Cheryl M Defontes from Lowellville, OH, age 49

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Location:

Durham, NC

Industry:

Biotechnology

Work:

Syngenta Biotechnology, Inc. since Aug 1998
Research Scientist

Education:

North Carolina State University 2003 - 2005
Masters, Microbiology Purdue University 1994 - 1998
BS, Biochemistry

Skills:

Project Management
Molecular Biology
Biotechnology
Protein Purification

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Transgenic Plants Expressing Modified Cry3A
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US Patent:

20130260994, Oct 3, 2013
Filed:

Jun 12, 2013
Appl. No.:

13/915673
Inventors:

- BASEL, CH
Cheryl M. DEFONTES - Research Triangle Park NC, US
Assignee:

SYNGENTA PARTICIPATIONS AG - BASEL
International Classification:

C12N 15/82
US Classification:

504100, 514 45
Abstract:

Compositions and methods for controlling plant pests are disclosed. In particular, transgenic maize plants comprising nucleic acid molecules encoding modified Cry3A toxins having increased toxicity to western corn rootworm are provided. Such modified Cry3A toxins, into which a non-naturally occurring protease recognition site is inserted, are expressed at levels in transgenic plants to inhibit insect feeding damage and cause insect mortality.

Modified Cry3A Toxins And Nucleic Acid Sequences Coding Therefor
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US Patent:

8247369, Aug 21, 2012
Filed:

Jul 25, 2011
Appl. No.:

13/189966
Inventors:

Eric Chen - Research Triangle Park NC, US
Cheryl M. Defontes - Research Triangle Park NC, US
Assignee:

Syngenta Participations AG - Basel
International Classification:

C07K 14/00
US Classification:

514 1, 530350
Abstract:

Methods for making a modified Cry3A toxin are disclosed. Such methods include the insertion of a protease recognition site that is recognized by a gut protease of a target insect, such as corn rootworm, into at least one position of a Cry3A toxin so that a modified Cry3A toxin is thus designed. The coding sequence of the modified Cry3A toxin may be transformed into a host cell and the host cell grown under conditions that allow the host cell to produce the modified Cry3A toxin. The host cell may be a plant cell and the plant may be comprised in a transgenic plant. Thus, the transgenic plant may be used to produce the modified Cry3A toxin.

Insecticidal Proteins
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US Patent:

20140090104, Mar 27, 2014
Filed:

Sep 21, 2012
Appl. No.:

13/623921
Inventors:

- Basel, CH
Jeng Shong CHEN - Research Triangle Park NC, US
Cheryl M. DEFONTES - Research Triangle Park NC, US
Frederick WALTERS - Research Triangle Park NC, US
Assignee:

SYNGENTA PARTICIPATIONS AG - Basel
International Classification:

C12N 15/62
C12N 1/21
C12N 15/82
A01H 5/00
A01H 5/10
C12P 21/02
C12N 15/63
C12N 5/10
US Classification:

800279, 536 234, 4353201, 4352523, 435419, 800302, 435 697
Abstract:

Compositions and methods for controlling plant pests are disclosed. In particular, novel engineered hybrid insecticidal proteins (eHIPs) having toxicity to at least corn rootworm are provided. By fusing unique combinations of complete or partial variable regions and conserved blocks of at least two different (Bt) Cry proteins or a modified Cry proteins an eHIP having activity against corn rootworm is designed. Nucleic acid molecules encoding the novel eHIPs are also provided. Methods of making the eHIPs and methods of using the eHIPs and nucleic acids encoding the eHIPs of the invention, for example in transgenic plants to confer protection from insect damage are also disclosed.

Cheryl M Defontes