Intellectual Property Available for Licensing

As new inventions are disclosed from BioEnergy Science Center (BESC) researchers, we will post information about the inventions on this webpage. Use the table below to match your technology needs with BESC disclosures or view all technologies in a particular category by clicking on the category below.

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• Advanced Biofuels (2)
• Bioconversion (12)
• Biomass
•     Biomass : Grasses (7)
•     Biomass : Trees (4)
•     Biomass : Genetic Tools (10)
• Biomaterials (2)
• Biotechnology (10)
• Imaging (2)
• PreTreatment (3)

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Inventors	Title
Brunecky, Roman Himmel, Michael	Superactive Cellulase for Biomass Conversion National Renewable Energy Laboratory researchers discovery that the thermostable enzyme for C. bescii is a superior degrader of crystalline biomass compared to a traditional cellulase mixture (Cel7)/E1(Cel5) at equivalent enzyme loading. They have shown that CelA purified from C. bescii achieves a much higher extent of conversion on highly crystalline model substrates (Avicel) than traditionally used enzyme.
Davison, Brian Dixon, Richard A. Engle, Nancy Mielenz, Jonathan Pu, Yunqiao Ragauskas, Art Standaert, Robert F. Tschaplinski, Timothy J.	A Novel Monolignol That Reduces Recalcitrance of Plant Cell Walls A Novel Monolignol that reduces recalcitrance of plant cell walls
Bar-Peled, Maor Yang, Ting	The "In-Microbe", High-yield Production of Sugar Nucleotides and their use in Glycan Production
Backe, Jason O'Neill, Malcolm A. Pena, Maria Urbanowicz, Breeanna York, William S.	Modified Expression of Genes Significantly Reduces Recalcitrance of Lignocellulosic Biomass Biomass is a renewable resource that has shown promise to replace petroleum based fuels, while reduc-ing green house gas emissions. The plant cell walls, which are the dominant component of feedstocks, contain polysaccharides such as cellulose, heteroxylans, and glucomannans that can ultimately be con-verted to fuel. However, the production of biomass-based fuels has not been cost competitive relative to oil or other energy resources. A key challenge is cell walls have built up a natural protection (or recal-citrance) that makes the process of converting polysaccharides to fermentable sugars inefficient.
Pattathil, Sivakumar York, William S.	The Use of Monoclonal Antibodies in Biomass Characterization and Quantitation UGA researchers developed a library of ~200 MAbs that recognize epitope structures characteristic of most major plant cell wall polysaccharides. These MAbs are monospecific with regard to the structure that they bind. They can provide temporal and spatial information about plant cell wall structures at the whole plant, tissue, cell, and sub-cellular levels and can be used to monitor and define changes in wall structure arising from developmental, environmental, and mutational influences. As importantly, MAbs can be used for qualitative and quantitative detection of carbohydrate epitopes in plant ex-tracts. In this document, we describe how MAbs can be used for characterization of biomass materials especially with regards to monitoring changes in cell wall structure that might impact biomass recalci-trance.
Mohnen, Debra	Higher Yielding Biomass Plants Developed Utilizing Newly Discovered Cell Wall Structures and Proteins The researchers have created transgenic plants, which have a higher biomass potential given increased plant size. The new plants also have a decreased resistance to enzymes, which in turn will decrease the cost of converting the plant into biofuel. The new framework allows for understanding cell wall synthesis better, and subsequently enables the creation of more transgenic plants
Craven, Kelly	Grass Fungal Endophytes and Uses Thereof The invention provides isolated fungal endophytes and synthetic combinations thereof with host grass plants. Methods for inoculating grass plant with the endophytes, for propagating the grass-endophyte combinations, and for producing feeds and biofuels from grass-endophyte combinations are also provided.
Chen, Fang Dixon, Richard A. Wang, Huanzhong	Transcription Factors for Modification of Lignin Content in Plants The invention provides methods for modifying lignin, cellulose, xylan, and hemicellulose content in plants, and for achieving ectopic lignification and, for instance, secondary cell wall synthesis in pith cells, by altered regulation of a WRKY transcription factor. Nucleic acid constructs for altered WRKY-TF expression are described. Transgenic plants are provided that comprise modified pith cell walls, and lignin, cellulose, and hemicellulose content. Plants described herein may be used, for example, as improved biofuel feedstock and as highly digestible forage crops.
