{
  "patent_number": "US 20170088845",
  "country": "US",
  "title": "CRISPR Tools for Engineering Fungal Genomes",
  "original_title": "Vectors and methods for fungal genome engineering by crispr-cas9",
  "summary": "This patent describes a specific genetic tool, called an expression vector, designed to efficiently edit the DNA of fungi using the CRISPR-Cas9 system, which is useful for industrial applications like making biofuels or enzymes.",
  "what_it_does": "This patent provides a special genetic package, or \"expression vector,\" that helps scientists edit the DNA of fungi. This vector contains several key parts: an \"RNA polymerase III promoter\" to start the gene editing process, a \"ribozyme\" that acts like tiny scissors, a \"CRISPR-Cas9 single guide RNA\" (sgRNA) to direct the editing to a specific DNA spot, and an \"RNA polymerase III terminator\" to stop the process (Claim 1). A unique feature is that the ribozyme is placed just before the sgRNA. When this vector is put into a fungal cell, like yeast (Claim 13), it allows the cell to produce the necessary components to precisely cut and modify its own DNA (Claim 20). For example, this could be used to introduce a new gene, such as a \"cellodextrin transporter\" (Claim 23), into a yeast cell to help it break down plant material more efficiently for biofuel production.",
  "what_it_does_not_cover": [
    "Does not cover genome editing in non-fungal organisms, such as human, animal, or plant cells (Claims 13-19).",
    "Does not cover CRISPR-Cas systems that do not use a Cas9 protein or a single guide RNA (Claim 1).",
    "Does not cover expression vectors where the ribozyme is not positioned immediately before (5' to) the single guide RNA (Claim 1).",
    "Does not cover gene editing methods that do not rely on an RNA polymerase III promoter and terminator (Claim 1)."
  ],
  "filed": "2015-03-13",
  "granted": null,
  "expires": "2035-03-13",
  "status": "active",
  "holder": "BP Corp North America",
  "holder_url": "https://patentbrief.org/company/bp-corp-north-america",
  "inventors": [
    {
      "name": "James H. Doudna Cate",
      "url": "https://patentbrief.org/inventor/james-h-doudna-cate"
    },
    {
      "name": "Owen RYAN",
      "url": "https://patentbrief.org/inventor/owen-ryan"
    },
    {
      "name": "David Neal Nunn, JR.",
      "url": "https://patentbrief.org/inventor/david-neal-nunn-jr"
    }
  ],
  "times_cited": 8,
  "tags": [
    "biotech",
    "energy",
    "pharmaceutical",
    "food_and_beverage",
    "industrial_biotechnology"
  ],
  "abstract": "The present disclosure provides expression vectors containing a nucleic acid encoding an RNA polymerase III promoter, a ribozyme, a CRISPR-Cas9 single guide RNA, and an RNA polymerase III terminator, where the ribozyme is 5′ to the CRISPR-Cas9 single guide RNA, as well as ribonucleic acids encoded thereby. Further provided are fungal cells containing an expression vector described herein, as well as methods of fungal genome engineering through use of an expression vector described herein.",
  "url": "https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/20170088845/vectors-and-methods-for-fungal-genome-engineering-by-crispr-cas9",
  "markdown_url": "https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/20170088845/vectors-and-methods-for-fungal-genome-engineering-by-crispr-cas9/md",
  "google_patents_url": "https://patents.google.com/patent/US20170088845",
  "relatedPatents": []
}