Multicellular Algae Patents (Class 800/296)
  • Patent number: 7964768
    Abstract: Improved non-dehiscent sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) designated Sesaco 27 (S27) is herein disclosed. Its degree of shatter resistance, or seed retention, makes S27 suitable for mechanized harvesting and for selection for sesame crop growth in certain geographical locations, particularly where lodging is a high risk factor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Assignee: Sesaco Corporation
    Inventor: Derald Ray Langham
  • Patent number: 7932436
    Abstract: The present invention relates to plant cells and plants, which are genetically modified, wherein the genetic modification leads to the increase of the activity of a starch phosphorylating OK1 protein and a starch phosphorylating R1 protein in comparison with corresponding wild type plant cells or wild type plants that have not been genetically modified. Furthermore, the present invention relates to means and methods for the manufacture of such plant cells and plants. Plant cells and plants of this type synthesize a modified starch. The present invention therefore also relates to the starch synthesized by the plant cells and plants according to the invention, methods for the manufacture of this starch, and the manufacture of starch derivatives of this modified starch, as well as flours containing starches according to the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2011
    Assignee: Bayer CropCcience AG
    Inventors: Claus Frohberg, Oliver Koetting, Gerhard Ritte, Martin Steup
  • Patent number: 7932437
    Abstract: A designer proton-channel transgenic alga for photobiological hydrogen production that is specifically designed for production of molecular hydrogen (H2) through photosynthetic water splitting. The designer transgenic alga includes proton-conductive channels that are expressed to produce such uncoupler proteins in an amount sufficient to increase the algal H2 productivity. In one embodiment the designer proton-channel transgene is a nucleic acid construct (300) including a PCR forward primer (302), an externally inducible promoter (304), a transit targeting sequence (306), a designer proton-channel encoding sequence (308), a transcription and translation terminator (310), and a PCR reverse primer (312). In various embodiments, the designer proton-channel transgenic algae are used with a gas-separation system (500) and a gas-products-separation and utilization system (600) for photobiological H2 production.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2011
    Inventor: James Weifu Lee
  • Publication number: 20100330637
    Abstract: The present invention provides a biosafety-guarded photobiological butanol production technology based on designer transgenic plants, designer algae, designer blue-green algae (cyanobacteria and oxychlorobacteria), or designer plant cells. The designer photosynthetic organisms are created such that the endogenous photobiological regulation mechanism is tamed, and the reducing power (NADPH) and energy (ATP) acquired from the photosynthetic process are used for synthesis of butanol (CH3CH2CH2CH2OH) directly from carbon dioxide (CO2) and water (H2O). The butanol production methods of the present invention completely eliminate the problem of recalcitrant lignocellulosics by bypassing the bottleneck problem of the biomass technology.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2009
    Publication date: December 30, 2010
    Inventor: James Weifu Lee
  • Patent number: 7855317
    Abstract: Improved non-dehiscent sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) designated Sesaco 32 (S32) is herein disclosed. Its degree of shatter resistance, or seed retention, makes S32 suitable for mechanized harvesting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Assignee: Sesaco Corporation
    Inventor: Derald Ray Langham
  • Publication number: 20100306880
    Abstract: The invention provides nucleic acids and polypeptides for enhanced expression of nucleic acids and proteins. In one aspect, the sequences serve as transcription and translation enhancers or stabilizers, and can be incorporated in expression constructs at or near the translation control elements. The invention provides methods of producing mRNA (transcripts) and proteins. The invention provides methods of discovering new enhancer elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2008
    Publication date: December 2, 2010
    Applicant: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA
    Inventors: Steven P. Briggs, Kiyoshi Tachikawa
  • Patent number: 7745696
    Abstract: The invention provides method and compositions to minimize the chlorophyll antenna size of photosynthesis by decreasing TLA1 gene expression, thereby improving solar conversion efficiencies and photosynthetic productivity in plants, e.g., green microalgae, under bright sunlight conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Anastasios Melis, Mautusi Mitra
  • Patent number: 7663026
