Patents by Inventor Zhenglin Hou

Zhenglin Hou 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: 20250122536
    Abstract: Compositions and methods are provided for novel Cas9 orthologs, including, but not limiting to, novel guide polynucleotide/Cas9 endonucleases complexes, single or dual guide RNAs, guide RNA elements, and Cas9 endonucleases. The present disclosure also describes methods for creating a double strand break in a target polynucleotide, methods for genome modification of a target sequence under various in vivo and in vitro conditions, in the genome of a cell, for gene editing, and for inserting a polynucleotide of interest into the genome of a cell. Also provided are nucleic acid constructs and cells having a modified target site or altered polynucleotide of interest produced by the methods described herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2024
    Publication date: April 17, 2025
    Applicant: PIONEER HI-BRED INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: ZHENGLIN HOU, JOSHUA K. YOUNG, GIEDRIUS GASIUNAS, VIRGINIJUS SIKSNYS
  • Publication number: 20250092099
    Abstract: Compositions and methods for editing an endogenous NAC genes in plants are provided, for the improvement of traits of agronomic or commercial importance. Modifications of expression and activity of NAC genes are described, including editing endogenous NAC gene functional motifs and knocking out NAC gene function.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2024
    Publication date: March 20, 2025
    Applicant: PIONEER HI-BRED INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: ZHENGLIN HOU, MARY A RUPE, BO SHEN, ROBERT W WILLIAMS, WEIQING ZENG, JUN ZHANG
  • Publication number: 20250084431
    Abstract: Compositions and methods for controlling pests are provided. The methods involve transforming organisms with a nucleic acid sequence encoding an insecticidal protein. In particular, the nucleic acid sequences are useful for preparing plants and microorganisms that possess insecticidal activity. Thus, transformed bacteria, plants, plant cells, plant tissues and seeds are provided. Compositions are insecticidal nucleic acids and proteins of bacterial species. The sequences find use in the construction of expression vectors for subsequent transformation into organisms of interest including plants, as probes for the isolation of other homologous (or partially homologous) genes. The pesticidal proteins find use in controlling, inhibiting growth or killing Lepidopteran, Coleopteran, Dipteran, fungal, Hemipteran and nematode pest populations and for producing compositions with insecticidal activity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2024
    Publication date: March 13, 2025
    Applicant: PIONEER HI-BRED INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: JENNIFER KARA BARRY, JAMES J ENGLISH, KEVIN A FENGLER, ZHENGLIN HOU, LU LIU, ERIC SCHEPERS, JEFFREY SOPA, INGRID UDRANSZKY
  • Publication number: 20250075197
    Abstract: Novel engineered non-natural deaminases are provided. Methods and compositions are provided for modifying the genome of a cell, including a plant cell. Genome modification through guided CRISPR polypeptides and multiple deaminases are provided. Engineered non-natural novel deaminases, including adenosine deaminases are provided. These novel deaminases have improved activity in cells including plant cells.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2024
    Publication date: March 6, 2025
    Applicant: PIONEER HI-BRED INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: ZHENGLIN HOU, SANDEEP KUMAR, JOSHUA K. YOUNG
  • Publication number: 20250057098
    Abstract: Methods and compositions for modulating plant meristems. Methods are provided for modulating fea3 and/or Fcp1 genomic locus in a host plant or plant cell to improve agronomic characteristics such as kernel number.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2024
    Publication date: February 20, 2025
    Applicant: PIONEER HI-BRED INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: HUIRONG GAO, ZHENGLIN HOU, ROBERT B MEELEY
  • Patent number: 12215364
