Patents by Inventor Trisha Barrett

Trisha Barrett 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: 20260146255
    Abstract: The present disclosure concerns recombinant yeast host cells having a first genetic modification for downregulating a first metabolic pathway that converts NADP+ to NADPH, as well as a second genetic modification for upregulating a second metabolic pathway that converts NADP+ to NADPH. The second genetic modification allows the expression of a glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase lacking phosphorylating activity, which can, in some embodiments, be from enzyme commission 1.2.1.9 or 1.2.1.90. The second pathway is distinct from the first metabolic pathway. The present disclosure also concerns a process for making and improving the yield of a fermented product, such as ethanol, using the recombinant yeast host cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2025
    Publication date: May 28, 2026
    Inventors: Ryan Skinner, Aaron Argyros, Adam Simard, Trisha Barrett
  • Publication number: 20260002143
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to proteases for improving alcoholic fermentation. The proteases are expressed from a recombinant host cell. The present disclosure also provides a population of recombinant host cells expressing an heterologous protease that can be used in combination with recombinant host cells expressing an heterologous glucoamylase and/or an heterologous glycerol reduction system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2025
    Publication date: January 1, 2026
    Inventors: Trisha Barrett, Charles F. Rice, Aaron Argyros
  • Patent number: 12442009
    Abstract: The present disclosure concerns the use of specific genetic modification(s) for improving sulfite tolerance in recombinant yeast host cells. The genetic modification(s) is (are) designed to allow the expression of an heterologous transcription factor favoring the expression of a SSU1 polypeptide and/or the expression of an heterologous SSU1 polypeptide in the recombinant yeast host cell(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2025
    Assignee: DANSTAR FERMENT AG
    Inventors: Aaron Argyros, Charles F. Rice, Trisha Barrett, Michelle Oeser, Janet Fisher
  • Publication number: 20250236875
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a yeast strain, or strains, secreting a full suite, or any subset of that full suite, of enzymes to hydrolyze corn starch, corn fiber, lignocellulose, (including enzymes that hydrolyze linkages in cellulose, hemicellulose, and between lignin and carbohydrates) and to utilize pentose sugars (xylose and arabinose). The invention is also directed to the set of proteins that are well expressed in yeast for each category of enzymatic activity. The resulting strain, or strains can be used to hydrolyze starch and cellulose simultaneously. The resulting strain, or strains can be also metabolically engineered to produce less glycerol and uptake acetate. The resulting strain, or strains can also be used to produce ethanol from granular starch without liquefaction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2024
    Publication date: July 24, 2025
    Inventors: Elena BREVNOVA, John E. MCBRIDE, Erin WISWALL, Kevin S. WENGER, Nicky CAIAZZA, Heidi HAU, Aaron ARGYROS, Frank AGBOGBO, Charles F. RICE, Trisha BARRETT, John S. BARDSLEY, Abigail FOSTER, Anne K. WARNER, Mark MELLON, Ryan Skinner, Indraneel SHIKHARE, Riaan Den HAAN, Chhayal V. GANDHI, Alan BELCHER, Vineet B. RAJGARHIA, Allan C. FROEHLICH, Kristen M. DELEAULT, Emily STONEHOUSE, Shital A. TRIPATHI, Jennifer GOSSELIN, Yin-Ying CHIU, Haowen XU
  • Publication number: 20250179537
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to recombinant yeast host cells having (i) a first genetic modification for reducing the production of one or more native enzymes that function to produce glycerol or regulating glycerol synthesis and/or allowing the production of an heterologous glucoamylase and (ii) a second genetic modification for reducing the production of one or more native enzymes that function to produce trehalose or regulating trehalose synthesis and/or allowing the expression of an heterologous trehalase. The recombinant yeast host cells can be used to limit the production of (yeast-produced) trehalose (particularly extracellular trehalose) during fermentation and, in some embodiments, can increase the production of a fermentation product (such as, for example, ethanol).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2025
    Publication date: June 5, 2025
    Inventors: Charles F. Rice, Ryan Skinner, Trisha Barrett, Aaron Argyros
  • Patent number: 12258606
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to recombinant yeast host cells having (i) a first genetic modification for reducing the production of one or more native enzymes that function to produce glycerol or regulating glycerol synthesis and/or allowing the production of an heterologous glucoamylase and (ii) a second genetic modification for reducing the production of one or more native enzymes that function to produce trehalose or regulating trehalose synthesis and/or allowing the expression of an heterologous trehalase. The recombinant yeast host cells can be used to limit the production of (yeast-produced) trehalose (particularly extracellular trehalose) during fermentation and, in some embodiments, can increase the production of a fermentation product (such as, for example, ethanol).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2025
    Assignee: DANSTAR FERMENT AG
    Inventors: Charles F. Rice, Ryan Skinner, Trisha Barrett, Aaron Argyros
  • Patent number: 12168768