    Abstract: This invention relates to marine algae, and more particularly, to a method for producing improved seaweed strains by genetic engineering. The vector for transformation were constructed by inserting the high-plant or algae-derived promoters upstream of foreign reporter genes or such cassettes that functional genes are fused with antibiotics or herbicide-resistant genes. The genetic seaweed was generated by natural development process by recombinated plasmid DNA introduction to seaweed spore with Biolostics as transformation methods. Introduced traits of antibiotics or herbicide-resistance were used to select the transgenic seaweed individuals when foreign functional genes are transformed. Stable transformation could be obtained following this invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2010
    Assignee: Institute of Oceanology Chinese Academy of Sciences
    Inventors: Song Qin, Peng Jiang, Daozhan Yu, Fuchao Li, Guoqiong Sun
  • Publication number: 20100031395
    Abstract: An isolated polynucleotide is provided. The isolated polynucleotide comprising a nucleic acid sequence encoding a polypeptide of a Type II reaction center of a photosynthetic organism, the nucleic acid sequence being capable of imparting the type II reaction center with an activity under a temperature range different than that of the type II reaction center endogenous to the photosynthetic organism. Also provided are methods of using the sequences for generating photosynthetic organisms or tailor-made thermotolerance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2007
    Publication date: February 4, 2010
    Inventors: Avigdor Scherz, Oksana Shlyk-Kerner, Iian Samish, David Kaftan, Jorge Dinamarca
  • Publication number: 20100022393
    Abstract: Methods for controlling a density of algae growing in an aquatic environment are provided. Exemplary methods include applying an effective amount of glyphosate to a density of algae growing in an aquatic environment. The algae may include genus Nannochloropsis and/or Dunaliella. The algae may also include a glyphosate resistant strain of genus Nannochloropsis. The effective amount may result in an approximate concentration of between 0.1 millimolar to 0.3 millimolar glyphosate in the aquatic environment. Additionally, the aquatic environment may include seawater. The glyphosate may be applied to the aquatic environment before and/or after the aquatic environment is inoculated with algae. Alternative methods include applying an effective amount of glufosinate to a density of algae growing in an aquatic environment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2008
    Publication date: January 28, 2010
    Inventor: Bertrand Vick
  • Patent number: 7642405
    Abstract: A switchable photosystem-II designer algae for photobiological hydrogen production. The designer transgenic algae includes at least two transgenes for enhanced photobiological H2 production wherein a first transgene serves as a genetic switch that can controls photosystem II (PSII) oxygen evolution and a second transgene encodes for creation of free proton channels in the algal photosynthetic membrane. In one embodiment, the algae includes a DNA construct having polymerase chain reaction forward primer (302), a inducible promoter (304), a PSII-iRNA sequence (306), a terminator (308), and a PCR reverse primer (310). In other embodiments, the PSII-iRNA sequence (306) is replaced with a CF1-iRNA sequence (312), a streptomycin-production gene (314), a targeting sequence (316) followed by a proton-channel producing gene (318), or a PSII-producing gene (320). In one embodiment, a photo-bioreactor and gas-product separation and utilization system produce photobiological H2 from the switchable PSII designer alga.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Inventor: James Weifu Lee
  • Publication number: 20090328249
    Abstract: The present invention relates to nucleic acid sequences and methods useful in targeting a recombinant protein encoded by a transgene integrated into the chloroplast genome to the thylakoid lumen of chloroplast, whereby said nucleic acid sequences encode bacterial signal peptides. The invention also relates to means and methods for expressing a disulfide-bond containing protein of interest in a transplastomic plant cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2007
    Publication date: December 31, 2009
    Inventors: Eric Paget, Manuel Dubald, Julia Bally
  • Publication number: 20090328256
    Abstract: Methods and materials for modulating lysine, glucose, fructose, galactose and leucine content in plants are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2009
    Publication date: December 31, 2009
    Inventors: Boris Jankowski, Kenneth A. Feldmann, Steven Craig Bobzin
  • Publication number: 20090320148
    Abstract: Disclosed are novel oxylipins that are derived from ?-linolenic acid (GLA; 18:3n-6) and stearidonic acid (STA or SDA; 18:4n-3), and methods of making and using such oxylipins. Also disclosed is the use of such oxylipins in therapeutic and nutritional or cosmetic applications, and particularly as anti-inflammatory or anti-neurodegenerative compounds. Also disclosed are The invention novel ways of producing long chain polyunsaturated acid (LCPUF A)-rich oils and compositions that contain enhanced and effective amounts of SDA- and/or GLA-derived oxylipins.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2007
