Clostridium Patents (Class 435/252.7)
  • Patent number: 8128940
    Abstract: The specification discloses modified Clostridial toxins comprising a Clostridial toxin enzymatic domain, a Clostridial toxin translocation domain and an enhanced Clostridial toxin binding domain; polynucleotide molecules encoding such modified Clostridial toxins; and method of producing such modified Clostridial toxins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Allergan, Inc.
    Inventors: Lance E. Steward, Ester Fernandez-Salas, Joseph Francis, Shengwen Li, Marcella A. Gilmore, Kei R. Aoki
  • Publication number: 20120045475
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a bacterium attenuated by a mutation in at least one ABC transporter gene wherein the mutation renders the corresponding ABC transporter protein non-functional and wherein the attenuated bacterium persists in a subject.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2010
    Publication date: February 23, 2012
    Applicant: AUSTRALIAN POULTRY CRC PTY LIMITED
    Inventors: Glenn Francis Browning, Philip Francis Markham, Chi-Wen Tseng
  • Patent number: 8119378
    Abstract: The invention relates to the production of alcohols by microbial fermentation, particularly to production of alcohols by microbial fermentation of substrates comprising CO. It more particularly relates to processes for the production of alcohols from their corresponding acids in the presence of a substrate comprising CO. In particular embodiments, a fermentation reaction producing acid(s) and optionally alcohol(s) is perturbed such that at least a portion one or more of acid(s) is converted to alcohol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: LanzaTech New Zealand Limited
    Inventors: Sean Dennis Simpson, Christophe Collet, Phuong Loan Tran, Bakir Al-Sinawi, Richard Llewellyn Sydney Forster, Matthew James Rowe, Gary Chan, Kelly Marie Mahar, Jennifer Mon Yee Fung
  • Patent number: 8119370
    Abstract: Compositions comprising activatable recombinant neurotoxins and polypeptides derived therefrom. The invention also comprises nucleic acids encoding such polypeptides, and methods of making such polypeptides and nucleic acids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: Allergan, Inc.
    Inventors: J. Oliver Dolly, Yan Li, Kuo Chion Chan
  • Publication number: 20120014993
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to spore surface display compositions comprising a spore having at least one nucleic acid sequence encoding for at least one polypeptide and operable to express the polypeptide on a surface of the spore. In some embodiments, the displayed polypeptide is displayed with a spore carrier protein. In some embodiments, the spore may be derived from a Clostriduim sp. such as Clostriduim taeniosporum. Spore display compositions of the disclosure may include vaccines, fusion proteins, drug delivery devices, systems for generating an antibody to an antigen/peptide expressed on a spore surface, an anticancer drug, an immobilized enzyme system, a system for serological reagent preparation, a contaminant removal system, a biocatalysis system, a screening platform, a nanotechnology platform, a bioanalytical sensor, a molecular electronic system and/or a signal processing system. Methods for making and using these compositions are described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2011
    Publication date: January 19, 2012
    Inventors: James R. Walker, Alexandra Blinkova, Philip Tucker
  • Publication number: 20120003626
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes methods for concentrating microorganisms with concentration agents in a sampling device and the sampling device described herein. More specifically, methods for concentrating microorganisms from large volume samples with concentration agents in a sampling device can provide for rapid, low cost, simple (involving no complex equipment or procedures), and/or effective processes under a variety of conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2009
    Publication date: January 5, 2012
    Inventors: Manjiri T. Kshirsagar, Kurt J. Halverson, Neil Percy, James E. Aysta
  • Patent number: 8088620
    Abstract: The invention relates to optimised micro-organism strains for the biotransformation production of molecules having NADPH-consuming biosynthetic pathways. The inventive strains can be used in NADPH-consuming biotransformation methods. Said strains are characterized in that one or more NADPH-oxidizing activities are limited.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Assignee: Metabolic Explorer
    Inventors: Gwénaëlle Bestel-Corre, Cédric Boisart, Michel Chateau, Benjamin Gonzalez, Philippe Soucaille, Rainer Figge, Olivier Zink
  • Patent number: 8084243
