Patents by Inventor Xiaomu Niu

Xiaomu Niu 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).

  • Patent number: 7741534
    Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods for regulating expression of nucleotide sequences in a plant. Compositions may comprise a novel nucleic acid sequence for a promoter with tissue specificity and/or cytokinin inducibility. A method for expressing a heterologous nucleotide sequence in a plant using the promoter sequence is also provided. The method comprises transforming a plant cell to contain a heterologous nucleotide sequence operably linked to the promoter of the present invention and regenerating a stably transformed plant from the transformed plant cell. Other methods provide for downregulation of cytokinin oxidase in a plant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2010
    Assignee: Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc.
    Inventors: Xiaomu Niu, Haiyin Wang, Dwight T Tomes, Sabine Hantke, Norbert Brugiere
  • Publication number: 20100017909
    Abstract: This invention relates to isolated nucleic acid fragments encoding high affinity nitrate transport components. The invention also relates to the construction of recombinant DNA constructs encoding all or a portion of nitrate transport components, in sense or antisense orientation, wherein expression of the recombinant DNA construct may alter levels of the nitrate transport components in a transformed host cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2006
    Publication date: January 21, 2010
    Inventors: Stephen M. Allen, Lu Liu, Victor Llaca, Kanwarpal Singh Dhugga, Xiaomu Niu, Kevin Fengler, Dale Loussaert, Haiyin Wang, Howard P. Hershey
  • Publication number: 20090227013
    Abstract: This invention relates generally to the field of plant molecular biology. More specifically, this invention relates to methods and reagents for the temporally- and/or spatially-regulated expression of genes, particularly in plant seeds and related female reproductive tissue. Compositions comprise novel nucleotide sequences for a seed-preferred promoter known as eep2. A method for expressing a heterologous nucleotide sequence in a plant using the promoter sequences disclosed herein is provided. The method comprises transforming a plant cell to comprise a heterologous nucleotide sequence operably linked to one of the promoters of the present invention and regenerating a stably transformed plant from the transformed plant cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2009
    Publication date: September 10, 2009
    Applicant: PIONEER HI-BRED INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: Timothy G. Helentjaris, Xiaomu Niu
  • Publication number: 20090178159
    Abstract: Isolated polynucleotides and polypeptides and recombinant DNA constructs particularly useful for altering root structure of plants, compositions (such as plants or seeds) comprising these recombinant DNA constructs, and methods utilizing these recombinant DNA constructs. The recombinant DNA construct comprises a polynucleotide operably linked to a promoter functional in a plant, wherein said polynucleotide encodes a polypeptide useful for altering plant root architecture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2008
    Publication date: July 9, 2009
    Applicant: EI AND PIONEER HI-BRED INTERNATIONAL
    Inventors: Graziana Taramino, Hajime Sakai, Mai Komatsu, Xiaomu Niu
  • Publication number: 20090158467
    Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods for modulating flowering time in plants. Maize RAP2.7 nucleotide sequences are disclosed which upon overexpression cause later flowering and when inhibited cause earlier flowering. Also disclosed is a DNA sequence which acts as a regulator/enhancer of RAP2.7, termed VGT1. This sequence does not code for any known protein, but acts as either a RNAi element or a regulatory DNA or RNA element that either directly regulates expression of flowering genes such as Rap2.7 or specifically targets expression of other genes which control flowering genes such as Rap2.7. This element this can be used as a sequence-based marker to identify inbred and hybrids which have altered maturity. Methods for expressing these nucleotide sequences in a plant for modifying maturity and flowering in plants are provided as well as expression constructs, vectors, transformed cells and plants.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2008
    Publication date: June 18, 2009
    Applicants: PIONEER HI-BRED INTERNATIONAL, INC., UNIVERSITY OF BOLOGNA
    Inventors: DWIGHT TOMES, SILVIO SALVI, MICHELE MORGANTE, GIORGIO SPONZA, EDWARD BRUGGEMANN, XIAOMU NIU, BAILIN LI, ROBERTO TUBEROSA
  • Patent number: 7544857
    Abstract: The invention relates to the regulation of gene expression, particularly to methods and compositions for regulating gene expression in plants. Expression cassettes comprising a polynucleotide molecule of interest operably linked to the Brachytic2 (Br2) promoter, or a functional fragment or variant thereof, are provided. Methods of using such expression cassettes, as well as plant cells, plant tissues, plants, and seeds transformed with these expression cassettes, are additionally provided. The methods and compositions find use in regulating the expression of a polynucleotide molecule of interest in a plant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2009
    Assignees: Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc., The Curators of the University of Missouri
    Inventors: Dilbag Multani, Xiaomu Niu, Dwight T. Tomes, Haiyin Wang, Deping Xu
  • Publication number: 20090130685
    Abstract: Isolated polynucleotides and polypeptides and recombinant DNA constructs particularly useful for altering root structure of plants, compositions (such as plants or seeds) comprising these recombinant DNA constructs, and methods utilizing these recombinant DNA constructs. The recombinant DNA construct comprises a polynucleotide operably linked to a promoter functional in a plant, wherein said polynucleotide encodes a polypeptide useful for altering plant root architecture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2008
    Publication date: May 21, 2009
    Inventors: Graziana Taramino, Scott V. Tingey, Hajime Sakai, Stephen M. Allen, Dwight Tomes, Stanley Luck, Xiaomu Niu
  • Publication number: 20090113570
    Abstract: Isolated polynucleotides and polypeptides and recombinant DNA constructs particularly useful for altering root structure of plants, compositions (such as plants or seeds) comprising these recombinant DNA constructs, and methods utilizing these recombinant DNA constructs. The recombinant DNA construct comprises a polynucleotide operably linked to a promoter functional in a plant, wherein said polynucleotide encodes a polypeptide useful for altering plant root architecture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2008
