TECHNOLOGY/BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY Insertional gene overlap for secure genetic engineering

Opportunity:

Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), operated by the Lawrence Livermore National Security (LLNS), LLC under contract no. DE-AC52-07NA27344 (Contract 44) with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), is offering the opportunity to enter into a collaboration to further develop and commercialize its “Insertional gene overlap for secure genetic engineering” technology.

Description:

Genetic engineering allows insertion and propagation of a foreign genetic element in a heterologous system in a variety of applications such as the creation of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in the field of agriculture or production of therapeutic proteins and antibodies in the field of healthcare. However, such genetic insertions often lack the required stability to be maintained for long duration and are either mutated or lost. Another significant issue concerning such insert is the unwanted horizontal transfer to other organisms in the environment. Regulatory bodies such as FDA and USDA require demonstration of the stability and/or prevention of the horizontal transfer of such inserts.  This LLNL invention describes an innovative design of a genetic unit that increases the stability of the insert as well as prevents unwanted horizontal transfer or spread of the insert to other organisms.

Advantages/Benefits: 

Currently used approaches such as synthetic "gene entanglement" require complex bioinformatics, custom software, or model-based redesign of proteins with specific functions. As a result, that approach is inefficient and has a high failure rate. The approach described herein is sufficiently straightforward and robust to allow manual design of functional entangled protein pairs and is also amenable to automated software workflows that enable versatile design at scale.

Potential Applications: 

• Stabilization of engineered DNA to improve bioproduction processes
• Biocontainment of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) to limit genetic pollution of the environment with engineered DNA

Development Status: 

Current stage of technology development:  TRL-2

LLNL has filed for patent protection on this invention.

LLNL is seeking industry partners with a demonstrated ability to bring such inventions to the market. Moving critical technology beyond the Laboratory to the commercial world helps our licensees gain a competitive edge in the marketplace. All licensing activities are conducted under policies relating to the strict nondisclosure of company proprietary information. 

Please visit the IPO website at https://ipo.llnl.gov/resources for more information on working with LLNL and the industrial partnering and technology transfer process.

Note:  THIS IS NOT A PROCUREMENT.  Companies interested in commercializing LLNL's “Insertional gene overlap for secure genetic engineering” technology should provide an electronic OR written statement of interest, which includes the following:

1. Company Name and address.
2. The name, address, and telephone number of a point of contact.
3. A description of corporate expertise and/or facilities relevant to commercializing this technology.

Please provide a complete electronic OR written statement to ensure consideration of your interest in LLNL's “Insertional gene overlap for secure genetic engineering” technology.

The subject heading in an email response should include the Notice ID and/or the title of LLNL’s Technology/Business Opportunity and directed to the Primary and Secondary Point of Contacts listed below.

Written responses should be directed to:

Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory

Innovation and Partnerships Office

P.O. Box 808, L-779

Livermore, CA  94551-0808

Attention:   IL-13898