    Abstract: We have shown that the control of solventogenesis and sporulation can be genetically uncoupled in C. acetobutylicum. In strain 824(pASspo), the absence of SpoIIE causes sporulation to be blocked at stage II. The cell remains in a vegetative state, and this allows solvent production to proceed for longer and for solvents to accumulate more rapidly and to a higher concentration. The characteristic drop in OD600 observed in wild type and control strains of C. acetobutylicum after 48-72 hours as the cells transition from the solventogenic phase to sporulation is notably absent in the fermentations of 824(pASspo). Mutant S (wild type background, spoIIE disrupted), Mutant BS (Mutant B background, spoIIE disrupted), Mutant HS (Mutant H background, spoIIE disrupted) and Mutant bukS (buk- background, spoIIE disrupted) were generated to create stable solvent producing bacteria with complete inactivation of the SpoIIE protein. Similarity between the SpoIIE protein of C. acetobutylicum, B.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: William Marsh Rice University
    Inventors: George N. Bennett, Miles C. Scotcher
  • Publication number: 20110306083
    Abstract: Methods are provided for selecting microbial strains with improved properties for fermentation and/or bioproduct production. A salt selection is employed to identify mutants with improved bioproduct tolerance, titer, or osmotic tolerance relative to a microbial strain from which they were derived.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2011
    Publication date: December 15, 2011
    Applicant: Cobalt Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeanette M. MUCHA
  • Patent number: 8067223
    Abstract: An isolated microbial consortium is described that includes a first microbial consortium having Thermacetogenium phaeum to metabolize a complex hydrocarbon substrate into metabolic products comprising an acetate compound. The consortium also includes a second microbial consortium having a methanogen to convert the acetate compound into a final product that includes methane. Also, a method of increasing production of materials with enhanced hydrogen content. The method includes isolating Thermacetogenium phaeum from geologic formation water, culturing the isolated Thermacetogenium phaeum to increase the Thermacetogenium phaeum population, and introducing a consortium of the cultured Thermacetogenium phaeum, which may include spores of Thermacetogenium phaeum, into a hydrocarbon formation containing a complex hydrocarbon substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Assignee: Luca Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Robert S. Pfeiffer, Glenn A. Ulrich, Gary Vanzin
  • Publication number: 20110287474
    Abstract: Disclosed are culture media, protocols and kits for diagnosis of toxigenic Clostridium difficile, where the culture medium comprises Cooked Meat Medium with glucose; yeast extract; taurocholate; cycloserine; and cefoxitin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2011
    Publication date: November 24, 2011
    Inventor: Paul Riska
  • Publication number: 20110277991
    Abstract: The present invention describes methods of identifying stimulants for the biogenic production of methane in hydrocarbon-bearing formations. Methods involve the use of microbial nucleic acid sequence information for the determination of gene products that are enzymes in a variety of pathways involved in the conversion of hydrocarbons to methane. Enzymes and stimulants identified by invention methods can be used in processes for enhancing biogenic methane production, for example, by addition to coal seams and coalbed methane wells.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2011
    Publication date: November 17, 2011
    Applicant: Synthetic Genomics, Inc.
    Inventors: Gerardo Vicente Toledo, Toby Howard Richardson, Ulrich Stingl, Eric J. Mathur, J. Craig Venter
  • Publication number: 20110281336
    Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for sustaining a microbial culture during periods of limited substrate supply. In accordance with the methods of the invention a microbial culture comprising carboxydotrophic bacteria can be sustained during periods of limited substrate supply by maintaining the temperature of the microbial culture at a temperature below an optimum operating temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2010
    Publication date: November 17, 2011
    Applicant: LANZATECH NEW ZEALAND LIMITED
    Inventors: Sean Dennis Simpson, Christophe Collet, Bakir Al-Sinawi
  • Patent number: 8053209
    Abstract: The present invention provides clostridial toxin substrates useful in assaying for the protease activity of any clostridial toxin, including botulinum toxins of all serotypes as well as tetanus toxins. A clostridial toxin substrate of the invention contains a donor fluorophore; an acceptor having an absorbance spectrum overlapping the emission spectrum of the donor fluorophore; and a clostridial toxin recognition sequence that includes a cleavage site, where the cleavage site intervenes between the donor fluorophore and the acceptor and where, under the appropriate conditions, resonance energy transfer is exhibited between the donor fluorophore and the acceptor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: Allergan, Inc.