    Publication date: April 30, 2009
    Applicant: E.I. DU PONT AND PIONEER HI-BRED INTER
    Inventors: Graziana Taramino, Hajime Sakai, Scott V. Tingey, Stephen M. Allen, Stanley Luck, Dwight Tomes, Xiaomu Niu
  • Publication number: 20090106859
    Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods for regulating expression of heterologous nucleotide sequences in a plant. Compositions are novel nucleotide sequences for a root-preferred promoter and terminator isolated from the maize 6PGD coding region. A method for expressing a heterologous nucleotide sequence in a plant using the regulatory sequences disclosed herein is provided. The method comprises transforming a plant cell to comprise a heterologous nucleotide sequence operably linked to one or more of the regulatory sequences of the present invention and regenerating a stably transformed plant from the transformed plant cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2008
    Publication date: April 23, 2009
    Applicant: PIONEER HI-BRED INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: Xiaomu Niu, Bruce Drummond
  • Publication number: 20090077691
    Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods for regulating expression of heterologous nucleotide sequences in a plant. Compositions are novel nucleotide sequences for a root-preferred promoter and terminator isolated from the maize MSY coding region. A method for expressing a heterologous nucleotide sequence in a plant using the regulatory sequences disclosed herein is provided. The method comprises transforming a plant cell to comprise a heterologous nucleotide sequence operably linked to one or more of the regulatory sequences of the present invention and regenerating a stably transformed plant from the transformed plant cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2008
    Publication date: March 19, 2009
    Applicant: PIONEER HI-BRED INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: Xiaomu Niu, Bruce Drummond
  • Publication number: 20090064373
    Abstract: Isolated polynucleotides and polypeptides and recombinant DNA constructs particularly useful for altering root structure of plants, compositions (such as plants or seeds) comprising these recombinant DNA constructs, and methods utilizing these recombinant DNA constructs. The recombinant DNA construct comprises a polynucleotide operably linked to a promoter functional in a plant, wherein said polynucleotide encodes a polypeptide useful for altering plant root architecture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2008
    Publication date: March 5, 2009
    Inventors: GRAZIANA TARAMINO, SCOTT V. TINGEY, STEPHEN M. ALLEN, DWIGHT TOMES, STANLEY D. LUCK, HAJIME SAKAI, XIAOMU NIU
  • Patent number: 7479584
    Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods for modulating flowering time in plants. Maize RAP2.7 nucleotide sequences are disclosed which upon overexpression cause later flowering and when inhibited cause earlier flowering. Also disclosed is a DNA sequence which acts as a regulator/enhancer of RAP2.7, termed VGT1. This sequence does not code for any known protein, but acts as either a RNAi element or a regulatory DNA or RNA element that either directly regulates expression of flowering genes such as Rap2.7 or specifically targets expression of other genes which control flowering genes such as Rap2.7. This element this can be used as a sequence—based marker to identify inbred and hybrids which have altered maturity. Methods for expressing these nucleotide sequences in a plant for modifying maturity and flowering in plants are provided as well as expression constructs, vectors, transformed cells and plants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2009
    Assignees: Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc., University of Bologna
    Inventors: Dwight Tomes, Silvio Salvi, Michele Morgante, Giorgio Sponza, Edward Bruggemann, Xiaomu Niu, Bailin Li, Roberto Tuberosa
  • Publication number: 20080201803
    Abstract: Isolated polynucleotides and polypeptides and recombinant DNA constructs particularly useful for altering root structure of plants, compositions (such as plants or seeds) comprising these recombinant DNA constructs, and methods utilizing these recombinant DNA constructs. The recombinant DNA construct comprises a polynucleotide operably linked to a promoter functional in a plant, wherein said polynucleotide encodes a polypeptide useful for altering plant root architecture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2008
    Publication date: August 21, 2008
    Applicant: E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: GRAZIANA TARAMINO, Hajime Sakai, Mai Komatsu, Xiaomu Niu
  • Publication number: 20080172760
    Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods for regulating expression of nucleotide sequences in a plant. Compositions may comprise a novel nucleic acid sequence for a promoter with tissue specificity and/or cytokinin inducibility. A method for expressing a heterologous nucleotide sequence in a plant using the promoter sequence is also provided. The method comprises transforming a plant cell to contain a heterologous nucleotide sequence operably linked to the promoter of the present invention and regenerating a stably transformed plant from the transformed plant cell. Other methods provide for downregulation of cytokinin oxidase in a plant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2008
    Publication date: July 17, 2008
    Applicant: PIONEER HI-BRED INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: Xiaomu Niu, Haiyin Wang, Dwight T. Tomes, Sabine Hantke, Norbert Brugiere
  • Patent number: 7371925
    Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods for regulating expression of nucleotide sequences in a plant. Compositions may comprise a novel nucleic acid sequence for a promoter with tissue specificity and/or cytokinin inducibility. A method for expressing a heterologous nucleotide sequence in a plant using the promoter sequence is also provided. The method comprises transforming a plant cell to contain a heterologous nucleotide sequence operably linked to the promoter of the present invention and regenerating a stably transformed plant from the transformed plant cell. Other methods provide for downregulation of cytokinin oxidase in a plant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2008
    Assignee: Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc.
