Title: Determination of Interference RNAs (siRNAs) and small temporal RNAs (stRNAs) and Their Interaction with Connectrons in Prokaryotic, Archea, and Eukaryotic Genomes. Number: 20030204318. Filed: Jan. 10, 2003. Inventor: Richard Feldmann, Genome Dynamics.
According to the patent application’s abstract, the invention covers a “computational method … to detect the conditions whereby gene expression control mechanisms will stop the transcription of RNA that would otherwise be used to form a connectron.” The computation method, the patent application claims, involves “determining a total systematic control such that the first instance of a C1/C2 sequences to be expressed inhibits all other instances of the same C1/C2 sequences from being expressed.”
Additionally, the application claims “a computer method that shows how the transcription of RNA that would otherwise be used to form a connectron can be stopped comprising determining a total systematic control, such that the first instance of a C1/C2 sequences to be expressed inhibits all other instances of the same C1/C2 sequences from being expressed.”
Title: Inhibition of Pathogen Replication by RNA Interference. Number: 20030203868. Filed: Feb. 6, 2003. Lead inventor: Frederic Bushman, The Salk Institute.
This patent application’s abstract states that the invention is a method and composition “for the treatment of pathogenic diseases … using the mechanism of RNA interference.” The method involves the use of dsRNA to activate RNAi, in mammalian or pathogen cells, to treat diseases related to pathogens. The patent application also claims “a method for identifying double-stranded RNAs useful for the treatment of pathogenic diseases … as well as model systems which allow this identification,” according to the abstract.
“Also described are methods in which siRNAs are used for the inhibition of HIV replication in human cells, as well as the inhibition of RSV in chick embryos,” the abstract adds.
Title: Transfection Method and Uses Related Thereto. Number: 20030203486. Filed: March 28, 2003. Inventor: David Sabatini, the Whitehead Institute.
The patent application covers a method of introducing nucleic acid molecules into cells by affixing a nucleic acid molecule-containing mixture, which contains nucleic acid molecules to be introduced into cells and a carrier protein, onto the surface of an object. The patent application also claims a method of “contacting cells and the affixed nucleic acid molecules … for entry of the nucleic acid molecules into the cells, whereby the nucleic acid molecules are introduced into the cells,” according to the abstract.