    Inventors: Lance E. Steward, Ester Fernandez-Salas, Kei Roger Aoki
  • Publication number: 20110256606
    Abstract: The invention provides methods and compositions (such as for example, culture media) for culturing Clostridium difficile and producing the C. difficile Toxins A and B.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2009
    Publication date: October 20, 2011
    Applicant: Sanofi Pasteur Biologics Co.
    Inventors: Aiqi Fang, Andrew James White, Seshu Tummala, Lee Wilson
  • Patent number: 8039239
    Abstract: Recombinant acetogenic Clostridia are engineered to modulate production of aliphatic C2-C6 alcohols and aliphatic C2-C6 organic acids from synthetic gases. One aspect of the invention provides a method of producing an aliphatic C2-C6 alcohol using an acetogenic Clostridium micro-organism having at least one genetic modification that reduces or eliminates C2-C6 carboxylic acid production by the modified organism. Another aspect of the invention provides a method of producing an aliphatic C2-C6 alcohol using an acetogenic Clostridium micro-organism having one or more genetic modifications that cause increased enzyme activity of carbon monoxide dehydrogenase, aldehyde ferredoxin oxidoreductase, NADPH-dependent alcohol dehydrogenase, or alcohol dehydrogenase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Coskata, Inc.
    Inventor: Andrew Reeves
  • Patent number: 8034357
    Abstract: Methods of using clostridial toxins and other biological agents to thin skin and control fine wrinkles in humans are provided. In preferred embodiments the methods provide beneficial effects in humans.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Inventors: Ira Sanders, Rosemary Aquila-Sanders
  • Publication number: 20110244539
    Abstract: Methods for obtaining cellulolytic microbes with high growth rates are disclosed. For example, C. thermocellum colonies with growth rates higher than 0.17 hr? 1 have been obtained by the present methods. In realizing higher growth rates, better bioprocessing efficiency can be achieved resulting in increased economy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2009
    Publication date: October 6, 2011
    Inventors: Nicolai Panikov, Maria Sizova, Lee R. Lynd
  • Publication number: 20110244542
    Abstract: A method of treatment of biomass is described, characterized in that a microorganism of the species Clostridium sporosphaeroides is added to the biomass.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2009
    Publication date: October 6, 2011
    Inventors: Monika Reuter, Vera Duchow, Daniel Vater
  • Publication number: 20110229947
    Abstract: A novel clostridia bacterial species (Clostridium coskatii ATCC No. PTA-10522, “PS02”) is provided. Under anaerobic conditions C. coskatii can convert CO and/or H2 and/or CO2 to ethanol or acetate. Thus, this novel bacterium is capable of transforming waste gases (e.g. syngas and refinery wastes) into useful products.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2010
    Publication date: September 22, 2011
    Applicant: COSKATA, INC.
    Inventors: James A. Zahn, Jyotisna Saxena
  • Patent number: 8022172
    Abstract: Clostridial toxin substrates comprising a lanthanide donor complex, an acceptor, and a Clostridial toxin recognition sequence including a cleavage site; methods for determining the activity of a Clostridial toxin from a test sample using such Clostridial toxin substrates; cell compositions comprising such Clostridial toxin substrates and a Clostridial toxin receptor; and methods for determining the activity of a Clostridial toxin from a test sample using such cell compositions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: Allergan, Inc.
    Inventors: Dudley J. Williams, Marcella A. Gilmore, Lance E. Steward, Marc Verhagen, Kei Roger Aoki, Ester Fernandez-Salas
  • Patent number: 8021859
    Abstract: The specification discloses modified Clostridial toxins comprising a Clostridial toxin enzymatic domain, a Clostridial toxin translocation domain and an enhanced Clostridial toxin binding domain; polynucleotide molecules encoding such modified Clostridial toxins; and method of producing such modified Clostridial toxins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: Allergan, Inc.
