Patents by Inventor Ralph E. Dewey

Ralph E. Dewey 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: 20240122151
    Abstract: Compositions and methods for reducing the level of nornicotine and N?-nitrosonornicotine (NNN) in tobacco plants and plant parts thereof are provided. The compositions comprise isolated polynucleotides and polypeptides for a root-specific nicotine demethylases, CYP82E10, and variants thereof, that are involved in the metabolic conversion of nicotine to nornicotine in these plants. Compositions of the invention also include tobacco plants, or plant parts thereof, comprising a mutation in a gene encoding a CYP82E10 nicotine demethylase, wherein the mutation results in reduced expression or function of the CYP82E10 nicotine demethylase. Seed of these tobacco plants, or progeny thereof, and tobacco products prepared from the tobacco plants of the invention, or from plant parts or progeny thereof, are also provided. Methods for reducing the level of nornicotine, or reducing the rate of conversion of nicotine to nornicotine, in a tobacco plant, or plant part thereof are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2023
    Publication date: April 18, 2024
    Applicant: North Carolina State University
    Inventors: Ralph E. Dewey, Ramsey S. Lewis
  • Publication number: 20240081210
    Abstract: Compositions and methods for reducing the level of nornicotine and N?-nitrosonornicotine (NNN) in Nicotiana plants and plant parts thereof are provided. The compositions comprise isolated polynucleotides and polypeptides for cytochrome P450s that are involved in the metabolic conversion of nicotine to nornicotine in these plants. Expression cassettes, vectors, plants, and plant parts thereof comprising inhibitory sequences that target expression or function of the disclosed cytochrome P450 polypeptides are also provided. Methods for the use of these novel sequences to inhibit expression or function of cytochrome P450 polypeptides involved in this metabolic conversion are also provided. The methods find use in the production of tobacco products that have reduced levels of nornicotine and its carcinogenic metabolite, NNN, and thus reduced carcinogenic potential for individuals consuming these tobacco products or exposed to secondary smoke derived from these products.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2023
    Publication date: March 14, 2024
    Inventors: Ralph E. Dewey, Balazs Siminszky, Steven W. Bowen, Lily Gavilano
  • Patent number: 11877556
    Abstract: Compositions and methods for reducing the level of nornicotine and N?-nitrosonornicotine (NNN) in tobacco plants and plant parts thereof are provided. The compositions comprise isolated polynucleotides and polypeptides for a root-specific nicotine demethylases, CYP82E10, and variants thereof, that are involved in the metabolic conversion of nicotine to nornicotine in these plants. Compositions of the invention also include tobacco plants, or plant parts thereof, comprising a mutation in a gene encoding a CYP82E10 nicotine demethylase, wherein the mutation results in reduced expression or function of the CYP82E10 nicotine demethylase. Seed of these tobacco plants, or progeny thereof, and tobacco products prepared from the tobacco plants of the invention, or from plant parts or progeny thereof, are also provided. Methods for reducing the level of nornicotine, or reducing the rate of conversion of nicotine to nornicotine, in a tobacco plant, or plant part thereof are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignee: North Carolina State University
    Inventors: Ralph E. Dewey, Ramsey S. Lewis
  • Patent number: 11807859
    Abstract: Compositions and methods for reducing the level of nornicotine and N?-nitrosonornicotine (NNN) in Nicotiana plants and plant parts thereof are provided. The compositions comprise isolated polynucleotides and polypeptides for cytochrome P450s that are involved in the metabolic conversion of nicotine to nornicotine in these plants. Expression cassettes, vectors, plants, and plant parts thereof comprising inhibitory sequences that target expression or function of the disclosed cytochrome P450 polypeptides are also provided. Methods for the use of these novel sequences to inhibit expression or function of cytochrome P450 polypeptides involved in this metabolic conversion are also provided. The methods find use in the production of tobacco products that have reduced levels of nornicotine and its carcinogenic metabolite, NNN, and thus reduced carcinogenic potential for individuals consuming these tobacco products or exposed to secondary smoke derived from these products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignees: North Carolina State University, University of Kentucky Research Foundation
