-like (GLK) transcription factors were expressed under the control of several promoters in transgenic tomato lines. When AtGLK1 or AtGLK2 expression was regulated with the constitutive 35S promoter or with three promoters that enhanced expression in fruit tissues, the chlorophyll content of mature green fruit was increased by as much as 100%. The chloroplasts in green fruit expressing AtGLK1 or AtGLK2 developed earlier, were enlarged and had more extensive thylakoid granal development. In addition, expression of AtGLK1 or AtGLK2 resulted in increased starch accumulation in green fruit and higher levels of sugars in ripe fruit. In contrast to wild-type fruit, fruit expressing AtGLK1 developed full green color when they developed in the absence of light.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2010
    Publication date: June 17, 2010
    Applicant: MENDEL BIOTECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: ANN L. T. POWELL, OLIVER J. RATCLIFFE, T. LYNNE REUBER, ALAN B. BENNETT
  • Publication number: 20100107279
    Abstract: The invention relates to plant transcription factor polypeptides, polynucleotides that encode them, homologs from a variety of plant species, and methods of using the polynucleotides and polypeptides to produce transgenic plants having advantageous properties compared to a reference plant. Sequence information related to these polynucleotides and polypeptides can also be used in bioinformatic search methods and is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2009
    Publication date: April 29, 2010
    Applicant: Mendel Biotechnology, Inc.
    Inventors: Oliver J. Ratcliffe, Jose Luis Riechmann, Luc Adam, Jacqueline E. Heard, Marsha L. Pilgrim, Cai-Zhong Jiang, T. Lynne Reuber, Robert A. Creelman, Omaira Pineda, Guo-Liang Yu
  • Publication number: 20100071086
    Abstract: In this invention, a method is described that allows for the efficient creation and identification of validated biological materials that greatly enhance the ability to perform polysome-mediated RNA profiling, such as constitutive, cell type-, tissue type-, or condition-enhanced RNA profiling. The method relies on the use of a tri-partite plant binary expression vector comprised of the following components: a) a DNA promoter element that drives expression of a sequence specific transcription activator protein such as a LexA:Gal4 fusion protein in a unique desired pattern, b) a DNA promoter element comprising a target site for the transcriptional activator protein, such as opLexA, fused to a nucleotide encoding an epitope tagged ribosomal component protein and c) a DNA promoter element comprising a target site for the transcriptional activator protein, such as opLexA, fused to a nucleotide encoding an in vivo reporter protein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2009
    Publication date: March 18, 2010
    Applicant: MENDEL BIOTECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Peter P. Repetti, Oliver J. Ratcliffe, Luc J. Adam, T. Lynne Reuber, Hans E. Holtan
  • Publication number: 20090265813
    Abstract: Transcription factor polynucleotides and polypeptides incorporated into expression vectors have been introduced into plants and were ectopically expressed. Transgenic plants transformed with many of these expression vectors have been shown to be more resistant to disease (in some cases, to more than one pathogen), or more tolerant to an abiotic stress (in some cases, to more than one abiotic stress). The abiotic stress may include salt, hyperosmotic stress, heat, cold, drought, or low nitrogen conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2006
    Publication date: October 22, 2009
    Applicant: Mendel Biotechnology , Inc.
    Inventors: Neal I. Gutterson, Oliver J. Ratcliffe, T. Lynne Reuber, Karen S. Century, Katherine Krolikowski, Jennifer Costa, Robert A. Creelman, Frederick D. Hempel, Roderick W. Kumimoto, Emily L. Queen, Peter P. Repetti, Luc Adam
  • Publication number: 20090265807
    Abstract: The invention relates to plant transcription factor polypeptides, polynucleotides that encode them, homologs from a variety of plant species, and methods of using the polynucleotides and polypeptides to produce transgenic plants having advantageous properties compared to a reference plant. Sequence information related to these polynucleotides and polypeptides can also be used in bioinformatic search methods and is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2007
    Publication date: October 22, 2009
    Applicant: Mendel Biotechnology, Inc.
    Inventors: Roderick W. Kumimoto, Luc J. Adam, Roger Canales, Karen S. Century, Robert A. Creelman, Jennifer M. Costa, Neal I. Gutterson, Frederick D. Hempel, Jacqueline E. Heard, Cai-Zhong Jiang, Katherine Krolikowski, Omaira Pineda, Emily L. Queen, Oliver J. Ratcliffe, Peter P. Repetti, T. Lynne Reuber, Jose Luis Riechmann, James Z. Zhang
  • Publication number: 20080301840
    Abstract: The invention relates to plant transcription factor polypeptides, polynucleotides that encode them, homologs from a variety of plant species, and methods of using the polynucleotides and polypeptides to produce transgenic plants having advantageous properties, tolerance low nitrogen, cold and water deficit conditions, and resistance to disease, as compared to wild-type or other control plants.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2007
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Applicant: Mendel Biotechnology, Inc.
