Recent patents on biotechnology最新文献

Introduction: Moloney Murine Leukemia Virus Reverse Transcriptase (MMLV RT) is a common enzyme used to convert RNA sequences into cDNA. However, it still has its shortcomings, especially in terms of processivity and thermostability. According to a previous patent, the fusion of polymerase enzyme to an archaeal DNA-binding protein has been proven to enhance its performance. Furthermore, recent studies have also stated that the fusion of a polymerase enzyme to an archaeal DNA-binding protein is predicted to improve its thermostability and processivity.

Aim: As an early stage of enzyme development, this study aimed to design, express, and purify enzymatically active MMLV RT fused with archaeal DNA-binding protein.

Methods: RT fusion proteins were designed and evaluated using in silico methods. The RT fusion enzyme was then expressed in Escherichia coli BL21(DE3) and purified. Its reverse transcriptional activity was proved using reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR).

Results: This study showed that MMLV RT fusion with Sis7a protein at its C-terminal end using commercial linker (GGVDMI) produced the best in silico evaluation results. The RT fusion was successfully expressed and purified. It was also known that the optimal condition for expression of the RT fusion was using 0.5 mM IPTG with post-induction incubation at room temperature (± 26°C) for 16 hours. In addition, the activity assay proved that the RT fusion has the reverse transcriptional activity.

Conclusion: This study shows that the designed MMLV RT Sis7a fusion can be expressed and purified, is enzymatically active, and has the potential to be developed as an improved RT enzyme. Further study is still needed to prove its thermostability and processivity, and further characterize, and plan production scale-up of the MMLV RT Sis7a fusion for commercial use.

Background: Citrus cultivar improvement via conventional breeding strategies is impeded by factors related to its reproductive biology. The orange is a hybrid between pomelo (Citrus maxima) and mandarin (Citrus reticulata). Among various orange cultivars, Valencia oranges have a bit of bitter tang mixed in with their sweetness, as Navel oranges are, the most widely cultivated citrus species, quite sweeter, and also don't contain any seeds. Tangelo mandarin orange cultivar is a hybrid of C. reticulata × C. maxima or × C. paradisi.

Objective: The present study was undertaken to optimize the hormonal composition of the media with regard to plant growth regulators for in vitro propagation of sweet orange cultivars from nodal segment explants.

Methods: The nodal segment explants were collected from three citrus cultivars, Washington Navel, Valencia and Tangelo. Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with sucrose and different concentrations of growth regulators was used for shoot proliferation and root induction, and the optimum medium composition was assessed. The patent for Citrus Tissue Culture was obtained from the Office of Research Affairs, Haramaya University.

Results: The results indicate that the highest shoot response was recorded for Washington's navel with maximum shoot proliferation rate (99.75%), shoot number per explant (1.76), shoot length (10.70 cm), leaf number per explants (3.54) after three weeks of culture. In all experiments, no growth was observed for the basal MS medium. Phytohormone combinations of IAA (1.2 mg/L) and kinetin (2.0 mg/L) were found to be the best for shoot proliferation. Among the cultivars, there were significant differences for the highest rooting rate (81.255), root number (2.22), and root length (2.95 cm) variables for Washington Navel. The lowest rooting rate (48.45%), root number (1.47) and root length (2.26 cm) were observed for Valencia. The highest rooting rate (84.90%), root number per microshoot (2.22) and root length (3.05 cm) was on MS medium supplemented with 1.5 mg/L NAA.

Conclusion: A comparison of different concentrations of IAA and NAA on root induction of microshoots from nodal segments of citrus cultivars demonstrated NAA was a more effective hormone than IAA.

Background: Cancer is among the leading causes of death worldwide, imposing high costs on the health systems of all societies. Extensive biological studies are required to discover appropriate therapies. Escherichia coli has long been regarded as one of the main biotechnological bio-factories to produce recombinant protein-based therapeutics. In the present study, five strains of E. coli were compared to achieve the maximum production of a previously designed recombinant immunotoxin-carrying MAP30 toxin against VEGF-overexpressed cancer cells in a benchtop bioreactor.

Methods: The recombinant immunotoxin coding gene sequence was extracted from the NCBI database. The host used to produce the recombinant immunotoxin were five E. coli strains of BL21 (DE3), DH5α, SHuffle^®T7, XL1-Blue, and Rosetta-gami^TM (DE3). CaCl₂ method was used for bacterial transformation. Bacterial growth measurements were performed using optical density measurements at 600 nm. The immunotoxin production was measured using SDS-PAGE analysis. The best-producing strain was cultivated in a 10-L benchtop stirred tank bioreactor. Recent patents on this field were also studied.

