Patents by Inventor Penelope S. Anderson

Penelope S. Anderson 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: 10119127
    Abstract: Glutamine phenylpyruvate transaminase (GPT) proteins, nucleic acid molecules encoding GPT proteins, and uses thereof are disclosed. Provided herein are various GPT proteins and GPT gene coding sequences isolated from a number of plant species. As disclosed herein, GPT proteins share remarkable structural similarity within plant species, and are active in catalyzing the synthesis of 2-hydroxy-5-oxoproline (2-oxoglutaramate), a powerful signal metabolite which regulates the function of a large number of genes involved in the photosynthesis apparatus, carbon fixation and nitrogen metabolism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignees: Los Alamos National Security, LLC, University of Maine System Board of Trustees
    Inventors: Pat J Unkefer, Penelope S Anderson, Thomas J Knight
  • Patent number: 9862964
    Abstract: The invention relates to transgenic plants exhibiting dramatically enhanced growth rates, greater seed and fruit/pod yields, earlier and more productive flowering, more efficient nitrogen utilization, increased tolerance to high salt conditions, and increased biomass yields. In one embodiment, transgenic plants engineered to over-express both glutamine phenylpyruvate transaminase (GPT) and glutamine synthetase (GS) are provided. The GPT+GS double-transgenic plants of the invention consistently exhibit enhanced growth characteristics, with T0 generation lines showing an increase in biomass over wild type counterparts of between 50% and 300%. Generations that result from sexual crosses and/or selfing typically perform even better, with some of the double-transgenic plants achieving an astounding four-fold biomass increase over wild type plants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignees: Los Alamos National Security, LLC, University of Maine System Board of Trustees
    Inventors: Pat J. Unkefer, Penelope S. Anderson, Thomas J. Knight
  • Publication number: 20170121728
    Abstract: The invention relates to transgenic plants exhibiting enhanced growth rates, seed and fruit yields, and overall biomass yields, as well as methods for generating growth-enhanced transgenic plants. In one embodiment, transgenic plants engineered to over-express glutamine phenylpyruvate transaminase (GPT) are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2016
    Publication date: May 4, 2017
    Inventors: Pat J. Unkefer, Penelope S. Anderson, Thomas J. Knight
  • Publication number: 20170051301
    Abstract: The invention relates to transgenic plants exhibiting dramatically enhanced growth rates, greater seed and fruit/pod yields, earlier and more productive flowering, more efficient nitrogen utilization, increased tolerance to high salt conditions, and increased biomass yields. In one embodiment, transgenic plants engineered to over-express both glutamine phenylpyruvate transaminase (GPT) and glutamine synthetase (GS) are provided. The GPT+GS double-transgenic plants of the invention consistently exhibit enhanced growth characteristics, with T0 generation lines showing an increase in biomass over wild type counterparts of between 50% and 300%. Generations that result from sexual crosses and/or selfing typically perform even better, with some of the double-transgenic plants achieving an astounding four-fold biomass increase over wild type plants.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2016
    Publication date: February 23, 2017
    Inventors: Pat J. Unkefer, Penelope S. Anderson, Thomas J. Knight
  • Publication number: 20160289648
    Abstract: Glutamine phenylpyruvate transaminase (GPT) proteins, nucleic acid molecules encoding GPT proteins, and uses thereof are disclosed. Provided herein are various GPT proteins and GPT gene coding sequences isolated from a number of plant species. As disclosed herein, GPT proteins share remarkable structural similarity within plant species, and are active in catalyzing the synthesis of 2-hydroxy-5-oxoproline (2-oxoglutaramate), a powerful signal metabolite which regulates the function of a large number of genes involved in the photosynthesis apparatus, carbon fixation and nitrogen metabolism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2016
    Publication date: October 6, 2016
    Inventors: Pat J Unkefer, Penelope S Anderson, Thomas J Knight
  • Patent number: 9434956
    Abstract: The invention relates to transgenic plants exhibiting dramatically enhanced growth rates, greater seed and fruit/pod yields, earlier and more productive flowering, more efficient nitrogen utilization, increased tolerance to high salt conditions, and increased biomass yields. In one embodiment, transgenic plants engineered to over-express both glutamine phenylpyruvate transaminase (GPT) and glutamine synthetase (GS) are provided. The GPT+GS double-transgenic plants of the invention consistently exhibit enhanced growth characteristics, with T0 generation lines showing an increase in biomass over wild type counterparts of between 50% and 300%. Generations that result from sexual crosses and/or selfing typically perform even better, with some of the double-transgenic plants achieving an astounding four-fold biomass increase over wild type plants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Assignees: LOS ALAMOS NATIONAL SECURITY, LLC, UNIVERSITY OF MAINE SYSTEM BOARD OF TRUSTEES
