Methods and Compositions for enhanced stability of non-adenoviral DNA
Introduction A central challenge in gene therapy is delivering the therapeutic gene to the tissue site where it can be of benefit. Many pathological conditions have been identified that should be amenable to genetic therapy. Although therapeutically relevant genes have been cloned and sequenced, and expression systems have been developed that should allow them to play a therapeutic role once inside the affected cells, clinical attempts at gene therapy have been largely disappointing. Researchers at the University of Washington have developed compositions and methods to enhance stability of vector DNA. Technology description The precursor terminal protein (pTP) is an adenoviral protein that possesses a nuclear localization signal and is involved in adenovirus DNA replication. Our scientists use pTP’s ability to enhance nuclear transport of DNA and stabilize DNA molecules in the nucleus. The invention provides a non-adenoviral vector containing a polynucleotide sequence encoding adenoviral pTP operationally linked to expression elements and an adenoviral pTP binding domain. The invention also provides methods for increasing the expression of a polynucleotide in an individual by altering the individual’s cells to express a nonadenoviral vector containing an adenoviral pTP binding domain and a gene encoding pTP. Business Opportunity Although the genetic therapy of human diseases has been conceptually possible for many years, we still lack a vector system that allows safe and reproducible genetic modification of eukaryotic cells and ensures faithful long-term expression of transgenes. This promising technology has the dual advantage of utilizing a non-viral vector and enhancing the stability of the transgene, and could constitute an answer to former limitations. Intellectual Property Position Issued US Patent 6,132,989: Methods and Compositions for enhanced stability of nonadenoviral DNA. For more information on this technology contact:Angela Loihl, Ph.D. Licensing Officer, Invention Licensing UW TechTransfer [email protected] 206-897-1982
Type of Offer: Licensing
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