Benjamin Andrew Matthews

US Patent:

54515165, Sep 19, 1995

Filed:

Aug 16, 1991

Appl. No.:

7/746705

Inventors:

Benjamin F. Matthews - Laurel MD
Jane M. Weisemann - Brunswick MD

International Classification:

C12N 1553
C12N 1554
C12N 1563

US Classification:

435190

Abstract:

An isolated and purified bifunctional protein from carrots with aspartokinase and homoserine activities which can be used to regulate the amino acid content of plants, in particular the lysine, homoserine, threonine, isoleucine and/or methionine content is disclosed. In addition, a DNA molecule with a DNA sequence coding for a homologous segment of the bifunctional carrot protein is also disclosed. In a method of regulating the amino acid content in a plant by bringing an effective amount of the bifunctional protein in contact with the plant is disclosed.

US Patent:

56291833, May 13, 1997

Filed:

Nov 28, 1994

Appl. No.:

8/345869

Inventors:

James A. Saunders - Dayton MD
Benjamin F. Matthews - Laurel MD

Assignee:

The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of
Agriculture - Washington DC

International Classification:

C12N 1509

US Classification:

4351723

Abstract:

Plant germplasm is transformed with foreign DNA by introducing the DNA into pollen grains by a technique such as electroporation, mating ova of the desired plant line with the transformed pollen, and selecting for the transformed germplasm. The germinating pollen, resultant seed, and the progeny can each be screened for expression of the foreign gene. The transformed pollen can be used as a vector for introducing the foreign DNA into plant lines of similar or dissimilar origin, including both monocots and dicots.

US Patent:

58587497, Jan 12, 1999

Filed:

Jan 24, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/380182

Inventors:

Benjamin F. Matthews - Laurel MD
Jane M. Weisemann - Brunswick MD

Assignee:

The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of
Agriculture - Washington DC

International Classification:

C12N 904
C12N 900
C12N 912

US Classification:

435190

Abstract:

A bifunctional enzyme has been isolated and purified from carrots which has both aspartokinase and homoserine dehydrogenase activities in the same polypeptide. The enzyme can be used to regulate lysine, homoserine, threonine, isoleucine and methionine content in plants. The DNA sequence encoding the bifunctional enzyme is also disclosed.