Patents by Inventor Stefan Haefner

Stefan Haefner 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: 20110117614
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method utilizing a microorganism with reduced isocitrate dehydrogenase activity for the production of methionine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2009
    Publication date: May 19, 2011
    Applicant: EVONIK DEGUSSA GMBH
    Inventors: Oskar Zelder, Hartwig Schöder, Corinna Klopprogge, Andrea Herold, Stefan Haefner
  • Patent number: 7892798
    Abstract: Isolated nucleic acid molecules, which encode novel metabolic regulatory proteins from Corynebacterium glutamicum are described. These nucleic acid molecules are involved in the biosynthesis of a fine chemical, e.g., methionine biosynthesis. The invention also provides antisense nucleic acid molecules, recombinant expression vectors containing metabolic regulatory nucleic acid molecules, and host cells into which the expression vectors have been introduced. The invention still further provides methods of producing methionine from microorganisms, e.g., C. glutamicum, which involve culturing recombinant microorganisms which overexpress or underexpress at least one metabolic regulatory molecule of the invention under conditions such that methionine is produced. Also featured are methods of producing a fine chemical, e.g., methionine, which involve culturing recombinant microorganisms having selected metabolic regulatory genes deleted or mutated under conditions such that the fine chemical, e.g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: Evonik Degussa GmbH
    Inventors: Markus Pompejus, Burkhard Kröger, Hartwig Schröder, Oskar Zelder, Gregor Haberhauer, Stefan Haefner, Corrinna Klopprogge
  • Patent number: 7785779
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of nucleic acid sequences for regulating the transcription and expression of genes, the novel promoters and expression units themselves, methods for altering or causing the transcription rate and/or expression rate of genes, expression cassettes comprising the expression units, genetically modified microorganisms with altered or caused transcription rate and/or expression rate, and methods for preparing biosynthetic products by cultivating the genetically modified microorganisms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: Paik Kwang Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Burkhard Kröger, Oskar Zelder, Corinna Klopprogge, Hartwig Schröder, Stefan Haefner
  • Publication number: 20100159542
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a bacterial cell of the genus Pastorella comprising a heterologous polypeptide having formate dehydrogenase activity. Moreover, the present invention also relates to a method of manufacturing succinic acid and the use of the bacterial cell for the manufacture of succinic acid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2009
    Publication date: June 24, 2010
    Applicant: BASF SE
    Inventors: Edzard Scholten, Stefan Haefner, Hartwig Schröder
  • Publication number: 20100159543
    Abstract: The present invention is concerned with bacteria for the production of succinic acid. Specifically, the invention relates to a bacterial cell of the genus Pasteurella comprising a heterologous polypeptide having isocitrate lyase activity and a heterologous polypeptide having malate synthase activity. Further, the present invention contemplates a polynucleotide comprising a nucleic acid encoding a polypeptide having isocitrate lyase activity and a nucleic acid encoding a polypeptide having malate synthase activity. Finally, the present invention relates to the use of a bacterial cell of the invention for the manufacture of succinic acid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2009
    Publication date: June 24, 2010
    Applicant: BASF SE
    Inventors: Edzard Scholten, Stefan Haefner, Hartwig Schröder
  • Publication number: 20100062535
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of nucleic acid sequences for regulating the transcription and expression of genes, the novel promoters and expression units themselves, methods for altering or causing the transcription rate and/or expression rate of genes, expression cassettes comprising the expression units, genetically modified microorganisms with altered or caused transcription rate and/or expression rate, and methods for preparing biosynthetic products by cultivating the genetically modified microorganisms.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2009
    Publication date: March 11, 2010
    Applicant: PAIK KWANG INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Burkhard KROGER, Oskar ZELDER, Corinna KLOPPROGGE, Hartwig SCHRODER, Stefan HAEFNER
