Patents by Inventor Robert L. Erwin

Robert L. Erwin 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: 6846968
    Abstract: The invention relates to the production of enzymatically active recombinant human and animal lysosomal enzymes involving construction and expression of recombinant expression constructs comprising coding sequences of human or animal lysosomal enzymes in a plant expression system. The plant expression system provides for post-translational modification and processing to produce a recombinant gene product exhibiting enzymatic activity. The invention is demonstrated by working examples in which transgenic tobacco plants express recombinant expression constructs comprising human glucocerebrosidase nucleotide sequences. The invention is also demonstrated by working examples in which transfected tobacco plants express recombinant viral expression constructs comprising human ? galactosidase nucleotide sequences.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2005
    Assignee: Large Scale Biology Corporation
    Inventors: Robert L. Erwin, Laurence K. Grill, Gregory P. Pogue, Thomas H. Turpen, Monto H. Kumagai
  • Publication number: 20040093646
    Abstract: The invention relates to the production of enzymatically active recombinant human and animal lysosomal enzymes involving construction and expression of recombinant expression constructs comprising coding sequences of human or animal lysosomal enzymes in a plant expression system. The plant expression system provides for post-translational modification and processing to produce a recombinant gene product exhibiting enzymatic activity. The invention is demonstrated by working examples in which transgenic tobacco plants express recombinant expression constructs comprising human glucocerebrosidase nucleotide sequences. The invention is also demonstrated by working examples in which transfected tobacco plants express recombinant viral expression constructs comprising human &agr; galactosidase nucleotide sequences.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2003
    Publication date: May 13, 2004
    Inventors: Robert L. Erwin, Laurence K. Grill, Gregory P. Pogue, Thomas H. Turpen, Monto H. Kumagai
  • Publication number: 20040064855
    Abstract: The invention relates to the production of enzymatically active recombinant human and animal lysosomal enzymes involving construction and expression of recombinant expression constructs comprising coding sequences of human or animal lysosomal enzymes in a plant expression system. The plant expression system provides for post-translational modification and processing to produce a recombinant gene product exhibiting enzymatic activity. The invention is demonstrated by working examples in which transgenic tobacco plants express recombinant expression constructs comprising human glucocerebrosidase nucleotide sequences. The invention is also demonstrated by working examples in which transfected tobacco plants express recombinant viral expression constructs comprising human &agr; galactosidase nucleotide sequences.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2003
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Applicant: LARGE SCALE BIOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Gregory P. Pogue, Thomas H. Turpen, Monto H. Kumagai, Robert L. Erwin, Laurence K. Grill
  • Publication number: 20040023281
    Abstract: The invention relates to &agr;-galactosidase truncated at the carboxy terminus and the production of enzymatically active recombinant human and animal lysosomal enzymes involving construction and expression of recombinant expression constructs comprising coding sequences of human or animal lysosomal enzymes in a plant expression system. The plant expression system provides for post-translational modification and processing to produce a recombinant gene product exhibiting enzymatic activity. The invention is demonstrated by working examples in which transgenic tobacco plants express recombinant expression constructs comprising human glucocerebrosidase nucleotide sequences. The invention is also demonstrated by working examples in which transfected tobacco plants express recombinant viral expression constructs comprising human &agr; galactosidase nucleotide sequences.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2003
    Publication date: February 5, 2004
    Inventors: Thomas H. Turpen, Monto H. Kumagai, Gregory P. Pogue, Robert L. Erwin, Laurence K. Grill
  • Publication number: 20040016021
    Abstract: The invention relates to &agr;-galactosidase truncated at the carboxy terminus and the production of enzymatically active recombinant human and animal lysosomal enzymes involving construction and expression of recombinant expression constructs comprising coding sequences of human or animal lysosomal enzymes in a plant expression system. The plant expression system provides for post-translational modification and processing to produce a recombinant gene product exhibiting enzymatic activity. The invention is demonstrated by working examples in which transgenic tobacco plants express recombinant expression constructs comprising human glucocerebrosidase nucleotide sequences. The invention is also demonstrated by working examples in which transfected tobacco plants express recombinant viral expression constructs comprising human &agr; galactosidase nucleotide sequences.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2003
    Publication date: January 22, 2004
    Inventors: Thomas H. Turpen, Gregory P. Pogue, Robert L. Erwin, Laurence K. Grill
  • Publication number: 20030167512
