Encodes An Enzyme Patents (Class 536/23.2)
  • Patent number: 8097440
    Abstract: The present invention is generally provides recombinant microorganisms comprising engineered metabolic pathways capable of producing C3-C5 alcohols under aerobic and anaerobic conditions. The invention further provides ketol-acid reductoisomerase enzymes which have been mutated or modified to increase their NADH-dependent activity or to switch the cofactor preference from NADPH to NADH and are expressed in the modified microorganisms. In addition, the invention provides isobutyraldehyde dehydrogenase enzymes expressed in modified microorganisms. Also provided are methods of producing beneficial metabolites under aerobic and anaerobic conditions by contacting a suitable substrate with the modified microorganisms of the present invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Assignees: Gevo, Inc., California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Thomas Buelter, Peter Meinhold, Reid M. Renny Feldman, Andrew C. Hawkins, Jun Urano, Sabine Bastian, Frances Arnold
  • Patent number: 8097444
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are compositions comprising an alpha-amylase enzyme obtained from Bacillus sp. no. 195, and methods of using the enzyme to clean surfaces and textiles. Also disclosed are variants of the enzyme with different signal sequences.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Assignee: Danisco US Inc.
    Inventors: Neelam S Amin, Melodie Estabrook, Brian E Jones, Marc Kolkman, Casper Vroemen, Walter Weyler
  • Patent number: 8097710
    Abstract: A method to silence a gene in cells by post-transcriptional gene silencing is described which method employs short RNA molecules (SRMs). SRMs are short sense RNA molecules (SSRMs) and short antisense RNA molecules (SARMs) which SARMs are complementary to a region of a target RNA transcribed from a gene to be silenced and said SSRMs correspond to the sequence of the target RNA.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Assignee: Plant Bioscience Limited
    Inventors: David Charles Baulcombe, Andrew John Hamilton
  • Patent number: 8097442
    Abstract: The invention provides laccases, polynucleotides encoding these enzymes, the methods of making and using these polynucleotides and polypeptides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Assignee: Verenium Corporation
    Inventors: Tim S. Hitchman, Dan E. Robertson, Masao Hiraiwa, Yoko Phillips, Kevin A. Gray
  • Patent number: 8097775
    Abstract: Compositions and methods for conferring herbicide resistance to bacteria, plants, plant cells, tissues and seeds are provided. Compositions comprising a coding sequence for a polypeptide that confers resistance or tolerance to glyphosate herbicides are provided. The coding sequences can be used in DNA constructs or expression cassettes for transformation and expression in plants. Compositions also comprise transformed bacteria, plants, plant cells, tissues, and seeds. In particular, isolated nucleic acid molecules corresponding to glyphosate resistant nucleic acid sequences are provided. Additionally, amino acid sequences corresponding to the polynucleotides are encompassed. In particular, the present invention provides for isolated nucleic acid molecules comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO:3 or the nucleotide sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:1, 2, or 4.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Assignee: Athenix Corp.
    Inventors: Philip E. Hammer, Todd K. Hinson, Amy Elizabeth Shekita
  • Patent number: 8097445
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a heterologous exo-endo cellulase fusion construct, which encodes a fusion protein having cellulolytic activity comprising a catalytic domain derived from a fungal exo-cellobiohydrolase and a catalytic domain derived from an endoglucanase. The invention also relates to vectors and fungal host cells comprising the heterologous exo-endo cellulase fusion construct as well as methods for producing a cellulase fusion protein and enzymatic cellulase compositions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Assignee: Danisco US Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin S. Bower, Edmund A. Larenas, Colin Mitchinson
  • Patent number: 8097772
    Abstract: The present invention relates to isolated polypeptides having beta-glucosidase activity and isolated polynucleotides encoding the polypeptides. The invention also relates to nucleic acid constructs, vectors, and host cells comprising the polynucleotides as well as methods for producing and using the polypeptides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Assignee: Novozymes, Inc.
