An Efficient Mammalian DNA Insulator Element

Introduction A boundary element (MINE for myc insulator element) has been discovered which efficiently functions as both an enhancer blocker as well as a barrier element in chromosomal DNA. Technology description MINE will be useful in vectors for gene transfer into a variety of cell types, in both research and clinical applications. MINE may provide a tool in the development of stable cell lines used in the Biotech industry for high-level production of therapeutic or analytic proteins. MINE has several advantages over the currently employed chicken HS4 insulator element:
MINE impairs enhancer-promoter interaction with similar efficiency as chicken HS4 when inserted in the native orientation and significantly higher efficiency than HS4 when inserted in the reverse orientation. MINE is derived from the mammalian c-myc gene known to be active in all proliferating tissues and cell lines. Therefore, the use of MINE could avoid complications due to reduced insulator activity of the chicken HS4 element in non-erythroid tissue. Business opportunity MINE has applications as a research tool that provides long term, position-independent expression of transduced or transfected genes in cell lines and transgenic systems which can have a dramatic impact on protein yields. Stage of development MINE studies are currently underway. Intellectual property position The UW has applied for U.S. patent protection on the use of MINE.

Type of Offer: Licensing



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