    Inventors: Lance E. Steward, Ester Fernandez-Salas, Joseph Francis, Shengwen Li, Marcella A. Gilmore, Kei Roger Aoki
  • Patent number: 8017131
    Abstract: Agents for treating pain, methods for producing the agents and methods for treating pain by administration to a patient of a therapeutically effective amount of the agent. The agent can include a clostridial neurotoxin, or a component or fragment or derivative thereof, attached to a targeting moiety, wherein the targeting moiety is selected from a group consisting of transmission compounds which can be released from neurons upon the transmission of pain signals by the neurons, and compounds substantially similar to the transmission compounds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Allergan, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen Donovan
  • Patent number: 8013113
    Abstract: The present invention provides clostridial toxin substrates useful in assaying for the protease activity of any clostridial toxin, including botulinum toxins of all serotypes as well as tetanus toxins. A clostridial toxin substrate of the invention contains a donor fluorophore; an acceptor having an absorbance spectrum overlapping the emission spectrum of the donor fluorophore; and a clostridial toxin recognition sequence that includes a cleavage site, where the cleavage site intervenes between the donor fluorophore and the acceptor and where, under the appropriate conditions, resonance energy transfer is exhibited between the donor fluorophore and the acceptor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: Allergan, Inc.
    Inventors: Lance E. Steward, Ester Fernandez-Salas, Kei Roger Aoki
  • Patent number: 8012716
    Abstract: Animal product free (APF) media and processes for the culture and fermentation of botulinum toxin producing Clostridium botulinum bacteria. The botulinum toxin obtained can be used for formulating and compounding botulinum toxin pharmaceutical compositions. The APF media can contain significantly reduced levels of meat or dairy by-products and use non-animal based products instead of the animal-derived products. Preferably, the APF media used are substantially free or free of animal derived products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: Allergan, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen Donovan, Ping Wang
  • Patent number: 8008044
    Abstract: Media and processes for the fermentation of Clostridium botulinum and obtaining a botulinum toxin for use in formulating botulinum toxin pharmaceutical compositions. The growth media can contain significantly reduced levels of meat or dairy by-products using non-animal based products to replace the animal-derived products. Preferably, the media used are substantially free of animal derived products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: Allergan, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen Donovan
  • Patent number: 8007782
    Abstract: Current approaches for treating cancer are limited, in part, by the inability of drugs to affect the poorly vascularized regions of tumors. We have found that spores of anaerobic bacteria in combination with agents which interact with microtubules can cause the destruction of both the vascular and avascular compartments of tumors. Two classes of microtubule inhibitors were found to exert markedly different effects. Some agents that inhibited microtubule synthesis, such as vinorelbine, caused rapid, massive hemorrhagic necrosis when used in combination with spores. In contrast, agents that stabilized microtubules, such as the taxane docetaxel, resulted in slow tumor regressions that killed most neoplastic cells. Remaining cells in the poorly perfused regions of tumors could be eradicated by sponzlated bacteria.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: The Johns Hopkins University
    Inventors: Long Dang, Chetan Bettegowda, Kenneth W. Kinzler, Bert Vogelstein
  • Publication number: 20110207194
    Abstract: A process is described for the generation of biogas from biomass in a fermentation reactor, wherein a microorganism of the species Clostridium sartagoformum is added to the biomass.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2008
    Publication date: August 25, 2011
    Inventors: Monika Reuter, Vera Duchow, Daniel Vater
  • Patent number: 8003753
    Abstract: The present invention provides clostridial toxin substrates useful in assaying for the protease activity of any clostridial toxin, including botulinum toxins of all serotypes as well as tetanus toxins. A clostridial toxin substrate of the invention contains a donor fluorophore; an acceptor having an absorbance spectrum overlapping the emission spectrum of the donor fluorophore; and a clostridial toxin recognition sequence that includes a cleavage site, where the cleavage site intervenes between the donor fluorophore and the acceptor and where, under the appropriate conditions, resonance energy transfer is exhibited between the donor fluorophore and the acceptor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: Allergan, Inc.
    Inventors: Lance E. Steward, Ester Fernandez-Salas, Kei Roger Aoki
  • Patent number: 8003351
    Abstract: Compositions comprising activatable recombinant neurotoxins and polypeptides derived therefrom. The invention also comprises nucleic acids encoding such polypeptides, and methods of making such polypeptides and nucleic acids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: Allergan, Inc.
