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100 Patents Registered in Gene Cloning Research
Chinese scientists have registered more than 110 patents for genes cloned from the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis - the main hormone-secreting organs.
For the first time, Chinese scientists have identified the role genes play in producing hormones through large scale sequencing of sequence tags (EST).
They have cloned more than 300 new genes discovered through the sequencing.
Doctor Han Zeguang, with the Nanfang Research Centre of the State Human Genome Project, said the human hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis had great significance in the growth, reproduction and immunity of human bodies and played a key role in stabilizing the interior environment of human bodies.
Han, who took part in the sequencing, said the new genes discovered could have something to do with key physiological functions of the organs.
The ESTs play a key role in distinguishing human genes and in research into gene functions, Han said yesterday. He called it an important component part of the contributions Chinese scientists have made to the Human Genome Project.
Han said applying for patents for some of the cloned genes would protect China's independent intellectual rights over research achievements.
He said they had transferred some of the cloned genes to Guangzhou Funeng Co, South China's Guangdong Province, for a fee of 1.5 million yuan (US$180,722). They also got more than 2 million yuan (US$240,963) as shares to join in the company.
Experts said the achievement represented a big step forward for China's research into human functional genes.
They said Chinese scientists' work was of theoretical significance in gene research and of high value in the development of bio-technology and pharmaceutical industry in China.
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