Download page as PDF

PRODUCTION OF DNA-LESS CELLS (DLCS) (Yissum)
code: 6-2015-3133
Sigal Ben-Yehuda, HUJI, Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Microbiology
Maya ELBAZ, HUJI, Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Microbiology
An efficient way to create DNA-Less bacterial (Bacillus subtilis) Cells (DLCS) by inducing a
powerful endonuclease called YqcG
Categories
Vaccination
Development Stage
In vitro proof of concept; in vivo POC
Patent Status
Provisional patent application filed
Highlights
We developed an efficient strategy to induce the formation of the endonuclease YqcG within
bacterial cells.
Within minutes following induction, 99.98% of the cells lose their genetic information and
become DNA-less cells (DLCs).
We found that these cells remain intact and are able to sustain homeostasis as well as essential
cellular activities for hours.
Our Innovation
Production of DLCs by inducing the endonuclease YqcG, and the findings that DLCs can
maintain basic cellular activities hours after chromosomal loss.
Clinical Implications:
The ability of DLCs to perform sophisticated cellular activities brings about the possibility of
utilizing a similar approach for generating DLCs from pathogenic bacteria as a potential
vaccination strategy.
DLCs derived from photogenic are likely to be capable of efficiently inducing the immune
system, without propagating within the host.
This strategy could be utilized in bacterial strains utilized for existing vaccines as an additional
"fail-safe" mechanism.
The method of DLC production could also be applied to eukaryotic systems when a given cell
type needs to be removed by the end of a process.
Key Features
DLCs are easy to produce
Process efficiency is 99.98% 5 min post the endonuclease induction (colony forming unit is
reduced by 4 logs after 30 min).
The cells remain in an active state for hours, their surface molecules, proteins and RNA are still
being synthesized and remain functional.
Development Milestones
Choosing the bacteria/ cells of interest. Cloning YqcG under an inducible promoter in this cell line.
Inducing the endonuclease, sorting for conditions to efficiently produce DLCs, and testing the fate of
the obtained cells. Estimated time 3-4 month of work.
The Opportunity
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
ITTN - Israel Tech Transfer Organization
Eshkol Building, 25th Floor University of Haifa, Haifa 31905 Israel, Telephone: 972-4-8288490
Page 1/2
An easy way to improve current vaccination strategy, and other methods, which require the
formation of DLCS for the removal of a specific cellular population after a specific procedure. For
example, DLCs can be used for the production of proteins and substances, in which the producing
cells need to be removed by the end of the process.
Researcher Information
Prof. Sigal Ben-Yehuda
Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics
Institute for Medical Research, Israel-Canada (IMRIC)
Faculty of Medicine POB 12272
The Hebrew University of Jerusalem 91120
Jerusalem, Israel
Phone: 972-2-675-8600
Fax: 972-2- 675-8311
Email: [email protected]
Contact for more information:
Shoshana Keynan
,
VP, Head of Business Development, Healthcare,
+972-2-6586683
Yissum Research Development Company of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem
Hi-Tech Park, Edmond J. Safra Campus, Givat-Ram, Jerusalem P.O. Box 39135, Jerusalem 91390
Israel Telephone: 972-2-658-6688, Fax: 972-2-658-6689
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
ITTN - Israel Tech Transfer Organization
Eshkol Building, 25th Floor University of Haifa, Haifa 31905 Israel, Telephone: 972-4-8288490
Page 2/2