    Inventors: Kristian Krogh, Paul Harris
  • Patent number: 8097460
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the production of ethanol as a product of bacterial fermentation. In particular this invention relates to a novel method of gene inactivation and gene expression based upon homologous recombination. The method is particularly useful in connection with species of Bacillus such as B. stereothermophilus, B. calvodelox, B. caldotenax, B. thermoglucosidasius, B. coagulans, B. licheniformis, B. thermodenitrificans, and B. caldolyticus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Assignee: Elsworth Biotechnology Limited
    Inventors: Muhammed Javed, Fiona Cusdin, Paul Milner, Edward Green
  • Patent number: 8097284
    Abstract: Various embodiments of this invention disclose a polarized dilute blue scorpion venom solution, a method for making a polarized dilute scorpion venom solution, and a method for administering dilute scorpion venom solution. The polarized dilute scorpion venom solution relieves pain, improves immune-system response, treats cancer, prevents cancer, improves quality of sleep, reduces inflammation, and minimizes negative biological response to chemotherapy and radiation treatment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Inventor: Arthur Mikaelian
  • Patent number: 8097438
    Abstract: The present invention provides nucleic acids comprising nucleotide sequences encoding modified cytochrome P450 enzymes; as well as recombinant vectors and host cells comprising the nucleic acids. The present invention further provides methods of producing a functionalized compound in a host cell genetically modified with a nucleic acid comprising nucleotide sequences encoding a modified cytochrome P450 enzyme.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Michelle Chia-Yu Chang, Rachel A. Krupa, Dae-Kyun Ro, Yasuo Yoshikuni, Jay D. Keasling
  • Publication number: 20120011600
    Abstract: The invention is directed to methods for optimizing glycan processing in organisms (and in particular, plants) so that a glycoprotein having complex type bi-antennary glycans and thus containing galactose residues on both arms and which are devoid of (or reduce in) xylose and fucose can be obtained. The invention is further directed to said glycoprotein obtained and host system comprising said protein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2011
    Publication date: January 12, 2012
    Applicant: Stichting Dienst Landbouwkundig Onderzoek
    Inventors: Hendrikus Antonius Cornelis Bakker, Hendrik Jan Bosch, Dionisius Elisabeth Antonius Florack, Gerard Johan Adolph Rouwendal
  • Publication number: 20120010100
    Abstract: This invention relates to an isolated nucleic acid fragment encoding a farnesyltransferase subunit. The invention also relates to the construction of a chimeric gene encoding all or a portion of the farnesyltransferase subunit, in sense or antisense orientation, wherein expression of the chimeric gene results in production of altered levels of the farnesyltransferase subunit in a transformed host cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Publication date: January 12, 2012
    Applicant: E. I. DE PONT DE NEMOURS AND COMPANY AND PIONEER HI-BRED INTERNATIONAL
    Inventors: Rebecca E. Cahoon, Timothy George Helentjaris, Guo-Hua Miao
  • Publication number: 20120009653
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to ?-class carbonic anhydrase polypeptides having improved properties including increased thermostability and/or stability in the presence of amine compounds, ammonia, or carbonate ion. The present disclosure also provides formulations and uses of the polypeptides for accelerating the absorption of carbon dioxide from a gas stream into a solution as well as for the release of the absorbed carbon dioxide for further treatment and/or sequestering. Also provided are polynucleotides encoding the carbonic anhydrase polypeptides and host cells capable of expressing them.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2011
    Publication date: January 12, 2012
    Applicant: CODEXIS, INC.