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method of compiling a plant positive sense functional gene profile, a method of changing the phenotype or biochemistry of a plant, a method of determining a change in phenotype or biochemistry of a plant, and a method of determining the presence of a trait in plant. The methods comprise expressing transiently a nucleic acid sequence of a plant into the cytoplasm of a host plant in a plus sense orientation to affect phenotypic or biochemical changes in the host plant. The nucleic acid sequence does not need to be isolated, identified or characterized prior to transfection into the host plant. A viral vector functional genomic screen has been developed to identify nucleotide sequences in transfected plants by systemically overproducing a new protein, or enhancing or suppressing the endogenous gene expression in a plus sense mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2002
    Publication date: September 4, 2003
    Inventors: Monto H. Kumagai, Guy R. Della-Cioppa, Robert L. Erwin, David R. McGee
  • Publication number: 20030077619
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method of compiling a functional gene profile of an organism, a method of changing the phenotype or biochemistry of a plant, a method of determining a change in phenotype or biochemistry of a plant, a method of determining the presence of a trait in plant, and a method of isolating human cDNA. The methods comprise expressing transiently a nucleic acid sequence of a non-plant donor organism into a host plant by a viral vector to affect phenotypic or biochemical changes in the host plant. The present invention provides a method for discovering the presence of a new gene and determining its function and sequence in a donor organism such as human by transfecting a nucleic acid sequence of the donor organism into a host plant to knock out the endogenous gene expression.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2002
    Publication date: April 24, 2003
    Inventors: Monto H. Kumagai, Guy R. della-Cioppa, Robert L. Erwin, David R. McGee
  • Publication number: 20030064392
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method of compiling a functional gene profile of an organism, a method of changing the phenotype or biochemistry of a plant, a method of determining a change in phenotype or biochemistry of a plant, a method of determining the presence of a trait in plant, and a method of humanizing plant cDNA. The methods comprise expressing transiently a nucleic acid sequence of a non-plant donor organism into a host plant by a viral vector to affect phenotypic or biochemical changes in the host plant. The present invention provides a method for discovering the presence of a new gene and determining its function and sequence in a donor organism such as human by transfecting a nucleic acid sequence of the donor organism into a host plant to knock out the endogenous gene expression.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2002
    Publication date: April 3, 2003
    Inventors: Monto H. Kumagai, Guy R. della-Cioppa, Robert L. Erwin, David R. McGee
  • Publication number: 20030041355
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method of compiling a positive sense functional gene profile of an organism, a method of changing the phenotype or biochemistry of an organism, a method of determining the presence of a trait in an organism, and a method of humanizing a plant cDNA. The methods comprise expressing transiently a nucleic acid sequence of a donor organism into a host plant to affect phenotypic or biochemical changes in the host organism. Once the presence of a trait in a plant is identified by phenotypic or biochemical changes in the host plant, the nucleic acid insert in the cDNA clone or in the vector that results in the changes is then sequenced. The present invention provides a method for discovering new gene and its function in a donor organism such as human by transfecting a nucleic acid sequence of the donor organism into a host organism in a positive sense.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2002
    Publication date: February 27, 2003
    Inventors: Monto H. Kumagai, Guy R. della-Cioppa, Robert L. Erwin, David R. McGee
  • Publication number: 20030028926
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method of compiling a positive sense functional gene profile of an organism, a method of changing the phenotype or biochemistry of an organism, a method of determining a change in phenotype or biochemistry of an organism, and a method of determining the presence of a trait in an organism, and a method of isolating human cDNA. The methods comprise expressing transiently a nucleic acid sequence of a donor organism into a host plant to affect phenotypic or biochemical changes in the host organism. A viral vector functional genomic screen has been developed to identify nucleotide sequences in transfected plants by enhancing or supressing an endogenous gene expression in a positive sense mechanism, or by overexpressing a new protein. Once the presence of a trait in a plant is identified by phenotypic or biochemical changes in the host plant, the nucleic acid insert in the cDNA clone or in the vector that results in the changes is then sequenced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2002
    Publication date: February 6, 2003
    Inventors: Monto H. Kumagai, Guy R. della-Cioppa, Robert L. Erwin, David R. McGee
  • Publication number: 20030027182
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method of compiling a plant functional gene profile, a method of changing the phenotype or biochemistry of a plant, a method of determining a change in phenotype or biochemistry of a plant, and a method of determining the presence of a trait in plant. The methods comprise expressing transiently a nucleic acid sequence of a plant into a host plant to affect phenotypic or biochemical changes in the host plant. A viral vector functional genomic screen has been developed to identify nucleotide sequences in transfected plants by systemically knocking out endogenous gene expression in an antisense mechanism. Once the presence of a trait in a plant is identified by phenotypic or biochemical changes in the host plant, the nucleic acid insert in the cDNA clone or in the vector that results in the changes is then sequenced. The present invention exemplifies that genes encoding GTP binding proteins in one plant can silence endogenous gene expression in a different plant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2002
    Publication date: February 6, 2003
    Inventors: Monto H. Kumagai, Guy R. Della-Cioppa, Robert L. Erwin, David R. McGee
  • Publication number: 20030027183
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method of compiling a plant functional gene profile, a method of changing the phenotype or biochemistry of a plant, a method of determining a change in phenotype or biochemistry of a plant, and a method of determining the presence of a trait in plant. The methods comprise expressing transiently a nucleic acid sequence of a plant into a host plant to affect phenotypic or biochemical changes in the host plant. A viral vector functional genomic screen has been developed to identify nucleotide sequences in transfected plants by systemically knocking out endogenous gene expression in an antisense mechanism. Once the presence of a trait in a plant is identified by phenotypic or biochemical changes in the host plant, the nucleic acid insert in the cDNA clone or in the vector that results in the changes is then sequenced. The present invention exemplifies that genes encoding GTP binding proteins in one plant can silence endogenous gene expression in a different plant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2002
    Publication date: February 6, 2003
    Inventors: Monto H. Kumagai, Guy R. della-Cioppa, Robert L. Erwin, David R. McGee
  • Publication number: 20030027173
    Abstract: The present invention provides methods for rapidly determining the function of nucleic acid sequences by transfecting the same into a host organism to effect expression. Phenotypic and biochemical changes produced thereby are then analyzed to ascertain the function of the nucleic acids which have been transfected into the host organism. The invention also provides methods for silencing endogenous genes by transfecting hosts with nucleic acid sequences to effect expression of the same. The present invention also provides methods for selecting desired functions of RNAs and proteins by the use of virus vectors to express libraries of nucleic acid sequence variants. Moreover, the present invention provides methods for inhibiting an endogenous protease of a plant host.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2002
    Publication date: February 6, 2003
    Inventors: Guy Della-Cioppa, Robert L. Erwin, Wayne P. Fitzmaurice, Kathleen Hanley, Monto H. Kumagai, John A. Lindbo, David R. McGee, Hal S. Padgett, Gregory P. Pogue
  • Publication number: 20030024008
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method of compiling a plant functional gene profile, a method of changing the phenotype or biochemistry of a plant, a method of determining a change in phenotype or biochemistry of a plant, a method of determining the presence of a trait in plant, and a method of increasing grain crop. The methods comprise expressing transiently a nucleic acid sequence of a plant into a host plant to affect phenotypic or biochemical changes in the host plant. A viral vector functional genomic screen has been developed to identify nucleotide sequences in transfected plants by systemically knocking out endogenous gene expression in an antisense mechanism. Once the presence of a trait in a plant is identified by phenotypic or biochemical changes in the host plant, the nucleic acid insert in the cDNA clone or in the vector that results in the changes is then sequenced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2002
    Publication date: January 30, 2003
    Inventors: Monto H. Kumagai, Guy R. Della-Cioppa, Robert L. Erwin, David R. McGee
  • Publication number: 20020192657
    Abstract: Contact lenses or similar ocular devices are disclosed that have specific binding molecule microarrays printed on or embedded in them to bind various analytes present in tears. Tear are used as a non-invasive alternative to the monitoring of proteins and other constituents found in serum, especially low molecular weight analytes and low abundance proteins. The devices can be placed in a developing reagent or the subject wearing the device can perceive changes in the visual filed that can be used to diagnose disease status as well as monitor various physiological and ambient environmental (exogenous) conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2001
    Publication date: December 19, 2002
    Inventors: Robert L. Erwin, N. Leigh Anderson
  • Patent number: 6426185
