Vanderbilt University obtains United States patent.

Vanderbilt University (Nashville, TN) has patented a composition comprising a nuclear localization sequence and a peptide nucleic acid oligomer (NLS-PNA). Uses of the composition include, but are not limited to: regulation of gene expression, gene therapy, and the production of pharmaceutical nucleic acids and proteins. In addition, the NLS-PNA is useful for scientific and therapeutic transfection and expression of nucleic acids in cells types that previously were resistant to transfection and therapy including quiescent cells, differentiated cells, embryonic stem cells, and eukaryotic cells with intact nuclear membranes. The NLS-PNA can be combined with a membrane transport sequence (MTS) forming a novel compound referred to as an MTS-NLS-PNA wherein the MTS provides transport through the cytoplasmic membrane of a cell. A nuclear targeted peptide nucleic acid oligomer is useful for the treatment of genetic based diseases and diseases that can be treated genetically including heart disease, cancer, cerebrovascular diseases, chronic pulmonary diseases, human immunodeficiency virus, and other diseases, conditions and disorders. (US 6,623,966)