Title: Genetic Inhibition by Double-Stranded RNA
Number: 20080050342
Filed: July 13, 2007
Lead Inventor: Andrew Fire, Carnegie Institution
The patent application, its abstract states, claims a process of “introducing an RNA into a living cell to inhibit gene expression of a target gene in that cell. The process may be practiced ex vivo or in vivo. The RNA has a region with double-stranded structure. Inhibition is sequence-specific in that the nucleotide sequences of the duplex region of the RNA and of a portion of the target gene are identical,” the abstract adds. The invention “is distinguished from prior art interference in gene expression by antisense or triple-strand methods.”
Title: Methods and Compositions Involving miRNA and miRNA Inhibitor Molecules
Number: 20080050744
Filed: Aug. 10, 2007
Lead Inventor: David Brown, Ambion (Applied Biosystems)
The invention “concerns methods and compositions for introducing miRNA activity or function into cells using synthetic nucleic acid molecules,” the patent application’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.”
Title: RNAi-Mediated Inhibition of Gremlin for Treatment of IOP-Related Conditions
Number: 20080051361
Filed: Aug. 24, 2007
Lead Inventor: Jon Chatterton, Alcon
According to the patent application’s abstract, the invention comprises “RNA interference …for [the] inhibition of gremlin in intraocular pressure-related conditions, including ocular hypertension and glaucoma such as normal tension glaucoma and open-angle glaucoma.”