John H Aikens

US Patent:

8367379, Feb 5, 2013

Filed:

Jan 5, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/348887

Inventors:

John Aikens - La Grange Park IL, US
Robert J. Turner - Aurora IL, US

Assignee:

Proterro, Inc. - Ewing NJ

International Classification:

C12P 19/02

US Classification:

435105, 435162, 4352572, 435 72, 4352523, 4352921, 4353201

Abstract:

Provided herein is a transgenic bacteria engineered to accumulate carbohydrates, for example disaccharides. Also provided is a photobioreactor for cultivating photosynthetic microorganisms comprising a non-gelatinous, solid cultivation support suitable for providing nutrients and moisture to photosynthetic microorganisms and a physical barrier covering at least a portion of the surface of the cultivation support. Devices for the large scale and continuous cultivation of photosynthetic microorganisms incorporating photobioreactors and methods of use are disclosed. Also disclosed are methods of producing fermentable sugar from photosynthetic microorganisms using a photobioreactor of the invention.

US Patent:

20020120432, Aug 29, 2002

Filed:

Aug 10, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/927214

Inventors:

David Ager - Hoffman Estates IL, US
John Aikens - La Grange Park IL, US
Michael Flavin - Darien IL, US
Eric Kirchhoff - Winfield IL, US

International Classification:

G06G007/48

US Classification:

703/012000

Abstract:

A method and workstation for optimizing optimization of biocatalyst performance based on combinatorial chemistry, automation technology, and computer-controlled design is disclosed. The workstation includes a synthesizer, an analyzer, a robot and computer in communication with the synthesizer and analyzer. The computer includes one or more programs for regulating reaction parameters such as types of enzymes; amounts of enzymes; types of solvents/buffers; amounts of solvents/buffers; temperature; pressure; pH; types of substrates; time; enzyme—substrate ratio; and agitation (whether to agitate and the speed of agitation) and employs statistical methods for optimizing multiple reaction parameters and for designing optimized experiments for further investigation.

US Patent:

20120244622, Sep 27, 2012

Filed:

Mar 26, 2012

Appl. No.:

13/430381

Inventors:

Robert J. Turner - Aurora IL, US
Valerie Sershon - Niles IL, US
John Aikens - La Grange IL, US
Denise Holzle - Bolingbrook IL, US

Assignee:

PROTERRO, INC. - Princeton NJ

International Classification:

C12N 15/63
C12N 1/11
C12N 1/15
C12N 1/13
C12N 1/21

US Classification:

435471, 4353201, 4352572, 4352523, 43525411, 4352581

Abstract:

Compositions and methods for nitrogen sensitive regulation of expression of a transcribable nucleic acid molecule. One aspect provides a nitrogen-sensitive expression system that includes a transcription factor region comprising an NtcA binding site and a core promoter region comprising a RuBisCo promoter or a variant or a functional fragment thereof. Another aspect provides a method of transforming a host cell with an expression system. Also provided are expression cassettes, transformed host cells, and kits.

US Patent:

20120301563, Nov 29, 2012

Filed:

Nov 4, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/289950

Inventors:

John Aikens - La Grange Park IL, US
Robert J. Turner - Aurora IL, US

Assignee:

PROTERRO, INC. - Princeton NJ

International Classification:

C12N 1/12
C12N 1/13
A61K 35/74
A61P 17/00
A23L 1/48
C11B 1/00
C08B 37/00
C10L 1/18
C10L 1/19
C12P 19/14
A61P 19/02

US Classification:

424780, 4352571, 435 99, 4352572, 554175, 5361231, 44385, 44403, 426 61

Abstract:

Provided herein are methods of producing and processing a feedstock from a photosynthetic microorganism. Also provided are various transgenic photosynthetic microorganism and photobioreactors for use in the methods.

US Patent:

20120309090, Dec 6, 2012

Filed:

Jun 1, 2012

Appl. No.:

13/487070

Inventors:

John Aikens - La Grange Park IL, US
Robert J. Turner - Aurora IL, US
Denise L. Holzle - Bolingbrook IL, US

Assignee:

PROTERRO, INC. - Princeton NJ

International Classification:

C12M 1/42
C12M 1/12
C12N 1/12
C12N 1/14
C12N 1/10
C12N 5/04
C12M 1/00
C12N 1/20

US Classification:

435420, 4352891, 4352971, 4352921, 4352521, 4352541, 4352581, 4352571

Abstract:

A compressible bioreactor for cultivating photosynthetic microorganisms, the bioreactor comprising a feeder trough, a collection trough, a growth fabric, and a barrier layer, where the bioreactor has a compressed mode and an extended mode, the growth fabric is coupled to the feeder trough and the collection trough, the growth fabric is substantially extended in the extended mode of the bioreactor, the growth fabric is substantially compressed in the compressed mode of the bioreactor and the barrier layer is coupled to the feeder base and the collection base that encases the growth fabric in a substantially airtight environment