    Inventor: Oscar Alvizo
  • Publication number: 20120009647
    Abstract: Luciferase enzymes with greatly increased thermostability, e.g., at least half lives of 2 hours at 50° C., cDNAs encoding the novel luciferases, and hosts transformed to express the luciferases, are disclosed. Methods of producing the luciferases include recursive mutagenesis. The luciferases are used in conventional methods, some employing kits.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2011
    Publication date: January 12, 2012
    Inventors: Keith V. Wood, Mary P. Hall, Monika G. Wood
  • Publication number: 20120010394
    Abstract: Aspects of the present invention relate to chimeric polypeptides including HCV NS3/4A sequences and T-cell epitopes. Embodiments include nucleic acids encoding the chimeric NS3/4A polypeptides, the encoded polypeptides, compositions containing said nucleic acids, compositions containing said chimeric polypeptides, as well as methods of making and using the aforementioned compositions including, but not limited to medicaments and vaccines.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2011
    Publication date: January 12, 2012
    Applicant: CHRONTECH PHARMA AB
    Inventors: Matti Sällberg, Jonas Soderholm, Lars Frelin
  • Publication number: 20120009628
    Abstract: Disclosed are mutant DNA polymerases having increased 3?-mismatch discrimination relative to a corresponding, unmodified polymerase. The mutant polymerases are useful in a variety of disclosed primer extension methods. Also disclosed are related compositions, including recombinant nucleic acids, vectors, and host cells, which are useful, e.g., for production of the mutant DNA polymerases.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2011
    Publication date: January 12, 2012
    Applicant: Roche Molecular Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Fred Reichert, Keith Bauer, Thomas W. Myers
  • Publication number: 20120009324
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an isolated nucleic acid sequence encoding a recombinant polypeptide that has pancreatic lipase activity. Also disclosed herein are a recombinant vector and a recombinant host cell for producing the aforesaid recombinant polypeptide. The aforesaid recombinant polypeptide is adapted for preparation of an animal feed that is able to facilitate utilization of fats therein regarding pigs (especially postweaning pigs) and to enhance growth performance of the pigs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2011
    Publication date: January 12, 2012
    Applicant: Livestock Research Institute Council of Agriculture
    Inventor: Fang-Chueh Liu
  • Publication number: 20120009652
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to ?-class carbonic anhydrase polypeptides having improved properties including increased thermostability and/or stability in the presence of amine compounds, ammonia, or carbonate ion. The present disclosure also provides formulations and uses of the polypeptides for accelerating the absorption of carbon dioxide from a gas stream into a solution as well as for the release of the absorbed carbon dioxide for further treatment and/or sequestering. Also provided are polynucleotides encoding the carbonic anhydrase polypeptides and host cells capable of expressing them.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2011
    Publication date: January 12, 2012
    Applicant: CODEXIS, INC.
    Inventor: Oscar Alvizo
  • Publication number: 20120009648
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the identification and isolation of a DNA polymerase and uses of this polymerase. In particular, the present invention describes the nucleotide sequence of the human gene for DNA polymerase lambda (Pol ?), the amino acid sequence of Pol ?, and the amino acid sequence of several isoforms derived from alternative splicing of its mRNA. The association of some of these isoforms with tumour samples makes Pol ? a marker for the diagnosis, prognosis and evolution of tumoral processes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2010
    Publication date: January 12, 2012
    Inventors: Luis Blanco Dávila, Antonio Bernad Miana, Orlando Domínguez López, Miguel García Díaz
  • Publication number: 20120009594
    Abstract: Disclosed are a method for measuring ?G comprising the steps of bringing a sample into contact with a ?G-binding protein 1 and a ?G-binding protein 2, each comprising an amino acid sequence which is identical or substantially identical to an amino acid sequence shown in any one of SEQ ID NO:4, SEQ ID NO:6, SEQ ID NO:8, SEQ ID NO:10, SEQ ID NO:14, SEQ ID NO:16, SEQ ID NO:18, or SEQ ID NO:20, and having the ?-glucan binding activity, to form a complex of the ?G-binding protein 1, ?G in the sample and the ?G-binding protein 2, measuring quantity of the complex, and determining ?G concentration in the sample based on the quantity of the complex; a reagent and a kit for use in said method; a novel ?G-binding protein; a nucleic acid molecule encoding the ?G-binding protein; and a method for producing the aforementioned ?G-binding protein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2010
    Publication date: January 12, 2012
    Applicant: WAKO PURE CHEMICAL INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventor: Akito Yoneda
  • Publication number: 20120011618