    Publication date: December 24, 2009
    Applicant: MARTEK BIOSCIENCES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Linda Mary Aaterburn, William Barclay, Bindi Dangi, James Flatt, Jung Lee, Dutt Vinjamoori
  • Patent number: 7622634
    Abstract: The invention relates to the field of secondary metabolite production in plants and plant cell cultures. More specifically, the invention relates to the use of transporters and more particularly ABC-transporters to enhance the production and/or secretion of secondary metabolites in plants and plant cell cultures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2009
    Assignee: VTT Biotechnology
    Inventors: Alain Goossens, Dirk Gustaaf Inze, Kirsi-Marja Oksman-Caldentey, Into J. Laakso
  • Patent number: 7586023
    Abstract: The present invention provides methods to confer resistance to protoporphyrinogen-inhibiting herbicides onto crop plants. Resistance is conferred by genetically engineering the plants to express cloned DNA encoding a protoporphyrinogen oxidase resistant to porphyric herbicides. If such resistant crop plants are cultivated, utilization of these herbicides on fields of these crop plants becomes feasible. This should allow for simpler and more effective weed management, and increase the value of these herbicides for agricultural use. Furthermore, the present invention provides plants, algae, plant cells, and algal cells which have been made resistant to protoporphyrinogen oxidase-inhibiting herbicides by the subject methods using a herbicide-resistant protoporphyrinogen oxidase gene that has been prepared by genetic engineering methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2009
    Assignees: Sumitomo Chemical Company, Limited, Duke University
    Inventors: John E. Boynton, Nicholas W. Gillham, Barbara L. Randolph-Anderson, Fumiharu Ishige, Ryo Sato
  • Publication number: 20090044298
    Abstract: The present invention relates to constructs and methods for the expression of recombinant proteins in the thylakoid lumen of transplastomic plant cells. Furthermore, the present invention relates to transplastomic plant cells and plants expressing a gene of interest in the thylakoid lumen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2006
    Publication date: February 12, 2009
    Applicant: Bayer CropScience S.A.
    Inventors: Ghislaine Tissot-Lecuelle, Helene Canard, Manuel Dubald
  • Patent number: 7473826
    Abstract: According to the invention, there is provided seed and plants of the corn variety designated I351729. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety I351729, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety I351729 with itself or with another corn plant, such as a plant of another variety. The invention further relates to corn seeds and plants produced by crossing plants of variety I351729 with plants of another variety, such as another inbred line. The invention further relates to the inbred and hybrid genetic complements of plants of variety I351729.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2009
    Assignee: Monsanto Technology LLC
    Inventor: Jon Popi
  • Publication number: 20080127364
    Abstract: A switchable photosystem-II designer algae for photobiological hydrogen production. The designer transgenic algae includes at least two transgenes for enhanced photobiological H2 production wherein a first transgene serves as a genetic switch that can controls photosystem II (PSII) oxygen evolution and a second transgene encodes for creation of free proton channels in the algal photosynthetic membrane. In one embodiment, the algae includes a DNA construct having polymerase chain reaction forward primer (302), a inducible promoter (304), a PSII-iRNA sequence (306), a terminator (308), and a PCR reverse primer (310). In other embodiments, the PSII-iRNA sequence (306) is replaced with a CF1-iRNA sequence (312), a streptomycin-production gene (314), a targeting sequence (316) followed by a proton-channel producing gene (318), or a PSII-producing gene (320). In one embodiment, a photo-bioreactor and gas-product separation and utilization system produce photobiological H2 from the switchable PSII designer alga.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2007
    Publication date: May 29, 2008
    Inventor: James Weifu Lee
  • Patent number: 7129393
    Abstract: A method of transforming a carnation (Dianthus L.) plant genome with a DNA molecule. The method comprises (a) preparing stem explants from carnation cuttings; (b) wounding the explants by microprojectile bombardment; (c) cocultivating the wounded explants with Agrobacterium comprising the DNA molecule under defined conditions of exposure to dark followed by light; (d) excising shoots from the cultivated wounded explants and removing the leaves from the shoots; and (e) culturing the leaves to obtain transgenic shoots transformed with the DNA molecule. Also disclosed are a rolC-transgenic carnation with improved agronomic traits and enhancement of flower fragrance by antisense suppression of the flavonoid gene fht.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2006
