Edinburgh University develops modified gene trap

Licensing opportunity | Collaboration opportunity

Researchers at Edinburgh University have generated a modified gene trap vector. The vector is engineered so that retention of β-gal enzyme activity in reporter gene fusions is dependent on the acquisition of a signal sequence from the endogenous gene at the site of vector insertion.

This so-called secretory trap vector enables secreted and membrane-spanning proteins to be selectively isolated and mutated, to create cell and animal models with mutant secretory genes. The corresponding cell and/or animal models can be used to analyse the function of the mutated gene. This class of genes was previously missed by conventional gene trap vectors.

The vector has been demonstrated to detect genes expressed at very low levels in embryonic stem cells, enabling development of screens to identify lineage-specific genes induced upon stem cell differentiation and/or genes expressed in restricted patterns in the early embryo.

The key benefits are that this is a fast, reliable and efficient method to mutate genes and specifically isolates and mutates secretory proteins, a class of genes that was previously missed by conventional gene trap vectors.

It can be used for the generation of cell line and /or animal models, in the study of gene function for mutated proteins, and in cell screens - for example to identify lineage-specific genes induced upon embryonic stem cell differentiation and/or genes expressed in restricted patterns in the early embryo

The university is looking for licensees who wish to use the technology for internal research and development and/or the development of products and services.

For more information, see the project’s page at: http://www.university-technology.com/details/secretory-trap-vector-for-capturing-target-genes