Genetic inhibition by double-stranded RNA

US7560438B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignees

• Carnegie Institution of Washington · US
• University of Massachusetts · US

Inventors

• Andrew Fire · Stanford, US
• Stephen Kostas · Washington, US
• Mary Montgomery · Washington, US
• Lisa Timmons · Washington, US
• Siqun Xu · Washington, US
• Hiroaki Tabara · Shizuoka, JP
• Samuel E. Driver · Providence, US
• Craig C. Mello · Shrewsbury, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Oct 30, 2002
• Grant date: Jul 14, 2009
• Expiry date: Oct 14, 2025

Classification

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

Abstract

A process is provided of introducing an RNA into a living cell to inhibit gene expression of a target gene in that cell. The process may be practiced ex vivo or in vivo. The RNA has a region with double-stranded structure. Inhibition is sequence-specific in that the nucleotide sequences of the duplex region of the RNA and of a portion of the target gene are identical. The present invention is distinguished from prior art interference in gene expression by antisense or triple-strand methods.