LifeArc has a range of innovative technologies available for licensing, that includes methods, tools, devices, software and others. These innovations arise from LifeArc and our clients’ research and are made available for licensing. Click on each opportunity to learn more.
Stabilised SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein variants
Peptide/proteinStabilised SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein variants
Type
Peptide/protein
Owner
MRC
Application
The S protein variants of SARS-CoV-2 can be used as a reagent for diagnostic testing (ELISA or other antibody tests), as a component of vaccines or to isolate antibody producing B cells.
Background Info
The S protein undergoes conformational changes to interact with its receptor and to mediate fusion with the target cell. It is also unstable, and prone to denaturation resulting in changes to its structure and antigenic characteristics.
Advantages
These sequence variants can lead to the generation of proteins with increased stability and conformation which may give better performance in diagnostics or vaccines.
Intellectual property
Contact Francois-Xavier Robert about this licensing opportunity
Maintenance of inhalation anaesthesia in neonatal mice
Type
Device
Owner
MRC
Application
A novel platform that allows for constant maintenance of inhalation anaesthesia in neonatal mice. The device has been demonstrated to allow reliable manipulation of brain tissue for neuroscience research.
Background Info
For neonatal mice, inhalation anaesthesia is problematic due to a lack of appropriately sized platforms that can maintain anaesthesia during surgery.
Advantages
The device reduces the risk of damage to neonatal mice and so is more ethical than current methods. Furthermore, the design could be modified for use in an extended range of fields.
Intellectual property
European Design Numbers 007571286-0001, 007571286-0002, 007571286-0003, and 007571286-0004.
Contact Elliott Jennings about this licensing opportunity
Graphene support films for biological molecules
Type
Device
Owner
MRC
Application
Novel graphene films for the deposition of biological molecules on to graphene for structure determination using electron cryo-microscopy.
Background Info
Graphene is not widely used as a sample support for biological electron microscopy because its hydrophobicity precludes reliable protein deposition.
Advantages
Partially hydrogenating graphene enables deposition of biological molecules onto graphene films for cryo-EM. These films allow for improved structural resolution of specimens due to reduced motion of specimens and reduced charge build-up on surface of specimens.
Intellectual property
Trademark (EUTM13496112) and patents/patent application (PCT ref. PCT/GB2014/052423) filed in IL, KR, ZA, EP, SG, US, CN, JP, CA and HK.
Contact Francois-Xavier Robert about this licensing opportunity
Puffalot: A novel plunge freezer device for preparing cryo EM sample grids
Type
Device
Owner
MRC
Application
Puffalot is a cryo-EM sample preparation device that uses a puff of compressed gas to remove excess material from sample grids, leaving only a thin layer suitable for cryo-EM imaging, in a consistent, reproducible manner.
Background Info
Current methodologies for preparing cryo-EM samples rely on filter paper to blot away excess liquid from the cryo-EM grid, which can result in variation in the thickness of the protein sample and in compromised image quality.
Advantages
- Directionality, pressure and timing of the gas puff allows for control of sample thickness
- High-resolution camera monitors the grid and the sample during preparation
- Adverse interactions between macromolecule and filter paper and air-water interface are avoided
- High-resolution camera monitors the grid and the sample during preparation
- Adverse interactions between macromolecule and filter paper and air-water interface are avoided
Intellectual property
This technology is the subject of patent application: PCT/EP2017/069240.
Contact Francois-Xavier Robert about this licensing opportunity
Polymerase 5D4 engineered for bi-sulphite sequencing
Type
Other type
Owner
MRC
Application
Polymerase with enhanced ability to process bisulphite-treated DNA and hydrophobic base analogues, suitable for use in bi-sulphite sequencing.
Background Info
Polymerase 5D4 has utility in bi-sulphite sequencing and in processing of uracil-containing DNA templates. It was originally selected for its ability to process hydrophobic base analogues, so would have wider application in this field
Advantages
Polymerase 5D4 has enhanced DNA synthesis efficiency on bisulphite-treated DNA and enhanced bypass of dhU6S adducts in bisulphite-treated non-desulphonated DNA. It has improved sensitivity in PCR amplification of bisulphite-treated DNA or uracil-containing DNA templates.
Intellectual property
Mutations and splicing sites protected by WO05045015 and WO2009067743 (EP2215250), including granted patents EP2145956 and US9096835.
Contact Elliott Jennings about this licensing opportunity
Screening and evolution in emulsions
MethodologyScreening and evolution in emulsions
Type
Methodology
Owner
MRC
Application
In vitro compartmentalisation for selection and evolution of phenotype
Background Info
Rights are available for the use of this estalished method for directed evolution of enzymes with desired characteristics.
Advantages
Water-in-oil emulsion links genotype to phenotype, allowing for high throughput screening of phenotype, e.g. screening for enzymes with desired characteristics.
Intellectual property
This method is protected by a patent portfolio including granted patents arising from WO/1999/02671, WO/2000/40712, WO/2003/044187, WO/2002/22869 and WO/2005/045072.
Contact Elliott Jennings about this licensing opportunity
Polymerase E10 for processing of CyDNA
Other typePolymerase E10 for processing of CyDNA
Type
Other type
Owner
MRC
Application
Polymerase with relaxed substrate specificity, capable of processing fluorescent dye-labelled nucleotides
Background Info
Polymerase E10 has utility in processing dye labelled nucleotides, of use with fluorescent probes in microarray and microfluidics applications.
Advantages
An engineered polymerase capable of processing dye labelled nucleotides, developed using a proprietary in vitro directed evolution technology, selected for ability to incorporate Cy3 and Cy5 dCTP.
Intellectual property
Granted patents that entered their respective national stage from PCT/GB2007/003254
Contact Elliott Jennings about this licensing opportunity
XNA polymerases
Other typeXNA polymerases
Type
Other type
Owner
MRC
Application
Polymerase with relaxed substrate specificity, capable of processing fluorescent dye-labelled nucleotides
Background Info
Engineered variants of Tgo, the replicative DNA polymerase from Thermococcus gorgonarius, capable of synthesising RNAs and XNAs primed with a range of primer chemistries.
Advantages
These unique polymerases permit the templated synthesis of XNAs including ANA, FANA, CeNA, PNA and HNA.
Intellectual property
Granted patents and pending patent applications that entered their respective national stage from PCT/GB2011/000583 and PCT/GB2013/050991.