Patents by Inventor Rafael Herrmann

Rafael Herrmann 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: 7919686
    Abstract: Methods and compositions for modulating development and defense responses are provided. Nucleotide sequences encoding defensin proteins are provided. The sequences can be used in expression cassettes for modulating development, developmental pathways, and defense responses. Transformed plants, plant cells, tissues, and seed are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2011
    Assignees: Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc., E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Carl R. Simmons, Pedro A. Navarro Acevedo, Leslie Harvell, Rebecca Cahoon, Billy Fred McCutchen, Albert L. Lu, Rafael Herrmann, James F. H. Wong
  • Patent number: 7910806
    Abstract: Methods and compositions for modulating development and defense responses are provided. Nucleotide sequences encoding defensin proteins are provided. The sequences can be used in expression cassettes for modulating development, developmental pathways, and defense responses. Transformed plants, plant cells, tissues, and seed are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignees: Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc., E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Carl R. Simmons, Pedro A. Navarro Acevedo, Leslie Harvell, Rebecca Cahoon, Billy Fred McCutchen, Albert L. Lu, Rafael Herrmann, James F. H. Wong
  • Patent number: 7910807
    Abstract: Compositions and methods for protecting a plant from an insect pest are provided. In particular, nucleic acid sequences encoding insect protoxins modified to comprise at least one proteolytic activation site that is sensitive to a plant protease or an insect gut protease are provided. Cleavage of the modified protoxin at the proteolytic activation site by a protease produces an active insect toxin. Methods of using the modified insect protoxin nucleic acid sequences and the polypeptides they encode to protect a plant from an insect pest are provided. Particular embodiments of the invention further provide modified insect protoxin compositions and formulations, expression cassettes, and transformed plants, plant cells, and seeds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignees: Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc., E.I. DuPont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Andre R. Abad, Ronald D. Flannagan, Rafael Herrmann, Albert L. Lu, Billy F. McCutchen, James K. Presnail, Janet A. Rice, James F. Wong, Cao-Guo Yu
  • Patent number: 7897847
    Abstract: Methods and compositions for modulating development and defense responses are provided. Nucleotide sequences encoding defensin proteins are provided. The sequences can be used in expression cassettes for modulating development, developmental pathways, and defense responses. Transformed plants, plant cells, tissues, and seed are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignees: Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc., E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Carl R. Simmons, Pedro A. Navarro Acevedo, Leslie Harvell, Rebecca Cahoon, Billy Fred McCutchen, Albert L. Lu, Rafael Herrmann, James F. H. Wong
  • Patent number: 7855327
    Abstract: Methods and compositions for modulating development and defense responses are provided. Nucleotide sequences encoding defensin proteins are provided. The sequences can be used in expression cassettes for modulating development, developmental pathways, and defense responses. Transformed plants, plant cells, tissues, and seed are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Assignees: Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc., E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Carl R. Simmons, Pedro A. Navarro Acevedo, Leslie Harvell, Rebecca Cahoon, Billy Fred McCutchen, Albert L. Lu, Rafael Herrmann, James F. H. Wong
  • Patent number: 7855328
    Abstract: Methods and compositions for modulating development and defense responses are provided. Nucleotide sequences encoding defensin proteins are provided. The sequences can be used in expression cassettes for modulating development, developmental pathways, and defense responses. Transformed plants, plant cells, tissues, and seed are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Assignees: Pioneer Hi-Bred Int'l., Inc., E. I. duPont de Nemours and Co.