    Inventors: Ralph E. Dewey, Balazs Siminszky, Steven W. Bowen, Lily Gavilano
  • Publication number: 20230323377
    Abstract: The present invention relates to modifications of berberine bridge enzyme-like nucleic acids and their use in modulation of nicotine biosynthesis in plants.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2023
    Publication date: October 12, 2023
    Inventors: Ralph E. Dewey, Ramsey S. Lewis
  • Patent number: 11778965
    Abstract: Compositions and methods for reducing the level of nornicotine and N?-nitrosonornicotine (NNN) in Nicotiana plants and plant parts thereof are provided. The compositions comprise isolated polynucleotides and polypeptides for cytochrome P450s that are involved in the metabolic conversion of nicotine to nornicotine in these plants. Expression cassettes, vectors, plants, and plant parts thereof comprising inhibitory sequences that target expression or function of the disclosed cytochrome P450 polypeptides are also provided. Methods for the use of these novel sequences to inhibit expression or function of cytochrome P450 polypeptides involved in this metabolic conversion are also provided. The methods find use in the production of tobacco products that have reduced levels of nornicotine and its carcinogenic metabolite, NNN, and thus reduced carcinogenic potential for individuals consuming these tobacco products or exposed to secondary smoke derived from these products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignees: North Carolina State University, University of Kentucky Research Foundation
    Inventors: Ralph E. Dewey, Balazs Siminszky, Steven W. Bowen, Lily Gavilano
  • Patent number: 11753649
    Abstract: The present invention relates to modifications of berberine bridge enzyme-like nucleic acids and their use in modulation of nicotine biosynthesis in plants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: North Carolina State University
    Inventors: Ralph E. Dewey, Ramsey S. Lewis
  • Publication number: 20230029171
    Abstract: The present invention relates to tobacco products from plants comprising mutated berberine bridge enzyme-like nucleic acids and the recessive nic1 and/or nic2 alleles and methods of making the same.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2021
    Publication date: January 26, 2023
    Inventors: Ramsey S. Lewis, Ralph E Dewey, Juan Sanchez Tamburrino
  • Publication number: 20220340920
    Abstract: The present invention relates to modifications of berberine bridge enzyme-like nucleic acids and their use in modulation of nicotine biosynthesis in plants.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2021
    Publication date: October 27, 2022
    Inventors: Ralph E. Dewey, Ramsey S. Lewis
  • Publication number: 20220275388
    Abstract: Compositions and methods for reducing the level of nornicotine and N?-nitrosonornicotine (NNN) in Nicotiana plants and plant parts thereof are provided. The compositions comprise isolated polynucleotides and polypeptides for cytochrome P450s that are involved in the metabolic conversion of nicotine to nornicotine in these plants. Expression cassettes, vectors, plants, and plant parts thereof comprising inhibitory sequences that target expression or function of the disclosed cytochrome P450 polypeptides are also provided. Methods for the use of these novel sequences to inhibit expression or function of cytochrome P450 polypeptides involved in this metabolic conversion are also provided. The methods find use in the production of tobacco products that have reduced levels of nornicotine and its carcinogenic metabolite, NNN, and thus reduced carcinogenic potential for individuals consuming these tobacco products or exposed to secondary smoke derived from these products.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2022
    Publication date: September 1, 2022
    Applicants: North Carolina State University, University of Kentucky Research Foundation
    Inventors: Ralph E. Dewey, Balazs Siminszky, Steven W. Bowen, Lily Gavilano
  • Patent number: 11399500
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides tobacco inbred plants TN90 SRC, CMS TN90 SRC, KY14 SRC, CMS KY14 SRC, L8 SRC, NC775 SRC, CMS NC775 SRC, NC645 SRC, NC638 SRC, CMS NC638 SRC, TN86 SRC, and CMS TN86 SRC, and hybrids KY14 X L8 SRC, NC7 SRC, and NCBH129 SRC. The present disclosure also provides parts of such plants and products made from those parts. The present disclosure also includes progeny of the provided plants including hybrids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: NORTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Ramsey S. Lewis, Ralph E. Dewey
  • Publication number: 20220225590
