Patents by Inventor Thomas O. Baldwin

Thomas O. Baldwin 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 bacterial luciferase structural genes for cloning and monitoring gene expression in microorganisms and for tagging and identification of genetically engineered organisms
    Patent number: 5221623
    Abstract: A host microorganism is genetically and stably modified by the insertion into any of its non-essential chromosomal location of a non-homologous, recombinant foreign DNA fragment, maintaining an insertion of a luxAB gene of a selected bioluminescent bacterium such as V. harveyi, such that the expression of the luxAB genes causes the production of a luciferase enzyme which, in turn, catalyzes a light-emitting reaction in the presence of the appropriate substrate. X-ray film can be used to quantify the light being emitted from a microorganism through the use of plural droplets containing the same microorganism, each with a known and related cell (or plasmid) count.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 1989
    Date of Patent: June 22, 1993
    Assignees: Boyce Thompson Institute for Plant Research, Inc., Texas A&M University
    Inventors: Roman P. Legocki, Misuk Legocki, Aladar A. Szalay, Thomas O. Baldwin
  • Precisely regulated expression of deleterious genes
    Patent number: 5196318
    Abstract: The invention relates to an expression vector system based on the regulation of bacterial luminescence (the lux gene system). The invention further relates to the construction of a precisely regulatable expression vector system which comprises a complete luxR gene in combination with an inactivated luxI gene. If the system is turned off, no significant transcription occurs of any cloned gene product when used in combination with the regulatory scheme of the invention as is demonstrated by using the bacteriophage .lambda. lysis genes. The induction of transcription relies on the addition of exogenous autoinducer which is both inexpensive and easy-to-use and which is required in only minute amounts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1993
    Assignee: The Texas A&M University System
    Inventors: Thomas O. Baldwin, Jerry H. Devine, Gerald S. Shadel
  • Linker compounds, linker-compound-ligands and linker-compound-receptors
    Patent number: 4879249
    Abstract: Novel immunoassay which utilizes an enzyme linked ligand or receptor wherein the enzyme is bacterial luciferase; mercantile kit useful in performing said immunoassay; and compounds utilized in performing said assay.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 1986
    Date of Patent: November 7, 1989
    Inventors: Thomas O. Baldwin, Thomas F. Holzman, Paul S. Satoh, Frederick S. Yein
  • Immunoassays with luciferase labeled ligands or receptors
    Patent number: 4614712
    Abstract: Immunoassays which utilize an enzyme linked ligand or receptor wherein the enzyme is bacterial luciferase; mercantile kit useful in performing said immunoassay; and compounds utilized in performing said assay.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 1983
    Date of Patent: September 30, 1986
    Assignees: The Upjohn Company, Texas A&M University System
    Inventors: Thomas O. Baldwin, Thomas F. Holzman, Paul S. Satoh, Frederick S. Yein
  • Process for producing a cloned luciferase-synthesizing microorganism
    Patent number: 4581335
    Abstract: A process for producing a cloned luciferase-synthesizing microorganism, capable of the expression of bioluminescence, is disclosed. The process involves isolation and digestion of the genomic DNA of an appropriate bioluminescent microorganism, such as Vibrio harveyi, to obtain a DNA fragment which codes for luciferase. The DNA fragment is inserted into a pre-existing cloning vehicle under the control of an expression promoter, thereby producing a recombinant or derivatized cloning vehicle. A host microorganism is transformed with the derivatized cloning vehicle, cultured and purified for the expression of bioluminescence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 1982
    Date of Patent: April 8, 1986
    Assignee: Texas A&M University System
    Inventor: Thomas O. Baldwin
  • Isolation of bacterial luciferase
    Patent number: 4548994
    Abstract: The present invention provides a novel means for the isolation of bacterial luciferase and a novel affinity resin useful in said isolation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 1983
    Date of Patent: October 22, 1985
    Assignee: The Upjohn Company
    Inventors: Thomas O. Baldwin, Thomas F. Holzman
  • Isolation of bacterial luciferase
    Patent number: 4412001
    Abstract: The present invention provides a novel means for the isolation of bacterial luciferase and a novel affinity resin useful in said isolation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1981
    Date of Patent: October 25, 1983
    Assignee: Board of Trustees of The University of Illinois
    Inventors: Thomas O. Baldwin, Thomas F. Holzman