Patents by Inventor Quinn Qun Zhu

Quinn Qun Zhu 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: 20230331789
    Abstract: Described are compositions and methods relating to modified yeast that over-express the glycerol-deficient suppressor, GDS1. The yeast produces an increased amount of ethanol and a deceased amount of acetate compared to parental cells. Such yeast is particularly useful for large-scale ethanol production from starch substrates where acetate in an undesirable end product.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2023
    Publication date: October 19, 2023
    Inventors: Zhongqiang CHEN, Min QI, Luan TAO, Quinn Qun ZHU
  • Publication number: 20230116556
    Abstract: Described are compositions and methods relating to modified yeast that over-expresses the J-protein, JID1. The yeast produces an increased amount of ethanol compared to otherwise identical parental cells. Such yeast is particularly useful for large-scale ethanol production from starch substrates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2021
    Publication date: April 13, 2023
    Inventors: ZHONGQIANG CHEN, YEHONG JAMIE WANG, QUINN QUN ZHU
  • Publication number: 20230002793
    Abstract: Described are compositions and methods relating to modified yeast that over-express MIG transcriptional regulator polypeptides. The yeast produces a deceased amount of acetate compared to parental cells. Such yeast is particularly useful for large-scale ethanol production from starch substrates where acetate in an undesirable end product.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2020
    Publication date: January 5, 2023
    Inventors: MIN QI, QUINN QUN ZHU, JAMIE YEHONG WANG
  • Patent number: 11447783
    Abstract: Described are compositions and methods relating to modified yeast that over-express polyadenylate-binding protein (PAB1). The yeast produces a deceased amount of acetate compared to parental cells. Such yeast is particularly useful for large-scale ethanol production from starch substrates where acetate in an undesirable end product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: DANISCO US INC.
    Inventors: Min Qi, Paula Johanna Maria Teunissen, Quinn Qun Zhu
  • Publication number: 20210395756
    Abstract: Described are compositions and methods relating to modified yeast that over-express the ribonucleotide reductase inhibitor, HUG1. The yeast produces an increased amount of alcohol compared to parental cells. Such yeast is particularly useful for large-scale ethanol production from starch substrates where acetate in an undesirable end product.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2019
    Publication date: December 23, 2021
    Inventors: Daniel Joseph MACOOL, Quinn Qun ZHU
  • Publication number: 20210388397
    Abstract: Described are compositions and methods relating to phosphotransacetylase (PTA) genes that improve ethanol production in yeast harboring an engineered PKL pathway, and yeast expressing these PTA genes. Such yeast is particularly useful for large-scale ethanol production from starch substrates, where acetate in an undesirable by-product.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2019
    Publication date: December 16, 2021
    Inventors: Paula Johanna TEUNISSEN, Geetha VEERAMUTHU, Yehong Jamie WANG, Quinn Qun ZHU
  • Publication number: 20210332091
    Abstract: Described are compositions and methods relating to modified yeast that over-express the glycerol-deficient suppressor, GDS1. The yeast produces an increased amount of ethanol and a deceased amount of acetate compared to parental cells. Such yeast is particularly useful for large-scale ethanol production from starch substrates where acetate in an undesirable end product.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2019
    Publication date: October 28, 2021
    Inventors: Zhongqiang CHEN, Min QI, Luan TAO, Quinn Qun ZHU
  • Publication number: 20210292734
    Abstract: Described are compositions and methods relate to modified yeast that, in addition to native endogenous CRZ1, produces a modified CRZ1 transcriptional activator involved in the calcineurin stress response pathway. Such yeast is well suited for use in fuel alcohol production to increase yield.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2019
    Publication date: September 23, 2021
    Inventors: Joseph Frederich Tuminello, QUINN QUN ZHU