Results: The results demonstrated that the BL21 (DE3) strain had the highest expression of recombinant protein in comparison to other strains. Moreover, the cell growth of E. coli BL21 (DE3) and SHuffle^®T7 strains before transformation in the LB medium, were significantly higher in comparison to other strains. Additionally, the transformation of Rosettagami was associated with decreased cell proliferation. The transformation of the XL1-Blue strain did not effect cell growth. Analysis of the growth kinetics demonstrated appropriate proliferation of the transformed BL21 (DE3) cells in the laboratory benchtop bioreactor.

Conclusions: Based on the results of this study, the BL21 (DE3) strain could be used as a suitable host for the production of the recombinant immunotoxin against VEGF in stirred tank bioreactor, which can be employed for the treatment of tumors. Yet, its precise mechanism must be explored in extensive studies.

An amino acid short chain is known as a peptide. Peptide bonds are the connections that hold the amino acids of a peptide together in a particular order. Characteristically, the shorter length of peptides helps to identify them from proteins. Different ways are used to classify peptides, including chain length, source of peptides, or their biological functions. The fact that peptides serve several purposes suggests that there is a foundation for improvement in peptide production and structure to enhance action. In addition, many patents on peptides for therapeutic and diagnostic approaches have been obtained. This review aims to give an overview of peptides used recently in treatment and diagnosis.

DNA is a remarkably precise medium for copying and storing biological information. It serves as a design for cellular machinery that permits cells, organs, and even whole organisms to work. The fidelity of DNA replication results from the action of hundreds of genes involved in proofreading and damage repair. All human cells can acquire genetic changes in their DNA all over life. Genetic mutations are changes to the DNA sequence that happen during cell division when the cells make copies of themselves. Mutations in the DNA can cause genetic illnesses such as cancer, or they could help humans better adapt to their environment over time. The endogenous reactive metabolites, therapeutic medicines, and an excess of environmental mutagens, such as UV rays all continuously damage DNA, compromising its integrity. One or more chromosomal alterations and point mutations at a single site (monogenic mutation) including deletions, duplications, and inversions illustrate such DNA mutations. Genetic conditions can occur when an altered gene is inherited from parents, which increases the risk of developing that particular condition, or some gene alterations can happen randomly. Moreover, symptoms of genetic conditions depend on which gene has a mutation. There are many different diseases and conditions caused by mutations. Some of the most common genetic conditions are Alzheimer's disease, some cancers, cystic fibrosis, Down syndrome, and sickle cell disease. Interestingly, scientists find that DNA mutations are more common than formerly thought. This review outlines the main DNA mutations that occur along the human genome and their influence on human health. The subject of patents pertaining to DNA mutations and genetic disorders has been brought up.

Background: SARS-CoV-2, a highly dynamic beta-coronavirus, can afflict all age groups. Notably, over 16100 mortalities have been recorded among children as yet. In this regard, many vaccine projects are operational to assess immuno-potency among young cohorts. A bulk of reports have evidenced the efficacy of these immunization technologies in the elderly population, though the impact is yet to be determined among children.

Objectives: This review is envisioned to outline the current efficacy of contributing vaccine technologies and examine the dose-dependent impact of immunization regimens in lowering the risks of SARS-CoV-2 infections among children and adolescents. Furthermore, the current review exclusively estimated the vaccine impact at current doses.

Methods: A total of 52 research papers extracted from PubMed, Pubmed Central, Science Direct, Research Gate, Google Scholar and Semantic Scholar were screened along with an emphasis on patents. Inclusion criteria involved all published reports directly or indirectly linked to the contributing vaccine candidates that are operational among the young cohort. Unrelated research papers were excluded from the study. Key search terminologies included information on vaccine identifiers, such as name, type and clinical trial ID, and successively restricted to children and adolscents age groups.

Results: Several vaccine designs, such as mRNA-based vaccinations, viral vector vaccines, DNA vaccines, inactivated vaccines, recombinant vaccines, and protein-based immunizations, are being examined at various stages of clinical trials to gauge the effects on children and adolescents. With reference to the published reports, the mRNA 1273 (1610 GMT; 6-10 yrs, 1401 GMT; 12-15 yrs), BNT162b2 (1407 GMT; 6 months- <2 yrs, 1535 GMT; 2-4 yrs, 4583 GMT; 5-11 yrs, 1239.5 GMT; 12-15 yrs) and Ad5 nCoV (1037.5 GMT; 6-17 yrs) offered relatively high neutralization titers with sharp seroconversion rates compared to MVC-COV1901 (648.5 GMT; 12-17 yrs) and ZyCoV-D (133.49 GMT; 12-17 yrs), which produced modest immune responses.

