Programming Stem Cell Fate Using Designed Regulatory Proteins Without Genetic Modification
Tech ID: 21892 / UC Case 2008-311-0
Background
Reprogramming human fibroblasts to become induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS cells) has opened another path to the derivation of stem cell lines with clinical and research potential. Unfortunately, these lines are not safe for human clinical use because, although useful in the short term, their genetic modifications may bear artifacts. Currently, derivation of iPS cells requires genetic modification using DNA transduction to introduce programming genes, causing permanent genetic modifications that can perturb cell fate in unpredictable ways.Technology Description
UC San Diego investigators have uncovered a way of programming cell fate without genetic modifications. Designed Regulatory Proteins (DRPs) are artificial transcription factors that are fused to protein transduction domains. They can be designed to specifically regulate programming genes. Such DRPs that activate expression of key genes enable derivation of iPS cell colonies without causing any genetic modifications. Thus, this invention permits cell fate to be controlled in a precise and determinative way without making genetic modifications.Applications
Commercial applications include reprogramming and programming cells to produce stem cells and differentiated cells for research and medicine. Safer, more predictable stem cell lines for clinical and research applications may be derived without genetic modification.State Of Development
This technology is available for licensing. Worldwide rights are available.Related Materials
- Takahashi K, Yamanaka S. Induction of pluripotent stem cells from mouse embryonic and adult fibroblast cultures by defined factors. Cell 2006 Aug 25;126(4):663-76.
- Tachikawa K, Schroder O, Frey G, Briggs SP, Sera T. Regulation of the endogenous VEGF-A gene by exogenous designed regulatory proteins. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2004 Oct 19;101(42):15225-30
- Sera T, Uranga C. Rational design of artificial zinc-finger proteins using a nondegenerate recognition code table. Biochemistry. 2002 Jun 4;41(22):7074-81
Patent Status
| Country | Type | Number | Dated | Case |
| United States Of America | Published Application | 20110318830 | 12/29/2011 | 2008-311 |
Contact
University of California, San Diego Technology Transfer Office / invent@ucsd.edu / tel: View Phone Number. Please reference Tech ID #21892.
PEOPLE WHO VIEWED THIS ALSO VIEWED THESE TECHNOLOGIES BY OTHER INVENTORS
- Multipotent Amniotic Fetal Stem Cells: A Novel Source of Human Stem Cells
- Generation and Modulation of Cancer Stem Cells
- In Vivo Screen for Agents Affecting Erythroid Development and Disease
- A Method of Developing Single Molecule DNA Nanoparticles as Diagnostic and Therapeutic Agents
- Protein Biomarkers for Diagnosis and Treatment of Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL)