Patents by Inventor Toni A. Voelker

Toni A. Voelker 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: 20140082774
    Abstract: Methods for obtaining soybean plants that produce seed with low linolenic acid levels and moderately increased oleic levels are disclosed. Also disclosed are methods for producing seed with low linolenic acid levels, moderately increased oleic levels and low saturated fatty acid levels. These methods entail the combination of transgenes that provide moderate oleic acid levels with soybean germplasm that contains mutations in soybean genes that confer low linolenic acid phenotypes. These methods also entail the combination of transgenes that provide both moderate oleic acid levels and low saturated fat levels with soybean germplasm that contains mutations in soybean genes that confer low linolenic acid phenotypes. Soybean plants and seeds produced by these methods are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2013
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Applicant: Monsanto Technology LLC
    Inventors: Joanne J. Fillatti, Greg E. Keithly, Toni Voelker, Tim Ulmasov
  • Patent number: 8609934
    Abstract: Methods of providing gene suppression DNA in a eukaryotic organism comprising introducing a first DNA segment and at least one second DNA segment into the genome of the organism. One of the DNA segments contains a promoter and a transcribable DNA. Another DNA segment contains at least part of the transcribable DNA. When inserted in tandem, the DNA segments are assembled in vivo forming a recombinant transcription unit. RNA transcribed from the transcription unit can form double-stranded RNA.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Monsanto Technology LLC
    Inventors: Joanne Fillatti, Larry Gilbertson, Toni Voelker
  • Patent number: 8609953
    Abstract: Methods for obtaining soybean plants that produce seed with low linolenic acid levels and moderately increased oleic levels are disclosed. Also disclosed are methods for producing seed with low linolenic acid levels, moderately increased oleic levels and low saturated fatty acid levels. These methods entail the combination of transgenes that provide moderate oleic acid levels with soybean germplasm that contains mutations in soybean genes that confer low linolenic acid phenotypes. These methods also entail the combination of transgenes that provide both moderate oleic acid levels and low saturated fat levels with soybean germplasm that contains mutations in soybean genes that confer low linolenic acid phenotypes. Soybean plants and seeds produced by these methods are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Monsanto Technology LLC
    Inventors: Joanne J. Fillatti, Greg E. Keithly, Toni Voelker, Tim Ulmasov
  • Patent number: 8362320
    Abstract: The invention relates generally to methods and compositions concerning fungal desaturase enzymes that modulate the number and location of double bonds in long chain poly-unsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFA's). In Particular, the invention relates to methods and compositions for improving omega-3 fatty acid profiles in plant products and parts using desaturase enzymes and nucleic acids encoding for such enzymes. In particular embodiments, the desaturase enzymes are fungal ?15 desaturases. Also provided are improved canola oil compositions having SDA and maintaining beneficial oleic acid content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Monsanto Technology LLC
    Inventors: Virginia M. Ursin, Toni Voelker, Byron Froman
  • Publication number: 20110239335
    Abstract: Methods for obtaining soybean plants that produce seed with low linolenic acid levels and moderately increased oleic levels are disclosed. Also disclosed are methods for producing seed with low linolenic acid levels, moderately increased oleic levels and low saturated fatty acid levels. These methods entail the combination of transgenes that provide moderate oleic acid levels with soybean germplasm that contains mutations in soybean genes that confer low linolenic acid phenotypes. These methods also entail the combination of transgenes that provide both moderate oleic acid levels and low saturated fat levels with soybean germplasm that contains mutations in soybean genes that confer low linolenic acid phenotypes. Soybean plants and seeds produced by these methods are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2011
    Publication date: September 29, 2011
    Applicant: MONSANTO TECHNOLOGY LLC
    Inventors: Joanne J. Fillatti, Greg E. Keithly, Toni Voelker, Tim Ulmasov
  • Publication number: 20110119793
    Abstract: The present invention provides novel promoters for use in plants. Specifically, the present invention provides novel enhanced plant promoters. The present invention also provides DNA constructs; transgenic cells, plants, and seeds containing these novel promoters; and methods for preparing and using the same.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2009
    Publication date: May 19, 2011
    Inventors: Andrew M. Mroczka, Monica P. Ravanello, Toni Voelker, Nicholas W. Wagner
  • Patent number: 7943818
    Abstract: Methods for obtaining soybean plants that produce seed with low linolenic acid levels and moderately increased oleic levels are disclosed. Also disclosed are methods for producing seed with low linolenic acid levels, moderately increased oleic levels and low saturated fatty acid levels. These methods entail the combination of transgenes that provide moderate oleic acid levels with soybean germplasm that contains mutations in soybean genes that confer low linolenic acid phenotypes. These methods also entail the combination of transgenes that provide both moderate oleic acid levels and low saturated fat levels with soybean germplasm that contains mutations in soybean genes that confer low linolenic acid phenotypes. Soybean plants and seeds produced by these methods are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Assignee: Monsanto Technology LLC
