Fetal methylation markers

US7754428B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• The Chinese University of Hong Kong · CN

Inventors

• Yuk-Ming Dennis Lo · Kowloon, CN
• Rossa Wai Kwun Chiu · Sha Tin, CN
• Stephen Siu Chung Chim · Kowloon, CN
• Chunming Ding · Hong Kong, CN
• Kwan Chee Chan · Sha Tin, CN
• Hing Nam Ivy Wong · Hong Kong, CN
• Ka Chun Ryan Yuen · Tsuen Wan, CN

Key dates

• Filing date: Apr 6, 2007
• Grant date: Jul 13, 2010
• Expiry date: Jun 11, 2028

Classification

• Technology area (CPC C): Chemistry; Metallurgy
• CPC primary: C12Q2600/156
• WIPO field: Biotechnology
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

This application describes the discovery that, in a pregnant woman, certain genes (such as RASSF1A, APC, CASP8, RARB, SCGB3A1, DAB2IP, PTPN6, THY1, TMEFF2, and PYCARD) originated from a fetus are highly methylated, whereas the same genes of maternal origin are unmethylated. This discovery allows the easy detection of one or more of these methylated fetal genes in a biological sample from a pregnant woman, serving as a universal indicator of the presence of fetal DNA in the sample. These fetal methylation markers are particularly useful as positive controls for a non-invasive analytical process during which the quality and quantity of fetal DNA are monitored. These newly identified fetal markers can also be measured directly for diagnosis of certain pregnancy-related conditions.