St. Petersburg, Florida
January 28, 2008
Florida Genetics, LLC,
announces the issuance of a US patent on its Bi-directional
dual promoter complex, a powerful new genetic engineering
technique for controlling gene expression in plants, animals
and many microbes. This method, which facilitates genetic
engineering by simultaneously coordinating the expression of
multiple genes in a single, easily manipulated genetic unit,
represents a significant improvement over existing
techniques and is the most efficient method known for up- or
down-regulating expression of targeted genes.
Florida Genetics, LLC is
pleased to announce the issuance of US Patent No. 7,129,343
"Bi-directional dual promoter complex with enhanced promoter
activity for transgene expression in eukaryotes", a new genetic
engineering technique for controlling gene expression in plants,
animals and many microbes. This patent describes the newly
invented Bidirectional Dual Promoter Complex (BDPC), which
facilitates genetic engineering by simultaneously coordinating
the expression of multiple genes in a single, easily
manipulated, genetic unit. The BDPC provides dramatic
improvement over mono-directional promoter systems that have
been used in all previous eukaryotic genetic engineering systems
and is the most efficient method known for up- or
down-regulating expression of virtually any targeted gene or
genes. Genes of interest can be readily arranged in the BDPC,
which is then inserted into a target organism's chromosomes
using standard biotechnological methods. In this way new traits,
such as disease resistance or protein production, can be readily
created.
This unique BDPC is formed by the use of enhancer repeats in
combination with divergently positioned core promoters, all
derived from a single source/homologous promoter, to achieve
enhanced transcription activity. Physical duplication of the
same enhancer entity, as is present in the BDPC, has yet to be
identified in nature. Similarly, the divergent orientation of
homologous promoters does not occur in Eukaryotes. The utility
and novelty of the BDPC is demonstrated by the enhanced
expression of multiple genes afforded by the placement of
duplicated enhancer elements between divergently arranged
homologous core promoter elements. Further description of the
BDPC, its applications, as well as other FGL technologies can be
found at http://www.flgenetics.net and
http://www.flgenetics.net/molecular.asp .
Although initially developed for genetic engineering of grape
and other crops by Drs. Zhijian Li and Dennis Gray at the
University of Florida/IFAS Central Florida Research and
Education Center, the patent applies to use of the BDPC to
control gene expression in all eukaryotic organisms (e.g.,
plants and animals). Thus far, the BDPC has been demonstrated to
function in plants belonging to the genera Arabidopsis, Citrus,
Nicotiana and Vitis. Developmental research is under way to
demonstrate the utility of the BDPC in other organisms. See
www.mrec.ifas.ufl.edu/grapes/genetics for description of the
Gray laboratories activities and access to recent publications
and presentations.
The BDPC patent and a number of other US and foreign patents
developed by Drs. Gray and Li involving cell culture, selection,
plant regeneration and the use of novel genes for disease
resistance are exclusively licensed from the University of
Florida by Florida Genetics, LLC, with home offices in St.
Petersburg, Florida. This portfolio represents approximately 40%
of all US patents concerning grape biotechnology as well as
related international patents. Florida Genetics foresees
multiple applications of the BDPC in crop improvement, including
engineering plants for disease resistance and biomass production
as well as engineering microbes for improved biofuel production.
Field tests of grapevines containing BDPC regulated genes for
both bacterial and fungal disease resistance are currently in
progress.
The primary business focus of Florida Genetics is the
development and marketing of disease resistant grapevines.
Introduction of resistant vines into commercial use will permit
a significant reduction in pesticide utilization in many
agricultural zones. Application of its patented biotechnologies
to other plant species and to biomass and biofuel production,
either by direct product development or by sublicensing, is an
additional area of focus for Florida Genetics. |
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