  • Publication number: 20100047881
    Abstract: The present invention relates to microorganisms with improved efficiency of vitamin B12 utilization.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2008
    Publication date: February 25, 2010
    Inventors: Oskar Zelder, Hartwig Schröder, Corinna Klopprogge, Andrea Herold, Stefan Haefner, Thomas A. Patterson
  • Publication number: 20100035307
    Abstract: The present invention relates to nulceotide sequences encoding enzymatically active cobalamin-methionine synthase and functional fragments thereof being modified in comparison to the respective wild-type enzyme such that said enzymes show reduced product inhibition by methionine. The present invention also relates to polypeptides being encoded by such nucleotide sequences and host cells comprising such nucleotide sequences. Furthermore, the present invention relates to methods for producing methionine in host organisms by making use of such nucleotide sequences.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Publication date: February 11, 2010
    Inventors: Oskar Zelder, Wolfgang Grabarse, Corinna Klopprogge, Hartwig Schröder, Stefan Haefner, Anja Knietsch, Andrea Herold
  • Publication number: 20100015674
    Abstract: The present invention features methods of increasing the production of a fine chemical, e.g., lysine from a microorganism, e.g., Corynebacterium by way of deregulating an enzyme encoding gene, i.e., fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase. In a preferred embodiment, the invention provides methods of increasing the production of lysine in Corynebacterium glutamicum by way of increasing the expression of fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase activity. The invention also provides a novel process for the production of lysine by way of regulating carbon flux towards oxaloacetate (OAA). In a preferred embodiment, the invention provides methods for the production of lysine by way of utilizing fructose or sucrose as a carbon source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2009
    Publication date: January 21, 2010
    Applicant: BASF SE
    Inventors: Oskar Zelder, Corinna Klopprogge, Hartwig Schroder, Stefan Häfner, Burkhard Kröger, Patrick Kiefer, Elmar Heinzle, Christoph Wittmann
  • Publication number: 20100003727
    Abstract: The present invention relates to microorganisms, in particular C. glutamicum in which the formation of N5,N10-methylene-THF is increased. The present invention also relates to the use of such microorganisms for producing methionine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2008
    Publication date: January 7, 2010
    Inventors: Oskar Zelder, Hartwig Schröder, Corinna Klopprogge, Andrea Herold, Stefan Haefner, Thomas A. Patterson, R. Rogers Yocum, Janice G. Pero
  • Patent number: 7635580
    Abstract: The invention relates to methods for the production of sulfur-containing fine chemicals, in particular L-methionine, by fermentation using bacteria in which a nucleotide sequence encoding an S-adenosylmethionine synthase (metK) gene is expressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2009
    Assignee: Evonik Degussa GmbH
    Inventors: Hartwig Schröder, Burkhard Kröger, Oskar Zelder, Corinna Klopprogge, Stefan Häfner
  • Publication number: 20090311756
    Abstract: The present invention relates to microorganisms and methods for producing methionine by reactivation of the MetH enzyme.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2009
    Publication date: December 17, 2009
    Inventors: Oskar Zelder, Hartwig Schröder, Corinna Klopprogge, Andrea Herold, Stefan Haefner, R. Rogers Yocum, Thomas A. Patterson, Mark Williams
  • Publication number: 20090298137
    Abstract: The present invention relates to microorganisms and processes for the efficient preparation of L-amino acids such as L-methionine. In particular, the present invention relates to microorganisms and processes in which the formation and/or accumulation of homolanthionine in the methionine pathway is reduced and/or prevented.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2006
    Publication date: December 3, 2009
    Applicant: BASF AG
    Inventors: Oskar Zelder, Andreas Herold, Corinna Klopprogge, Hartwig Schröder, Stefan Haefner, Elmar Heinzle, Christoph Wittmann, Jens Kroemer, Janice G. Pero, R. Rogers Yocum, Thomas A. Patterson, Mark Williams, Theron Herman
  • Publication number: 20090298136
