Nuclear transfer with porcine embryonic stem cells

Patent Number: 7,371,922

This patent covers methods of making genetically engineered pigs.  This is an important area of study not only from a research perspective, but also that transgenic animals may be used for things such as: a) mass production of proteins; b) donor organs for humans; and c) agricultural purposes.

The patent teaches the generation of pigs by:

1.  Obtaining a pig ES cell whose nucleus has been modified to contain the genes that are desired by the practitioner of the invention

2.  Obtaining a pig oocyte that is activated

3.  Removing the nucleus of the oocyte

4.  Inserting the nucleus of the pig ES cell into the activated oocyte that lacks a nucleus

5.  Producing an embryo in vitro by culturing the combination and subsequently inserting the embryo into a recipient surrogate mother

Although this seems like standard nuclear transfer, the dependent claims of the patent provide specific new and non-obvious methods of accomplishing the above.  It would be interesting to discuss this patent in light of the KSV v Teleflex decision on obviousness.

View this patent on the USPTO website.