    Inventors: J. Oliver Dolly, Yan Li, Kuo Chion Chan
  • Publication number: 20110201070
    Abstract: The present invention concerns a modified microorganism with an increased methylglyoxal reductase activity, and its use for the preparation of 1,2-propanediol and/or acetol. In particular this increased methylglyoxal reductase activity is obtained by increasing the expression of specific genes from microorganisms. This invention is also related to a method for producing 1,2-propanediol and/or acetol by fermentation of a microorganism having an increased methylglyoxal reductase activity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2008
    Publication date: August 18, 2011
    Applicant: METABOLIC EXPLORER
    Inventors: Philippe Soucaille, Salles Isabelle Meynial, Francois Voelker, Rainer Figge
  • Patent number: 7985411
    Abstract: Compositions comprising activatable recombinant neurotoxins and polypeptides derived therefrom. The invention also comprises nucleic acids encoding such polypeptides, and methods of making such polypeptides and nucleic acids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2011
    Assignee: Allergan, Inc.
    Inventors: J. Oliver Dolly, Yan Li, Kuo Chion Chan
  • Publication number: 20110150850
    Abstract: The invention is in the field of use of engineered microbes for the delivery and administration of therapeutic peptides or proteins to humans or animals suffering from a disease, or the use of engineered microbes for the delivery of antigens such as for vaccination purposes. More in particular, the invention relates to a recombinant microbe that has reduced capacity of colonizing the mucosa in comparison to its wild type ancestor, in particular when residing in the alimentary tract as part of a treatment or vaccination of a human or animal. In particular, the recombinant microbe contains an inactive thymidylate synthase gene that causes the reduced capability for the microbe to colonize in the alimentary tract. The invention also covers the use of said recombinant microbes comprising nucleic acids or vectors for expressing heterologous or homologous proteins; and also for delivery, especially therapeutic delivery, of the said proteins to animals or humans.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2009
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Inventor: Lothar Steidler
  • Publication number: 20110150907
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to recombinant bacteria (e.g., Lactobacillus) that express one or more binding peptides, antibodies and/or antibody binding fragments on their surface that are specific for one or more pathogens and/or toxins, including toxins from pathogens. The recombinant bacteria may be used for binding, removing and/or neutralizing one or more pathogens and/or toxins, including toxins from pathogens in a gastrointestinal tract.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2009
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Applicant: FARALLONE HOLDINGS BV
    Inventors: Jos Seegers, Stephen F. Carroll
  • Patent number: 7964379
    Abstract: A process for producing ethanol including a combination of biochemical and synthetic conversions results in high yield ethanol production with concurrent production of high value coproducts. An acetic acid intermediate is produced from carbohydrates, such as corn, using enzymatic milling and fermentation steps, followed by conversion of the acetic acid into ethanol using esterification and hydrogenation reactions. Coproducts can include corn oil, and high protein animal feed containing the biomass produced in the fermentation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Assignee: ZeaChem, Inc.
