Patents by Inventor Terry L. Thomas

Terry L. 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).

  • Patent number: 7253276
    Abstract: The invention is directed to isolated promoters from stem-regulated, defense-inducible genes, such as JAS promoters. The promoters are useful in expression cassettes and expression vectors for the transformation of plants. Particularly, the invention provides transgenic plants of rice and sugarcane that have been modified such that expression of a heterologous coding sequence is directed by an JAS promoter and is limited to stem tissues or may be upregulated by the presence of a defense-inducing agent. The invention also discloses methods for producing the expression vectors and transgenic plants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: The Texas A&M University System
    Inventors: Mona B. Damaj, T. Erik Mirkov, Avutu Reddy, Terry L. Thomas, Keerti S. Rathore, Chandrakanth Emani, Siva Prasad Kumpatla
  • Patent number: 7189894
    Abstract: Linoleic acid is converted into ?-linolenic acid by the enzyme ?6-desaturase. The present invention is directed to isolated nucleic acids comprising the ?6-desaturase gene. More particularly, the isolated nucleic acid comprises the promoter, coding region and termination regions of the ?6-desaturase gene. The present invention provides recombinant constructions comprising the ?6-desaturase coding region in functional combination with heterologous regulatory sequences. The nucleic acids and recombinant constructions of the instant invention are useful in the production of GLA in transgenic organisms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2007
    Assignee: Rhone-Poulenc Agrochimie
    Inventor: Terry L. Thomas
  • Publication number: 20040078845
    Abstract: Linoleic acid is converted into &ggr;-linolenic acid by the enzyme &Dgr;6-desaturase. The present invention is directed to isolated nucleic acids comprising the &Dgr;6-desaturase gene. More particularly, the isolated nucleic acid comprises the promoter, coding region and termination regions of the &Dgr;6-desaturase gene. The present invention provides recombinant constructions comprising the &Dgr;6-desaturase coding region in functional combination with heterologous regulatory sequences. The nucleic acids and recombinant constructions of the instant invention are useful in the production of GLA in transgenic organisms.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2003
    Publication date: April 22, 2004
    Inventor: Terry L. Thomas
  • Patent number: 6683232
    Abstract: Linoleic acid is converted into &ggr;-linolenic acid by the enzyme &Dgr;6-desaturase. The present invention is directed to isolated nucleic acids comprising the &Dgr;6-desaturase gene. More particularly, the isolated nucleic acid comprises the promoter, coding region and termination regions of the &Dgr;6-desaturase gene. The present invention provides recombinant constructions comprising the &Dgr;6-desaturase coding region in functional combination with heterologous regulatory sequences. The nucleic acids and recombinant constructions of the instant invention are useful in the production of GLA in transgenic organisms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2004
    Assignee: Rhone-Poulenc Agrochimie
    Inventor: Terry L. Thomas
  • Publication number: 20020108147
    Abstract: Linoleic acid is converted into &ggr;-linolenic acid by the enzyme &Dgr;6-desaturase. The present invention is directed to isolated nucleic acids comprising the &Dgr;6-desaturase gene. More particularly, the isolated nucleic acid comprises the promoter, coding region and termination regions of the &Dgr;6-desaturase gene. The present invention provides recombinant constructions comprising the &Dgr;6-desaturase coding region in functional combination with heterologous regulatory sequences. The nucleic acids and recombinant constructions of the instant invention are useful in the production of GLA in transgenic organisms.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2001
    Publication date: August 8, 2002
    Inventor: Terry L. Thomas
  • Patent number: 6355861
    Abstract: Linoleic acid is converted into &ggr;-linolenic acid by the enzyme &Dgr;6-desaturase. The present invention is directed to isolated nucleic acids comprising the &Dgr;6-desaturase gene. More particularly, the isolated nucleic acid comprises the promoter, coding region and termination regions of the &Dgr;6-desaturase gene. The present invention provides recombinant constructions comprising the &Dgr;6-desaturase coding region in functional combination with heterologous regulatory sequences. The nucleic acids and recombinant constructions of the instant invention are useful in the production of GLA in transgenic organisms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2002
    Assignee: Rhone-Poulenc Agrochimie
    Inventor: Terry L. Thomas
  • Patent number: 6342657
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to isolated promoter sequences from seed-specific genes, such as KNAT411. When operably linked to either the coding sequence of a heterologous gene or a sequence complementary to a native plant gene, the subject promoters direct expression of the coding sequence or complementary sequence in a plant seed, including the early embryo. The promoter sequences are useful in expression cassettes and expression vectors for the transformation of plants. Also provided are methods of directing seed-specific expression of a gene or sequence complementary to a native plant gene by introducing into a plant cell an isolated nucleic acid comprising a subject promoter operably linked to said gene or complementary sequence. Methods for activating a site-specific recombination system in the early embryo of a seed by transforming a plant with an expression cassette comprising a subject promoter operably linked to a recombinase gene are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2002
    Assignee: Rhone-Poulenc Agro
    Inventors: Terry L. Thomas, Tzung-Fu Hsieh
  • Patent number: 6100450
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to 5' regulatory regions of two Arabidopsis seed-specific genes, AtS1 and AtS3. The 5' regulatory regions, or parts thereof, when operably linked to either the coding sequence of a heterologous gene or a sequence complementary to a native plant gene, direct expression of the coding sequence or complementary sequence in a plant seed. The regulatory regions are useful in expression cassettes and expression vectors for the transformation of plants. Also provided are methods of modulating the levels of a heterologous gene such as a fatty acid synthesis or lipid metabolism gene by transforming a plant with the subject expression cassettes and expression vectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2000