    Inventors: Xiaomu Niu, Haiyin Wang, Dwight T. Tomes, Sabine Hantke, Norbert Brugière
  • Publication number: 20070169226
    Abstract: This invention relates generally to the field of plant molecular biology. More specifically, this invention relates to methods and reagents for the temporally- and/or spatially-regulated expression of genes, particularly in plant seeds and related female reproductive tissue. The present invention also provides compositions and methods for regulating expression of heterologous nucleotide sequences in a plant. Compositions comprise novel nucleotide sequences for a seed-preferred promoter known as eep1. A method for expressing a heterologous nucleotide sequence in a plant using the promoter sequences disclosed herein is provided. The method comprises transforming a plant cell to comprise a heterologous nucleotide sequence operably linked to one of the promoters of the present invention and regenerating a stably transformed plant from the transformed plant cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2007
    Publication date: July 19, 2007
    Applicant: PIONEER HI-BRED INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Habben, Chris Zinselmeier, Dwight Tomes, Shane Abbitt, Timothy Helentjaris, Xiaomu Niu
  • Publication number: 20070044180
    Abstract: The invention relates to the regulation of gene expression, particularly to methods and compositions for regulating gene expression in plants. Expression cassettes comprising a polynucleotide molecule of interest operably linked to the Brachytic2 (Br2) promoter, or a functional fragment or variant thereof, are provided. Methods of using such expression cassettes, as well as plant cells, plant tissues, plants, and seeds transformed with these expression cassettes, are additionally provided. The methods and compositions find use in regulating the expression of a polynucleotide molecule of interest in a plant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2006
    Publication date: February 22, 2007
    Applicants: Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc., The Curators of the University of Missouri
    Inventors: Dilbag Multani, Xiaomu Niu, Dwight Tomes, Haiyin Wang, Deping Xu
  • Publication number: 20070044176
    Abstract: This invention relates to isolated nucleic acid fragments encoding high affinity nitrate transport components. The invention also relates to the construction of recombinant DNA constructs encoding all or a portion of nitrate transport components, in sense or antisense orientation, wherein expression of the recombinant DNA construct may alter levels of the nitrate transport components in a transformed host cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2006
    Publication date: February 22, 2007
    Inventors: Stephen Allen, Kanwarpal Dhugga, Kevin Fengler, Howard Hershey, Victor Llaca, Dale Loussaert, Lu Liu, Xiaomu Niu, Haiyin Wang
  • Patent number: 7148401
    Abstract: The invention relates to the regulation of gene expression, particularly to methods and compositions for regulating gene expression in plants. Expression cassettes comprising a polynucleotide molecule of interest operably linked to the Brachytic2 (Br2) promoter, or a functional fragment or variant thereof, are provided. Methods of using such expression cassettes, as well as plant cells, plant tissues, plants, and seeds transformed with these expression cassettes, are additionally provided. The methods and compositions find use in regulating the expression of a polynucleotide molecule of interest in a plant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2006
    Assignees: Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc., The Curators of the University of Missouri
    Inventors: Dilbag Multani, Xiaomu Niu, Dwight T. Tomes, Haiyin Wang, Deping Xu
  • Patent number: 7091398
    Abstract: The invention provides a novel isolated sucrose synthase nucleic acid and its encoded protein. The present invention also provides methods and compositions relating to altering sucrose synthase levels in plants, and in particular, in plant stalks and/or plant seeds. The invention further provides recombinant expression cassettes, host cells, transgenic plants, and transgenic seeds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2006
    Assignee: Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc.
    Inventors: Kanwarpal S. Dhugga, Timothy G. Helentjaris, Xiaomu Niu