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method of compiling a plant functional gene profile, a method of changing the phenotype or biochemistry of a plant, a method of determining a change in phenotype or biochemistry of a plant, and a method of determining the presence of a trait in plant. The methods comprise expressing transiently a nucleic acid sequence of a plant into a host plant to affect phenotypic or biochemical changes in the host plant. A viral vector functional genomic screen has been developed to identify nucleotide sequences in transfected plants by systemically knocking out endogenous gene expression in an antisense mechanism. Once the presence of a trait in a plant is identified by phenotypic or biochemical changes in the host plant, the nucleic acid insert in the cDNA clone or in the vector that results in the changes is then sequenced. The present invention exemplifies that genes encoding GTP binding proteins in one plant can silence endogenous gene expression in a different plant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2002
    Assignee: Large Scale Biology Corporation
    Inventors: Monto H. Kumagai, Guy R. della-Cioppa, Robert L. Erwin, David R. McGee
  • Patent number: 6386855
    Abstract: Laminae suitable for use in molds for forming retroreflective cube corner elements and methods for making such laminae are disclosed. A representative lamina includes a first row of cube corner elements disposed in a first orientation and a second row of optically opposing cube corner elements disposed. The working surface of a lamina is provided with a plurality of cube corner elements formed by the optical surfaces defined by three groove sets. Opposing first and second groove sets are formed in the working surface of a lamina. The first groove set forms a plurality of structures having first and second optical surfaces disposed in mutually perpendicular planes that intersect along a reference edge. The second groove set forms a corresponding plurality of structures on the opposite side of the lamina. A third groove is formed in the working surface of the lamina along an axis substantially perpendicular to the axes of the grooves of the first and second groove sets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2002
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Dan E. Luttrell, Robert L. Erwin, Kenneth L. Smith, Gerald M. Benson
  • Publication number: 20020028263
    Abstract: Laminae suitable for use in molds for forming retroreflective cube corner elements and methods for making such laminae are disclosed. A representative lamina includes a first row of cube corner elements disposed in a first orientation and a second row of optically opposing cube corner elements disposed. The working surface of a lamina is provided with a plurality of cube corner elements formed by the optical surfaces defined by three groove sets. Opposing first and second groove sets are formed in the working surface of a lamina. The first groove set forms a plurality of structures having first and second optical surfaces disposed in mutually perpendicular planes that intersect along a reference edge. The second groove set forms a corresponding plurality of structures on the opposite side of the lamina. A third groove is formed in the working surface of the lamina along an axis substantially perpendicular to the axes of the grooves of the first and second groove sets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2001
    Publication date: March 7, 2002
    Applicant: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Dan E. Luttrell, Robert L. Erwin, Kenneth L. Smith, Gerald M. Benson
  • Patent number: 6318987
    Abstract: Laminae suitable for use in molds for forming retroreflective cube corner elements and methods for making such laminae are disclosed. A representative lamina includes a first row of cube corner elements disposed in a first orientation and a second row of optically opposing cube corner elements disposed. The working surface of a lamina is provided with a plurality of cube corner elements formed by the optical surfaces defined by three groove sets. Opposing first and second groove sets are formed in the working surface of a lamina. The first groove set forms a plurality of structures having first and second optical surfaces disposed in mutually perpendicular planes that intersect along a reference edge. The second groove set forms a corresponding plurality of structures on the opposite side of the lamina. A third groove is formed in the working surface of the lamina along an axis substantially perpendicular to the axes of the grooves of the first and second groove sets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2001
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Dan E. Luttrell, Robert L. Erwin, Kenneth L. Smith, Gerald M. Benson
  • Patent number: 6257860
    Abstract: Laminae suitable for use in molds for forming retroreflective cube corner elements and methods for making such laminae are disclosed. A representative lamina includes a first row of cube corner elements disposed in a first orientation and a second row of optically opposing cube corner elements disposed. The working surface of a lamina is provided with a plurality of cube corner elements formed by the optical surfaces defined by three groove sets. Opposing first and second groove sets are formed in the working surface of a lamina. The first groove set forms a plurality of structures having first and second optical surfaces disposed in mutually perpendicular planes that intersect along a reference edge. The second groove set forms a corresponding plurality of structures on the opposite side of the lamina. A third groove is formed in the working surface of the lamina along an axis substantially perpendicular to the axes of the grooves of the first and second groove sets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2001
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Dan E. Luttrell, Robert L. Erwin, Kenneth L. Smith, Gerald M. Benson