Udvardi, Michael	Regulating Nutrient Allocation in Plants The invention provides coding and promoter sequences for a VS-1 and AP-2 gene, which affects the developmental process of senescence in plants. Vectors, transgenic plants, seeds, and host cells comprising heterologous VS-1 and AP-2 genes are also provided. Additionally provided are methods of altering nutrient allocation and composition in a plant using the VS-1 and AP-2 genes.
Wang, Zeng-Yu	Method for Transformation of Grasses The invention provides methods for transforming grass plants with Agrobacterium. The invention allows creation of transgenic grass plants without the need for callus as a target tissue for transformation, thus providing a rapid method for the production of transgenic grass plants. Transgenic grass plants produced by this method are also provided.
Elkins, James	Caloramator sp. Tolerance of Pretreatment Inhibitors from LIgnocellulosics ORNL inventors discovered a novel microorganism that displays exceptional tolerance to several growth inhibitors generated during dilute acid pretreatment of lignocellulosic biomass. Vanillin, furfural, hydroxymethylfurfural and lignin are known to inhibit the growth of microorganisms, such as yeast, during fermentation of sugars to alcohols. The new, isolated organism can be used as a source of resistance factors which could then be engineered into advanced biocatalysts for consolidated bioprocessing of biomass into fuels.
Lynd, Lee	Cellulose and Xylan Fermentation by Novel Anaerobic Thermophilic Clostridia Isolated from Self-Heated Biocompost Cellulose and xylan fermentation by novel anaerobic thermophilic clostridia isolated from self-heated biocompost
Zhang, Y.H. Percival	Recombinant Gram-Positive Microorganism Growing on Cellulose asas the Sole Carbon Source in Defined Media This invention provides the genetic engineering technologies and the defined media to convert gram-positive microorganisms for a low-cost, consolidated bio-processing (CBP) platform. This technology can be applied for producing advanced biofuels and other bio-based products with lignocellulosic material as feedstock in the defined media without any expensive organic nutrients and cellulases.
Mann, David Stewart, Neal	Identification of a Novel Promoter for Tissue Culture Transformation Researchers at the University of Tennessee have discovered a method to induce strong expression of any gene conferring resistance to pathogens, herbicides, salt, cold, drought, or insects by using two newly identified and recently characterized switchgrass promoters. These promoters stimulate constitutive expression with 2x and 4x greater activity than maize ubiquitin 1 (ZmUbi1) and CaMV 35S, respectively, driving gene expression in all tissues and organs of switchgrass. These novel components have the potential to be integrated into all monocot transformation systems, especially where multiple gene activation is needed. Interestingly, these promoters have a broad spectrum of taxonomic activity with additional expression capabilities in other monocots, dicots and ferns.
Biswal, Ajaya Mohnen, Debra	Improve Biochemical Fermentation Utilizing Modified Transgenic Rice and Switchgrass Overexpression of the foxtail milled (Setaria italica L.) pectin acetylesterase 1 (SiPAE1) gene in rice resulted in increased growth and biomass yirld and improved ethanol yirld from 18-56% in diverse over-expression lines compared to wild type and vector control lines.
Davison, Brian Keller, Martin Passian, Ali Tetard, Laurene Thundat, Thomas	Scanning Probe Microscopy with Spectroscopic Molecular Recognition ORNL researchers developed an innovative imaging method that possesses the imaging capability of scanning near-field ultrasound holography and the chemical specificity of reverse photoacoustic spectroscopy. This imaging method can achieve chemical differentiation with nanometer resolution. Atomic force microscopy is a well established technique for imaging surface features of a nanometer or less. In conventional methods, a cantilever has a tip capable of making a nanometer sized contact. However, any small variation in distance between the probe and the sample surface can result in a large change in the contact force between the probe’s tip and the sample. To address this challenge, the invention includes two independent oscillators and is able to distinguish the frequencies of the two acoustic waves applied to the probe. In addition, electromagnetic energy is applied to the sample, causing a change in phase of the second acoustic wave. The device can also be used for determining chemical characteristics of a sample by applying different acoustic waves.