    Assignee: Rhone-Poulenc Agrochimie
    Inventors: Terry L. Thomas, Michael Nuccio
  • Patent number: 5977436
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to 5' regulatory regions of an Arabidopsis oleosin gene. The 5' regulatory regions, when operably linked to either the coding sequence of a heterologous gene or a sequence complementary to a native plant gene, direct expression of the coding sequence or complementary sequence in a plant seed. The regulatory regions are useful in expression cassettes and expression vectors for the transformation of plants. Also provided are methods of modulating the levels of a heterologous gene such as a fatty acid synthesis or lipid metabolism gene by transforming a plant with the subject expression cassettes and expression vectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1999
    Assignee: Rhone Poulenc Agrochimie
    Inventors: Terry L. Thomas, Zhongsen Li
  • Patent number: 5959175
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to 5' regulatory regions of a sunflower albumin gene. The 5' regulatory regions, when operably linked to either the coding sequence of a heterologous gene or a sequence complementary to a native plant gene direct expression of the coding sequence or complementary sequence in a plant seed. The regulatory regions are useful in expression cassettes and expression vectors for the transformation of plants.Also provided are methods of modulating the levels of a heterologous gene or native plant gene such as a fatty acid synthesis or lipid metabolism gene by transforming a plant with the subject expression cassettes and expression vectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1999
    Inventors: Terry L. Thomas, Andrew N. Nunberg, Phillip D. Beremand
  • Patent number: 5789220
    Abstract: Linoleic acid is converted into .gamma.-linolenic acid by the enzyme .DELTA.6-desaturase. The present invention is directed to isolated nucleic acids comprising the .DELTA.6-desaturase gene. More particularly, the isolated nucleic acid comprises the promoter, coding region and termination regions of the .DELTA.6-desaturase gene. The present invention provides recombinant constructions comprising the .DELTA.6-desaturase coding region in functional combination with heterologous regulatory sequences. The nucleic acids and recombinant constructions of the instant invention are useful in the production of GLA in transgenic organisms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1998
    Assignee: Rhone-Poulenc Agrochimie
    Inventors: Terry L. Thomas, Avutu S. Reddy, Michael Nuccio, Andrew N. Nunberg, Georges L. Freyssinet
  • Patent number: 5689050
    Abstract: Linoleic acid is converted into .gamma.-linolenic acid by the enzyme .DELTA.6-desaturase. The present invention is directed to an isolated nucleic acid comprising the .DELTA.6-desaturase gene. More particularly, the isolated nucleic acid comprises the promoter, coding region and termination regions of the .DELTA.6-desaturase gene. The present invention provides recombinant constructions comprising the .DELTA.6-desaturase coding region in functional combination with heterologous regulatory sequences. The nucleic acids and recombinant constructions of the instant invention are useful in the production of GLA in transgenic organisms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 18, 1997
    Assignee: Rhone-Poulenc Agrochimie
    Inventors: Terry L. Thomas, Avutu S. Reddy, Michael Nuccio, Georges L. Freyssinet
  • Patent number: 5663068
    Abstract: Linoleic acid is converted into .gamma.-linolenic acid by the enzyme .DELTA.6-desaturase. The present invention is directed to an isolated nucleic acid comprising the .DELTA.6-desaturase gene. More particularly, the isolated nucleic acid comprises the promoter, coding region and termination regions of the .DELTA.6-desaturase gene. The present invention provides recombinant constructions comprising the .DELTA.6-desaturase coding region in functional combination with heterologous regulatory sequences. The nucleic acids and recombinant constructions of the instant invention are useful in the production of GLA in transgenic organisms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 2, 1997
    Assignee: Rhone Poulenc Agrochimie
    Inventors: Terry L. Thomas, Avutu S. Reddy, Michael Nuccio, Georges L. Freyssinet
  • Patent number: 5614393
    Abstract: Linoleic acid is converted into .gamma.-linolenic acid by the enzyme .DELTA.6-desaturase. The present invention is directed to isolated nucleic acids comprising the .DELTA.6-desaturase gene. More particularly, the isolated nucleic acid comprises the promoter, coding region and termination regions of the .DELTA.6-desaturase gene. The present invention provides recombinant constructions comprising the .DELTA.6-desaturase coding region in functional combination with heterologous regulatory sequences. The nucleic acids and recombinant constructions of the instant invention are useful in the production of GLA in transgenic organisms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 25, 1997
    Assignee: Rhone-Poulenc Agrochimie
    Inventors: Terry L. Thomas, Avutu S. Reddy, Michael Nuccio, Andrew N. Nunberg, Georges L. Freyssinet
  • Patent number: 5552306
    Abstract: Linoleic acid is converted into .gamma.-linolenic acid by the enzyme .DELTA.6-desaturase. The present invention is directed to an isolated nucleic acid comprising the .DELTA.6-desaturase gene. More particularly, the isolated nucleic acid comprises the promoter, coding region and termination regions of the .DELTA.6-desaturase gene. The present invention provides recombinant constructions comprising the .DELTA.6-desaturase coding region in functional combination with heterologous regulatory sequences. The nucleic acids and recombinant constructions of the instant invention are useful in the production of GLA in transgenic organisms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 3, 1996
    Assignee: Rhone-Poulenc Agrochimie
    Inventors: Terry L. Thomas, Avutu S. Reddy, Michael Nuccio, Georges L. Freyssinet