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a new process for the production of arachidonic acid and/or eicosapentaenoic acid in plants through the co-expression of a ?-12-/?-15-desaturase, ?-9-elongase, ?-8-desaturase and a ?-5-desaturase and a process for the production of lipids or oils having an increased content of unsaturated fatty acids, in particular ?-3 and ?-6 fatty acids having at least two double bonds and a 18 or 20 carbon atom chain length. Preferably the arachidonic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid are produced in at least a 1:2 ratio. The invention furthermore relates to the production of a transgenic plants, preferably a transgenic crop plant, having an increased content of arachidonic acid and/or eicosapentaenoic acid, oils or lipids containing C18- or C20-fatty acids with a double bond in position 5, 8, 9, 11, 12, 14, 15 or 17 of the fatty acid produced, respectively due to the expression of the ?-12-/?-15-desaturase, of the ?-9-elongase, of the ?-8-desaturase and of the ?-5-desaturase in the plant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2011
    Publication date: January 12, 2012
    Applicant: BASF Plant Science GmbH
    Inventors: Johnathan A. Napier, Olga Sayanova
  • Publication number: 20120009631
    Abstract: The invention provides variants of the Clostridium thermocellum endoglucanase (CeIG) that have improved endoglucanase activity compared to the wild type enzyme. Also provided are related polynucleotides, compositions, vectors, host cells, and methods of use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2010
    Publication date: January 12, 2012
    Applicant: CODEXIS, INC.
    Inventors: Jie Yang, Xiyun Zhang, Ish Kumar Dhawan, Andrew Shaw
  • Publication number: 20120009187
    Abstract: The invention relates to nucleic acids encoding a novel Vespula venom protease or fragments thereof, in particular the protease Ves v 4, recombinant vectors comprising such nucleic acids, and host cells containing the recombinant vectors. The invention is further directed to the expression of such nucleic acids to produce a recombinant Vespula venom protease, or recombinant fragments thereof, or synthetic peptides thereof. Such a protease or fragments thereof or synthetic peptides thereof are useful for diagnosis of insect venom allergy and for therapeutic treatment of insect venom allergy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2010
    Publication date: January 12, 2012
    Applicant: PLS-DESIGN GMBH
    Inventors: Henning Seismann, Ingke Braren, Thomas Grunwald
  • Publication number: 20120009300
    Abstract: The present invention relates to use of an anti-staling GH-61 polypeptide for preparing an edible product.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Publication date: January 12, 2012
    Applicant: Novozymes A/S
    Inventors: Kirk Matthew Schnorr, Sara Landvik, Tina Spendler, Lars Lehmann Hylling Christensen
  • Patent number: 8093016
    Abstract: The invention relates to heterologous polypeptide expression and secretion by filamentous fungi and vectors and processes for expression and secretion of such polypeptides. More particularly, the invention discloses the use of a signal sequence form an aspartic protease obtained from Trichoderma and referred to as an NSP24 signal sequence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Danisco US Inc.
    Inventors: Marguerite A. Cervin, Steven Kim
  • Patent number: 8093451
    Abstract: The present invention relates to nucleic acid fragments encoding amino acid sequences for flavonoid biosynthetic enzymes in plants, and the use thereof for the modification of, for example, flavonoid biosynthesis in plants, and more specifically the modification of the content of condensed tannins. In particularly preferred embodiments, the invention relates to the combinatorial expression of chalcone synthase (CHS) and/or dihydroflavonol 4-reductase (BAN) and/or leucoanthocyanidine reductase (LAR) in plants to modify, for example, flavonoid biosynthesis or more specifically the content of condensed tannins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignees: Agriculture Victoria Services Pty Ltd, AgResearch Limited
    Inventors: German Spangenberg, Michael Emmerling, Jason Simmonds, Amanda Winkworth, Stephen Panter
  • Patent number: 8093456
    Abstract: The present invention provides transgenic cover crop plants which after harvest degrade the hemicellulose and cellulose therein to fermentable sugars which can further be fermented to ethanol or other products. In particular, the transgenic plants comprise cellulase, hemicellulase and optionally ligninase genes from microbes operably linked to a DNA encoding a signal peptide which targets the fusion polypeptide produced therefrom to an organelle of the plant, in particular, the chloroplasts. When the transgenic plants are harvested, the plants are ground to release the hemicellulase and cellulase which then degrade the hemicellulose and cellulose of the transgenic plants to produce the fermentable sugars.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Board of Trustees of Michigan State University
    Inventor: Masomeh B. Sticklen
  • Patent number: 8093029
    Abstract: A heat-resistant bilirubin oxidase mutant is disclosed. The bilirubin oxidase mutant is obtained by deletion, replacement, addition or insertion of at least one amino acid residue of a wild type amino sequence of SEQ. ID. No. 1 of a bilirubin oxidase derived from an imperfect filamentous fungus, Myrothecium verrucaria. A biocathode including a thermo stable bilirubin oxidase mutant immobilized thereon, and its use in a biofuel cell is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Hideyuki Kumita, Yuichi Tokita, Yoshio Goto
  • Patent number: 8092794
    Abstract: The present invention relates to pharmaceutical compositions adapted for pharmaceutical administration comprising at least one superoxide dismutase and at least one prolamine based peptide fragment. The invention also relates to certain superoxide dismutases and prolamine based peptide fragments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Isocell Pharma S.A.