Conclusion: Currently, the WHO is analyzing emerging evidence to issue an emergency use list of vaccines for vaccinating children and adolescents.

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an aggressive breast cancer with a high rate of metastases, a short overall survival time, and a poor response to targeted therapy. Improving tumor hypoxia by lowering the oxygen consumption rate of breast tumor cells is a powerful strategy. A viable way to address this issue is to improve therapeutic efficacy by improving the effectiveness of radiation and overcoming drug resistance in TNBC treatment by controlling hypoxia in the tumor microenvironment. The failure of radiation and chemotherapy in TNBC is frequently caused by hypoxia. In TNBC therapy, novel nanomaterials are used for oxygen delivery or generation to affect the tumor microenvironment to improve the effects of ionizing radiation using nanoplatforms. One of the growing fields is novel nano-based drug delivery devices for hypoxic regions and hypoxia- inducible factor-1 (HIF1) targeted therapeutics. Biocompatible nanoparticles may be used in the treatment of TNBC patients in the clinic. Because of the rising market and competition, intellectual property rights (IPR), patents, and tactics may be critically considered. To better comprehend the current state of IPR and patents in cancer nanotechnology, this overview examines recent advances and sophisticated protection measures in this area.

The current Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) framework supports the commercialization of seed improvement, monoculture, and the patent protection of novel plant varieties, microorganisms, and genetically modified animals. As a consequence, our rich biogenetic diversity is irreversibly dissipating. However, we need to figure out how to create a methodology for elective choices that will achieve harmony between the official Intellectual Property (IP) structure and maintainable biodiversity components. The majority of the biotechnology sector's programmes in India are managed by the Department of Biotechnology. It is under the Ministry of Science and Technology. Its goals are to provide services in the fields of study, infrastructure, human resource development, biotechnology popularisation, industry promotion, and establishment of centres of excellence. Implementation of practise biosafety regulations for genetically modified organisms, recombinant DNA products, and programmes is based on biotechnology for the good of society. This creates an information network for India's bioinformatics mission in the local, national, and worldwide scientific community.

Background: The ora-pro-nóbis (Pereskia aculeata Mill.) is a plant from Brazilian biodiversity used for food and medicinal purposes. It has ample technological potential, however, it is still underutilized, being classified as a Non-Conventional Food Plant (PANC). Prospective studies in intellectual property banks make it possible to expand perspectives for scientific research, enhancing the generation of new products.

Objective: Evaluate the patents of products containing Pereskia aculeata Mill. for the areas of food and health in intellectual property databases.

Methods: The study was conducted through structured prospective investigation (collection, processing and analysis) in 4 patent databases: National Institute of Intellectual Property (INPI) - Brazil, United States Patent and Trademark Office, World Trade Organization Intellectual Property (WIPO) and Espacenet.

Results: The evaluation showed a reduced number of registered patents. In general, 8 patent applications were examined, of which 7 are directly associated with the species (and its derivatives) and 1 is related to a device specially designed for harvesting leaves/fruits and removing thorns. The focus of the patents was the use of the species in the food, pharmaceutical and biotechnological areas, with emphasis on the use of the leaves in the extraction of mucilage and proteins.

Conclusion: This study showed that Pereskia aculeata Mill. is a technologically promising plant, because of its nutritional and medicinal composition, and it is important to encourage innovation and the development of new products with the species.

Background: The pituitary glands normally produce and stores gonadotropic hormones (GnH) that are responsible for ovulation and spermiation in animals. However, whether fish pituitary extracts can elicit same effects in treated animals need elucidation as a prelude to their practical usage in animals.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the oestrus-inducing potential of the pituitary gland extract of the Africa Catfish (Clarias gariepinus) in immature Wistar rats.

Methods: The experiment involved the use of 18 immature female Wistar rats and 10 male catfish brood stocks with the use of six Wistar rats per groups as follows: Group A had human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) treatment. Group B had only normal saline treatment as the control whereas Group C had the C. gariepinus pituitary extract administration to induce oestrus with treatments occurring twice six hours apart in each group.

Results: There was an obvious expression of visible signs of heat and the presence of uterine horn oedema with significant (p < 0.05) increase in reproductive tract weight and uterine width and length. However, only progesterone levels increased significantly (p < 0.05) in the hCG and the C. gariepinus pituitary extract treated groups compared to other assayed hormones.

Conclusion: These results showed that C. gariepinus pituitary extract has the capacity to induce oestrus in Wistar rats because of its gonadotropic effects, which needs further investigations at higher doses and for longer exposure periods for possible oestrus induction and synchronization in higher mammals. Further favourable results could herald the possible patent of the catfish pituitary extract for either experimental or commercial use in mammals.