    Inventors: Joanne J. Fillatti, Greg E. Keithly, Toni Voelker, Tim Ulmasov
  • Publication number: 20100240128
    Abstract: This invention relates to methods of controlling gene expression or gene suppression in eukaryotic cells. One aspect of this invention includes modifying the degree of silencing of a target gene by use of a modified suppression element. Another aspect includes providing a eukaryotic cell having a desired phenotype resulting from transcription in the eukaryotic cell of a modified suppression element. Also provided are transgenic eukaryotic cells, transgenic plant cells, plants, and seeds containing modified suppression elements, and useful derivatives of such transgenic plant cells, plants, or seeds, such as food or feed products.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2010
    Publication date: September 23, 2010
    Inventors: Joanne Fillatti, Jean C. Goley, Gregory R. Heck, Tichafa R. I. Munyikwa, Ty T. Vaughn, Toni Voelker
  • Patent number: 7790953
    Abstract: Methods for obtaining soybean plants that produce seed with low linolenic acid levels and moderately increased oleic levels are disclosed. Also disclosed are methods for producing seed with low linolenic acid levels, moderately increased oleic levels and low saturated fatty acid levels. These methods entail the combination of transgenes that provide moderate oleic acid levels with soybean germplasm that contains mutations in soybean genes that confer low linolenic acid phenotypes. These methods also entail the combination of transgenes that provide both moderate oleic acid levels and low saturated fat levels with soybean germplasm that contains mutations in soybean genes that confer low linolenic acid phenotypes. Soybean plants and seeds produced by these methods are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: Monsanto Technology LLC
    Inventors: Joanne J. Fillatti, Greg E. Keithly, Toni Voelker, Tim Ulmasov
  • Publication number: 20100218269
    Abstract: Methods for obtaining soybean plants that produce seed with low linolenic acid levels and moderately increased oleic levels are disclosed. Also disclosed are methods for producing seed with low linolenic acid levels, moderately increased oleic levels and low saturated fatty acid levels. These methods entail the combination of transgenes that provide moderate oleic acid levels with soybean germplasm that contains mutations in soybean genes that confer low linolenic acid phenotypes. These methods also entail the combination of transgenes that provide both moderate oleic acid levels and low saturated fat levels with soybean germplasm that contains mutations in soybean genes that confer low linolenic acid phenotypes. Soybean plants and seeds produced by these methods are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2010
    Publication date: August 26, 2010
    Applicant: MONSANTO TECHNOLOGY LLC
    Inventors: Joanne J. Fillatti, Greg E. Keithly, Toni Voelker, Tim Ulmasov
  • Publication number: 20100212045
    Abstract: The invention relates generally to methods and compositions concerning fungal desaturase enzymes that modulate the number and location of double bonds in long chain poly-unsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFA's). In Particular, the invention relates to methods and compositions for improving omega-3 fatty acid profiles in plant products and parts using desaturase enzymes and nucleic acids encoding for such enzymes. In particular embodiments, the desaturase enzymes are fungal ?15 desaturases. Also provided are improved canola oil compositions having SDA and maintaining beneficial oleic acid content.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2009
    Publication date: August 19, 2010
    Inventors: Virginia M. Ursin, Toni Voelker, Byron Froman
  • Patent number: 7622632
    Abstract: The invention relates generally to methods and compositions concerning fungal desaturase enzymes that modulate the number and location of double bonds in long chain poly-unsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFA's). In Particular, the invention relates to methods and compositions for improving omega-3 fatty acid profiles in plant products and parts using desaturase enzymes and nucleic acids encoding for such enzymes. In particular embodiments, the desaturase enzymes are fungal ?15 desaturases. Also provided are improved canola oil compositions having SDA and maintaining beneficial oleic acid content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2009
    Assignee: Monsanto Technology LLC
    Inventors: Virginia M. Ursin, Toni Voelker, Byron Froman
  • Patent number: 7566813
    Abstract: The present invention is in the field of plant genetics and provides recombinant nucleic acid molecules, constructs, and other agents associated with the coordinate manipulation of multiple genes in the fatty acid synthesis pathway. In particular, the agents of the present invention are associated with the simultaneous enhanced expression of certain genes in the fatty acid synthesis pathway and suppressed expression of certain other genes in the same pathway. Also provided are plants incorporating such agents, and in particular plants incorporating such constructs where the plants exhibit altered seed oil compositions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2009