    Inventor: Alphonse Calenda
  • Patent number: 8093032
    Abstract: The present invention relates to novel mutants of Streptokinase, its functional fragments and covalently modified forms. Methods are provided for the preparation of the bacterial plasminogen activator protein, Streptokinase its muteins, species variants and their covalently modified variants that are characterized by improved therapeutic properties, such as increased proteolytic stability, extended plasma half-lives, reduced immuno-reactivity and enhanced fibrin clot specificity. The method involves either incorporating additional cysteine residues, or substituting cysteine residues for naturally occurring amino acids into non-essential regions of the protein such that the catalytic activity of the resultant protein remains largely unaltered. These cysteine variants were further modified by covalently attaching a cysteine reactive polymer such as polyethylene glycol (PEG) or sulfhydryl-reactive moieties from a group that includes fluorophore, spin labels or other small conjugates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Council of Scientific and Industrial Research
    Inventors: Shekhar Kumar, Neeraj Maheshwari, Girish Sahni
  • Patent number: 8093036
    Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for producing a hyaluronic acid, comprising: (a) cultivating a Bacillus host cell under conditions suitable for production of the hyaluronic acid, wherein the Bacillus host cell comprises a nucleic acid construct comprising a hyaluronan synthase encoding sequence operably linked to a promoter sequence foreign to the hyaluronan synthase encoding sequence; and (b) recovering the hyaluronic acid from the cultivation medium. The present invention also relates to an isolated nucleic acid sequence encoding a hyaluronan synthase operon comprising a hyaluronan synthase gene and a UDP-glucose 6-dehydrogenase gene, and optionally one or more genes selected from the group consisting of a UDP-glucose pyrophosphorylase gene, UDP-N-acetylglucosamine pyrophosphorylase gene, and glucose-6-phosphate isomerase gene.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Novozymes, Inc.
    Inventors: Alan Sloma, Leslie Naggiar, legal representative, Regine Behr, William Widner, Maria Tang, David Sternberg, Linda Sternberg, legal representative, Stephen Brown
  • Patent number: 8093458
    Abstract: A process of producing a protein of interest by expression of said protein of interest from a sequence of interest in a plant or in plant leaves, comprising: (a) transfecting said plant or said plant leaves by infiltrating said plant or said plant leaves with an Agrobacterium strain in the presence of a complementing factor, said Agrobacterium strain containing in T-DNA a heterologous DNA sequence having a sequence portion encoding a replicon, wherein said sequence encoding a replicon contains sequences necessary for replicon function of said replicon, said sequences being derived from a plant virus, and said sequence of interest to be expressed from said replicon, (b) optionally isolating said protein of interest from said plant or said plant leaves infiltrated in step (a), wherein said Agrobacterium strain is provided with a first genetic modification rendering said Agrobacterium strain defective for transfecting organisms with said T-DNA in the absence of said complementing factor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Icon Genetics GmbH
    Inventors: Sylvestre Marillonnet, Carola Engler, Stefan Mühlbauer, Stefan Herz, Stefan Werner, Victor Klimyuk, Yuri Gleba
  • Publication number: 20120005785
    Abstract: The present invention concerns a method for improving growth characteristics of plants by increasing expression and/or activity in a plant of an LRR receptor kinase or a homologue thereof. One such method comprises introducing into a plant an RLK827 nucleic acid molecule or functional variant thereof. The invention also relates to transgenic plants having improved growth characteristics, which plants have modulated expression of a nucleic acid encoding an LRR receptor kinase. The present invention also concerns constructs useful in the methods of the invention.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2011
    Publication date: January 5, 2012
    Applicant: CROPDESIGN N.V.
