Patents by Inventor Thomas E. Elthon

Thomas E. Elthon 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).

  • Maize chloroplast protein synthesis elongation factors and methods of use for same
    Patent number: 7388125
    Abstract: The invention discloses a novel heat shock protein with high homology to chloroplast elongation factor EF-Tu. Also disclosed is a transgenic method for enhancing tolerance to heat and drought in female reproductive organs. It involves the temporal and spatial expression of novel heat shock EF-Tu in a plant organ or plant tissue. The invention also includes expression constructs, and methods for the production of crop plants with heritable phenotypes which are useful in breeding programs designed to increase heat and drought tolerance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2008
    Assignees: Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc., The University of South Dakota
    Inventors: Zoran Ristic, Shailendra K. Bhadula, Genping Yang, Thomas E. Elthon, Jeffrey E. Habben
  • Maize chloroplast protein synthesis elongation factors and methods of use for same
    Publication number: 20030044972
    Abstract: The invention discloses a novel heat shock protein with high homology to chloroplast elongation factor EF-Tu. Also disclosed is a transgenic method for enhancing tolerance to heat and drought in female reproductive organs. It involves the temporal and spatial expression of novel heat shock EF-Tu in a plant organ or plant tissue. The invention also includes expression constructs, and methods for the production of crop plants with heritable phenotypes which are useful in breeding programs designed to increase heat and drought tolerance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2001
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Inventors: Zoran Ristic, Shailendra K. Bhadula, Genping Yang, Thomas E. Elthon, Jeffrey E. Habben
  • Isolation and characterization of heat shock protein
    Publication number: 20030005487
    Abstract: This invention relates to the identification and characterization of the maize HSP22 protein including the corresponding nucleic acid molecules, nucleic acid fragments and protein fragments. Further, this invention relates to both polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies to HSP22 and the production thereof. These antibodies can be used in a method for detecting the presence of HSP22 expression in whole leaf samples. Further, the nucleic acid molecule and fragments thereof can be used in assays to detect the levels of nucleic acid molecules involved in HSP22 expression. The levels of both HSP22 and HSP22 mRNA are then utilized as an indication of a plant's ability to tolerate heat stress. Additionally, plants can be transformed to express increased levels of HSP22.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2000
    Publication date: January 2, 2003
    Inventors: Thomas E. Elthon, Adrian A. Lund, Dinakar Bhattramakki, David Rhoads
  • Isolation and characterization of heat shock protein
    Publication number: 20020104130
    Abstract: This invention relates to the identification and characterization of the maize HSP22 protein including the corresponding nucleic acid molecules, nucleic acid fragments and protein fragments. Further, this invention relates to both polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies to HSP22 and the production thereof. These antibodies can be used in a method for detecting the presence of HSP22 expression in whole leaf samples. Further, the nucleic acid molecule and fragments thereof can be used in assays to detect the levels of nucleic acid molecules involved in HSP22 expression. The levels of both HSP22 and HSP22 mRNA are then utilized as an indication of a plant's ability to tolerate heat stress. Additionally, plants can be transformed to express increased levels of HSP22.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2000
    Publication date: August 1, 2002
    Inventors: Thomas E. Elthon, Adrian A. Lund, Dinakar Bhattramakki, David Rhoads
  • Isolation and characterization of gene encoding maize heat shock protein
    Patent number: 6268548
    Abstract: This invention relates to the identification and characterization of the maize HSP22 protein including the corresponding nucleic acid molecules, nucleic acid fragments and protein fragments. Further, this invention relates to both polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies to HSP22 and the production thereof. These antibodies can be used in a method for detecting the presence of HSP22 expression in whole leaf samples. Further, the nucleic acid molecule and fragments thereof can be used in assays to detect the levels of nucleic acid molecules involved in HSP22 expression. The levels of both HSP22 and HSP22 mRNA are then utilized as an indication of a plant's ability to tolerate heat stress. Additionally, plants can be transformed to express increased levels of HSP22.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2001
    Assignee: Board of Regents of University of Nebraska
    Inventors: Thomas E. Elthon, Adrian A. Lund, Dinakar Bhattramakki, David Rhoads