  • Publication number: 20210221857
    Abstract: Described are compositions and methods relating to modified yeast cells that over-expresses the transcriptional activator/repressor, GIS1. The yeast cells produce an increased amount of ethanol compared to their parental cells.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2019
    Publication date: July 22, 2021
    Inventors: Daniel Joseph MACOOL, Paula Johanna Maria TEUNISSEN, Quinn Qun ZHU
  • Publication number: 20210032642
    Abstract: Described are compositions and methods relate to modified yeast that produces an increased amount of active HAC1 transcriptional activator involved in the unfolded protein response pathway. Such yeast is well suited for use in fuel alcohol production to increase yield.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2019
    Publication date: February 4, 2021
    Inventors: Joseph Frederich Tuminello, Quinn Qun Zhu, Paula Johanna Maria Teunissen
  • Publication number: 20200407734
    Abstract: Described are compositions and methods relating to modified yeast that over-express polyadenylate-binding protein (PAB1). The yeast produces a deceased amount of acetate compared to parental cells. Such yeast is particularly useful for large-scale ethanol production from starch substrates where acetate in an undesirable end product.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2019
    Publication date: December 31, 2020
    Inventors: Min Qi, Paula Johanna Maria Teunissen, Quinn Qun Zhu
  • Publication number: 20200377559
    Abstract: Described are compositions and methods relating to the over-expression of sugar transporter-like polypeptides to reduce the amount of glycerol and acetate produced by modified yeast having an exogenous pathway that cause it to produce more ethanol and acetate than its parental yeast.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2018
    Publication date: December 3, 2020
    Inventors: Daniel Joseph Macool, Paula Johanna Maria Teunissen, Yehong Jamie Wang, Hyeryoung Yoon, Quinn Qun Zhu
  • Patent number: 10626424
    Abstract: Recombinant microbial cells comprising an engineered LCDA production pathway that comprises at least one up-regulated long-chain acyl-CoA synthetase (ACoS) are disclosed. These recombinant microbial cells are capable of producing one or more long-chain dicarboxylic acid (LCDA) products from a long-chain fatty acid-comprising substrate. Methods of using recombinant microbial cells to produce LCDAs are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: DUPONT INDUSTRIAL BIOSCIENCES USA, LLC
    Inventors: Quinn Qun Zhu, Xiaochun Fan, Seung-Pyo Hong, Despina Boughioukou, Dongming Xie, Himanshu H. Dhamankar
  • Publication number: 20190144897
    Abstract: Recombinant microbial cells comprising an engineered LCDA production pathway that comprises at least one up-regulated long-chain acyl-CoA synthetase (ACoS) are disclosed. These recombinant microbial cells are capable of producing one or more long-chain dicarboxylic acid (LCDA) products from a long-chain fatty acid-comprising substrate. Methods of using recombinant microbial cells to produce LCDAs are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2016
    Publication date: May 16, 2019
    Inventors: Quinn Qun Zhu, Xiaochun Fan, Seung-Pyo Hong, Despina Boughioukou, Dongming Xie, Himanshu H. Dhamankar
  • Patent number: 9701989
    Abstract: Recombinant microbial cells are disclosed herein that produce an oil comprising at least 28 percent eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) measured as a weight percent of dry cell weight. These cells may comprise a polynucleotide sequence encoding an active acyl-CoA:lysophosphatidylcholine acyltransferase (LPCAT) comprising at least one amino acid mutation in a membrane-bound O-acyltransferase motif. In addition, the cells may comprise a down-regulation of an endogenous polynucleotide sequence encoding Sou2 sorbitol utilization protein, and/or one or more polynucleotides encoding phospholipid:diacylglycerol acyltransferase (PDAT), delta-12 desaturase, a dihomo-gamma-linolenic acid (DGLA) synthase multizyme, delta-8 desaturase, malonyl-CoA synthetase (MCS), or acyl-CoA:lysophosphatidic acid acyltransferase (LPAAT). Also disclosed are methods of using the recombinant microbial cells to produce oil containing omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids such as EPA.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: E I DU PONT DE NEMOURS AND COMPANY
