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IP Update: Recent Patents Awarded to FSU, Asuragen

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Title: RNAi Therapeutic for the Treatment of Hepatitis C Infection

Patent Number: 8,563,529

Filed: July 26, 2012

Inventor: Hengli Tang, Florida State University

The invention, the patent's abstract states, comprises "small interfering RNAs or small hairpin RNA … that target human cyclophilin A to inhibit hepatitis C infection. Such siRNA and shRNAs may have a length of about 19 to 29 contiguous nucleotides corresponding to a specific region of human cyclophilin A cDNA from about nucleotide 155 to about nucleotide 183. ... Such siRNA and shRNAs may be formulated as naked or pharmaceutical compositions. DNA polynucleotides, plasmids, and viral or non-viral vectors are provided that encode siRNA or shRNA molecules, which may be delivered directly to cells or in combination with delivery agents, such as lipids, polymers, [and] encapsulated lipid particles, such as liposomes. Methods for treating, managing inhibiting, preventing, etc., HCV infection using such siRNA and shRNAs and compositions comprising same are also provided."


Title: Methods and Compositions Involving miRNA and miRNA Inhibitor Molecules

Patent Number: 8,563,708

Filed: Aug. 10, 2007

Lead Inventor: David Brown, Asuragen

The invention concerns "methods and compositions for introducing miRNA activity or function into cells using synthetic nucleic acid molecules," the patent's abstract states. "Moreover, the … invention concerns methods and compositions for identifying miRNAs with specific cellular functions that are relevant to therapeutic, diagnostic, and prognostic applications wherein synthetic miRNAs and/or miRNA inhibitors are used in library screening assays."

The Scan

Positive Framing of Genetic Studies Can Spark Mistrust Among Underrepresented Groups

Researchers in Human Genetics and Genomics Advances report that how researchers describe genomic studies may alienate potential participants.

Small Study of Gene Editing to Treat Sickle Cell Disease

In a Novartis-sponsored study in the New England Journal of Medicine, researchers found that a CRISPR-Cas9-based treatment targeting promoters of genes encoding fetal hemoglobin could reduce disease symptoms.

Gut Microbiome Changes Appear in Infants Before They Develop Eczema, Study Finds

Researchers report in mSystems that infants experienced an enrichment in Clostridium sensu stricto 1 and Finegoldia and a depletion of Bacteroides before developing eczema.

Acute Myeloid Leukemia Treatment Specificity Enhanced With Stem Cell Editing

A study in Nature suggests epitope editing in donor stem cells prior to bone marrow transplants can stave off toxicity when targeting acute myeloid leukemia with immunotherapy.