    Inventors: VALERIE FRANKARD, ANA I. SANZ MOLINERO, VLADIMIR MIRONOV
  • Publication number: 20120003718
    Abstract: The present invention provides engineered protease variants. In particular, the protease variants comprise combinable mutations at selected surface positions that affect the charge and/or hydrophobicity of the enzyme to enhance at least one desired property of the resulting variant enzyme in a chosen application. Compositions comprising the protease variants, and methods for using the same are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2009
    Publication date: January 5, 2012
    Applicant: Danisco US Inc.
    Inventors: Luis G. Cascao-Pereira, David A. Estell, James T. Kellis, JR.
  • Publication number: 20120004115
    Abstract: The present invention provides a nucleic acid that comprises a nucleic acid of SEQ ID NO: 1 or 3 encoding an Aae pyrophosphatase protein, an enzyme protein of SEQ ID NO: 2 or 4, and methods of sequencing using an isolated Aae pyrophosphatase protein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2011
    Publication date: January 5, 2012
    Inventors: Kristian Hurd Link, Luan Pino, Dawn Gratalo, Pitchai Sangan, Suresh Gopalkrishna Shenoy
  • Publication number: 20120003708
    Abstract: Methods of producing C4 dicarboxylic acids are disclosed. Nucleotide sequences encoding pyruvate carboxylase and uses of such nucleotide sequences in the production of C4 dicarboxylic acids are further disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2010
    Publication date: January 5, 2012
    Applicant: ARCHER DANIELS MIDLAND COMPANY
    Inventors: Beth Fatland-Bloom, John P. Rayapati
  • Publication number: 20120003703
    Abstract: The invention relates to recombinant expression of variant forms of C1 CBH1a and homologs thereof, having improved thermostability, low-pH tolerance, specific activity and other desirable properties. Also provided are methods for producing ethanol and other valuable organic compounds by combining cellobiohydrolase variants with cellulosic materials.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2011
    Publication date: January 5, 2012
    Applicant: Codexis, Inc.
    Inventors: Vesna Mitchell, Grzegorz Wojciechowski, Oscar Alvizo
  • Publication number: 20120003701
    Abstract: The present invention provides for heterologous expression of termite and termite-associated symbiont cellulases. The cellulases can, for example, be codon-optimized and expressed in yeast host cells, such as the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The cellulases can also be co-expressed in host cells with other cellulases. The expression in such host cells of the termite and termite-associated symbiont cellulases, and variants and combinations thereof, result in yeast with improved cellulosic activity. Thus, such genes and expression systems are useful for efficient and cost-effective consolidated bioprocessing systems.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2009
    Publication date: January 5, 2012
    Applicant: MASCOMA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Elena E. Brevnova, Vineet Rajgarhia, Mark Mellon, Anne Warner, John Mcbride, Chhayal Gandhi, Erin Wiswall
  • Publication number: 20120003233
    Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods for the diagnosis and treatment of obesity and related metabolic disorders. The invention provides isolated nucleic acids molecules, designated DGAT2 family member nucleic acid molecules, which encode diacylglycerol acyltransferase family members. The invention also provides recombinant expression vectors containing DGAT2 family member nucleic acid molecules, host cells into which the expression vectors have been introduced, and nonhuman transgenic animals in which a DGAT2 family member gene has been introduced or disrupted. The invention still further provides isolated DGAT2 family member proteins, fusion proteins, antigenic peptides and anti-DGAT2 family member antibodies. Methods of use of the provided DGAT2 family member compositions for screening, diagnostic and therapeutic methods in connection with obesity disorders are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2011
    Publication date: January 5, 2012
    Applicant: Millennium Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
    Inventors: Ruth E. Gimeno, Zhidan Wu, Rosana Kapeller-Libermann, Brian K. Hubbard
  • Publication number: 20120003668
    Abstract: The present invention provides a mutant form of a protein kinase its production and its use for identifying compounds that bind to the PIF-binding pocket allosteric site of the protein kinase.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2009
    Publication date: January 5, 2012
    Applicant: UNIVERSITAET DES SAARLANDES
    Inventors: Valerie Hindie, Ricardo M. Biondi
  • Publication number: 20120005779