Chen, Fang Dixon, Richard A. Shen, Hui	Compositions and Methods for Improved Plant Feedstock The invention provides methods for modifying lignin content and composition in plants and achieving associated benefits therefrom involving altered expression of newly discovered MYB4 transcription factors. Nucleic acid constructs for modifying MYB4 transcription factor expression are described. By over-expressing the identified MYB4 transcription factors, for example, an accompanying decrease in lignin content may be achieved. Plants are provided by the invention comprising such modifications, as are methods for their preparation and use.
Stewart, Neal	Engineering Male Sterility or Non-Transgenic Pollen by Pollen-Specific Expression of a Restriction Enzyme The present invention relates to methods of blocking or reducing genetically modified plant (GMO) pollen flow using a “non-lethal” approach. In this aspect, at least one transgenic polynucleotide of interest is linked to a pollen-ablation construct as described herein. The pollen-ablation construct contains a polynucleotide encoding a restriction enzyme that renders the transgenic pollen unable to fertilize a sexually compatible ovule.
Chung, DaeHwan Farkas, Joel A. Huddleston, Jennifer Westpheling, Janet	Restriction / Modifiction Polypetides, Polynucleotides, and Methods University of Georgia researchers have invented a method to more efficiently decompose biomass, which lowers the cost of producing biofuel. The method centers around a bacterium called Caldicellulosiruptor, which as has unique properties that make it more conducive for processing a type of biomass known as lignocellulsic. The modification of the bacterium DNA will improve the efficiency of converting biomass into fuels. Furthermore, the researchers have developed general procedures that can be utilized across other sections of the bacterium species.
Mielenz, Jonathan	Consolidated Bioprocessing Method using Thermophilic Microorganisms Here we have shown that two microorganisms that normally would not co-exist due to differences in temperature optimums can be grown with one at suboptimal temperature, and together, they uniquely convert biomass to fermentation chemicals more rapidly and efficiently than either microorganism could accomplish alone. Additionally the two microorganisms provide different depolymerizing enzymes so act synergistically to more efficiently breakdown the biomass carbohydrates, while leaving lignin intact. Also, these microorganisms can be grown on biomass sequentially providing initial biological “pretreatment” at one temperature and a more complete fermentation with the second microorganism as the other temperature.
Stewart, Neal	Genes to Increase Growth in Monocots Researchers at the University of Tennessee have identified switchgrass genes that increase biomass yield and cellulose content in switchgrass and have potential to increase biomass yield and cellulose content in other monocot species such as corn, rice and barley. When the sequence of the derived amino acids were compared with other plant homolog genes, the cluster analysis showed that the genes were clustered into three groups, and each switchgrass gene is clustered with its homolog from other monocot species such as rice, maize, and barley, with a high percentage of amino acid identity (up to 98%). Transient expression analysis of the switchgrass gene for subcellular localization using a fluorescent protein marker showed that the protein was localized to the plant plasma membrane. Transgenic switchgrass plants overexpressing the switchgrass gene were produced and the plants looked phenotypically normal and showed an increase in the plant height, number of tillers, and dry biomass weight.
Li, Yongchao Yang, Yunfeng	Universal Gene Transfer Technology for Gram Positive Bacteria The present invention provides a sonoporation-based method that can be universally applied for delivery of compounds into Gram positive bacteria. Gram positive bacteria which can be transformed by sonoporation include, for example, Bacillus, Streptococcus, Acetobacterium, and Clostridium. Compounds which can be delivered into Gram positive bacteria via sonoporation include nucleic acids (DNA or RNA), proteins, lipids, carbohydrates, viruses, small organic and inorganic molecules, and nano-particles.