    Inventors: Dan Verser, Timothy J. Eggeman
  • Publication number: 20110143407
    Abstract: The present invention describes a method for producing butanol by fermentation of carbohydrates using mixed populations of acidogenic-phase cells and solventogenic-phase cells of Clostridium in a solitary vessel. The present system as described does not require intermittent adjustment of pH or venting of headspace gases. The method provides a process for removal of the butanol product which does not irreversibly harm the cells and conditions are described where such cells may resume butanol synthesis in the same solitary vessel. The invention also describes compositions and biologically pure cultures which comprise the Clostridium cells as disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2010
    Publication date: June 16, 2011
    Inventor: Eugene T. Butler, III
  • Publication number: 20110136174
    Abstract: A method for producing cellulolytic enzyme, where clostridium microorganisms having cellulose utilizability are cultured, wherein after utilizable carbon source is consumed by the clostridium microorganisms, addition and consumption of the carbon source are repeated periodically to accumulate the cellulolytic enzyme in a culture medium.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2010
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Applicant: JAPAN INTERNATIONAL RESEARCH CENTER FOR AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES
    Inventors: Akihiko KOSUGI, Yutaka MORI
  • Patent number: 7947440
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for measuring the specific rate of ribosome synthesis for a distinct cell population, such as a distinct microbial population. For an actively growing (or non-growing) culture, the specific rate of ribosome synthesis is identical to the specific growth rate of the culture. With the method of the invention, researchers will be able to measure the specific growth rate of distinct cell populations in mixed cultures, such as biological reactor systems or environmental samples. In addition, the method of the invention provides the ability to identify members of a distinct cell population that are rapidly growing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: University of South Florida
    Inventors: Peter George Stroot, Matthew Raymond Cutter
  • Patent number: 7943363
    Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided for improving the production of products, such as fuel products like ethanol, in microorganisms. In particular, methods and compositions are described for improving ethanol production utilizing genes identified in Clostridium phytofermentans.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Assignees: University of Massachusetts, Qteros, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Blanchard, Susan Leschine, Elsa Petit, John Fabel, Matthias Schmalisch
  • Publication number: 20110053224
    Abstract: The invention describes a novel composition of matter obtained from the leaves of green plants, which is useful in promoting the growth of beneficial microorganisms. Specifically, that the invention describes a hydrolysate prepared from plant leaf biomass (leaf biomass hydrolysate or ‘LBH’) which dramatically stimulates the growth of beneficial microorganisms. Use of LBH as a fermentation substrate can also stimulate rapid production of organic acids and other organic compounds. LBH can be used as a substrate to promote the fermentation-based production of biobased industrial chemicals or biofuels, LBH can be utilized as a prebiotic to promote the growth of beneficial probiotic organisms, hi addition, LBH may also be useful in stimulating the fermentation-based production of other products, examples of which include preservatives, antibiotics, antigens, vaccines, amino acids, vitamins, recombinant proteins, bioremediation treatments, and immobilized enzymes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2009
    Publication date: March 3, 2011
    Inventors: Yangming Martin Lo, Irene N.N. Yossa, Neil A. Belson
  • Patent number: 7897157
    Abstract: Compositions comprising activatable recombinant neurotoxins and polypeptides derived therefrom. The invention also comprises nucleic acids encoding such polypeptides, and methods of making such polypeptides and nucleic acids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: Allergan, Inc.
    Inventors: Lance E. Steward, Joseph Francis, Ester Fernandez-Salas, Sanjiv Ghanshani, Marcella A. Gilmore, Shengwen Li, J. Oliver Dolly, Kei Roger Aoki
  • Publication number: 20110033431
    Abstract: A pharmaceutical preparation for use in a patient who has a neutralizing antibody to a botulinum toxin from type A1 Clostridium botulinum (type A1 botulinum toxin), said preparation comprising as an active ingredient 150 kDa type A neurotoxin from type A2 Clostridium botulinum (A2 NTX); a medicament for treating a disease with muscle overactivity for use in a patient who has a neutralizing antibody to a type A1 botulinum toxin, said medicament comprising as an active ingredient said A2 NTX; a method for treating a patient who has a neutralizing antibody to a type A1 botulinum toxin, said method comprising administering said A2 NTX to the patient; and a method for use of A2 NTX in a patient who has said neutralizing antibody. In accordance with the present invention, a problem can be solved of decrease in clinical response caused by a neutralizing antibody to a type A1 botulinum toxin produced when a patient is treated with a pharmaceutical preparation comprising a type A1 botulinum toxin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2009
    Publication date: February 10, 2011
    Applicant: THE CHEMO-SERO-THERAPEUTIC RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Shinji Nakahira, Yasushi Torii, Yoshitaka Goto, Miho Shinmura, Satomi Munechika, Sachio Okuda, Shunji Kozaki
  • Patent number: 7871792
    Abstract: An isolated microbial consortium is described that includes a first microbial consortium having Thermacetogenium phaeum to metabolize a complex hydrocarbon substrate into metabolic products comprising an acetate compound. The consortium also includes a second microbial consortium having a methanogen to convert the acetate compound into a final product that includes methane. Also, a method of increasing production of materials with enhanced hydrogen content. The method includes isolating Thermacetogenium phaeum from geologic formation water, culturing the isolated Thermacetogenium phaeum to increase the Thermacetogenium phaeum population, and introducing a consortium of the cultured Thermacetogenium phaeum, which may include spores of Thermacetogenium phaeum, into a hydrocarbon formation containing a complex hydrocarbon substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2011
    Assignee: LUCA Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert S. Pfeiffer, Glenn A. Ulrich, Gary Vanzin
  • Publication number: 20110009476
    Abstract: Compositions and methods for identifying and using cis-regulatory and decoy sequences.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2008
    Publication date: January 13, 2011
    Inventor: Michael McArthur
  • Publication number: 20110008843
    Abstract: Rapid, animal protein free, chromatographic processes and systems for obtaining high potency, high yield botulinum neurotoxin for research, therapeutic and cosmetic use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2009
    Publication date: January 13, 2011
    Applicant: ALLERGAN, INC.