    Abstract: This invention relates to methionine producing recombinant microorganisms. Specifically, this invention relates to recombinant strains of Corynebacterium that produce increased levels of methionine compared to their wild-type counterparts and further to methods of generating such microorganisms.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2006
    Publication date: December 3, 2009
    Applicant: BASF AG
    Inventors: Oskar Zelder, Stefan Haefner, Corinna Klopprogge, Hartwig Schroder, Andrea Herold, Thomas A. Patterson, Theron Hermann, R. Rogers Yocum, Mark K. William, Janice G. Pero
  • Publication number: 20090281353
    Abstract: The present invention features improved processes and organisms for the production of methionine. The invention demonstrates that a ?metF organism or a ?metE AmetH organism, for example, mutants of C. glutamicum or E. coli, can use a methyl capped sulfide source, e.g., dimethyl disulfide (DMDS), as a source of both sulfur and a methyl group, bypassing the need for MetH/MetE and MetF activity and the need to reduce sulfate, for the synthesis of methionine. Also described in this patent are data implicating MetY (also called MetZ) as an enzyme that incorporates a methyl capped sulfide source, e.g., DMDS, into methionine. A ?metF ?metB strain of C. glutamicum can use a methyl capped sulfide source, e.g., DMDS, as a source of both sulfide and a methyl group. Furthermore, methionine production by engineered prototrophic organisms that overproduce O-acetyl-homoserine was improved by the addition of a methyl capped sulfide source, e.g., DMDS.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2006
    Publication date: November 12, 2009
    Applicant: BASF AG
    Inventors: Oskar Zelder, Stefan Haefner, Andrea Herold, Corinna Klopprogge, Hartwig Schroder, R. Rogers Yocum, Mark K. Williams
  • Publication number: 20090246836
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of nucleic acid sequences for regulating the transcription and expression of genes, the novel promoters and expression units themselves, methods for altering or causing the transcription rate and/or expression rate of genes, expression cassettes comprising the expression units, genetically modified microorganisms with altered or caused transcription rate and/or expression rate, and methods for preparing biosynthetic products by cultivating the genetically modified microorganisms.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2004
    Publication date: October 1, 2009
    Applicant: PAIK KWANG INDUSTRIAL Co., LTD
    Inventors: Burkhard Kröger, Oskar Zelder, Corinna Klopprogge, Hartwig Schröder, Stefan Haefner
  • Publication number: 20090191610
    Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for the production of microorganisms with increased efficiency for methionine synthesis, microorganisms with increased efficiency for methionine synthesis, and methods for determining the optimal metabolic flux for organisms with respect to methionine synthesis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2006
    Publication date: July 30, 2009
    Applicant: Evonik Degussa GmbH
    Inventors: Oskar Zelder, Andrea Herold, Corinna Klopprogge, Hartwig Schroder, Stefan Haefner, Elmar Heinzle, Christoph Wittmann, Jens Kroemer, Janice G. Pero, R. Rogers Yocum, Thomas A. Patterson, Mark Williams, Theron Herman
  • Patent number: 7566557
    Abstract: The present invention relates to mutated nucleic acids and proteins of the metabolic pathway of fine chemicals, to processes for preparing genetically modified producer organisms, to processes for preparing fine chemicals by culturing genetically modified organisms, and to genetically modified organisms themselves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2009
    Assignee: Paik Kwang Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Corinna Klopprogge, Oskar Zelder, Burkhard Kröger, Hartwig Schröder, Stefan Haefner, Uwe Ruffer, Claudia Isabella Graef, Gregor Haberhauer
  • Publication number: 20090053778
    Abstract: The present invention relates to microorganisms and methods for producing at least one sulfur-containing compound.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2005
    Publication date: February 26, 2009
    Applicant: FRANCE TELECOM
    Inventors: Uwe Sauer, Jorg Mampel, Oskar Zelder, Andrea Herold, Corinna Klopprogge, Hartwig Schroder, Stefan Haefner
  • Patent number: 7485444
    Abstract: The invention relates to methods for the fermentative production of sulfur-containing fine chemicals, in particular L-methionine, by using bacteria which express a nucleotide sequence coding for a methionine synthase (metH) gene.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2009
    Assignee: Evonik Degussa GmbH
    Inventors: Burkhard Kröger, Oskar Zelder, Corinna Klopprogge, Hartwig Schröder, Stefan Häfner