Methods to identify polynucleotide and polypeptide sequences which may be associated with physiological and medical conditions
AssigneeEvolutionary Genomics, Inc.
InventorsWalter Messier, James M. Sikela
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The present invention provides methods for identifying polynucleotide and polypeptide sequences in human and/or non-human primates which may be associated with a physiological condition, such as disease (including susceptibility (human) or resistance (chimpanzee) to development of AIDS) or enhanced breast development. The methods employ comparison of human and non-human primate sequences using statistical methods. Sequences thus identified may be useful as host therapeutic targets and/or in screening assays.
Claims49
A method of determining whether a human polynucleotide sequence which has been associated with a physiological trait in humans has undergone evolutionarily significant change relative to a non-human primate that exhibits the physiological trait to a lesser degree, comprising:
- a) comparing the human polynucleotide sequence with the corresponding non-human primate polynucleotide sequence to identify any nucleotide changes;
- and
- b) determining whether said human nucleotide changes are evolutionarily significant.
A method of determining whether a polynucleotide sequence of a non-human primate which has been or may be associated with a physiological trait in the non-human primate has undergone evolutionarily significant change relative to humans that exhibits the physiological trait to a lesser degree, comprising:
- a) comparing the non-human polynucleotide sequence with the corresponding human primate polynucleotide sequence to identify any nucleotide changes;
- and
- b) determining whether said non-human nucleotide changes are evolutionarily significant.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.