{
  "patent_number": "US 8697359",
  "country": "US",
  "title": "How to Edit Genes in Human Cells Using an Engineered CRISPR System",
  "original_title": "CRISPR-Cas systems and methods for altering expression of gene products",
  "summary": "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.",
  "what_it_does": "This patent describes a method and system for altering the activity of specific genes within eukaryotic cells, which are cells with a nucleus, like human cells. It uses an \"engineered, non-naturally occurring\" CRISPR-Cas system. This system includes a \"guide RNA\" that acts like a GPS, directing a molecular scissor called a \"Type-II Cas9 protein\" to a specific target DNA sequence (Claim 1). Once the guide RNA finds its target, the Cas9 protein \"cleaves the DNA molecule,\" meaning it cuts it. This cut then changes the \"expression of the at least one gene product,\" either turning the gene down or off. For example, this system could be used to disable a faulty gene causing a genetic disease.",
  "what_it_does_not_cover": [
    "Does not cover naturally occurring CRISPR-Cas systems found in bacteria, as the patent specifies \"engineered, non-naturally occurring\" systems.",
    "Does not cover gene editing methods that use Cas proteins other than the \"Type-II Cas9 protein\" specified in the claims.",
    "Does not cover altering gene expression in prokaryotic cells (like bacteria), as the claims specifically mention \"eukaryotic cell.\"",
    "Does not cover systems where the Cas9 protein and guide RNA are found together naturally, as the claims state they \"do not naturally occur together.\"",
    "Does not cover gene editing that doesn't involve *cleaving* the DNA molecule, as the claims explicitly state \"the Cas9 protein cleaves the DNA molecule.\""
  ],
  "filed": "2013-10-15",
  "granted": "2014-04-15",
  "expires": "2033-10-15",
  "status": "active",
  "holder": "Massachusetts Institute of Technology",
  "holder_url": "https://patentbrief.org/company/massachusetts-institute-of-technology",
  "inventors": [
    {
      "name": "Feng Zhang",
      "url": "https://patentbrief.org/inventor/feng-zhang"
    }
  ],
  "times_cited": 1268,
  "tags": [
    "biotech",
    "gene_editing",
    "pharmaceutical",
    "life_sciences"
  ],
  "abstract": "The invention provides for systems, methods, and compositions for altering expression of target gene sequences and related gene products. Provided are vectors and vector systems, some of which encode one or more components of a CRISPR complex, as well as methods for the design and use of such vectors. Also provided are methods of directing CRISPR complex formation in eukaryotic cells and methods for utilizing the CRISPR-Cas system.",
  "url": "https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/8697359/crispr-gene-editing",
  "markdown_url": "https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/8697359/crispr-gene-editing/md",
  "google_patents_url": "https://patents.google.com/patent/US8697359",
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}