Robert Nikolaus Grass

Title: Innovations of Robert Nikolaus Grass

Introduction

Robert Nikolaus Grass is a prominent inventor based in Zurich, Switzerland. He holds a total of 16 patents, showcasing his significant contributions to the field of technology and science. His work primarily focuses on advancements in the storage and repair of synthetic DNA molecules.

Latest Patents

One of his latest patents is titled "Compostable silica encapsulation of oligonucleotides for long-term storage." This innovation describes particles and techniques for storing oligonucleotides that provide stable, long-term protection while being compostable. The core of the particles is coated with a layer of oligonucleotides and encapsulated under an outer layer of non-porous, hydrolyzed organosilicon disulfide. This protective layer safeguards the oligonucleotides from oxidative and thermal damage under typical storage conditions. A suitable organosilicon disulfide used in this process is bis(3-triethoxysilylpropyl) disulfide (BTSPD). The oligonucleotides can be retrieved by contacting the particles with a reducing agent that degrades the disulfide bonds in the outer layer. This method allows for the removal of the protective encapsulation without the use of hazardous chemicals such as hydrogen fluoride. Alternatively, the particles can be disposed of in a composting environment. In some implementations, the oligonucleotides are artificially synthesized and encode digital information.

Another significant patent involves "Enzymatic DNA repair." In this innovation, one or more enzymes are utilized to repair damage in synthetic DNA molecules that encode digital information. The repair mixture includes various enzymes such as DNA polymerase, DNA ligase, T4 Endonuclease, Endonuclease IV, Endonuclease VIII, and uracil glycosylase. Additionally, the mixture may contain a buffering solution, oxidized nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD), and deoxyribose nucleoside triphosphates (dNTPs). The synthetic DNA molecules are incubated with the repair mixture for approximately four hours, allowing for the recovery of digital information from damaged DNA molecules.

Career Highlights

Robert Nikolaus Grass has worked with notable organizations, including Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC and ETH Zurich. His experience in these institutions has contributed to his expertise and innovative capabilities in the field.

Collabor