Princeton University          Office of Technology Licensing & Intellectual Property
                                                Fourth Floor, New South Building
                                                 Post Office Box 36
                                                 Princeton, New Jersey 08544-0036
                                                 Phone: (609) 258-1570
                                                 FAX: (609) 258-1159
 
 

INTEGRAL MEMBRANE GFP-FUSION PROTEIN


       Researchers at Princeton University have developed a novel technique for the simultaneous identification of transfected cells and cell cycle analysis by flow cytometry. Princeton is currently seeking industrial collaborators to commercialize this technology.

       The green fluorescent protein (GFP) is currently used in assays as a marker to detect the subpopulation of transfected cells. However, there are certain technical limitations to the use of GFP in combination with other protocols such as cell cycle analysis using propidium iodide (PI) and flow cytometry. For example, in cell cycle analysis, the use of ethanol results in a loss of GFP fluorescence as it leaches from the cell. Although prior treatment of the cells with paraformaldehyde helps retain the GFP in the cell following ethanol permeabilization, it precludes optimal staining of the DNA with PI.

       The integral membrane GFP-fusion protein developed at Princeton overcomes these limitations and produces a significant increase in the GFP signal for both the enhanced detection of transfected cells as well as for the simultaneous measurement of cell cycle and transfection. The GFP fusion protein is anchored in the cell membrane and is thus retained in the cell during fixation and/or permeabilization techniques using ethanol and may be used in combination with other techniques to quantify cell cycle analysis (using PI) or other intra- or extra-cellular antigens.

       Patent protection is pending.

For more information please contact:
             William H. Gowen
             Office of Technology Licensing and Intellectual Property
             Princeton University
             4 New South Building
             Princeton, NJ 08544-0036
             (609) 258-6762
             (609) 258-1159 fax
             wgowen@princeton.edu

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