Genzyme Corporation

Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Tranxenogen, Inc.

The Wolf Foundation

Karl M Ebert

Seng H Cheng

Harry M Meade

Alan E Smith

Paul Ditullio

Paul DiTullio

The invention features a method of delivering DNA to a spermatogonium by infusing DNA in situ into a testicle of a non-human animal and administering a condition or substance to the testicle to increase uptake of DNA by the spermatogonium.

Genetic manipulation of spermatogonia

A transgenic large mammal is produced by a method including the steps of obtaining one or more early embryos, selectively preparing an embryo having at least three cells, and preferably at a stage in development corresponding in time to the onset of transcription of the embryo's paternal genome, and introducing isolated nucleic acid molecules into a blastomere of the selected embryo. The introduction of isolated nucleic acid molecules into such embryos results in the generation of transgenic large mammals at a significantly increased frequency as compared to introducing isolated nucleic acid molecules into zygotes or into the blastomeres of embryos at the one or two cell stage of development.

Methods for producing transgenic pigs by microinjecting a blastomere

A DNA comprising at least one inactivated hormone responsive element and a nucleic acid sequence encoding a membrane-associated protein is described. Therapeutic compositions and cells including the DNA are also described. Other aspects of the invention include methods of treating subjects having cystic fibrosis which include administering an effective amount of the DNA to subjects having cystic fibrosis such that functional cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator is produced by the subject at a level which is not detrimental to the subject. The present invention also pertains to a method of introducing the DNA into a cell such that the membrane-associated protein is produced at a level which is not detrimental to the cell and cells produced by this method. Still other aspects of the invention include a method of assaying DNA for the presence or absence of a hormone responsive element in a species in which the hormone responsive element is functional and a method of selectively breeding female transgenic mammals which produce a protein of interest.

Deoxyribonucleic acids containing inactivated hormone responsive elements

An apparatus for dividing embryos that are maintained in a flushing or saline solution is provided for removable insertion within a test tube-like container having an open container end and a sealed rounded end. The apparatus assembles within or without the container and includes a generally cylindrical partition cup having a rounded end that conforms to the rounded sealed end of the container and an elongated cylindrical central barrel having an elongated chamber, the central barrel having a portion thereof which is placed contiguous to the partition cup. The apparatus also includes an elongated, generally cylindrical embryo guide funnel having a funnel-shaped end further defined by an elongated member. The elongated member further defines a tubular passageway that allows the embryo to pass therethrough for division or bisection by a cutting edge attached to the partition cup and positioned adjacent the passageway. The apparatus can be used with a centrifugal method or a negative pressure method to force or propel the embryo through the passageway and against the cutting edge in order to divide the embryo in half. A pair of embryo holding chambers formed within the partition cup are adapted to hold each half of the divided embryo until transfer to a recipient as part of the process of genetically improving livestock and other animals.

Growing community of inventors

Millbury, MA, United States of America

Karl M Ebert