Method of making microencapsulated DNA for vaccination and gene therapy
AssigneeMicrobiological Research Authority
InventorsDavid Hugh Jones, Graham Henry Farrar, James Christopher Stephen Clegg
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method of making a microparticle that contains DNA coding for a polypeptide is described in which a solvent extraction method is used and solvent extraction takes place at elevated temperature. Oral administration of the microparticle leads to its expression. DNA coding for an immunogen is for stimulating antibody formation in a recipient and DNA coding for a non-immunogenic polypeptide is for gene therapy applications. DNA is incorporated into the microparticle without destruction of its function.
Claims6
A method of encapsulating an aqueous solution of DNA in a polymer microparticle, the method comprising:
- (a) providing an aqueous solution of DNA;
- (b) providing a solution of polymer in an organic solvent;
- (c) forming a water-in-oil emulsion containing the aqueous DNA solution in the solution of polymer in organic solvent;
- (d) combining the water-in-oil emulsion with a second aqueous solution to form a (water-in-oil)-in-water emulsion;
- and
- (e) adding the (water-in-oil)-in-water emulsion to excess of a further aqueous phase to extract the oil phase and thereby form a plurality of polymer microparticles;
- wherein the aqueous solution of DNA has an alcohol content of 1 to 40% and the further aqueous phase is at least 5° C. higher in temperature than the (water-in-oil)-in-water emulsion.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.