    Abstract: Compositions and methods for reducing the level of nornicotine and N?-nitrosonornicotine (NNN) in tobacco plants and plant parts thereof are provided. The compositions comprise isolated polynucleotides and polypeptides for a root-specific nicotine demethylases, CYP82E10, and variants thereof, that are involved in the metabolic conversion of nicotine to nornicotine in these plants. Compositions of the invention also include tobacco plants, or plant parts thereof, comprising a mutation in a gene encoding a CYP82E10 nicotine demethylase, wherein the mutation results in reduced expression or function of the CYP82E10 nicotine demethylase. Seed of these tobacco plants, or progeny thereof, and tobacco products prepared from the tobacco plants of the invention, or from plant parts or progeny thereof, are also provided. Methods for reducing the level of nornicotine, or reducing the rate of conversion of nicotine to nornicotine, in a tobacco plant, or plant part thereof are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2022
    Publication date: July 21, 2022
    Applicant: North Carolina State University
    Inventors: Ralph E. Dewey, Ramsey S. Lewis
  • Patent number: 11304395
    Abstract: Compositions and methods for reducing the level of nornicotine and N?-nitrosonornicotine (NNN) in tobacco plants and plant parts thereof are provided. The compositions comprise isolated polynucleotides and polypeptides for a root-specific nicotine demethylases, CYP82E10, and variants thereof, that are involved in the metabolic conversion of nicotine to nornicotine in these plants. Compositions of the invention also include tobacco plants, or plant parts thereof, comprising a mutation in a gene encoding a CYP82E10 nicotine demethylase, wherein the mutation results in reduced expression or function of the CYP82E10 nicotine demethylase. Seed of these tobacco plants, or progeny thereof, and tobacco products prepared from the tobacco plants of the invention, or from plant parts or progeny thereof, are also provided. Methods for reducing the level of nornicotine, or reducing the rate of conversion of nicotine to nornicotine, in a tobacco plant, or plant part thereof are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: North Carolina State University
    Inventors: Ralph E. Dewey, Ramsey S. Lewis
  • Patent number: 11293031
    Abstract: Compositions and methods for reducing the level of nornicotine and N?-nitrosonornicotine (NNN) in Nicotiana plants and plant parts thereof are provided. The compositions comprise isolated polynucleotides and polypeptides for cytochrome P450s that are involved in the metabolic conversion of nicotine to nornicotine in these plants. Expression cassettes, vectors, plants, and plant parts thereof comprising inhibitory sequences that target expression or function of the disclosed cytochrome P450 polypeptides are also provided. Methods for the use of these novel sequences to inhibit expression or function of cytochrome P450 polypeptides involved in this metabolic conversion are also provided. The methods find use in the production of tobacco products that have reduced levels of nornicotine and its carcinogenic metabolite, NNN, and thus reduced carcinogenic potential for individuals consuming these tobacco products or exposed to secondary smoke derived from these products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignees: North Carolina State University, University of Kentucky Research Foundation
    Inventors: Ralph E. Dewey, Balazs Siminszky, Steven W. Bowen, Lily Gavilano
  • Publication number: 20220000055
    Abstract: Compositions and methods for reducing the level of nornicotine and N?-nitrosonornicotine (NNN) in Nicotiana plants and plant parts thereof are provided. The compositions comprise isolated polynucleotides and polypeptides for cytochrome P450s that are involved in the metabolic conversion of nicotine to nornicotine in these plants. Expression cassettes, vectors, plants, and plant parts thereof comprising inhibitory sequences that target expression or function of the disclosed cytochrome P450 polypeptides are also provided. Methods for the use of these novel sequences to inhibit expression or function of cytochrome P450 polypeptides involved in this metabolic conversion are also provided. The methods find use in the production of tobacco products that have reduced levels of nornicotine and its carcinogenic metabolite, NNN, and thus reduced carcinogenic potential for individuals consuming these tobacco products or exposed to secondary smoke derived from these products.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2021
    Publication date: January 6, 2022
    Applicant: University of Kentucky Research Foundation