Adams, Michael A. Hamilton-Brehm, Scott Kataeva, Irina Westpheling, Janet	Gene and Gene Clusters that Enable Degradation of Recalcitrant Biological Materials Dr. Adam’s group at The University of Georgia has discovered the identity of a group of genes that enable a microorganism to convert untreated woody plant biomass, such as poplar wood chips, to soluble materials that can be used by the same organism or by another to produce biofuels, such as hydrogen and ethanol. The discovery was made from an analysis of the genomes of two very closely related microorganisms Anaerocellum thermophilum and Caldicellulosiruptor saccharolyticus, only one of which, Anaerocellum thermophilum, is able to grow on unprocessed woody plant biomass. The genes that confer this property to Anaerocellum thermophilum are termed PBU for plant biomass utilization. Many of the PBU genes are present in Anaerocellum thermophilum as gene clusters.
Lynd, Lee	Selection of Celluloytic Microbes with High Growth Rates Selection of celluloytic microbes with high growth rates
Bhave, Ramesh R. Lynd, Lee Shao, Xiongjun	Flow-through Pretreatment of Lignocellulosic Biomass with Inorganic Nanoporous Membranes A process for the pretreatment of lignocellulosic biomass is provided. The process generally includes flowing water through a pretreatment reactor containing a bed of particulate lignocellulosic biomass to produce a pressurized, high-temperature hydrolyzate exit stream, separating solubilized compounds from the hydrolyzate exit stream using an inorganic nanoporous membrane element, fractionating the retentate enriched in solubilized organic components and recycling the permeate to the pretreatment reactor. The pretreatment process provides solubilized organics in concentrated form for the subsequent conversion into bio-fuels and other chemicals.
Bhave, Ramesh R.	Inorganic Nanoporous Membranes for High Temperature Pretreatment of Lignocellulosic Biomass An inorganic membrane element and a pretreatment process are provided. The inorganic membrane element includes a tubular structure having an inner separating layer, an outer supporting layer, and at least one intermediate layer interposed between the separating and supporting layers, where the separating layer is nanoporous to selectively retain solutes while permitting the transfer of high-temperature solvents therethrough. The pretreatment process utilizes the inorganic membrane element to provide solubilized organics in concentrated form for the subsequent conversion into bio-fuels and other chemicals.
Adams, Michael A. Albersheim, Ivana G. Biswal, Ajaya Hahn, Michael Hao, Zhangying A. Hunt, Kimberly D. Kataeva, Irina Mohanty, Sushree P. Mohnen, Debra Pattathil, Sivakumar	Plants with Altered Pectin and Lignin Biosynthesis and with Improved Growth and Recalcitrance Dr. Mohnen's group at the University of Georgia has identified a clade of genes that are associated with the control of the biosynthesis of both pectin and lignin (and possibly xylan). Mutations of these genes in certain plants (including switchgrass and Populus) lead to considerable reduction of recalcitrance (v. wild type), as shown by means of bacterial degradation of modified biomass. Furthermore, Populus plants bearing some of these mutations have exhibited a considerable increase in height and stem diameter (v.wild type). Plants bearing these mutations may prove suitable for economically viable extraction and use of carbohydrates from plant cell wall, as recalcitrance is greatly reduced and rate of overall growth of modified plants increase.
Passian, Ali Tetard, Laurene Thundat, Thomas	Mode-synthesizing Atomic Force Microscopy (MSAFM) and Mode-Synthesizing Sensing (MSS) The invention allows for the physical/mechanical, and chemical, nanoscale features of various material samples to be measured. The invention provides nanoscale surface as well as subsurface information. With high resolution, the subsurface material such as embedded nanoparticles or other material inhomogeneities can be resolved with a resolution comparable to other existing atomic force microscopy-based approaches.
Davison, Brian Keller, Martin Narula, Chaitanya K.	Zeolitic catalytic conversion of alcohols to hydrocarbons A method for catalytically converting an alcohol to a hydrocarbon without requiring purified or concentrated alcohol was invented by ORNL researchers. This approach can be used for relatively dilute bio-mass produced alcohols, such as those found in a biomass fermentation reactor.
