| Recent
Patents on DNA & Gene Sequences
ISSN: 1872-2156
Recent Patents on DNA &
Gene Sequences
Volume 2, Number 2, June 2008
Contents
Recent Patents on Agrobacterium-Mediated
Gene and Protein Transfer, for Research and Biotechnology
Pp. 69-81
Benoît Lacroix, Stanislav V. Kozlovsky and Vitaly
Citovsky
[Abstract]
Biomolecules as Host Defense Weapons Against Microbial
Pathogens Pp. 82-96
Marco, Dalla Rizza, Paola, Diaz Dellavalle, Rafael Narancio,
Andrea Cabrera and Fernando Ferreira
[Abstract]
Recent Patents Concerning Diagnostic and Therapeutic
Applications of Aberrantly Methylated Sequences in Pancreatic
Cancer Pp. 97-106
Diana Wehrum, Robert Grützmann, Mario Hennig, Hans-Detlev
Saeger and Christian Pilarsky
[Abstract]
Patenting Malarial Vaccine Pp. 107-110
Viroj Wiwanitkit
[Abstract]
Brazilian Genome Sequencing Projects: State of the
Art Pp. 111-132
Eduardo R. C. Xavier, Beatriz P. X. Capanema, Jerônimo
C. Ruiz, Guilherme Oliveira, Roberto Meyer, Vivian D’Afonseca,
Anderson Miyoshi and Vasco Azevedo
[Abstract]
Animal Markers Assisted Selection in South America:
A Point of View Pp. 133-139
Andrés Rogberg-Muñoz, Alberto Prando, Andrés
Baldo, Pilar Peral García and Guillermo Giovambattista
[Abstract]
Patent
Selections Pp. 140
Abstracts
[Back to top]
Recent Patents on Agrobacterium-Mediated Gene
and Protein Transfer, for Research and Biotechnology
Benoît Lacroix, Stanislav V. Kozlovsky and Vitaly
Citovsky
Agrobacterium has been widely used, in the last decades,
for genetic transformation of a large number of plant species,
and the genes and DNA sequences involved in this process have
been subject of numerous patents. This review focuses on recent
discoveries, which have shown new possibilities for the utilizations
of this versatile microorganism. For example, the identification
of an ever-increasing number of the bacterial and plant factors
involved in the Agrobacterium-mediated DNA transfer
and integration may lead to new applications in various fields
of research and biotechnology. One of the main challenges
in the Agrobacterium-mediated gene transfer technology
is to achieve a better control of the integration and expression
of transferred genes in the host cells and to apply it for
targeted integration into the host genome or gene replacement
(a technique not yet available in plants). In addition to
genetic transformation of plants, under laboratory conditions,
the host range of Agrobacterium can be extended to
virtually all eukaryotic species, as demonstrated for various
fungi, sea urchins, and animal cells. Not only can Agrobacterium
transfer DNA to these very diverse hosts, but also its virulence
machinery is able to inject proteins into the host cell, independently
of the DNA transfer. Thus, Agrobacterium represents
a universal gene and protein transfer machine.
[Back to top]
Biomolecules as Host Defense Weapons Against Microbial Pathogens
Marco, Dalla Rizza, Paola, Diaz Dellavalle, Rafael Narancio,
Andrea Cabrera and Fernando Ferreira
Antimicrobial peptides have been considered a new source
of biomolecules in several fields of research/innovative applications:
they would adjust to an ideal behavior seeking to overcome
clinician, microbiological, human-animal-plant-environmental
concerns. Antimicrobial peptides can be considered as ancient
weapons found in living organisms suggesting they have played
a fundamental role in his successful co-evolution with pathogens.
Acting on microorganism membrane or having intracellular targets,
they can also act as effectors of the innate immune response
resulting on non-specific mechanisms of action. Two elements
have speeded the research on pathogen control alternatives:
a verified increase of antibiotic resistance and the relevance
of finding amenable environmental compounds in plant health.
As a result of its importance, great efforts have been accomplished
to find, characterize, combine and synthesize effective antimicrobial
peptides. This review intends to emphasize the generation
of biomolecules, whether native or synthetic analogues, that
have been matter of recent patents. Development of biomolecules
suitable for therapeutic scopes and agricultural use have
several challenges such as intrinsic toxicity, in vivo
stability and suitable formulation contemplating the cost
of production. Thus, biotechnological procedures using microbial
systems or transgenic crops as plant factories might help
to solve these challenges.
