# Highly Efficient Bacterial Gene Editing Using Guide RNA and Reverse Transcriptase > This patent describes a system for precisely editing the DNA of bacterial cells with very high success rates, using a combination of guide RNA, reverse transcriptase, and specific DNA sequences. - **Patent:** US 20180127759 - **Original title:** Dynamic genome engineering - **Owner:** Massachusetts Institute of Technology - **Status:** Active - **Times cited:** 30 - **Field:** biotech, pharmaceutical, synthetic_biology, materials, food_and_agriculture ## What it does This patent describes an engineered nucleic acid construct designed for highly efficient gene editing in bacterial cells. The construct includes three main parts: a nucleotide sequence encoding a guide RNA that targets an exonuclease (like RecJ, XonA, or ExoX, as per claim 5), a sequence for a modified single-stranded msrRNA and msdDNA containing a specific targeting sequence flanked by inverted repeats (claim 1b), and a sequence for a reverse transcriptase protein (claim 1c). When delivered to a bacterial cell, this system works to modify specific target nucleotide sequences, such as an undesired allele of a gene (claim 20), by using the guide RNA to disable exonucleases and the reverse transcriptase to help incorporate the new DNA, leading to nearly 100% recombination efficiency. ## What it does NOT cover - Does not cover gene editing systems that do not include a guide RNA specifically targeting an exonuclease. - Does not cover gene editing in eukaryotic cells, as the claims specify bacterial cells. - Does not cover methods that lack a reverse transcriptase protein as a component of the engineered construct. - Does not cover systems where the single-stranded msrRNA and msdDNA targeting sequence is not flanked by inverted repeat sequences. - Does not cover gene editing approaches that rely solely on CRISPR-Cas9 without the additional components like exonuclease targeting and reverse transcriptase. ## The clever bit The clever bit is the specific combination of components designed to achieve extremely high editing efficiency. By having a guide RNA target and disable exonucleases, the system prevents the cell from chewing up the new DNA, while the reverse transcriptase helps incorporate the desired changes, ensuring that almost every targeted bacterial cell is successfully modified. ## Real-world examples 1. Engineering bacteria for industrial chemical production 2. Developing bacterial strains for bioremediation 3. Creating designer probiotics for gut health 4. Research tools for studying bacterial genetics and disease mechanisms 5. Optimizing bacterial strains for vaccine production ## Why it matters Achieving nearly 100% recombination efficiency in bacterial gene editing is a significant advancement. This high success rate makes it much easier and faster to engineer bacteria for various purposes, from producing medicines and biofuels to developing new probiotics or studying bacterial diseases. It reduces the time and effort needed to isolate correctly modified cells, accelerating research and industrial applications. ## Frequently asked questions ### What does Highly Efficient Bacterial Gene Editing Using Guide RNA and Reverse Transcriptase cover? This patent describes a system for precisely editing the DNA of bacterial cells with very high success rates, using a combination of guide RNA, reverse transcriptase, and specific DNA sequences. ### Who owns patent US 20180127759? This patent is owned by Massachusetts Institute of Technology. ### When does this patent expire? This patent is expected to expire on October 27, 2037, when the invention enters the public domain. ### What is patent US 20180127759 cited by? This patent has been cited by 30 later patents that build on its ideas. ### What problem does this patent solve? Achieving nearly 100% recombination efficiency in bacterial gene editing is a significant advancement. This high success rate makes it much easier and faster to engineer bacteria for various purposes, from producing medicines and biofuels to developing new probiotics or studying bacterial diseases. It reduces the time and effort needed to isolate correctly modified cells, accelerating research and industrial applications. ### What does this patent NOT cover? Does not cover gene editing systems that do not include a guide RNA specifically targeting an exonuclease. **Full plain-English explainer:** https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/20180127759/dynamic-genome-engineering **Original patent:** https://patents.google.com/patent/US20180127759 --- _Source: PatentBrief — https://patentbrief.org. Patent facts are from public records; the plain-English explanation is PatentBrief's._ ## Related patents Semantically similar inventions in the PatentBrief corpus: - [How to Precisely Edit Genes Using Retron-Guide RNA Cassettes](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/20230383290/high-throughput-precision-genome-editing) — This patent describes a method for highly efficient and precise genome editing using a retron-guide RNA cassette to deliver large pieces of donor DNA into a cell's genetic material. - [How to Edit Genes in Human Cells Using an Engineered CRISPR System](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/8697359/crispr-gene-editing) — This patent describes an engineered CRISPR-Cas9 system for precisely cutting DNA in eukaryotic cells to change how genes work, opening the door for gene editing in complex organisms. - [How CRISPR-Cas9 Uses RNA to Edit DNA](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/10113167/methods-and-compositions-for-rna-directed-target-dna-modification-and-for-rna-directed-modulation-of-transcription) — This patent describes the fundamental mechanism of using a two-part RNA system to guide the Cas9 protein to specific locations in DNA for precise editing. - [Boosting Plant Gene Editing and Regeneration with Special Genes](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/12416013/method-for-improving-plant-genetic-transformation-and-gene-editing-efficiency) — This patent describes a method to make plant genetic engineering more efficient by adding specific genes that encourage plant cells to divide and grow, making it easier to create new plants with desired traits. - [How Scientists First Made DNA Replicate in New Cells](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/4237224/cohen-boyer-recombinant-dna) — This 1980 patent describes a method for cutting and pasting DNA pieces in a lab to create new, self-replicating genetic material that can be inserted into bacteria, a foundational technique for genetic engineering.