    Inventors: Ralph E. Dewey, Balazs Siminszky, Steven W. Bowen, Lily Gavilano
  • Patent number: 11214813
    Abstract: The present invention relates to modifications of berberine bridge enzyme-like nucleic acids and their use in modulation of nicotine biosynthesis in plants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: NORTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Ralph E. Dewey, Ramsey S. Lewis
  • Patent number: 11140843
    Abstract: Compositions and methods for reducing the level of nornicotine and N?-nitrosonornicotine (NNN) in Nicotiana plants and plant parts thereof are provided. The compositions comprise isolated polynucleotides and polypeptides for cytochrome P450s that are involved in the metabolic conversion of nicotine to nornicotine in these plants. Expression cassettes, vectors, plants, and plant parts thereof comprising inhibitory sequences that target expression or function of the disclosed cytochrome P450 polypeptides are also provided. Methods for the use of these novel sequences to inhibit expression or function of cytochrome P450 polypeptides involved in this metabolic conversion are also provided. The methods find use in the production of tobacco products that have reduced levels of nornicotine and its carcinogenic metabolite, NNN, and thus reduced carcinogenic potential for individuals consuming these tobacco products or exposed to secondary smoke derived from these products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignees: North Carolina State University, University of Kentucky Research Foundation
    Inventors: Ralph E. Dewey, Balazs Siminszky, Steven W. Bowen, Lily Gavilano
  • Publication number: 20210045310
    Abstract: Compositions and methods for reducing the level of nornicotine and N?-nitrosonornicotine (NNN) in Nicotiana plants and plant parts thereof are provided. The compositions comprise isolated polynucleotides and polypeptides for cytochrome P450s that are involved in the metabolic conversion of nicotine to nornicotine in these plants. Expression cassettes, vectors, plants, and plant parts thereof comprising inhibitory sequences that target expression or function of the disclosed cytochrome P450 polypeptides are also provided. Methods for the use of these novel sequences to inhibit expression or function of cytochrome P450 polypeptides involved in this metabolic conversion are also provided. The methods find use in the production of tobacco products that have reduced levels of nornicotine and its carcinogenic metabolite, NNN, and thus reduced carcinogenic potential for individuals consuming these tobacco products or exposed to secondary smoke derived from these products.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2020
    Publication date: February 18, 2021
    Applicant: University of Kentucky Research Foundation
    Inventors: Ralph E. Dewey, Balazs Siminszky, Steven W. Bowen, Lily Gavilano
  • Publication number: 20200359588
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides tobacco inbred plants TN90 SRC, CMS TN90 SRC, KY14 SRC, CMS KY14 SRC, L8 SRC, NC775 SRC, CMS NC775 SRC, NC645 SRC, NC638 SRC, CMS NC638 SRC, TN86 SRC, and CMS TN86 SRC, and hybrids KY14 X L8 SRC, NC7 SRC, and NCBH129 SRC. The present disclosure also provides parts of such plants and products made from those parts. The present disclosure also includes progeny of the provided plants including hybrids.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2020
    Publication date: November 19, 2020
    Inventors: Ramsey S. Lewis, Ralph E. Dewey
  • Publication number: 20200344967
    Abstract: Compositions and methods for reducing the level of nornicotine and N?-nitrosonornicotine (NNN) in tobacco plants and plant parts thereof are provided. The compositions comprise isolated polynucleotides and polypeptides for a root-specific nicotine demethylases, CYP82E10, and variants thereof, that are involved in the metabolic conversion of nicotine to nornicotine in these plants. Compositions of the invention also include tobacco plants, or plant parts thereof, comprising a mutation in a gene encoding a CYP82E10 nicotine demethylase, wherein the mutation results in reduced expression or function of the CYP82E10 nicotine demethylase. Seed of these tobacco plants, or progeny thereof, and tobacco products prepared from the tobacco plants of the invention, or from plant parts or progeny thereof, are also provided. Methods for reducing the level of nornicotine, or reducing the rate of conversion of nicotine to nornicotine, in a tobacco plant, or plant part thereof are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2020
    Publication date: November 5, 2020
    Applicant: North Carolina State University
    Inventors: Ralph E. Dewey, Ramsey S. Lewis