    Abstract: Compositions and methods are provided for genome modification of a target sequence in the genome of a cell, using a novel Cas endonuclease. The methods and compositions employ a guide polynucleotide/endonuclease system to provide an effective system for modifying or altering target sequences within the genome of a cell or organism. Also provided are novel effectors and endonuclease systems and elements comprising such systems, such as guide polynucleotide/endonuclease systems comprising an endonuclease. Compositions and methods are also provided for guide polynucleotide/endonuclease systems comprising at least one endonuclease, optionally covalently or non-covalently linked to, or assembled with, at least one additional protein subunit, and for compositions and methods for direct delivery of endonucleases as ribonucleotide proteins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2025
    Assignee: PIONEER HI-BRED INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: Zhenglin Hou, Tautvydas Karvelis, Virginijus Siksnys, Joshua K Young
  • Publication number: 20250011804
    Abstract: Provided are compositions comprising polynucleotides encoding polypeptides. Also provided are recombinant DNA constructs, plants, plant cells, seed, grain comprising the polynucleotides, and plants, plant cells, seed, grain comprising a genetic modification at a genomic locus encoding a polypeptide. Additionally, various methods of employing the polynucleotides and genetic modifications in plants, such as methods for modulating expression level in a plant and methods for increasing yield of a plant are also provided herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2024
    Publication date: January 9, 2025
    Applicant: PIONEER HI-BRED INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: KRISTIN HAUG COLLET, ZHENGLIN HOU, SHAI LAWIT, ROSANA MELO, NICHOLAS MONGAR, JOHN VAN HEMERT, JINGRUI WU, WENGANG ZHOU
  • Patent number: 12188035
    Abstract: Compositions and methods for controlling pests are provided. The methods involve transforming organisms with a nucleic acid sequence encoding an insecticidal protein. In particular, the nucleic acid sequences are useful for preparing plants and microorganisms that possess insecticidal activity. Thus, transformed bacteria, plants, plant cells, plant tissues and seeds are provided. Compositions are insecticidal nucleic acids and proteins of bacterial species. The sequences find use in the construction of expression vectors for subsequent transformation into organisms of interest including plants, as probes for the isolation of other homologous (or partially homologous) genes. The pesticidal proteins find use in controlling, inhibiting growth or killing Lepidopteran, Coleopteran, Dipteran, fungal, Hemipteran and nematode pest populations and for producing compositions with insecticidal activity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2025
    Assignee: PIONEER HI-BRED INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: Jennifer Kara Barry, James J English, Kevin A. Fengler, Zhenglin Hou, Lu Liu, Eric Schepers, Jeffrey Sopa, Ingrid Udranszky
  • Patent number: 12171179
    Abstract: Methods and compositions for modulating plant meristems. Methods are provided for modulating fea3 and/or Fcp1 genomic locus in a host plant or plant cell to improve agronomic characteristics such as kernel number.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2024
    Assignee: PIONEER HI-BRED INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: Huirong Gao, Zhenglin Hou, Robert B Meeley
  • Patent number: 12139732
    Abstract: Novel engineered non-natural deaminases are provided. Methods and compositions are provided for modifying the genome of a cell, including a plant cell. Genome modification through guided CRISPR polypeptides and multiple deaminases are provided. Engineered non-natural novel deaminases, including adenosine deaminases are provided. These novel deaminases have improved activity in cells including plant cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2024
    Assignee: PIONEER HI-BRED INTERNATIONAL, INC
    Inventors: Zhenglin Hou, Sandeep Kumar, Joshua K Young
  • Patent number: 12084676
    Abstract: Compositions and methods are provided for novel Cas9 orthologs, including, but not limiting to, novel guide polynucleotide/Cas9 endonucleases complexes, single or dual guide RNAs, guide RNA elements, and Cas9 endonucleases. The present disclosure also describes methods for creating a double strand break in a target polynucleotide, methods for genome modification of a target sequence under various in vivo and in vitro conditions, in the genome of a cell, for gene editing, and for inserting a polynucleotide of interest into the genome of a cell. Also provided are nucleic acid constructs and cells having a modified target site or altered polynucleotide of interest produced by the methods described herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2024
