Patents by Inventor Stuart M. Thomas

Stuart M. Thomas 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).

  • Use of xylene monooxygenase for the oxidation of substituted monocyclic aromatic compounds
    Publication number: 20030073206
    Abstract: The invention relates to a biocatalytic process for the oxidation of substituted monocyclic aromatic compounds to the corresponding carboxylic acids and related compounds. In a preferred embodiment the invention describes a biocatalytic process to produce 4-hydroxymethylbenzoic acid and 3-hydroxymethylbenzoic acid from p-xylene and m-xylene, respectively. 4-hydroxymethylbenzoic acid has been prepared by oxidizing p-xylene with a single recombinant microorganism containing the enzyme xylene monooxygenase.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2002
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Inventors: Michael G. Bramucci, Vasantha Nagarajan, Stuart M. Thomas
  • Biological method for the production of adipic acid and intermediates
    Patent number: 6498242
    Abstract: A gene cluster has been isolated from an Acinetobacter sp. that encodes the enzymes expected to convert cyclohexanol to adipic acid. The entire gene cluster has been cloned and all open reading frames have been sequenced. Cosmid clones have been identified containing the gene cluster. Demonstration of conversion of cyclohexanol to adipic acid has been made with the recombinant E. coli host strain containing the cosmids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2002
    Assignee: E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Qiong Cheng, Vasantha Nagarajan, Stuart M. Thomas
  • Terephthalic acid producing proteobacteria
    Patent number: 6461840
    Abstract: This invention relates to a biocatalytic process to produce terephthalic acid and isophthalic acid from p-xylene and m-xylene, respectively. Terephthalic acid has been prepared by oxidizing p-xylene with bacteria belonging to the genus Burkholderia. Conversion of p-xylene into terephthalic acid is accomplished by a single bacterial strain that produces all of the requisite enzymes. In addition, this invention relates to the preparation of isophthalic acid from a mixture of m- and p-xylene.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2002
    Assignee: E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Michael G. Bramucci, Carol M. McCutchen, Vasantha Nagarajan, Stuart M. Thomas
  • Polyhydroxyalkanoate levels as an indicator of bioreactor health
    Publication number: 20020052016
    Abstract: A method has been developed to monitor the health of an activated sludge environment in a wastewater process comprising monitoring the levels of polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) produced and correlating those levels with various selected sample parameters. In general, levels of PHA in excess of about 15% to about 20% dry weight of the biomass is an indication that the biocatalytic efficiency of the wastewater treatment process is impaired.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2001
    Publication date: May 2, 2002
    Inventors: Dominic A. Dragotta, Vasantha Nagarajan, Stuart M. Thomas
  • Microbial production of terephthalic acid and isophthalic acid
    Patent number: 6187569
    Abstract: This invention relates to a biocatalytic process to produce terephthalic acid and isophthalic acid from p-xylene and m-xylene, respectively. Terephthalic acid has been prepared by oxidizing p-xylene with bacteria belonging to the genus Burkholderia. Conversion of p-xylene into terephthalic acid is accomplished by a single bacterial strain that produces all of the requisite enzymes. In addition, this invention relates to the preparation of isophthalic acid from a mixture of m- and p-xylene.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2001
    Assignee: E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Michael G. Bramucci, Carol M. McCutchen, Vasantha Nagarajan, Stuart M. Thomas