| WARF: P02339US |  |
| Directed Genetic Modifications of Human Embryonic Stem Cells |
| INVENTORS | • | James Thomson, Thomas Zwaka |
The Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF) is seeking commercial partners interested in developing a method of creating targeted insertions or deletions in the genome of human embryonic stem cells.
OVERVIEW
Human embryonic stem cells can be maintained in culture and then directed to differentiate into the many different cell types found in the human body. Manipulating stems cells from a variety of animal species can lead to useful information about the genetics and early development of those species.
THE INVENTION
UW-Madison researchers have developed a method of creating targeted insertions or deletions in the genome of human embryonic stem cells. This method combines the techniques of homologous recombination and electroporation. The invention starts with a genetic construct containing a foreign gene. The construct also contains regions at its ends that are homologous with a pair of selected regions in the genome of the stem cells. Copies of the construct are electroporated into human embryonic stem cells in culture. This results in directed homologous recombination events at specific targeted sites in the genome of the stem cells, permitting the creation of human stem cells containing targeted genetic transformations. The genetic transformations may disrupt the function of a particular gene, enhance or increase a gene’s function, or make the function occur in response to particular stimuli.
APPLICATIONS
- Allows the creation of populations of progeny cells that have differentiated into a target cell type of a specific lineage
- May help define the genetic changes that occur during differentiation
- May be used to modulate and characterize immune reactions
- May be useful for purifying cell populations of any selected lineage
KEY BENEFITS
- Provides a powerful new tool for investigating the basic functioning of human genes
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
For More Information About the Inventors
Intellectual Property Status
Tech Fields
Pluripotent Cells - Tools
CONTACT INFORMATION
For current licensing status, please contact our team at
licensing@warf.org
or phone 608.262.4924. (Clicking this link will open a contact form in a popup window. If you have problems viewing the form, try disabling your popup blocker software.)
Since its founding in 1925 as the patenting and licensing organization for the University of Wisconsin-Madison, WARF has been working with business and industry to transform university research into products that benefit society. WARF intellectual property managers and licensing staff members are leaders in the field of university-based technology transfer. They are familiar with the intricacies of patenting, have worked with researchers in relevant disciplines, understand industries and markets, and have negotiated innovative licensing strategies to meet the individual needs of business clients.
