Eth Zurich

Swissgenetics

Bioversys Ag

Polygene Ag

Martin Fussenegger

Wilfried Weber

Marc Gitzinger

Christian Kemmer

Ulrich Witschi

Peter Schneider

Henryk Zulewski

David Fluri

Ronald Schoenmakers

Marcel Tigges

Katrin Rossger

Pratik Saxena

Mingqi Xie

Simon Auslaender

David Auslaender

Katrin RÖSSGER

The invention relates to vectors and mammalian cells in a system useful for switching on or switching off gene expression in response to fatty acids, and a method of treating diet-induced obesity. In particular, a synthetic intracellular lipid-sensing receptor was constructed that constantly monitors blood fatty acid levels, processes diet-associated hyperlipidemia and coordinates reversible and adjustable expression of the anorectic peptide hormone pramlintide to reduce dietary intake, blood fat levels and body weight.

Designer circuit controlling diet-induced obesity

The invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound preventing EthR from binding to the ethA promoter, for example a compound of formula 1 wherein Ris optionally substituted phenyl or optionally substituted pyridyl; R(CH)wherein n is 1, 2, 3 or 4; Ris CH(CH)wherein m is 0, 1, 2 or 3; Xis O, S, NH, N(CH) or CH; and Xis O, S or NH; in particular 2-phenylethyl butyrate, and a thioamide or thiourea of formula 2 wherein Ris optionally substituted phenyl, optionally substituted pyridyl, optionally substituted indolyl, &#x2014;NRR; or &#x2014;NH&#x2014;N&#x2550;CH&#x2014;R; and substituents Rto Rhave the meanings indicated in the description, in particular ethionamide. The pharmaceutical composition is useful, e.g., in the treatment of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis. 

Composition for treatment of tuberculosis

The invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound of formula (1) wherein Ris optionally substituted phenyl, optionally substituted pyridyl or optionally substituted indolyl; Ris (CH)wherein n is 0, 1, 2, 3 or 4; Ris (CH)Rwherein m is 0, 1, 2, 3 or 4, and Ris methyl, isopropyl, tert-butyl, OCH, OH, optionally substituted phenoxy, C&#x2261;CH, C&#x2261;N, optionally substituted phenyl, furanyl or thienyl; A is a ring containing Xwith the meaning O, S, NH, N(CH) or CH; and Xis O, S or NH; and a compound of formula (2) wherein Ris optionally substituted phenyl, optionally substituted pyridyl, optionally substituted indolyl, &#x2014;NRR; or &#x2014;NH&#x2014;N&#x2550;CH&#x2014;R; and substituents Rto Rhave the meanings indicated in the description, in particular ethionamide. The pharmaceutical composition is useful, e.g., in the treatment of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis. 

The invention relates to the use of a skin permeating compound such as phloretin for controlling transgene expression under control of theDOT-T1E-derived bacterial repressor TtgR, to a vector comprising the genetic code for the repressor TtgR fused to a transactivation or a transrepressor domain, to a vector comprising a TtgR-specific operator sequence (O), a promoter and a polynucleotide coding for an endogenous or exogenous protein, and to a mammalian cell transiently or constitutively transfected with the mentioned vectors, and to mammals comprising such cells in nano- or microcontainers.

Controlling transgene expression across the skin

The invention relates to microcapsules consisting of a polymer degradable by a polypeptide comprising a drug or other compound of interest and a genetically engineered cell expressing said polypeptide in response to a triggering compound, and to methods of directed release of the compound of interest. The preferred polymer is optionally modified cellulose sulfate/poly-diallyl-dimethyl-ammonium chloride. Such microcapsules are non-toxic, do not elicit an immunological response and have an extended half-life time in mammals. The expression system for cellulase is, for example, based on TET and doxycycline, or E.REX and erythromycin. In another example, expression of cellulase is triggered by luteinizing hormone, which can be used for artificial insemination with microcapsules carrying sperm.

Degradable microcapsules

Growing community of inventors

Mägenwil, Switzerland

Martin Fussenegger