Biologically-Based Technologies For Management Of Crop Insect Pests In Local And Area-Wide Programs

Docket Number: 14108
Serial Number: 12218142

Summary: The novel germ-line transformation systems disclosed in this patent application allow the physical deletion of transposon DNA following the transformation process, and the targeting of transgene integrations into predefined target sites. In this way, transposase-mediated mobilization of genes-of-interest is excluded mechanistically and random genomic integrations eliminated. In contrast to conventional germ-line transformation technology, our systems provide enhanced stability to the transgene insertion. Furthermore, DNA sequences required for the transgene modification (e.g. transformation marker genes, transposase or recombinase target sites), are largely removed from the genome after the final transgene insertion, thereby eliminating the possibility for instability generated by these processes. The RMCE technology, which is disclosed in this patent application for invertebrate organisms (exemplified in Drosophila melanogaster) represents an extremely versatile tool with application potential far beyond the goal of transgene immobilization. RMCE makes possible the targeted integration of DNA cassettes into a specific genomic loci that are pre-defined by the integration of the RMCE acceptor plasmid. The loci can be characterized prior to a targeting experiment allowing optimal integration sites to be pre-selected for specific applications, and allowing selection of host strains with optimal fitness. In addition, multiple cassette exchange reactions can be performed in a repetitive way where an acceptor cassette can be repetitively exchanged by multiple donor cassettes. In this way several different transgenes can be placed precisely at the same genomic locus, allowing, for the first time, the ability to eliminate genomic positional effects and to comparatively study the biological effects of different transgenes. Patent Status: Patent Application Filed on July 11, 2008. Link at USPTO filed under patent title “Systems for gene targeting and producing stable genomic transgene insertions.” Inventors: Alfred M. Handler Insect Behavior and Biocontrol Research Unit 1600-1700 SW 23RD DRIVE GAINESVILLE, FL, 32608 Phone: (352) 374-5793 Fax: (352) 374-5804 Al.Handler@ars.usda.gov Carsten Horn Berlin, Germany