    Assignee: Monsanto Technology, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Toni Voelker, JoAnne J. Fillatti, Neal A. Bringe, Tim Ulmasov
  • Publication number: 20090151029
    Abstract: The present invention is in the field of plant genetics and provides recombinant nucleic acid molecules, constructs, and other agents associated with the coordinate manipulation of multiple genes in the fatty acid synthesis pathway. In particular, the agents of the present invention are associated with the simultaneous enhanced expression of certain genes in the fatty acid synthesis pathway and suppressed expression of certain other genes in the same pathway. Also provided are plants incorporating such agents, and in particular plants incorporating such constructs where the plants exhibit altered seed oil compositions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2009
    Publication date: June 11, 2009
    Inventors: Toni Voelker, JoAnne J. Fillatti, Neal A. Bringe, Tim Ulmasov
  • Publication number: 20090049572
    Abstract: This present invention provides a method for increasing oil levels in the tissues of plants by expression of a heterologous multifunctional fatty acid synthase (mfFAS) from Lipomyces starkeyi within the plant. In certain embodiments, the present invention provides isolated nucleic acid molecules encoding mfFAS enzymes from Lipomyces starkeyi for this purpose, and vectors and plants containing same.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2008
    Publication date: February 19, 2009
    Inventors: Toni A. Voelker, Dale L. Val, Thomas J. Savage
  • Patent number: 7405344
    Abstract: This present invention provides a method for increasing oil levels in the tissues of Brassica sp. plants by expression of a heterologous multifunctional fatty acid synthase (mfFAS) within the plant. In one embodiment, the present invention provides isolated nucleic acid molecules encoding mfFAS enzymes from various sources for this purpose, and vectors and plants containing same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignee: Monsanto Technology LLC
    Inventors: Toni A. Voelker, Dale L. Val, Thomas J. Savage
  • Patent number: 7273966
    Abstract: This present invention provides a method for increasing fatty acid synthase activity in a plant by expressing a transgenic multifunctional fatty acid synthase (mfFAS) within the plant, wherein the plant is not of the Brassica species. In one embodiment, the present invention provides isolated nucleic acid molecules encoding mfFAS proteins from various sources for this purpose, and vectors containing same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: Monsanto Technology LLC
    Inventors: Toni A. Voelker, Dale L. Val, Thomas J. Savage
  • Publication number: 20070214516
    Abstract: Methods for obtaining soybean plants that produce seed with low linolenic acid levels and moderately increased oleic levels are disclosed. Also disclosed are methods for producing seed with low linolenic acid levels, moderately increased oleic levels and low saturated fatty acid levels. These methods entail the combination of transgenes that provide moderate oleic acid levels with soybean germplasm that contains mutations in soybean genes that confer low linolenic acid phenotypes. These methods also entail the combination of transgenes that provide both moderate oleic acid levels and low saturated fat levels with soybean germplasm that contains mutations in soybean genes that confer low linolenic acid phenotypes. Soybean plants and seeds produced by these methods are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2007
    Publication date: September 13, 2007
    Applicant: MONSANTO TECHNOLOGY LLC
    Inventors: Joanne J. Fillatti, Greg E. Keithly, Toni Voelker, Tim Ulmasov
  • Publication number: 20070192903
    Abstract: This invention relates to methods of controlling gene expression or gene suppression in eukaryotic cells. One aspect of this invention includes modifying the degree of silencing of a target gene by use of a modified suppression element. Another aspect includes providing a eukaryotic cell having a desired phenotype resulting from transcription in the eukaryotic cell of a modified suppression element. Also provided are transgenic eukaryotic cells, transgenic plant cells, plants, and seeds containing modified suppression elements, and useful derivatives of such transgenic plant cells, plants, or seeds, such as food or feed products.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2007
    Publication date: August 16, 2007
    Inventors: Gregory R. Heck, JoAnne J. Fillatti, Jean C. Goley, Tichafa R.I. Munyikwa, Toni Voelker, Ty T. Vaughn
  • Patent number: 7161061
    Abstract: The present invention is in the field of plant genetics and biochemistry. More specifically, the invention relates to genes associated with nucleotide triphosphate transport. The present invention provides and includes nucleic acid molecules, proteins, and antibodies associated with the genes involved in nucleotide triphosphate transport. The present invention also provides methods for utilizing such agents, for example, in gene isolation, gene analysis, and the production of transgenic plants. Moreover, the present invention includes transgenic plants modified to express proteins associated with nucleotide triphosphate transport.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: Monsanto Technology LLC
    Inventors: Henry E. Valentin, Toni Voelker, Wei Zheng, Thomas J. Savage