{
  "patent_number": "US 4237224",
  "country": "US",
  "title": "How Scientists First Made DNA Replicate in New Cells",
  "original_title": "Process for producing biologically functional molecular chimeras",
  "summary": "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.",
  "what_it_does": "This patent details a process for creating 'biologically functional DNA' outside of a living cell, then introducing it into a microorganism, like bacteria, so it can make copies of itself and potentially produce specific proteins. The method involves cutting a circular DNA molecule (like a plasmid or virus DNA) into a linear piece with specific ends, then attaching another piece of DNA that contains a desired gene. This combined DNA, called a 'replicon,' is designed to be able to replicate within a host cell. The patent specifically mentions creating 'transformants' – cells that have successfully incorporated this new DNA. A key part is using a gene for a 'phenotypical trait,' like resistance to a substance, to easily identify the modified cells from the original ones. For example, claim 4 describes using resistance to a growth-inhibiting substance to select for bacteria that have taken up the new DNA.",
  "what_it_does_not_cover": [
    "Does not cover methods where the DNA is not prepared 'in vitro' (in a lab).",
    "Does not cover DNA segments that do not contain an intact 'replicon' (the part needed for self-replication).",
    "Does not cover inserting DNA into organisms other than unicellular ones like bacteria.",
    "Does not cover the use of DNA segments that cannot be 'ligated' or joined together by their ends.",
    "Does not cover the production of proteins in organisms that naturally exchange genetic information with the source of the gene."
  ],
  "filed": "1979-01-04",
  "granted": "1980-12-02",
  "expires": "1999-01-04",
  "status": "expired",
  "holder": "Leland Stanford Junior University",
  "holder_url": "https://patentbrief.org/company/leland-stanford-junior-university",
  "inventors": [
    {
      "name": "Herbert W. Boyer",
      "url": "https://patentbrief.org/inventor/herbert-w-boyer"
    },
    {
      "name": "Stanley N. Cohen",
      "url": "https://patentbrief.org/inventor/stanley-n-cohen"
    }
  ],
  "times_cited": 346,
  "tags": [
    "biotech",
    "pharmaceutical",
    "semiconductors"
  ],
  "abstract": "Method and compositions are provided for replication and expression of exogenous genes in microorganisms. Plasmids or virus DNA are cleaved to provide linear DNA having ligatable termini to which is inserted a gene having complementary termini, to provide a biologically functional replicon with a desired phenotypical property. The replicon is inserted into a microorganism cell by transformation. Isolation of the transformants provides cells for replication and expression of the DNA molecules present in the modified plasmid. The method provides a convenient and efficient way to introduce genetic capability into microorganisms for the production of nucleic acids and proteins, such as medically or commercially useful enzymes, which may have direct usefulness, or may find expression in the production of drugs, such as hormones, antibiotics, or the like, fixation of nitrogen, fermentation, utilization of specific feedstocks, or the like.",
  "url": "https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/4237224/cohen-boyer-recombinant-dna",
  "markdown_url": "https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/4237224/cohen-boyer-recombinant-dna/md",
  "google_patents_url": "https://patents.google.com/patent/US4237224",
  "relatedPatents": [
    {
      "patentNumber": "4356270",
      "countryCode": "US",
      "title": "How Scientists Taught Bacteria to Make Human Hormones",
      "url": "https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/4356270/recombinant-dna-cloning-genentech"
    },
    {
      "patentNumber": "4259444",
      "countryCode": "US",
      "title": "How Scientists Created Bacteria That Eat Oil Spills",
      "url": "https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/4259444/chakrabarty-genetically-modified-bacteria"
    },
    {
      "patentNumber": "4816567",
      "countryCode": "US",
      "title": "Making Hybrid Antibodies from Different Animals",
      "url": "https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/4816567/recombinant-antibody-production-in-cho-cells"
    },
    {
      "patentNumber": "4703008",
      "countryCode": "US",
      "title": "How to Make Human Erythropoietin (EPO) Using Engineered DNA",
      "url": "https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/4703008/neupogen-g-csf-filgrastim"
    },
    {
      "patentNumber": "4683202",
      "countryCode": "US",
      "title": "How to Make Many Copies of a Specific DNA Segment",
      "url": "https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/4683202/pcr-polymerase-chain-reaction-mullis"
    }
  ]
}