    Inventors: Carl R. Simmons, Pedro A. Navarro Acevedo, Leslie Harvell, Rebecca Cahoon, Billy Fred McCutchen, Albert L. Lu, Rafael Herrmann, James F. H. Wong
  • Publication number: 20100303762
    Abstract: Compositions and methods for protecting a plant from a pathogen, particularly a fungal pathogen, are provided. Compositions include novel amino acid sequences, and variants and fragments thereof, for antipathogenic polypeptides that were isolated from microbial fermentation broths. Nucleic acid molecules comprising nucleotide sequences that encode the antipathogenic polypeptides of the invention are also provided. A method for inducing pathogen resistance in a plant using the nucleotide sequences disclosed herein is further provided. The method comprises introducing into a plant an expression cassette comprising a promoter operably linked to a nucleotide sequence that encodes an antipathogenic polypeptide of the invention. Compositions comprising an antipathogenic polypeptide or a transformed microorganism comprising a nucleic acid of the invention in combination with a carrier and methods of using these compositions to protect a plant from a pathogen are further provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2010
    Publication date: December 2, 2010
    Applicants: Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc., E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company, The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Daniel J. Altier, Glen Dahlbacka, Irina Ellanskaya, Natalia Ellanskaya, Rafael Herrmann, Jennie Hunter-Cevera, Billy F. McCutchen, James K. Presnail, Janet A. Rice, Eric Schepers, Carl R. Simmons, Tamas Torok, Nasser Yalpani
  • Patent number: 7772370
    Abstract: Compositions and methods for protecting a plant from a pathogen, particularly a fungal pathogen, are provided. Compositions include novel amino acid sequences, and variants and fragments thereof, for antipathogenic polypeptides that were isolated from microbial fermentation broths. Nucleic acid molecules comprising nucleotide sequences that encode the antipathogenic polypeptides of the invention are also provided. A method for inducing pathogen resistance in a plant using the nucleotide sequences disclosed herein is further provided. The method comprises introducing into a plant an expression cassette comprising a promoter operably linked to a nucleotide sequence that encodes an antipathogenic polypeptide of the invention. Compositions comprising an antipathogenic polypeptide or a transformed microorganism comprising a nucleic acid of the invention in combination with a carrier and methods of using these compositions to protect a plant from a pathogen are further provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignees: Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc, E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company, The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Daniel J. Altier, Glen Dahlbacka, Irina Elleskaya, Natalia Ellanskaya, legal representative, Rafael Herrmann, Jennie Hunter-Cevera, Billy F. McCutchen, James K. Presnail, Janet A. Rice, Eric Schepers, Carl R. Simmons, Tamas Torok, Nasser Yalpani
  • Patent number: 7629449
    Abstract: In particular aspects of the invention, nucleic acid molecules encoding novel proteases identified in the midgut of Diabrotica virgfera virgfera (i.e., western corn rootworm) are provided. The nucleotide sequences encode novel cysteine proteases that belong to the cathepsin L-like subfamily of proteases. Variants and fragments of the nucleotide sequences that encode polypeptide sequences that possess proteolytic activity are further disclosed. Methods of using the nucleic acid sequences that encode novel proteases to protect a plant from an insect pest are provided. Particular embodiments also provide vectors, expression cassettes and transformed host cells comprising a protease nucleic acid of the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2009
    Assignees: Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc., E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Andre R. Abad, Ronald D. Flannagan, Rafael Herrmann, Albert L. Lu, Billy F. McCutchen, James K. Presnail, Janet A. Rice, James F. Wong, Cao-Guo Yu
  • Publication number: 20090265818
    Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided which employ a silencing element that, when ingested by a pest, such as a pest from the Lepidoptera order, they are capable of decreasing the expression of a target sequence in the pest. In specific embodiments, the decrease in expression of the target sequence controls the pest and thereby the methods and compositions are capable of limiting damage to a plant. The present invention provides target polynucleotides encoding polypeptides from specific protein families and various target polynucleotides set forth in SEQ ID NOS: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, or 50 or active variants and fragments thereof, wherein a decrease in expression of one or more the sequences in the target pest controls the pest (i.e., has insecticidal activity).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2009
    Publication date: October 22, 2009
