Direct, externally imposed control of nucleic acids

US6953659B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Massachusetts Institute of Technology · US

Inventors

• Joseph M. Jacobson · Newton, US
• John Schwartz · Bensenville, US
• Kimberly Hamad · Cambridge, US
• Shuguang Zhang · Lexington, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Jul 13, 2001
• Grant date: Oct 11, 2005
• Expiry date: Jul 13, 2021

Classification

• Technology area (CPC C): Chemistry; Metallurgy
• CPC primary: C12N2310/53
• WIPO field: Biotechnology
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

Methods and compositions for rendering nucleic acids directly responsive to an external signal utilizing modulators that themselves respond to the external signal and are associated with the nucleic acid. In response to the external signal, the modulator alters physical properties of the specific nucleic acid molecule(s) with which it is associated, thereby altering the structural and functional properties thereof. The modulator may, for example, transfer applied energy to a nucleic acid, or to a portion of the nucleic acid, thereby changing the nucleic acid structure.