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a yeast strain, or strains, secreting a full suite, or any subset of that full suite, of enzymes to hydrolyze corn starch, corn fiber, lignocellulose, (including enzymes that hydrolyze linkages in cellulose, hemicellulose, and between lignin and carbohydrates) and to utilize pentose sugars (xylose and arabinose). The invention is also directed to the set of proteins that are well expressed in yeast for each category of enzymatic activity. The resulting strain, or strains can be used to hydrolyze starch and cellulose simultaneously. The resulting strain, or strains can be also metabolically engineered to produce less glycerol and uptake acetate. The resulting strain, or strains can also be used to produce ethanol from granular starch without liquefaction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2024
    Assignees: DANSTAR FERMENT AG, STELLENBOSCH UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Elena Brevnova, John E. McBride, Erin Wiswall, Kevin S. Wenger, Nicky Caiazza, Heidi Hau, Aaron Argyros, Frank Agbogbo, Charles F. Rice, Trisha Barrett, John S. Bardsley, Abigail Foster, Anne K. Warner, Mark Mellon, Ryan Skinner, Indraneel Shikhare, Riaan Den Haan, Chhayal V. Gandhi, Alan Belcher, Vineet B. Rajgarhia, Allan C. Froehlich, Kristen M. Deleault, Emily Stonehouse, Shital A. Tripathi, Jennifer Gosselin, Yin-Ying Chiu, Haowen Xu
  • Publication number: 20240409964
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a recombinant yeast cell for making ethanol. The recombinant yeast cell comprises a first genetic modification to increase an ethanol yield in the recombinant yeast cell when compared to a parental yeast cell. The recombinant yeast cell also comprises a second genetic modification capable of increasing pyruvate decarboxylase activity in the recombinant yeast cell when compared to the parental yeast cell. The parental yeast cell lacks the first genetic modification and the second genetic modification. The present disclosure also provides methods for making the recombinant yeast cell as well processes for using the recombinant yeast cell to make ethanol.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2022
    Publication date: December 12, 2024
    Inventors: Aaron Argyros, Johannes Pieter Van Dijken, Bailey Morgan Carignan, Trisha Barrett, Emily Stonehouse
  • Publication number: 20240360484
    Abstract: The present invention provides for a mechanism to reduce glycerol production and increase nitrogen utilization and ethanol production of recombinant microorganisms. One aspect of this invention relates to strains of S. cerevisiae with reduced glycerol productivity that get a kinetic benefit from higher nitrogen concentration without sacrificing ethanol yield. A second aspect of the invention relates to—metabolic modifications resulting in altered transport and/or intracellular metabolism of nitrogen sources present in corn mash.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2024
    Publication date: October 31, 2024
    Inventors: Aaron Argyros, Trisha Barrett
  • Publication number: 20240254468
    Abstract: The present disclosure concerns a recombinant yeast host cell exhibiting higher stability and, in some embodiments, higher fermentation performance. The recombinant yeast host cell stability has a limited ability to express an hydrolase during its propagation phase. In return, this limits the cleavage of a yeast cellular component during or after propagation which may be detrimental to the stability and/or fermentation performances. The recombinant yeast host cell expresses a heterologous hydrolase under the control of a heterologous promoter (for limiting the expression of the heterologous hydrolase during propagation and favoring the expression of the heterologous hydrolase during fermentation).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2024
    Publication date: August 1, 2024
    Inventors: Trisha Barrett, Aaron Argyros
  • Patent number: 11946089
    Abstract: The present invention provides for a mechanism to reduce glycerol production and increase nitrogen utilization and ethanol production of recombinant microorganisms. One aspect of this invention relates to strains of S. cerevisiae with reduced glycerol productivity that get a kinetic benefit from higher nitrogen concentration without sacrificing ethanol yield. A second aspect of the invention relates to metabolic modifications resulting in altered transport and/or intracellular metabolism of nitrogen sources present in corn mash.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: Lallemand Hungary Liquidity Management LLC
    Inventors: Aaron Argyros, Trisha Barrett
  • Publication number: 20230265463
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to recombinant yeast host cells having (i) a first genetic modification for reducing the production of one or more native enzymes that function to produce glycerol or regulating glycerol synthesis and/or allowing the production of an heterologous glucoamylase and (ii) a second genetic modification for reducing the production of one or more native enzymes that function to produce trehalose or regulating trehalose synthesis and/or allowing the expression of an heterologous trehalase. The recombinant yeast host cells can be used to limit the production of (yeast-produced) trehalose (particularly extracellular trehalose) during fermentation and, in some embodiments, can increase the production of a fermentation product (such as, for example, ethanol).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2023
    Publication date: August 24, 2023
    Inventors: Charles F. Rice, Ryan Skinner, Trisha Barrett, Aaron Argyros
  • Publication number: 20230193232
    Abstract: The present disclosure concerns a recombinant yeast host cell exhibiting higher stability and, in some embodiments, higher fermentation performance. The recombinant yeast host cell stability has a limited ability to express an hydrolase during its propagation phase. In return, this limits the cleavage of a yeast cellular component during or after propagation which may be detrimental to the stability and/or fermentation performances. The recombinant yeast host cell expresses a heterologous hydrolase under the control of a heterologous promoter (for limiting the expression of the heterologous hydrolase during propagation and favoring the expression of the heterologous hydrolase during fermentation).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2022
    Publication date: June 22, 2023