    Inventors: Neal I. Gutterson, Oliver J. Ratcliffe, Emily L. Queen, T. Lynne Reuber, Karen S. Century, Roger D. Canales
  • Publication number: 20080301841
    Abstract: Polynucleotides incorporated into expression vectors have been introduced into plants and were ectopically expressed. The encoded polypeptides of the invention have been shown to confer at least one regulatory activity and confer greater size, greater organ size, greater biomass, greater yield, curlier leaves, darker coloration, greater tolerance to water deprivation, delayed flowering, delayed development, delayed senescence, greater tolerance to cold, and/or greater tolerance to hyperosmotic stress as compared to a control plant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2007
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Applicant: Mendel Biotechnology, Inc.
    Inventors: Oliver J. Ratcliffe, Roderick W. Kumimoto, Cai-Zhong Jiang, Jeffrey M. Libby, Robert Creelman, Peter P. Repetti, T. Lynne Reuber, Neal I. Gutterson, Ganesh Kumar, Balasulojini Karunanandaa, Karen Gabbert
  • Publication number: 20080301836
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for selection of modified plant transcription factor polypeptides, polynucleotides that encode them, and methods of producing transgenic plants having advantageous properties, including increased biotic resistance and abiotic stress tolerance, as compared to wild-type or control plants. Without modifications, the transcription factor sequences, when overexpressed in plants, often produce adverse morphological and developmental effects. The disclosed method allows selection of modifications that mitigate these adverse morphological and developmental effects.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2008
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Applicant: Mendel Biotechnology, Inc.
    Inventors: Karen S. Century, T. Lynne Reuber, Katrin Jakob, Oliver J. Ratcliffe
  • Publication number: 20080229448
    Abstract: The invention relates to modified plant transcription factor polypeptides, polynucleotides that encode them, homologs from a variety of plant species, and methods of using the polynucleotides and polypeptides to produce transgenic plants having advantageous properties, including increased abiotic or biotic stress tolerance, as compared to wild-type or control plants. The modifications to the plant transcription factor sequences are responsible for producing fewer and less severe adverse morphological and developmental characteristics in plants overexpressing these sequences than would be caused by overexpressing the sequences without the modifications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2005
    Publication date: September 18, 2008
    Applicant: Mendel Biotechnology, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey M. Libby, Oliver J. Ratcliffe, Neal I Gutterson, Robert A. Creelman
  • Publication number: 20080163397
    Abstract: The present invention provides nucleic acid constructs, including plasmids, expression vectors or expression cassettes comprising polynucleotides encoding CCAAT-binding transcription factor polypeptides that have the ability to increase a plant's tolerance to abiotic stress. Polynucleotides encoding functional CCAAT-binding transcription factors were incorporated into expression vectors, introduced into plants, and ectopically expressed. The encoded polypeptides of the invention significantly increased the cold and water deficit tolerance of the transgenic plants, as compared to tolerance to these stresses of control plants.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2007
    Publication date: July 3, 2008
    Applicant: Mendel Biotechnology, Inc.
    Inventors: Oliver J. Ratcliffe, Jacqueline E. Heard, Roderick W. Kumimoto, Peter P. Repetti, T. Lynne Reuber, Robert A. Creelman, Frederick D. Hempel, Neal I. Gutterson, Roger Canales
  • Publication number: 20080155706
    Abstract: Polynucleotides incorporated into nucleic acid constructs have been introduced into plants and were ectopically expressed. The encoded polypeptides of the invention have been shown to confer at least one regulatory activity and confer earlier flowering, longer floral organ retention, increased cold tolerance, greater tolerance to water deprivation, altered carbon-nitrogen balance sensing, increased low nitrogen tolerance, and/or increased tolerance to hyperosmotic stress as compared to a control plant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2008
    Publication date: June 26, 2008
    Applicant: Mendel Biotechnology, Inc.
    Inventors: Jose Luis Riechmann, Oliver J. Ratcliffe, T. Lynne Reuber, Katherine Krolikowski, Jacqueline E. Heard, Omaira Pineda, Cai-Zhong Jiang, Robert Creelman, Roderick W. Kumimoto, Paul Chomet