SBIR-STTR Award

Mini-chromosome Vectors for gene delivery in Soybean
Award last edited on: 10/23/07

Sponsored Program
SBIR
Awarding Agency
NIH : NCHGR
Total Award Amount
$895,912
Award Phase
2
Solicitation Topic Code
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Principal Investigator
Shawn R Carlson

Company Information

Chromatin Inc

10 South Lasalle Street Suite 2100
Chicago, IL 60603
   (312) 292-5400
   info@chromatininc.com
   www.chromatininc.com
Location: Multiple
Congr. District: 07
County: Cook

Phase I

Contract Number: 1R43HG002475-01
Start Date: 00/00/00    Completed: 00/00/00
Phase I year
2002
Phase I Amount
$99,015
The characterization of heterochromatin, the highly repetitive, highly condensed regions of the genome, has lagged behind the characterization of the euchromatic, gene-rich regions. Heterochromatic regions provide important functions, including centromeric activity, which is required for proper distribution of the chromosomes during cell divisions. Using proprietary technology developed by its founders, Dr. Daphne Preuss and colleagues, Chromatin, Inc. will isolate heterochromatic DNA from a variety of crop species, analyze its sequence, and test it for centromere function by constructing an autonomous mini-chromosome vector. This research will provide important information about heterochromatin and centromeres in plants; interestingly, Arabidopsis centromeres contain repeats of a 180- nucleotide sequence, whereas mammalian centromeres contain repeats of a 171-nucleotide sequence. Thus, research on plant heterochromatin may inform studies of mammalian heterochromatin. Furthermore, the ultimate goal of this research is the development of an autonomous mini-chromosome vector, which will be a significant improvement over current transformation methods by allowing the introduction of multiple genes in a controlled regulatory environment. Thus, this research will provide important insight on heterochromatic composition and function and will also provide a valuable tool for research studying the functions of multiple genes. PROPOSED COMMERCIAL APPLICATION: The ultimate goal of this research is the development of an autonomous mini-chromosome vector, which will be a significant improvement over current transformation methods. This vector will allow the introduction of multiple genes, possibly including entire biosynthetic pathways, into plants. Moreover, the autonomy of this vector allows genes to be introduced in a controlled regulatory environment without alteration of the host genome. Possible applications include the synthesis of vitamins or pharmaceuticals in plants and research studying the function of multiple genes in combination.

Thesaurus Terms:
centromere, chromosome, corn, heterochromatin, nucleic acid purification, plant genetics, soybean, transfection /expression vector molecular cloning artificial chromosome, biotechnology, genetic library

Phase II

Contract Number: 9R44GM069782-02
Start Date: 00/00/00    Completed: 00/00/00
Phase II year
2003
(last award dollars: 2004)
Phase II Amount
$796,897

In yeast and mammalian cells, artificial chromosomes have been used to investigate the role of centromere DNA in chromosome inheritance. In human and mouse cell lines, these studies demonstrated a requirement for repetitive DNA; yet it remains difficult to predict which repeats will provide autonomous chromosome maintenance throughout the tissues of an organism. The immediate goal of this research is to develop a rapid, cost-effective and high throughput mini-chromosome system that tests centromere sequence function in cells, tissues and whole organisms. Plants are ideal for this effort-i) their centromere DNA is organized in arrays similar to those of mammals; ii) they can be transformed in large numbers; iii) they can be regenerated from individual somatic cells; iv) they produce gametes from multiple independent cell lineages, making it possible to analyze mitotic and meiotic chromosome transmission in sectors; and v) they are tolerant of aneuploidy, facilitating the introduction of additional chromosomes. The proposed research will characterize circular and linear mini-chromosome constructs in plant cells, monitoring their inheritance, capacity for gene expression, and structural integrity. The long-term, Phase III goals are to engineer these mini-chromosomes to use plants to produce products important for human health, such as vaccines, pharmaceuticals, or neutraceuticals