    Abstract: An isolated nucleic acid fragment encoding a plastidic phosphoglucomutase protein is disclosed. Also disclosed is the construction of a chimeric gene encoding all or a substantial portion of the plastidic phosphoglucomutase, in sense or antisense orientation, wherein expression of the chimeric gene results in production of altered levels of the plastidic phosphoglucomutase in a transformed host cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2011
    Publication date: January 5, 2012
    Applicant: E. I. DU PONT DE NEMOURS AND COMPANY
    Inventors: Stephen M. Allen, Karlene H. Butler, Thomas J. Carlson, William D. Hitz, Johan M. Stoop
  • Publication number: 20120003678
    Abstract: A protein described in any one of [1] to [4] below is provided according to the present invention: [1] a protein comprising the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 1; [2] a protein comprising an amino acid sequence with one or more amino acid deletions, substitutions, or additions in the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 1, and having fructosyl peptide oxidase activity; [3] a protein comprising an amino acid sequence having 80% or higher homology to the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 1, and having fructosyl peptide oxidase activity; and [4] a protein having fructosyl peptide oxidase activity, which is produced by an expression plasmid harbored by the Escherichia coli XL1-Blue MRF' strain deposited under Accession No. FERM BP-11026.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2009
    Publication date: January 5, 2012
    Applicant: Kyowa Medex Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuo Aisaka, Toshiko Aisaka, Keiko Suzuki
  • Publication number: 20120003700
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an isolated polynucleotide comprising an open reading frame encoding a polypeptide having alpha-amylase activity, the polypeptide selected from the group consisting of: a) a polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence which has at least 70% identity with amino acids 22 to 450 of SEQ ID NO: 4; b) a polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence which has at least 70% identity with the polypeptide encoded by the amylase encoding part of the polynucleotide inserted into a plasmid present in the E. coli host deposited under the Budapest Treaty with DSMZ under accession number DSM 15334; c) a polypeptide encoded by a polynucleotide comprising a nucleotide sequence which has at least 70% identity with the sequence shown from position 68 to 1417 in SEQ ID NO: 3; and d) a fragment of (a), (b) or (c) that has alpha-amylase activity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2011
    Publication date: January 5, 2012
    Applicant: Novozymes A/S
    Inventors: Tang Lan, Wu Wenping, Junxin Duan, Pia Francke Johannesen
  • Publication number: 20120004125
    Abstract: This invention relates to an isolated nucleic acid fragment encoding a diacylglycerol acyltransferase. The invention also relates to the construction of a chimeric gene encoding all or a portion of the diacylglycerol acyltransferase, in sense or antisense orientation, wherein expression of the chimeric gene results in production of altered levels of the diacylglycerol acyltransferase in a transformed host cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2010
    Publication date: January 5, 2012
    Applicant: E.I. DU PONT DE NEMOURS AND COMPANY
    Inventors: Rebecca E. Cahoon, Edgar Benjamin Cahoon, Karlene H. Butler, Anthony J. Kinney
  • Publication number: 20120004114
    Abstract: Isolated polynucleotides and polypeptides and recombinant DNA constructs useful for improving agronomic traits, 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 that is functional in a plant, wherein said polynucleotide encodes a GSH1 polypeptide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2009
    Publication date: January 5, 2012
    Applicant: E. I. DU PONT DE NEMOURS AND COMPANY AND PIONEER HI-BRED INTERNATIONAL
    Inventors: Stephen M. Allen, Jeffrey E. Habben, Guofu Li, Emil M. Orozco, JR., Hajime Sakai, Nicholas J. Bate, Carl R. Simmons, Ken'Ichi Ogawa
  • Patent number: 8088978
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the isolation of a second omega-3 fatty acid desaturase (FAD3) gene in flax (Linum usitatissimum) and its promoter region, as well as the identification of FAD3 mutant alleles, and the development of markers for wild type and mutated alleles. The FAD3 genes encode the enzymes which control omega-3 fatty acid desaturation and, thus, the levels of linolenic acid (18:3(n-3)). Accordingly, the molecules of the present invention can be utilized, for example, to develop markers for the mutations in flax FAD3 genes and for seed-specific modification of fatty acid and protein compositions in plant seeds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Assignee: Bioriginal Food & Science Corp.