    Inventors: Pat J. Unkefer, Penelope S. Anderson, Thomas J. Knight
  • Publication number: 20160137972
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to transgenic algae having increased growth characteristics, and methods of increasing growth characteristics of algae.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2014
    Publication date: May 19, 2016
    Inventors: Pat J. UNKEFER, Penelope S. ANDERSON, Thomas J. KNIGHT
  • Patent number: 9296998
    Abstract: Glutamine phenylpyruvate transaminase (GPT) proteins, nucleic acid molecules encoding GPT proteins, and uses thereof are disclosed. Provided herein are various GPT proteins and GPT gene coding sequences isolated from a number of plant species. As disclosed herein, GPT proteins share remarkable structural similarity within plant species, and are active in catalyzing the synthesis of 2-hydroxy-5-oxoproline (2-oxoglutaramate), a powerful signal metabolite which regulates the function of a large number of genes involved in the photosynthesis apparatus, carbon fixation and nitrogen metabolism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignees: Los Alamos National Security, LLC, University of Maine System Board of Trustees
    Inventors: Pat J. Unkefer, Penelope S. Anderson, Thomas J. Knight
  • Publication number: 20160068854
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to compositions and methods for increasing the leaf-to-root ratio of the signal metabolite 2-oxoglutaramate and related proline molecules in plants by modulating levels of ?-amidase to increase nitrogen use efficiency, resulting in enhanced growth, faster growth rates, greater seed and fruit/pod yields, earlier and more productive flowering, increased tolerance to high salt conditions, and increased biomass yields.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2015
    Publication date: March 10, 2016
    Inventors: Pat J. Unkefer, Penelope S. Anderson, Thomas J. Knight
  • Patent number: 9068194
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to compositions and methods for increasing the leaf-to-root ratio of the signal metabolite 2-oxoglutaramate and related proline molecules in plants by modulating levels of ?-amidase to increase nitrogen use efficiency, resulting in enhanced growth, faster growth rates, greater seed and fruit/pod yields, earlier and more productive flowering, increased tolerance to high salt conditions, and increased biomass yields.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignees: Los Alamos National Security, LLC, University of Maine System Board of Trustees
    Inventors: Pat J. Unkefer, Penelope S. Anderson, Thomas J. Knight
  • Patent number: 8865451
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to transgenic algae having increased growth characteristics, and methods of increasing growth characteristics of algae. In particular, the disclosure relates to transgenic algae comprising a glutamine phenylpyruvate transaminase transgene and to transgenic algae comprising a glutamine phenylpyruvate transaminase transgene and a glutamine synthetase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignees: Los Alamos National Security, LLC, University of Maine System Board of Trustees
    Inventors: Pat J. Unkefer, Penelope S. Anderson, Thomas J. Knight
  • Publication number: 20130239256
    Abstract: The invention relates to transgenic plants exhibiting dramatically enhanced growth rates, greater seed and fruit/pod yields, earlier and more productive flowering, more efficient nitrogen utilization, increased tolerance to high salt conditions, and increased biomass yields. In one embodiment, transgenic plants engineered to over-express both glutamine phenylpyruvate transaminase (GPT) and glutamine synthetase (GS) are provided. The GPT+GS double-transgenic plants of the invention consistently exhibit enhanced growth characteristics, with T0 generation lines showing an increase in biomass over wild type counterparts of between 50% and 300%. Generations that result from sexual crosses and/or selfing typically perform even better, with some of the double-transgenic plants achieving an astounding four-fold biomass increase over wild type plants.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2012
    Publication date: September 12, 2013
    Applicants: University of Maine System Board of Trustees, Los Alamos National Security, LLC
    Inventors: Pat J. Unkefer, Penelope S. Anderson, Thomas J. Knight
  • Publication number: 20130232641
    Abstract: The invention relates to transgenic plants exhibiting enhanced growth rates, seed and fruit yields, and overall biomass yields, as well as methods for generating growth-enhanced transgenic plants. In one embodiment, transgenic plants engineered to over-express glutamine phenylpyruvate transaminase (GPT) are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2012
    Publication date: September 5, 2013
    Applicants: University of Maine System Board of Trustees, Los Alamos National Security, LLC
    Inventors: Pat J. Unkefer, Penelope S. Anderson, Thomas J. Knight
  • Publication number: 20120144528