    Assignee: PIONEER HI-BRED INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: Zhenglin Hou, Joshua K. Young, Giedrius Gasiunas, Virginijus Siksnys
  • Publication number: 20240229064
    Abstract: Compositions and methods for controlling pests are provided. The methods involve transforming organisms with a nucleic acid sequence encoding an insecticidal protein. In particular, the nucleic acid sequences are useful for preparing plants and microorganisms that possess insecticidal activity. Thus, transformed bacteria, plants, plant cells, plant tissues and seeds are provided. Compositions are insecticidal nucleic acids and proteins of bacterial species. The sequences find use in the construction of expression vectors for subsequent transformation into organisms of interest including plants, as probes for the isolation of other homologous (or partially homologous) genes. The pesticidal proteins find use in controlling, inhibiting growth or killing Lepidopteran, Coleopteran, Dipteran, fungal, Hemipteran and nematode pest populations and for producing compositions with insecticidal activity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2023
    Publication date: July 11, 2024
    Applicant: PIONEER HI-BRED INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: JENNIFER KARA BARRY, JAMES J ENGLISH, KEVIN A. FENGLER, ZHENGLIN HOU, LU LIU, ERIC SCHEPERS, JEFFREY SOPA, INGRID UDRANSZKY
  • Publication number: 20240132909
    Abstract: Compositions and methods for controlling pests are provided. The methods involve transforming organisms with a nucleic acid sequence encoding an insecticidal protein. In particular, the nucleic acid sequences are useful for preparing plants and microorganisms that possess insecticidal activity. Thus, transformed bacteria, plants, plant cells, plant tissues and seeds are provided. Compositions are insecticidal nucleic acids and proteins of bacterial species. The sequences find use in the construction of expression vectors for subsequent transformation into organisms of interest including plants, as probes for the isolation of other homologous (or partially homologous) genes. The pesticidal proteins find use in controlling, inhibiting growth or killing Lepidopteran, Coleopteran, Dipteran, fungal, Hemipteran and nematode pest populations and for producing compositions with insecticidal activity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2023
    Publication date: April 25, 2024
    Applicant: PIONEER HI-BRED INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: JENNIFER KARA BARRY, JAMES J ENGLISH, KEVIN A. FENGLER, ZHENGLIN HOU, LU LIU, ERIC SCHEPERS, JEFFREY SOPA, INGRID UDRANSZKY
  • Patent number: 11840701
    Abstract: Compositions and methods for controlling pests are provided. The methods involve transforming organisms with a nucleic acid sequence encoding an insecticidal protein. In particular, the nucleic acid sequences are useful for preparing plants and microorganisms that possess insecticidal activity. Thus, transformed bacteria, plants, plant cells, plant tissues and seeds are provided. Compositions are insecticidal nucleic acids and proteins of bacterial species. The sequences find use in the construction of expression vectors for subsequent transformation into organisms of interest including plants, as probes for the isolation of other homologous (or partially homologous) genes. The pesticidal proteins find use in controlling, inhibiting growth or killing Lepidopteran, Coleopteran, Dipteran, fungal, Hemipteran and nematode pest populations and for producing compositions with insecticidal activity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Inventors: Jennifer Kara Barry, James J English, Kevin A Fengler, Zhenglin Hou, Lu Liu, Eric Schepers, Jeffrey Sopa, Ingrid Udranszky
  • Publication number: 20230392135
    Abstract: Compositions and methods are provided for genome modification of a target sequence in the genome of a cell, using novel engineered Cas endonucleases. The methods and compositions employ a guide polynucleotide/endonuclease system to provide an effective system for modifying or altering target sequences within the genome of a cell or organism. Also provided are novel effectors and endonuclease systems and elements comprising such systems, such as guide polynucleotide/endonuclease systems comprising an endonuclease. Compositions and methods are also provided for guide polynucleotide/endonuclease systems comprising at least one endonuclease, optionally covalently or non-covalently linked to, or assembled with, at least one additional protein subunit, and for compositions and methods for direct delivery of endonucleases as ribonucleotide proteins.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2021