Lynd, Lee	Novel Configuration to Improve the Practicality and Increase the Benefits of Flow through pretreatment of cellulosic biomass for subsequent biological processing Novel Configuration to Improve the Practicality and Increase the Benefits of Flow Through Pretreatment of Cellulosic Biomass for Subsequent Biological Processing
DiFazio, Stephen P. Muchero, Wellington Slavov, Gancho Tuskan, Gerald A.	A key gene A regulating plant cell-wall recalcitrance and sugar release A key gene A regulating plant cell-wall recalcitrance and sugar release
DiFazio, Stephen P. Muchero, Wellington Slavov, Gancho Tuskan, Gerald A.	A key gene G regulating plant cell-wall recalcitrance and sugar release A key gene G regulating plant cell-wall recalcitrance and sugar release
Chen, Fang	C-Lignin-Like Polymers and Methods of Use C-Lignin-Like Polymers and Methods of Use
Ashwini, Bhandiwad Lynd, Lee Shaw, Joe	Establishment of n-butanol pathway in thermophilic bacteria Establishment of n-butanol pathway in thermophilic bacteria
Chen, Yi-ru Sarkanen, Simo	Lignin degrading methods Lignin Degrading Methods
Brunecky, Roman Himmel, Michael	Improvement of C.Bescii CelA activity by Addition of an Accessory Enzyme Improvement of C.Bescii CelA activity by Addition of an Accessory Enzyme
DiFazio, Stephen P. Gunter, Lee E. Muchero, Wellington Ranjan, Priya Slavov, Gancho	Allelic variants regulating cellulose, lignin biosynthesis and biomass sugar yield Allelic variants regulating cellulose, lignin biosynthesis and biomass sugar yield
Clarkson, Sonya Elkins, James	Heat-stable iron-dependent alcohol dehydrogenase for aldehyde detoxification in lignocellulosic hydrolysates Heat-stable iron-dependent alcohol dehydrogenase for aldehyde detoxification in lignocellulosic hydrolysates
Cha, Min-Seok Chung, DaeHwan Westpheling, Janet	Metabolic Engineering of Caldicellulosiruptor bescii for the Production of Biofuels and Bioproducts Metabolic Engineering of Caldicellulosiruptor bescii for the Production of Biofuels and Bioproducts
Chung, DaeHwan Westpheling, Janet	Replicating Expression Vectors for Caldicellulosiruptor species Replicating Expression Vectors for Caldicellulosiruptor species
Hau, Heidi Wiswall, Erin	Expression of Enzymes in Yeast for Lignocellulose-derived Oligomer CBP Expression of Enzymes in Yeast for Lignocellulose-derived Oligomer CBP
McBride, John Wiswall, Erin	Expression of BG in Yeast for Hydrolysis of Lignocellulose and Associated Oligomers Expression of BG in Yeast for Hydrolysis of Lignocellulose and Associated Oligomers
Coria, Oliver Davin, Laurence Kim, Sung-jin Lewis, Norm	Arogenate dehydratases and lignification Provided are methods for decreasing carbon flow into lignin in plants, comprising reducing or eliminating, using mutagenesis and/or recombinant means, expression and/or activity of at least one chloroplast-localized arogenate dehydratase (ADT) sufficient to reduce phenylalanine (Phe) availability for metabolism into Phe-derived phenylpropanoids, wherein the amount, level or distribution of lignin is reduced relative to control plants. In particular aspects, the plant has a plurality of chloroplast-localized ADTs, and reducing or eliminating comprises reducing or eliminating expression and/or activity of at least two of the plurality of ADTs. Also provided are recombinant plants or parts or cells thereof, comprising at least one mutation, genetic alteration or transgene that reduces or eliminates the expression and/or activity of at least one chloroplast-localized ADT, wherein the amount, level or distribution of lignin is reduced relative to normal. Further provided are reduced lignin plant products.
Chen, Jay Gunter, Lee E. Jawdy, Sara S. Muchero, Wellington Tuskan, Gerald A.	An Amino Acid Transporter enhancing lignin quality and sugar release The gene, an amino acid transporter, can used to (i) alter glucose and xylose release, (ii) alter syringyl to guaiacyl ratio in cell walls (iii) manipulate cellulose fiber extension, cell death, lignin content, and secondary cell wall formation, (iv) alter hexose and pentose sugar composition in the cell wall for biofuel production, (v) enhance resistance to pests and pathogens (vi) enhance plant growth, and the promoter associated with this gene can used for tissue specific gene expression.
