Paula M Hicks

US Patent:

7572607, Aug 11, 2009

Filed:

Apr 26, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/114922

Inventors:

Paula M. Hicks - Bend OR, US
Sara C. McFarlan - St. Paul MN, US
Timothy W. Abraham - Minnetonka MN, US
Douglas C. Cameron - Plymouth MN, US
James R. Millis - Plymouth MN, US
John Rosazza - Iowa City IA, US
Lishan Zhao - Carlsbad CA, US
David Paul Weiner - Del Mar CA, US

Assignee:

Cargill, Incorporated - Wayzata MN

International Classification:

C12P 13/22
C12N 1/21

US Classification:

435121, 435108, 435193, 435 691, 435325, 4353201, 4352523, 536 232

Abstract:

Methods and compositions that can be used to make monatin from glucose, tryptophan, indole-3-lactic acid, indole-3-pyruvate, and 2-hydroxy 2-(indol-3-ylmethyl)-4-keto glutaric acid, are provided. Methods are also disclosed for producing the indole-3-pyruvate and 2-hydroxy 2-(indol-3-ylmethyl)-4-keto glutaric acid intermediates. Compositions provided include nucleic acid molecules, polypeptides, chemical structures, and cells. Methods include in vitro and in vivo processes, and the in vitro methods include chemical reactions.

US Patent:

7582455, Sep 1, 2009

Filed:

Apr 26, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/411229

Inventors:

Brian J. Brazeau - Oskaloosa IA, US
Ellen Burke - San Diego CA, US
Mervyn DeSouza - Plymouth MN, US
Steven J. Gort - Brooklyn Center MN, US
Paula M. Hicks - Eden Prairie MN, US
Sherry R. Kollmann - Maple Grove MN, US
Peter Luginbuhl - San Diego CA, US
Sara C. McFarlan - St. Paul MN, US
Toby Richardson - San Diego CA, US
Fernando A. Sanchez-Riera - Eden Prairie MN, US
Christopher Solheid - Minneapolis MN, US
David Weiner - Del Mar CA, US
Lishan Zhao - Carlsbad CA, US

Assignee:

Cargill, Incorporated - Wayzata MN

International Classification:

C12P 17/10

US Classification:

435121

Abstract:

Monatin and certain stereoisomers of monatin, such as R,R monatin and S,R monatin, as well as salts thereof, are produced using polypeptides and biosynthetic pathways. These polypeptides and biosynthetic pathways are also useful in the production of R-2-hydroxy-2-(indoly-3-ylmethyl)-4-keto glutaric acid, an intermediate that is formed in certain monatin synthesis pathways, including some biosynthetic pathways.

US Patent:

7888081, Feb 15, 2011

Filed:

May 23, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/752492

Inventors:

Anil Bhagwan Khare - Crystal MN, US
Brent H. Hilbert - South Haven MN, US
Christopher Solheid - Minneapolis MN, US
Sara C. McFarlan - St. Paul MN, US
Fernando A. Sanchez-Riera - Eden Prairie MN, US
Kent Floy - Minnetonka MN, US
Paula M. Hicks - Bend OR, US

Assignee:

Cargill, Incorporated - Wayzata MN

International Classification:

C12P 13/22
C12N 1/21

US Classification:

435121, 435108, 435193, 435232, 4352523

Abstract:

Methods and systems for increasing the production of equilibrium reactions are described. In some embodiments, a method comprises removing enzymes from a reaction mixture once equilibrium is achieved, selectively re-adding enzymes and reactants for driving the product-forming reaction to product, and optionally recycling stabilized intermediates, by-products and/or co-products back into the reaction mixture. In some embodiments, a method comprises purifying the desired product from a reaction mixture and selectively recycling one or more components of the reaction mixture, such as original reactants, intermediates, co-products or by-products back into the reaction mixture as desired to improve titer. Systems for implementing the methods are also provided. In some embodiments the methods and systems are implemented for increasing the production of monatin and monatin derivatives, produced in multi-step equilibrium pathways.

US Patent:

7923231, Apr 12, 2011

Filed:

Dec 17, 2004

Appl. No.:

11/015563

Inventors:

Brian Brazeau - St. Paul MN, US
Jean-Claude De Troostembergh - Tielt-Winge, BE
Paula M. Hicks - Eden Prairie MN, US
Holly Jessen - Chanhassen MN, US
Sara C. McFarlan - St. Paul MN, US
Willy Obyn - Kampenhout, BE
Fernando A. Sanchez-Riera - Eden Prairie MN, US
William A. Schroeder - Brooklyn Park MN, US

Assignee:

Cargill, Incorporated - Wayzata MN

International Classification:

C12N 1/21
C12N 9/02
C12P 21/06

US Classification:

435189, 435 691, 4352523, 435136

Abstract:

A method is disclosed for increasing the specific activity of myo-inositol oxygenase. The method includes incubating a mixture including myo-inositol oxygenase and a non-sulfur containing reductant under conditions effective to increase the specific activity of the myo-inositol oxygenase. Also disclosed are methods for producing D-glucuronic acid and glucurono-γ-lactone comprising incubating a mixture including myo-inositol, myo-inositol oxygenase, and oxygen under conditions effective to form 5 grams D-glucuronic acid per liter of the mixture to 400 grams D-glucuronic acid per liter of the mixture. Glucurono-γ-lactone can be produced from the D-glucuronic acid product. Also disclosed are organisms and nucleic acids suitable for use in such methods.

