New Portal Limited

The University of Hongkong

Ye Jin

Jian-Dong Huang

Jiandong Huang

Provided is a nucleic acid system introduced into a bacterial strain to generate a genetically engineered bacterial strain that grows in solid tumors but does not grow in non-tumor tissues, the nucleic acid system comprising: a first DNA fragment that encodes a toxin gene that expresses a toxin that kills the genetically engineered bacterial strain; a second DNA fragment that encodes an antidote gene that expresses an antidote that negates the toxin; a first promotor that controls transcription of the antidote gene, such that glucose represses the transcription of the antidote gene; and a first constitutive promoter that causes constitutive expression of the toxin gene; wherein the second DNA fragment is transcribed in the solid tumors but not transcribed in the non-tumor tissues.

Nucleic acid systems that enable bacteria to specifically target solid tumors via glucose-dependent viability

Provided is a bacteria for targeting tumors and treating cancer, a drug delivery composition, and methods of using same for treating cancer.

Bacteria for targeting tumors and treating cancer

A regulatable gene expression construct comprising a nucleic acid molecule comprising a two-way riboswitch operably linked to a target sequence. Also provided is a library screening strategy for efficient creation of target-specific riboswitches. A theophylline-repressible and IPTG-inducible riboswitch device achieves portable control of gene expression control in a 'two-way' manner. The default state of target genes is ON; the targets are switched off by adding theophylline, and switched back to the ON-state by adding IPTG without changing growth medium. The riboswitch device regulates gene expression in a portable, adjustable, and two-way manner with a variety of scientific and biotechnological applications.

Growing community of inventors

Hong Kong, China

Ye Jin