Singapore, March 6, 2008: The US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has issued a Notice of Allowance for Rosetta Genomics’ two patent applications on human and viral microRNAs (miRNAs). The first allowed patent application is related to two clustered human hairpins and their related microRNAs. The second allowed patent application is related to microRNA US5-1, a viral microRNA found in human cytomegalovirus (HCMV), a member of the herpes virus family.

 

MicroRNAs are recently discovered, naturally occurring small RNAs that act as master regulators and have the potential to form the basis for a new class of diagnostics and therapeutics. Since many diseases are caused by the abnormal activity of proteins, the ability to selectively regulate protein activity through microRNAs could provide the means to treat a wide range of human diseases. In addition, microRNAs have been shown to have different expression in various pathological conditions. As a result, these differences may provide for a novel diagnostic strategy for many diseases.

 

Rosetta Genomics has filed dozens of patent applications protecting composition-of-matter of human and viral microRNAs. These patent applications are related to hundreds of human and viral microRNAs sequences. The patent applications are directed to a wide range of variations, including mutations on the mature microRNA, the microRNAs’ precursor and its predicted binding sites. In addition, Rosetta’s patent applications are also related to the predicted biological function of the microRNAs, and their uses in research, diagnostics and therapeutics.