METHOD TO ASSEMBLE AN EUKARYOTIC CAPSULE-LIKE ORGANELLE IN SITU AND USING IT TO ENCAPSULATE BIOMOLECULES (PROTEINS, PEPTIDES, BIOSENSORS), TO SEQUESTER TOXINS AND CONTAMINANTS, AND IN OTHER NANO-ELECTRICAL MACHINE (NEMS) APPLICATIONS
| UCLA Technology Available For Licensing |
BACKGROUND: UCLA Researchers have identified a capsule-like organelle that has been conserved across different eukaryotic species. Its cellular function needs further elucidation although its structure has been thoroughly studied.
INNOVATION: Structural analysis indicates that the molecular composition of the organelle is simple and symmetric. It has a large internal cavity that can encapsulate molecular species and exists in two different forms, "open" and "close" upon induction by cellular signals. Furthermore, the researchers had shown that it is possible to incorporate short and long peptides and even medium-sized proteins into the interior of the organelle in situ. The resulting peptide or proteins were successfully translated and the function of the protein retained.
ADVANTAGES
APPLICATIONS
DEVELOPMENT TO DATE: The researchers have assembled these organelles in an in situ assembly system. The resulting recombinant species showed structural similarities to its in vivo counterparts. The conserved region with in the organelle has been identified and hence enables manipulation of its size, shape, and behavior.
| Reference: UCLA Case No. 2003-314 | US Patent Application: 20060148086-A1 |
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