    Inventors: Patricia Vrinten, Xiao Qiu
  • Patent number: 8088601
    Abstract: Expression systems and methods for the expression of functional membrane polypeptides such as human cytochrome b5 are provided. The systems include recombinant expression vectors capable of expressing soluble fusion proteins that include a solubilizing agent, a linker, and a membrane polypeptide, as well as one or more cleavers, e.g. proteases, capable of cleaving the linker to release the membrane polypeptide. When the fusion protein is expressed, the linker is cleaved by the cleaver to allow association of the membrane polypeptide with a membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Assignee: Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation
    Inventors: Brian G. Fox, Pablo Sobrado
  • Patent number: 8088909
    Abstract: The invention relates to an ex vivo animal or challenge model as a method to identify protective (recombinant) proteins and rapidly measure protective immunity in intestinal segments directed against parasites and vaccines directed against parasitic infections. The invention further relates to vaccines directed against infection with parasites, such as Fasciola hepatica, which vaccines contain protective (recombinant) proteins identified and shown to be protective in studies using the ex vivo model. The invention further relates to protective (recombinant) proteins obtained from newly excysted juveniles (NEJ) of Fasciola hepatica. The protective (recombinant) protein corresponding to an NEJ protein has an apparent molecular weight of 32 kD and an N-terminal amino acid sequence comprising the sequence XXDVSWPFWDRMYNY (SEQ ID NO:1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Assignee: Stichting Dienst Landbouwkundig Onderzoek
    Inventors: Florine Johanna van Milligen, Johannes Bernardus Wilhelmus Joseph Cornelissen, Bernard Adri Bokhout
  • Patent number: 8088359
    Abstract: This invention relates to a method of identifying a modulator of an NADPH oxidase, whereby said modulator is suitable as a lead compound and/or as a medicament for the treatment and/or prevention of hearing loss and/or phantom hearing, the method comprising the steps of (a) contacting a test compound with a protein, wherein said protein (i) comprises or consists of the amino acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NO: 1, 3 or 5, or (ii) is encoded by a nucleic acid comprising or consisting of the sequence of any one of SEQ ID NO: 2, 4, 6, 23 or 24, or (iii) is a fragment of the protein according to (i) or (ii) and exhibits NADPH oxidase activity, or (iv) has a sequence at least 75% identical with the protein according to (i) or (ii) or with the fragment according to (iii) and exhibits NADPH oxidase activity, and optionally with one or more NADPH oxidase subunits, under conditions allowing binding of said test compound to said protein or, if present, said subunit(s); (b) optionally determining whether said test com
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Assignee: University of Geneva
    Inventors: Karl-Heinz Krause, Botond Banfi
  • Patent number: 8088613
    Abstract: The invention relates to nitrilases and to nucleic acids encoding the nitrilases. In addition methods of designing new nitrilases and method of use thereof are also provided. The nitrilases have increased activity and stability at increased pH and temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Assignee: Verenium Corporation
    Inventors: Mark Burk, Kelly Chatman, Grace Desantis, Bob Farwell, Jay M. Short, Kelvin Wong