    Applicants: Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc., E.I. Du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Rafael Herrmann, Michael Lassner, Albert L. Lu, Mark Nelson, James K. Presnail, Janet A. Rice
  • Publication number: 20090264351
    Abstract: Compositions and methods for protecting a plant from a pathogen, particularly a fungal pathogen, are provided. Compositions include novel amino acid sequences, and variants and fragments thereof, for antipathogenic polypeptides that were isolated from microbial fermentation broths. Nucleic acid molecules comprising nucleotide sequences that encode the antipathogenic polypeptides of the invention are also provided. A method for inducing pathogen resistance in a plant using the nucleotide sequences disclosed herein is further provided. The method comprises introducing into a plant an expression cassette comprising a promoter operably linked to a nucleotide sequence that encodes an antipathogenic polypeptide of the invention. Compositions comprising an antipathogenic polypeptide or a transformed microorganism comprising a nucleic acid of the invention in combination with a carrier and methods of using these compositions to protect a plant from a pathogen are further provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2007
    Publication date: October 22, 2009
    Applicants: Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc., E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company, The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Daniel J. Altier, Glen Dahlbacka, Irina Ellanskaya, Natalia Ellanskaya, Rafael Herrmann, Jennie Hunter-Cevera, Billy F. McCutchen, James K. Presnail, Janet A. Rice, Eric Schepers, Carl R. Simmons, Tamas Torok, Nasser Yalpani
  • Publication number: 20090260106
    Abstract: Compositions and methods for protecting a plant from a pathogen, particularly a fungal pathogen, are provided. Compositions include novel amino acid sequences, and variants and fragments thereof, for antipathogenic polypeptides that were isolated from microbial fermentation broths. Nucleic acid molecules comprising nucleotide sequences that encode the antipathogenic polypeptides of the invention are also provided. A method for inducing pathogen resistance in a plant using the nucleotide sequences disclosed herein is further provided. The method comprises introducing into a plant an expression cassette comprising a promoter operably linked to a nucleotide sequence that encodes an antipathogenic polypeptide of the invention. Compositions comprising an antipathogenic polypeptide or a transformed microorganism comprising a nucleic acid of the invention in combination with a carrier and methods of using these compositions to protect a plant from a pathogen are further provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2007
    Publication date: October 15, 2009
    Applicants: Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc., E.I. duPont de Nemours and Company, The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Daniel J. Altier, Glen Dahlbacka, Irina Ellenskaya, Natalia Ellanskaya, Rafael Herrmann, Jennie Hunter-Cevera, Billy F. McCutchen, James K. Presnail, Janet A. Rice, Eric Schepers, Carl R. Simmons, Tamas Torok, Nasser Yalpani
  • Patent number: 7601810
    Abstract: The present invention relates to isolated nucleic acids encoding plant cyclotides. The invention also relates to the construction of a chimeric gene encoding all or a portion of the plant cyclotides, in sense or antisense orientation, wherein expression of the chimeric gene results in the production of altered levels of plant cyclotides in a transformed host cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2009
    Assignee: E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Rafael Herrmann, Albert L. Lu, Billy F. McCutchen, James K. Presnail, Janet A. Rice, Clement W. K. Waine
  • Patent number: 7589177
    Abstract: The present invention relates to isolated nucleic acids encoding plant cyclotides. The invention also relates to the construction of a chimeric gene encoding all or a portion of the plant cyclotides, in sense or antisense orientation, wherein expression of the chimeric gene results in the production of altered levels of plant cyclotides in a transformed host cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2009
    Assignee: E.I. du Pont de Nemours & Company
    Inventors: Rafael Herrmann, Albert L. Lu, Billy F. McCutchen, James K. Presnail, Clement W. K. Waine
  • Publication number: 20090192117
    Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided which employ a silencing element that, when ingested by a pest, such as a pest from the Lygus genus, they are capable of decreasing the expression of a target sequence in the pest. In specific embodiments, the decrease in expression of the target sequence controls the pest and thereby the methods and compositions are capable of limiting damage to a plant. The present invention provides various target polynucleotides from specific polypeptide families as disclosed herein, and further provides target polynucleotides set forth in SEQ ID NOS:1-21 or active variants thereof, wherein a decrease in expression of one or more the sequences in the target pest controls the pest (i.e., has insecticidal activity). Further provided are silencing elements which when ingested by the pest decrease the level of the target polypeptide and thereby control the pest. In specific embodiment, the pest is Lygus Hesperus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2009