    Publication date: December 7, 2023
    Applicant: PIONEER HI-BRED INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: CLARA ALARCON, STEPHEN LAWRENCE GASIOR, ZHENGLIN HOU, ELIZABETH SOMMERS VAN GINKEL, JOSHUA K. YOUNG
  • Patent number: 11807878
    Abstract: Compositions and methods are provided for genome modification of a target sequence in the genome of a cell, using a novel Cas endonuclease. The methods and compositions employ a guide polynucleotide/endonuclease system to provide an effective system for modifying or altering target sequences within the genome of a cell or organism. Also provided are novel effectors and endonuclease systems and elements comprising such systems, such as guide polynucleotide/endonuclease systems comprising an endonuclease. Compositions and methods are also provided for guide polynucleotide/endonuclease systems comprising at least one endonuclease, optionally covalently or non-covalently linked to, or assembled with, at least one additional protein subunit, and for compositions and methods for direct delivery of endonucleases as ribonucleotide proteins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Inventors: Zhenglin Hou, Tautvydas Karvelis, Virginijus Siksnys, Joshua K Young
  • Publication number: 20230232763
    Abstract: Soybean plants and soybean seeds comprise increased amounts of essential amino acids such as methionine, tryptophan or lysine. Soybean plants, soybean seeds and soy protein compositions comprising a modified glycinin protein, modified amounts of glycinin and beta-conglycinin, or both have increases in one or more essential amino acids. Protein compositions having increased essential amino acids can be made from the soybean seeds. Additionally, methods for generating and using plants, seeds and protein compositions having increased amounts of essential amino acids are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2021
    Publication date: July 27, 2023
    Applicant: PIONEER HI-BRED INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: ZHENGLIN HOU, ZHAN-BIN LIU, KRISHNA M. MADDURI, BO SHEN, JUN ZHANG
  • Patent number: 11697821
    Abstract: Compositions and methods for controlling pests are provided. The methods involve transforming organisms with a nucleic acid sequence encoding an insecticidal protein. In particular, the nucleic acid sequences are useful for preparing plants and microorganisms that possess insecticidal activity. Thus, transformed bacteria, plants, plant cells, plant tissues and seeds are provided. Compositions are insecticidal nucleic acids and proteins of bacterial species. The sequences find use in the construction of expression vectors for subsequent transformation into organisms of interest, as probes for the isolation of other homologous (or partially homologous) genes. The insecticidal proteins find use in controlling, inhibiting growth or killing lepidopteran, coleopteran, dipteran, fungal, hemipteran, and nematode pest populations and for producing compositions with insecticidal activity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2023
    Inventors: Ruth Cong, Jingtong Hou, Zhenglin Hou, Phillip A Patten, Takashi Yamamoto
  • Publication number: 20230210080
    Abstract: Compositions and methods for generating maize plants that exhibit resistance to northern leaf blight are provided herein. Polynucleotides encoding a polypeptide that confers resistance to northern leaf blight, polynucleotide constructs comprising such, and maize plants comprising the polynucleotide constructs are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2022
    Publication date: July 6, 2023
    Applicant: PIONEER HI-BRED INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: ZHENGLIN HOU, APRIL L. LEONARD, BAILIN LI, GIRMA M. TABOR, SHAWN THATCHER
  • Patent number: 11653609
    Abstract: Compositions and methods for generating maize plants that exhibit resistance to northern leaf blight are provided herein. Isolated polynucleotides encoding a polypeptide that confers resistance to northern leaf blight, polynucleotide constructs comprising such, and maize plants comprising the polynucleotide constructs are provided. The methods include expressing an isolated polynucleotide in a maize cell via standard transformation methods and obtaining a maize plant from said maize cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Inventors: Zhenglin Hou, April L Leonard, Bailin Li, Girma M Tabor