    Inventors: Trisha Barrett, Aaron Argyros
  • Patent number: 11655484
    Abstract: The present invention provides for a mechanism to completely replace the electron accepting function of glycerol formation with an alternative pathway to ethanol formation, thereby reducing glycerol production and increasing ethanol production. In some embodiments, the invention provides for a recombinant microorganism comprising a down-regulation in one or more native enzymes in the glycerol-production pathway. In some embodiments, the invention provides for a recombinant microorganism comprising an up-regulation in one or more enzymes in the ethanol-production pathway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: Lallemand Hungary Liquidity Management LLC
    Inventors: Arthur J. Shaw, IV, Aaron Argyros, Trisha Barrett
  • Patent number: 11634734
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to recombinant yeast host cells having (i) a first genetic modification for reducing the production of one or more native enzymes that function to produce glycerol or regulating glycerol synthesis and/or allowing the production of an heterologous glucoamylase and (ii) a second genetic modification for reducing the production of one or more native enzymes that function to produce trehalose or regulating trehalose synthesis and/or allowing the expression of an heterologous trehalase. The recombinant yeast host cells can be used to limit the production of (yeast-produced) trehalose (particularly extracellular trehalose) during fermentation and, in some embodiments, can increase the production of a fermentation product (such as, for example, ethanol).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: Lallemand Hungary Liquidity Management LLC
    Inventors: Charles F. Rice, Ryan Skinner, Trisha Barrett, Aaron Argyros
  • Publication number: 20230063426
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to proteases for improving alcoholic fermentation. The proteases are expressed from a recombinant host cell. The present disclosure also provides a population of recombinant host cells expressing an heterologous protease that can be used in combination with recombinant host cells expressing an heterologous glucoamylase and/or an heterologous glycerol reduction system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2022
    Publication date: March 2, 2023
    Inventors: Trisha Barrett, Charles F. Rice, Aaron Argyros
  • Patent number: 11572576
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to recombinant yeast host cells having (i) a first genetic modification for reducing the production of one or more native enzymes that function to produce glycerol or regulating glycerol synthesis and/or allowing the production of an heterologous glucoamylase and (ii) a second genetic modification for reducing the production of one or more native enzymes that function to produce trehalose or regulating trehalose synthesis and/or allowing the expression of an heterologous trehalase. The recombinant yeast host cells can be used to limit the production of (yeast-produced) trehalose (particularly extracellular trehalose) during fermentation and, in some embodiments, can increase the production of a fermentation product (such as, for example, ethanol).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: Lallemand Hungary Liquidity Management LLC
    Inventors: Charles F. Rice, Ryan Skinner, Trisha Barrett, Aaron Argyros
  • Publication number: 20230028975
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a yeast strain, or strains, secreting a full suite, or any subset of that full suite, of enzymes to hydrolyze corn starch, corn fiber, lignocellulose, (including enzymes that hydrolyze linkages in cellulose, hemicellulose, and between lignin and carbohydrates) and to utilize pentose sugars (xylose and arabinose). The invention is also directed to the set of proteins that are well expressed in yeast for each category of enzymatic activity. The resulting strain, or strains can be used to hydrolyze starch and cellulose simultaneously. The resulting strain, or strains can be also metabolically engineered to produce less glycerol and uptake acetate. The resulting strain, or strains can also be used to produce ethanol from granular starch without liquefaction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2021
    Publication date: January 26, 2023
    Inventors: Elena Brevnova, John E. McBride, Erin Wiswall, Kevin S. Wenger, Nicky Caiazza, Heidi Hau, Aaron Argyros, Frank Agbogbo, Charles F. Rice, Trisha Barrett, John S. Bardsley, Abigail Foster, Anne K. Warner, Mark Mellon, Ryan Skinner, Indraneel Shikhare, Riaan Den Haan, Chhayal V. Gandhi, Alan Belcher, Vineet B. Rajgarhia, Allan C. Froehlich, Kristen M. Deleault, Emily Stonehouse, Shital A. Tripathi, Jennifer Gosselin, Yin-Ying Chiu, Haowen Xu
  • Publication number: 20220220487
    Abstract: The present disclosure concerns a recombinant yeast host cell having a first genetic modification for expressing an heterologous trehalase, and a second genetic modification for increasing trehalose production. The present disclosure also concerns a process using the recombinant yeast host cell for making a fermented product, such as ethanol.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2019
    Publication date: July 14, 2022
    Inventors: Trisha Barrett, Ryan Skinner, Aaron Argyros
  • Publication number: 20220177930
    Abstract: The present invention provides for a mechanism to reduce glycerol production and increase nitrogen utilization and ethanol production of recombinant microorganisms. One aspect of this invention relates to strains of S. cerevisiae with reduced glycerol productivity that get a kinetic benefit from higher nitrogen concentration without sacrificing ethanol yield. A second aspect of the invention relates to metabolic modifications resulting in altered transport and/or intracellular metabolism of nitrogen sources present in corn mash.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2022
    Publication date: June 9, 2022
    Inventors: Aaron Argyros, Trisha Barrett