[Back to top]
Recent Patents Concerning Diagnostic and Therapeutic Applications
of Aberrantly Methylated Sequences in Pancreatic Cancer
Diana Wehrum, Robert Grützmann, Mario Hennig, Hans-Detlev
Saeger and Christian Pilarsky
Epigenetic modifications are important events in regulation
of gene expression and cancer progression. Methylation of
cytosine (C) residues in CpG dinucleotides of promoters is
associated with transcriptional silencing. Knowledge about
the CpG island methylation status of pancreatic cancer-specific
genes could support the development of earlier diagnostic
assays and finding new treatment strategies. Several recent
patents comprising some of these discoveries have been published.
One recent patent describes a method of determining the methylation
status of CpG sites in deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and correlating
it with the presence of tumour cells in pancreas. Another
one suggests the usage of the high in Normal 1 (HIN-1) gene
as a tool for diagnosis of pancreatic carcinoma. In addition,
therapeutic approaches are proposed by two recent patents
applying modulators of DNA cytosine-5 methyltransferase such
as Decitabine or C-5 methylcytosine. Additionally, a patent
introduces a method that couples an early cancer-related and
tissue or cell- specific gene marker detection assay, useful
as a simultaneous screening test for cancers, including pancreatic
cancer. These patents provide new methods in fighting pancreatic
cancer by focusing on methylated CpG islands in pancreatic
cancer related genes.
[Back to top]
Patenting Malarial Vaccine
Viroj Wiwanitkit
Malaria is an important tropical infection affecting millions
of world population each year. Malarial vaccine development
is the hope for successful control of malaria. Knowledge on
malaria vaccine has been considered patentable subject for
decades. Due to the present advance biotechnology, the number
of patent applications related to malarial vaccine is growing
exponentially. Several malarial vaccine candidates have been
recently identified and the genetic manipulation of these
candidates is becoming more efficient with the advancement
of new biotechnologies. This review summarizes some of the
recent published patents on malarial vaccines covering antigens,
candidate epitopes and recombinant processing.
[Back to top]
Brazilian Genome Sequencing Projects: State of the Art
Eduardo R. C. Xavier, Beatriz P. X. Capanema, Jerônimo
C. Ruiz, Guilherme Oliveira, Roberto Meyer, Vivian D’Afonseca,
Anderson Miyoshi and Vasco Azevedo
This review covers all Brazilian Genome, EST and Metagenome
Projects, Sequencing Networks’ history and structure,
and patents related to Brazilian Genome Projects, beginning
with the first genome sequenced in this country, i. e. the
9a5c strain of Xylella fastidiosa CVC, up till the
recently sequenced 1002 strain of Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis,
which was done with a mixed strategy that included both traditional
Sanger methodology and Avant Garde 454 Life Sciences
pyrosequencing technology. Almost 90% of all genomic research
that has been done in Latin America is a product of Brazil’s
effort to support and stimulate OMICs in our country. Consequently,
we gave special attention to patents registered by Brazilian
genome networks and/or Brazilian scientists involved in genomics,
transcriptomics, proteomics, EST, and metagenome projects,
as well as in the development of bioinformatics software and
techniques.
[Back to top]
Animal Markers Assisted Selection in South America:
A Point of View
Andrés Rogberg-Muñoz, Alberto Prando, Andrés
Baldo, Pilar Peral-García and Guillermo Giovambattista
Genetic identification has been continuously evolving
during the last century. The recent development of whole-genome
projects allowed the discovery and characterization of a large
number of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP). A number
of high-throughput DNA methods has decreased the cost of DNA
marker analysis and increased the amount of samples that can
be processed at a time. Using this information and methods,
many private and governmental laboratories offer a wide range
of genetic tests, many of which have been patented. In the
field of genetic resources, a significant amount of law-making
has been developed at the international and regional levels.
Many South American countries currently lack jurisprudence
in relation to the protection of DNA sequences. In this paper,
we compared laws related with life-form patents in some countries
from South America. Nowadays, the knowledge and technology
leveling of many of these countries allows marker assisted
selection (MAS) programs to be applied. Herein, we resume
the economical value of MAS. Finally, we present a point of
view on the pertinence, viability and conditions for developing
and applying MAS programs in South America.
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