US Patent:

8076108, Dec 13, 2011

Filed:

Mar 6, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/714279

Inventors:

Brian J. Brazeau - Oskaloosa IA, US
Mervyn L. De Souza - Plymouth MN, US
Steven J. Gort - Brooklyn Center MN, US
Paula M. Hicks - Eden Prairie MN, US
Sherry R. Kollmann - Maple Grove MN, US
Jose M. Laplaza - Plymouth MN, US
Sara C. McFarlan - St. Paul MN, US
Fernando A. Sanchez-Riera - Eden Prairie MN, US
Christopher Solheid - Minneapolis MN, US

Assignee:

Cargill, Incorporated - Wayzata MN

International Classification:

C12P 17/10

US Classification:

435121, 435108, 435193

Abstract:

Monatin and certain stereoisomers of monatin, such as R,R monatin and S,R monatin, as well as salts thereof, are produced using polypeptides and biosynthetic pathways. These polypeptides and biosynthetic pathways are also useful in the production of R-2-hydroxy-2-(indoly-3-ylmethyl)-4-keto glutaric acid, an intermediate that is formed in certain monatin synthesis pathways, including some biosynthetic pathways.

US Patent:

8153405, Apr 10, 2012

Filed:

Apr 20, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/379528

Inventors:

James C. Anderson - Eden Prairie MN, US
Mervyn L. DeSouza - Plymouth MN, US
Paula M. Hicks - Eden Prairie MN, US
Sherry R. Kollmann - Maple Grove MN, US
Jose Laplaza - Plymouth MN, US

Assignee:

Cargill, Incorporated - Wayzata MN

International Classification:

C12P 13/22
C12N 1/21

US Classification:

435121, 435108, 435193

Abstract:

Products and methods for the in vivo production of monatin sweetener are provided. The products include microorganisms that are genetically modified to secrete or to improve secretion of monatin; microorganisms that are genetically modified to produce monatin; and microorganisms that are genetically modified to both secrete or improve secretion of monatin and produce monatin. The methods include producing monatin in such genetically engineered microorganisms.

US Patent:

8158389, Apr 17, 2012

Filed:

Oct 10, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/545024

Inventors:

James C. Anderson - Eden Prairie MN, US
Mervyn L. DeSouza - Plymouth MN, US
Paula M. Hicks - Eden Prairie MN, US
Sherry R. Kollmann - Maple Grove MN, US

Assignee:

Cargill, Incorporated - Wayzata MN

International Classification:

C12P 13/22
C12N 1/21

US Classification:

435108, 435193, 4352523

Abstract:

Products and methods for the in vivo production of monatin sweetener are provided. The products include microorganisms that are genetically modified to secrete or to improve secretion of monatin; microorganisms that are genetically modified to produce monatin; and microorganisms that are genetically modified to both secrete or improve secretion of monatin and produce monatin. The methods include producing monatin in such genetically engineered microorganisms.

US Patent:

8372989, Feb 12, 2013

Filed:

Nov 3, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/979821

Inventors:

Timothy W. Abraham - Minnetonka MN, US
Douglas C. Cameron - Plymouth MN, US
Paula M. Hicks - Eden Prairie MN, US
Sara C. McFarlan - St. Paul MN, US
John Rosazza - Iowa City IA, US
Lishan Zhao - Carlsbad CA, US
David P. Weiner - Del Mar CA, US

Assignee:

Cargill, Incorporated - Wayzata MN

International Classification:

C07D 209/18
C12P 13/22
C12P 21/06
C07H 21/04
C12N 9/10

US Classification:

548495, 435108, 435 691, 435193, 4353201, 4352523, 435325, 536 232

Abstract:

Methods and compositions that can be used to make monatin from glucose, tryptophan, indole-3-lactic acid, indole-3-pyruvate, and 2-hydroxy 2-(indol-3-ylmethyl)-4-keto glutaric acid, are provided. Methods are also disclosed for producing the indole-3-pyruvate and 2-hydroxy 2-(indol-3-ylmethyl)-4-keto glutaric acid intermediates. Compositions provided include nucleic acid molecules, polypeptides, chemical structures, and cells. Methods include in vitro and in vivo processes, and the in vitro methods include chemical reactions.