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to compositions and methods for increasing the leaf-to-root ratio of the signal metabolite 2-oxoglutaramate and related proline molecules in plants by modulating levels of ?-amidase to increase nitrogen use efficiency, resulting in enhanced growth, faster growth rates, greater seed and fruit/pod yields, earlier and more productive flowering, increased tolerance to high salt conditions, and increased biomass yields.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2011
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Applicants: University of Maine System Board of Trustees, Los Alamos National Security, LLC
    Inventors: Pat J. Unkefer, Penelope S. Anderson, Thomas J. Knight
  • Publication number: 20110217780
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to transgenic algae having increased growth characteristics, and methods of increasing growth characteristics of algae.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2011
    Publication date: September 8, 2011
    Applicants: LOS ALAMOS NATIONAL SECURITY, LLC, UNIVERSITY OF MAINE SYSTEM BOARD OF TRUSTEES
    Inventors: PAT J. UNKEFER, PENELOPE S. ANDERSON, THOMAS J. KNIGHT
  • Publication number: 20110030104
    Abstract: Glutamine phenylpyruvate transaminase (GPT) proteins, nucleic acid molecules encoding GPT proteins, and uses thereof are disclosed. Provided herein are various GPT proteins and GPT gene coding sequences isolated from a number of plant species. As disclosed herein, GPT proteins share remarkable structural similarity within plant species, and are active in catalyzing the synthesis of 2-hydroxy-5-oxoproline (2-oxoglutaramate), a powerful signal metabolite which regulates the function of a large number of genes involved in the photosynthesis apparatus, carbon fixation and nitrogen metabolism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2010
    Publication date: February 3, 2011
    Applicants: Los Alamos National Security, LLC, University of Maine System Board of Trustees
    Inventors: Pat J. Unkefer, Penelope S. Anderson, Thomas J. Knight
  • Publication number: 20110030089
    Abstract: The invention relates to transgenic plants exhibiting dramatically enhanced growth rates, greater seed and fruit/pod yields, earlier and more productive flowering, more efficient nitrogen utilization, increased tolerance to high salt conditions, and increased biomass yields. In one embodiment, transgenic plants engineered to over-express both glutamine phenylpyruvate transaminase (GPT) and glutamine synthetase (GS) are provided. The GPT+GS double-transgenic plants of the invention consistently exhibit enhanced growth characteristics, with T0 generation lines showing an increase in biomass over wild type counterparts of between 50% and 300%. Generations that result from sexual crosses and/or selfing typically perform even better, with some of the double-transgenic plants achieving an astounding four-fold biomass increase over wild type plants.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2010
    Publication date: February 3, 2011
    Applicants: Los Alamos National Security, LLC, University of Maine System Board of Trustees
    Inventors: Pat J. Unkefer, Penelope S. Anderson, Thomas J. Knight
  • Publication number: 20110004961
    Abstract: The invention relates to transgenic plants exhibiting enhanced growth rates, seed and fruit yields, and overall biomass yields, as well as methods for generating growth-enhanced transgenic plants. In one embodiment, transgenic plants engineered to over-express glutamine phenylpyruvate transaminase (GPT) are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2010
    Publication date: January 6, 2011
    Inventors: PAT J. UNKEFER, PENELOPE S. ANDERSON, THOMAS J. KNIGHT
  • Publication number: 20100263090
    Abstract: The invention relates to transgenic plants exhibiting enhanced growth rates, seed and fruit yields, and overall biomass yields, as well as methods for generating growth-enhanced transgenic plants. In one embodiment, transgenic plants engineered to over-express glutamine phenylpyruvate transaminase (GPT) are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2009
    Publication date: October 14, 2010
    Applicant: Los Alamos National Security, LLC
    Inventors: Pat J. Unkefer, Penelope S. Anderson, Thomas J. Knight
  • Publication number: 20100186121
    Abstract: The invention relates to transgenic plants exhibiting dramatically enhanced growth rates, greater seed and fruit/pod yields, earlier and more productive flowering, more efficient nitrogen utilization, increased tolerance to high salt conditions, and increased biomass yields. In one embodiment, transgenic plants engineered to over-express both glutamine phenylpyruvate transaminase (GPT) and glutamine synthetase (GS) are provided. The GPT+GS double-transgenic plants of the invention consistently exhibit enhanced growth characteristics, with T0 generation lines showing an increase in biomass over wild type counterparts of between 50% and 300%. Generations that result from sexual crosses and/or selfing typically perform even better, with some of the double-transgenic plants achieving an astounding four-fold biomass increase over wild type plants.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2009
    Publication date: July 22, 2010
    Applicant: Los Alamos National Security, LLC
    Inventors: Pat J. Unkefer, Penelope S. Anderson, Thomas J. Knight