Sericin Hydrolysate Transfection Device for Gene Delivery

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional transfection devices using ECM molecules or mammal-derived components can trigger side effects such as cell differentiation or proliferation, complicating the examination of gene sample transfer effects on cell functions, and are costly due to complex purification processes.

Innovation Solution

A transfection device with a mixture immobilized on a solid-phase support, comprising a gene sample, a gene delivery material, and a sericin hydrolysate with a molecular weight of approximately 5,000 to 40,000, which does not use ECM molecules or mammal-derived components, enhancing gene transfer efficiency and reproducibility while minimizing side effects and reducing costs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If ECM molecules or mammal-derived components are used in transfection devices, then gene transfer efficiency is improved, but side effects such as cell differentiation or proliferation are triggered

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegene transfer efficiencyVSAvoidside effects on cell functions
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces expensive ECM molecules with sericin hydrolysate, a cost-effective material derived from silk processing waste. This substitution maintains transfection functionality while eliminating the side effects associated with ECM molecules, aligning with the principle of using simpler, cheaper alternatives that achieve the same purpose without unwanted consequences

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent modifies the molecular weight parameter of sericin hydrolysate to be approximately 5,000 to 40,000, optimizing its transfection performance. By controlling this physical parameter, the invention achieves effective gene transfer without the harmful effects of ECM molecules, demonstrating how parameter optimization can resolve technical contradictions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If ECM molecules are used in transfection devices, then gene transfer functionality is achieved, but purification processes become complex and costly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegene transfer functionalityVSAvoidpurification process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs sericin hydrolysate, which is obtained as a byproduct during silk processing and requires minimal purification. This replaces the complex purification processes needed for ECM molecules, significantly reducing manufacturing complexity and cost while maintaining transfection functionality

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts and utilizes sericin hydrolysate from silk processing waste, eliminating the need for complex purification processes required for ECM molecules. This extraction approach simplifies manufacturing by using a material that is already in a usable form from industrial byproducts

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Productivity

If ECM molecules are used in transfection devices, then gene transfer is achieved, but cell functions other than gene transfer may be triggered as side effects

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegene transfer efficiencyVSAvoidinterference with cell function analysis
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses sericin hydrolysate instead of ECM molecules to perform gene transfer without triggering unwanted cell responses. This allows researchers to study cell functions in isolation from ECM-induced effects, improving the accuracy of gene function analysis while maintaining effective transfection

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the potential harm of ECM molecule side effects into a benefit by using sericin hydrolysate, which provides gene transfer functionality without interfering with cell function analysis. This allows the research community to benefit from clean, interference-free gene transfer experiments

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Data Source

PatentEP2194116B1Transfection device utilizing sericin hydrolysate
Publication Date: 2014.08.06 CYTOPATHFINDER INC
  • EP2194116B1 patent drawingFigure 1(a)~1(b)
  • EP2194116B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2194116B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

There is provided a transfection device having a mixture (1) immobilized on a solid-phase support (3), the mixture including: a gene sample; a gene delivery material; and at least one compound selected from the group consisting of sericin, a hydrolysate thereof and a chemically modified product of sericin or a hydrolysate thereof.