{
  "patent_number": "US 5639606",
  "country": "US",
  "title": "How to Measure Gene Activity Using Competitive PCR Kits",
  "original_title": "Method for quantitative measurement of gene expression using multiplex competitive reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction",
  "summary": "A laboratory method and kit for accurately measuring how much a specific gene is being used by cells by comparing it against a known internal standard.",
  "what_it_does": "This patent describes a kit used to quantify gene expression in small biological samples. It works by performing a multiplex reaction, meaning it amplifies both a target gene and a 'housekeeping' gene (a gene that is always active) at the same time. The kit includes competitive templates for both genes, which are nearly identical to the natural genes but contain a small point mutation. By adding these templates, researchers can compare the amount of product from the natural gene against the known amount of the competitive template, allowing for a precise calculation of how much of the target gene was originally present.",
  "what_it_does_not_cover": [
    "Does not cover non-competitive PCR methods where no internal standard template is used.",
    "Does not cover gene expression measurement techniques that rely on sequencing or hybridization arrays.",
    "Does not cover the use of competitive templates that differ from the target by more than a point mutation.",
    "Does not cover methods that amplify the target and housekeeping genes in separate, non-multiplexed reactions."
  ],
  "filed": "1994-01-28",
  "granted": "1997-06-17",
  "expires": null,
  "status": "active",
  "holder": "University of Rochester",
  "holder_url": "https://patentbrief.org/company/university-of-rochester",
  "inventors": [
    {
      "name": "James C. Willey",
      "url": "https://patentbrief.org/inventor/james-c-willey"
    }
  ],
  "times_cited": 151,
  "tags": [
    "biotech"
  ],
  "abstract": "A method for quantitative measurement of gene expression through multiplex competitive reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction amplification is established. This method is especially useful for analysis of small specimens of cells and tissues.",
  "url": "https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/5639606/quantitative-pcr",
  "markdown_url": "https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/5639606/quantitative-pcr/md",
  "google_patents_url": "https://patents.google.com/patent/US5639606",
  "relatedPatents": []
}