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: 20060277629
    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: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2006
    Publication date: December 7, 2006
    Inventors: Henry Valentin, Toni Voelker, Wei Zheng, Thomas Savage
  • Patent number: 7118896
    Abstract: The invention provides polypeptides having wax ester synthase and acyl-CoA:diacylglycerol acyltransferase activity. Also provided are the nucleic acids encoding such polypeptides, cells and organisms transformed therewith and methods of use thereof. The invention allows the modification of lipid profiles in host cells and organisms. Novel methods for the production of waxy esters are also provided by the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2006
    Assignee: Monsanto Technology, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Rainer Kalscheuer, Alexander Steinbuchel, Toni Voelker
  • Publication number: 20060206963
    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: March 16, 2006
    Publication date: September 14, 2006
    Inventors: Toni Voelker, JoAnne Fillatti, Neal Bringe, Tim Ulmasov
  • Publication number: 20060156435
    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: May 21, 2003
    Publication date: July 13, 2006
    Applicant: Monsanto Technology, LLC
    Inventors: Virginia Ursin, Toni Voelker, Byron Froman
  • Publication number: 20050183170
    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: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2005
    Publication date: August 18, 2005
    Inventors: JoAnne Fillatti, Larry Gilbertson, Toni Voelker
  • Publication number: 20040172681
    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: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2003
    Publication date: September 2, 2004
    Inventors: Toni A. Voelker, Dale L. Val, Thomas J. Savage
  • Publication number: 20040121467
    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: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2003
    Publication date: June 24, 2004
    Inventors: Toni A. Voelker, Dale L. Val, Thomas J. Savage
  • Publication number: 20040009576
    Abstract: The invention provides polypeptides having wax ester synthase and acyl-CoA:diacylglycerol acyltransferase activity. Also provided are the nucleic acids encoding such polypeptides, cells and organisms transformed therewith and methods of use thereof. The invention allows the modification of lipid profiles in host cells and organisms. Novel methods for the production of waxy esters are also provided by the invention.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2003
    Publication date: January 15, 2004
    Applicant: Monsanto Technology, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Rainer Kalscheuer, Alexander Steinbuchel, Toni Voelker
  • Publication number: 20030148300
    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: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2002
    Publication date: August 7, 2003
    Inventors: Henry E. Valentin, Toni Voelker, Wei Zheng, Thomas J. Savage
  • Patent number: 5850022
    Abstract: By this invention, methods to produce C14 fatty acids in plant seed oils are provided. In a first embodiment, this invention relates to particular C14 preferring acyl-ACP thioesterase sequences from Cuphea palustris, camphor and nutmeg, and to DNA constructs for the expression of these thioesterases in host cells for production of C14 fatty acids. Other aspects of this invention relate to methods for using other plant medium-chain thioesterases or medium-chain thioesterases from non-plant sources to provide C14 fatty acids in plant cells. In this regard, the production of C14 fatty acids in plant cells as the result of expression from an elm medium chain acyl-ACP thioesterase and a bacterial luxD gene is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 15, 1998
    Assignee: Calgene, Inc.
    Inventors: Katayoon Dehesh, Toni Voelker, Deborah Hawkins
  • Patent number: 5723761
    Abstract: This invention relates to plant thioesterases, specifically plant acyl-ACP thioesterases having substantial activity on palmitoyl-ACP substrates. DNA constructs useful for the expression of a plant palmitoyl-ACP thioesterase in a plant seed cell are described. Such constructs will contain a DNA sequence encoding the plant palmitoyl-ACP thioesterase of interest under the control of regulatory elements capable of preferentially directing the expression of the plant palmitoyl-ACP thioesterase in seed tissue, as compared with other plant tissues, when such a construct is expressed in a transgenic plant. This invention also relates to methods of using a DNA sequence encoding a plant palmitoyl-ACP thioesterase for the modification of the proportion of free fatty acids produced in a plant seed cell. Plant palmitoyl-ACP thioesterase sequences exemplified herein include Cuphea, leek, mango and elm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 3, 1998
    Assignee: Calgene, Inc.
    Inventors: Toni A. Voelker, Ling Yuan, Jean Kridl, Deborah Hawkins, Aubrey Jones
  • Patent number: 5512482
    Abstract: This invention relates to plant thioesterases, means to identify such proteins, amino acid and nucleic acid sequences associated with such protein, methods to obtain, make and/or use such plant thioesterases. Also, by this invention, the existence of a heretofore unproven factor critical to the biosynthesis of medium-chain fatty acids in plants is demonstrated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 30, 1996
    Assignee: Calgene, Inc.
    Inventors: Toni A. Voelker, Huw M. Davies
  • Patent number: 5455167
    Abstract: By this invention, further properties and uses of medium-chain thioesterases in plants are provided, including methods of using medium-chain thioesterases from non-plant sources to provide medium-chain fatty acids in plant cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 3, 1995
    Assignee: Calgene Inc.
    Inventors: Toni A. Voelker, Huw M. Davies
  • Patent number: 5344771
    Abstract: This invention relates to plant thioesterases, means to identify such proteins, amino acid and nucleic acid sequences associated with such protein, methods to obtain, make and/or use such plant thioesterases. Also, by this invention, the existence of a heretofore unproven factor critical to the biosynthesis of medium-chain fatty acids in plants is demonstrated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 6, 1994
    Assignee: Calgene, Inc.
    Inventors: Huw M. Davies, Toni A. Voelker
  • Patent number: 5298421
    Abstract: This invention relates to a novel class of plant enzymes, thioesterases having preferential hydrolase activity toward one or more medium-chain acyl-ACP substrates. Purification, especially the removal of substantially all other plant proteins, and use of the plant thioesterase is provided, including the use of the protein as a tool in gene isolation for biotechnological applications and a description of various uses for such nucleic acid sequences thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 29, 1994
    Assignee: Calgene, Inc.
    Inventors: Huw M. Davies, Toni A. Voelker