    Inventors: Quinn Qun Zhu, Seung-Pyo Hong, Pamela L Sharpe, Narendra S Yadav, Xiaochun Fan, Michael Dauner
  • Patent number: 9617571
    Abstract: Methods of increasing the amount of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) in the total lipid fraction and in the oil fraction of PUFA-producing, oleaginous eukaryotes, accomplished by modifying the activity of peroxisome biogenesis factor (Pex) proteins. Disruptions of a chromosomal Pex3 gene, Pex10p gene or Pex16p gene in a PUFA-producing, oleaginous eukaryotic strain resulted in an increased amount of PUFAs, as a percent of total fatty acids and as a percent of dry cell weight, in the total lipid fraction and in the oil fraction of the strain, as compared to the parental strain whose native Pex protein was not disrupted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: E I DU PONT DE NEMOURS AND COMPANY
    Inventors: Seung-Pyo Hong, Pamela L Sharpe, Zhixiong Xue, Narendra S Yadav, Quinn Qun Zhu
  • Patent number: 9441209
    Abstract: Recombinant microbial cells are disclosed herein that comprise (i) a down-regulation of an endogenous polynucleotide sequence encoding Sou2 sorbitol utilization protein, and (ii) a polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) biosynthetic pathway. The down-regulation of the polynucleotide sequence encoding Sou2 sorbitol utilization protein can increase the lipid content of the microbial cells and/or decrease the total amount of sugar alcohols produced by the microbial cells. Also disclosed are methods of using the recombinant microbial cells to produce oil containing omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids such as EPA.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: E I DU PONT DE NEMOURS AND COMPANY
    Inventors: Quinn Qun Zhu, Seung-Pyo Hong, Dongming Xie, Zhixiong Xue, Hyeryoung Yoon, Michael Dauner
  • Patent number: 9416382
    Abstract: Acyl-CoA:lysophosphatidylcholine acyltransferase [“LPCAT”] having the ability to convert acyl-CoA+1-acyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine to CoA+1,2-diacyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (EC 2.3.1.23) is disclosed herein to be over-expressed along with the over-expression of phospholipid:diacylglycerol acyltransferase [“PDAT”] having the ability to transfer a fatty acyl group from the sn-2 position of a phospholipid (e.g., phosphatidylcholine) to the sn-3 position of 1,2-diacylglycerol [E.C.2.3.1.158], thus resulting in a lysophospholipid and TAG. Co-expression of these enzymes in a recombinant microbial host cell resulted in increased production of long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids [“PUFAs”].
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: E I DU PONT DE NEMOURS AND COMPANY
    Inventors: Michael W Bostick, Narendra S Yadav, Hongxiang Zhang, Quinn Qun Zhu
  • Patent number: 9347075
    Abstract: Mutant acyl-CoA:lysophosphatidylcholine acyltransferases [“LPCATs”] having the ability to convert acyl-CoA+1-acyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine to CoA+1,2-diacyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (EC 2.3.1.23) are disclosed herein. Isolated nucleic acid fragments and recombinant constructs comprising such fragments encoding mutant LPCATs, along with a method of making long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids [“PUFAs”] using these mutant LPCATs in oleaginous yeast, are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: E I DU PONT DE NEMOURS AND COMPANY
    Inventors: Michael W Bostick, Narendra S Yadav, Hongxiang Zhang, Quinn Qun Zhu
  • Patent number: 9175318
    Abstract: Described are methods of reducing the amount of byproduct organic acids during fermentation of an organism, based on expression of a heterologous malonyl-CoA synthetase. A polyunsaturated fatty acid [“PUFA”]-producing strain of the oleaginous yeast Yarrowia lipolytica was engineered to express a heterologous malonyl-CoA synthetase gene. The expression did not effect the production of PUFAs, but did result in a reduced amount of malonates when compared to the amount of malonates produced in the parental strain not expressing malonyl-CoA synthetase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: E. I. DUPONT DE NEMOURS AND COMPANY
    Inventors: Quinn Qun Zhu, Zhixiong Xue