    Assignee: Yissum Research Development Company of the Hebrew University
    Inventors: Alexander Vainstein, Amir Zuker, Marianna Ovadis
  • Patent number: 7037722
    Abstract: The present invention relates to expression and assembly of foreign multimeric proteins—e.g., antibodies—in plants, as well as to transgenic plants that express such proteins. In one of several preferred embodiments, the generation and assembly of functional secretory antibodies in plants is disclosed. The invention also discloses compositions produced by the transgenic plants of the present invention and methods of using same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2006
    Assignee: The Scripps Research Institute
    Inventors: Mich B. Hein, Andrew Hiatt
  • Patent number: 6995014
    Abstract: The present invention relates to expression and assembly of foreign multimeric proteins—e.g., antibodies—in plants, as well as to transgenic plants that express such proteins. In one of several preferred embodiments, the generation and assembly of functional secretory antibodies in plants is disclosed. The invention also discloses compositions produced by the transgenic plants of the present invention and methods of using same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2006
    Assignee: The Scripps Research Institute
    Inventors: Mich B. Hein, Andrew Hiatt, Julian K-C Ma
  • Patent number: 6884924
    Abstract: A soybean cultivar, designated SX95512, is disclosed. The invention relates to the seeds of soybean cultivar SX95512, to the plants of soybean SX95512 and to methods for producing a soybean plant produced by crossing the cultivar SX95512 with itself or another soybean variety. The invention further relates to hybrid soybean seeds and plants produced by crossing the cultivar SX95512 with another soybean cultivar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2005
    Assignee: Monsanto Technology, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Nancy A. Sebern
  • Patent number: 6642053
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for transforming plants with foreign DNA by introducing foreign DNA into chloroplasts. The invention provides cassettes which introduce genetic elements into chloroplast of target plants. The plants are transformed with the desired phenotype such as herbicide resistance or of other properties. Transformed plants are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2003
    Assignee: Auburn University
    Inventors: Henry Daniell, Bruce A. McFadden
  • Patent number: 6531646
    Abstract: A method for the genetic modification and improvement of Porphyra species utilizing protoplast fusion is disclosed. The method of the invention features the use of conchoporangial branch conchocelis for at least one of the sources of protoplasts for protoplast fusion. Protoplasts produced from conchosporangial branch conchocelis of one species may be mixed with protoplasts produced from either blade material or conchocelis of a second species and fused using either a chemical fusing agent like polyethylene glycol (PEG) or electrofusion. Alternatively, an algal species other than a Porphyra species may be the second source of protoplasts. After fusion has occurred, fusion products are isolated and regenerated to whole plants or used as multicellular material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2003
    Assignee: Northeastern University
    Inventors: Donald P. Cheney, Kathryn M. Roberts, Katherine L. Watson
  • Patent number: 5977437
    Abstract: The present invention relates to transgenic plants or algae expressing an AGP enzyme coupled to a transit peptide. In particular, the present invention relates to transgenic plants or algae in which the activity of the AGP enzyme or subunit thereof is substantially independent of any level of in vivo 3-phosphoglycerate and any in vivo level of inorganic phosphate and wherein the activity of the AGP enzyme or subunit thereof is not stimulated by fructose-1,6-bisP and is not inhibited by AMP.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1999
    Assignee: Danisco A/S
    Inventors: Per Villand, Leszek Kleczkowski, Odd-Arne Olsen, Peter Poulsen, Finn Okkels, Jan Marcussen
  • Patent number: 5932782
    Abstract: Bacteria of the species Agrobacterium are applied to particles which are used in a typical particle gun in a manner which retains their viability after the dry-down process involved in microparticle bombardment. When plant materials are bombarded with particles coated with the bacteria, high rates of stable transformation are achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 1990
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1999
    Assignee: Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc.
    Inventor: Dennis Bidney