    Inventors: Jennifer L. TON, Hemant A. Patel, Ronald C. Bates, Wajdie M. Ahmad
  • Publication number: 20100330636
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for the biological production of n-butanol at high yield from a fermentable carbon source. In one aspect of the present invention, a process for the conversion of glucose to n-butanol is achieved by the use of a recombinant organism comprising a host C. acetobutylicum transformed i) to eliminate the acetate pathway ii) to eliminate the butyrate pathway iii) to eliminate the lactate pathway and iv) to eliminate the acetone pathway. In another aspect of the present invention, the hydrogen flux is decreased and the reducing power redirected to n-butanol production by interrupting the expression of the hydrogenase gene. Optionally the n-butanol produced can be eliminated during the fermentation by gas striping and further purified by distillation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2010
    Publication date: December 30, 2010
    Applicant: METABOLIC EXPLORER
    Inventor: Philippe SOUCAILLE
  • Publication number: 20100311104
    Abstract: A novel class of bacteria is described which has improved efficiency in the production of thanol by anaerobic fermentation of substrates containing carbon monoxide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2008
    Publication date: December 9, 2010
    Applicant: Lanzatch New Zealand Limited
    Inventors: Sean Dennis Simpson, Richard Llewellyn Sydney Forster, Phuong Tran, Matthew James Rowe, Ian Linstrand Warner
  • Publication number: 20100311135
    Abstract: The invention provides: an isopropyl alcohol-producing bacterium which has an acetoacetate decarboxylase activity, an isopropyl alcohol dehydrogenase activity, a CoA transferase activity and a thiolase activity having been imparted thereto and is capable of producing isopropyl alcohol from a plant-derived material; a method of producing isopropyl alcohol whereby isopropyl alcohol is produced from a plant-derived material by using this isopropyl alcohol-producing bacterium; and an apparatus therefor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 4, 2008
    Publication date: December 9, 2010
    Inventors: Nozomi Takebayashi, Mitsufumi Wada, Daisuke Mochizuki, Fuminobu Yoshimi, Seiichi Watanabe, Hitoshi Takahashi, Takashi Morishige
  • Patent number: 7847077
    Abstract: The invention generally relates to polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) polyketide synthase (PKS) systems, to homologues thereof, to isolated nucleic acid molecules and recombinant nucleic acid molecules encoding biologically active domains of such a PUFA PKS system, to genetically modified organisms comprising PUFA PKS systems, to methods of making and using such systems for the production of bioactive molecules of interest, and to novel methods for identifying new bacterial and non-bacterial microorganisms having such a PUFA PKS system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: Martek Biosciences Corporation
    Inventors: James G. Metz, Craig A. Weaver, William R. Barclay, James H. Flatt
  • Publication number: 20100304379
    Abstract: The presently-disclosed subject matter is directed to biosensors comprising spore-forming bacterial cells and/or spores generated therefrom, a recognition unit within each spore-forming cell for binding an analyte of interest, and a reporter molecule within each spore-forming cell for detecting binding of the analyte of interest, wherein the reporter molecule generates a detectable signal upon binding of the analyte by the recognition element. The presently-disclosed subject matter further provides methods of using the biosensors and systems and kits including the biosensors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2008
    Publication date: December 2, 2010
    Inventors: Sylvia Daunert, Sapna K. Deo, Patrizia Pasini, Amol Date