By Christopher P. Singer —

Rosetta Genomics, Ltd. announced that U.S. Patent No. 7,217,807, entitled "Bioinformatically detectable group of novel HIV regulatory genes and uses thereof" has been granted by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.  The ‘807 patent relates to a group of viral RNA regulatory genes, termed "viral genomic address messenger genes" or "VGAM genes," which selectively inhibit translation of known host target genes.  The patented technology relates to microRNAs (or miRNAs), which are a naturally occurring type of RNA interference (RNAi) molecule comprising small RNAs that function as protein regulators.  Further, expression levels of certain miRNAs have been associated with certain disease states.  Thus, the technology holds potential use in therapeutics, diagnostics, and prognostics.  According to a statement issued by Rosetta Genomics, the patent covers a composition of matter directed at a specific microRNA gene found in HIV.

The ‘807 patent issued from U.S. Application No. 10/604,944 (filed August 28, 2003) and claims priority to a number of provisional applications as well as to several continuation-in-part applications, going back as early as November 26, 2002.  The patent contains a total of five claims relating to isolated nucleic acids, vectors, and probes.  Representative independent Claim 1 recites:

1.  An isolated nucleic acid consisting of 77 up to 120 nucleotides, wherein the nucleic acid comprises the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 14.