Guss, Adam	Method of Producing Butyric Acid from Sugars Method of Producing Butyric Acid from Sugars
Chen, Jin-Gui DiFazio, Stephen P. Gunter, Lee E. Jawdy, Sara S. Muchero, Wellington Tuskan, Gerald A.	An EPSP Enzyme which Regulates Phenylpropanoid, Tyrosine and Tryptophan Pathways An EPSP Enzyme which Regulates Phenylpropanoid, Tyrosine and Tryptophan Pathways
Froehlich, Allan	Chimeric Polypeptides Having Xylose Isomerase Activity Chimeric Polypeptides Having Xylose Isomerase Activity
Froehlich, Allan	Mutations in Iron-Sulfur Cluster Proteins that Improve Xylose Utilization Mutations in Iron-Sulfur Cluster Proteins that Improve Xylose Utilization
Brunecky, Roman Himmel, Michael	Enzymes for Improved Biomass Conversion Enzymes and combinations of the enzymes useful for the hydrolysis of cellulose and the conversion of biomass. Methods of degrading cellulose and biomass using enzymes and cocktails of enzymes are also disclosed.
Chen, Jay DiFazio, Stephen P. Gunter, Lee E. Guo, Jianjun Jawdy, Sara S. Muchero, Wellington Ranjan, Priya Tuskan, Gerald A.	Key gene regulating plant cell wall recalcitrance This disclosure provides plants having desirable levels of lignin synthesis, sugar release, S/G ratio, and resistance to stress and pathogens; methods of selecting plants with such desirable levels of lignin synthesis, sugar release, S/G ratio, and resistance to stress and pathogens; methods of genetically modifying plants to modulate lignin synthesis, sugar release, S/G ratio, and resistance to stress and pathogens; and uses of such plants. The inventors have determined that the expression and/or activity of POPTR_0014s08530, a gene encoding an Angustifolia/CtBP transcription factor, modulates lignin synthesis, sugar release, S/G ratio, and resistance to stress and pathogens in plants. Plants with lignin synthesis, sugar release, S/G ratio, and resistance to stress and pathogens, based on modulation of the expression or activity of the POPTR_0014s08530 gene, have divergent uses including pulp and paper production, and ethanol/biofuel production.
Chen, Jay DiFazio, Stephen P. Gunter, Lee E. Jawdy, Sara S. Muchero, Wellington	Transcription Factor which regulates flavonoid, phenylpropanoid, tyrosine, and trypotophan pathways Transcription Factor which regulates flavonoid, phenylpropanoid, tyrosine, and trypotophan pathways
Cheng, Max Ye, Xia	A Broad Environmental Stress-Inducible Promoter and its Application in Crops Researchers at the University of Tennessee’s Institute of Agriculture have isolated a novel promoter sequence from Populus that is highly, yet broadly inducible by high temperatures (40ºC), low temperatures (0ºC), drought, and flooding. This promoter sequence has been cloned, and when expressed in Arabidopsis, has been shown to induce reporter gene function in all tissue types tested (root, leaf, seed pot and flower). Experiments are currently underway to test this promoter sequence in several other economically important crops.
Brown, Steve Guss, Adam Karpinets, Tatiana Lynd, Lee Shao, Xiongjun Yang, Shihui	Nucleic Acid Molecules Conferring Enhanced Ethanol Tolerance and Microorganisms Having Enhanced Tolerance to Ethanol The present invention provides isolated nucleic acid molecules which encode a mutant acetaldehyde-CoA/alcohol dehydrogenase or mutant alcohol dehydrogenase and confer enhanced tolerance to ethanol. The invention also provides related expression vectors, genetically engineered microorganisms having enhanced tolerance to ethanol, as well as methods of making and using such genetically modified microorganisms for production of biofuels based on fermentation of biomass materials

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To learn more about the BioEnergy Science Center's (BESC) industry program, please contact Brian Davison, Science Coordinator, besc@ornl.gov.