Methods for generating hypermutable yeast

US6656736B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignees

• THE JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY · US
• MORPHOTEK, INC. · US

Inventors

• Nicholas C. Nicolaides · Boothwyn, US
• Philip M. Sass · Audubon, US
• Luigi Grasso · Via Enrico Fermi, US
• Bert Vogelstein · Baltimore, US
• Kenneth W. Kinzler · Baltimore, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Feb 21, 2001
• Grant date: Dec 2, 2003
• Expiry date: Feb 21, 2021

Classification

• Technology area (CPC C): Chemistry; Metallurgy
• CPC primary: C12N15/81
• WIPO field: Biotechnology
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

Yeast cells are mutagenized to obtain desirable mutants. Mutagenesis is mediated by a defective mismatch repair system which can be enhanced using conventional exogenously applied mutagens. Yeast cells with the defective mismatch repair system are hypermutable, but after selection of desired mutant yeast strains, they can be be rendered genetically stable by restoring the mismatch repair system to proper functionality.