    Publication date: July 30, 2009
    Applicants: Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc., E.I. Du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Rafael Herrmann, Michael Lassner, Albert L. Lu, Mark E. Nelson, James K. Presnail, Janet A. Rice
  • Publication number: 20090192116
    Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided which employ a silencing element that, when ingested by a pest, such as a pest from the Aphididae family, they are capable of decreasing the expression of a target sequence in the pest. In specific embodiments, the decrease in expression of the target sequence controls the pest and thereby the methods and compositions are capable of limiting damage to a plant. The present invention provides target polynucleotides for specific protein classes and also target polynucleotides as set forth in SEQ ID NOS:1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 or active variants or fragments thereof, wherein a decrease in expression of one or more the sequences in the target pest controls the pest (i.e., has insecticidal activity). Further provided are silencing elements which when ingested by the pest decrease the level of the target polypeptide and thereby control the pest. In specific embodiment, the pest is Aphis glycines.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2009
    Publication date: July 30, 2009
    Applicants: Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc., E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Rafael Herrmann, Michael Lassner, Albert L. Lu, Mark Nelson, James K. Presnail, Janet A. Rice
  • Patent number: 7556936
    Abstract: Compositions and methods for protecting a plant from an insect pest are provided. In particular, nucleic acid sequences encoding insect protoxins modified to comprise at least one proteolytic activation site that is sensitive to a plant protease or an insect gut protease are provided. Cleavage of the modified protoxin at the proteolytic activation site by a protease produces an active insect toxin. Methods of using the modified insect protoxin nucleic acid sequences and the polypeptides they encode to protect a plant from an insect pest are provided. Particular embodiments of the invention further provide modified insect protoxin compositions and formulations, expression cassettes, and transformed plants, plant cells, and seeds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2009
    Assignees: Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc., E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Andre R. Abad, Ronald D. Flannagan, Rafael Herrmann, Albert L. Lu, Billy F. McCutchen, James K. Presnail, Janet A. Rice, James F. Wong, Cao-Guo Yu
  • Publication number: 20090077689
    Abstract: Methods and compositions for modulating development and defense responses are provided. Nucleotide sequences encoding defensin proteins are provided. The sequences can be used in expression cassettes for modulating development, developmental pathways, and defense responses. Transformed plants, plant cells, tissues, and seed are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2008
    Publication date: March 19, 2009
    Applicants: Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc., E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Carl R. Simmons, Pedro A. Navarro Acevedo, Leslie Harvell, Rebecca Cahoon, Billy Fred McCutchen, Albert L. Lu, Rafael Herrmann, James F.H. Wong
  • Publication number: 20090077690
    Abstract: Methods and compositions for modulating development and defense responses are provided. Nucleotide sequences encoding defensin proteins are provided. The sequences can be used in expression cassettes for modulating development, developmental pathways, and defense responses. Transformed plants, plant cells, tissues, and seed are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2008
    Publication date: March 19, 2009
    Applicants: Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc., E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Carl R. Simmons, Pedro A. Navarro Acevedo, Leslie Harvell, Rebecca Cahoon, Billy Fred McCutchen, Albert L. Lu, Rafael Herrmann, James F.H. Wong
  • Publication number: 20090077688
    Abstract: Methods and compositions for modulating development and defense responses are provided. Nucleotide sequences encoding defensin proteins are provided. The sequences can be used in expression cassettes for modulating development, developmental pathways, and defense responses. Transformed plants, plant cells, tissues, and seed are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2008
    Publication date: March 19, 2009
    Applicants: Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc., E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Carl R. Simmons, Pedro A. Navarro Acevedo, Leslie Harvell, Rebecca Cahoon, Billy Fred McCutchen, Albert L. Lu, Rafael Herrmann, James F.H. Wong