Improved Bacterial Host for Production of Anthrax Toxin Proteins and Vaccines: Bacillus anthracis BH450
Description of Invention:
Anthrax toxin has previously been made from various avirulent strains of Bacillus anthracis. The inventors have genetically engineered a new strain of B. anthracis with improved properties. The strain, designated BH450, is totally deficient in the ability to make spores and to produce a major extracellular protease designated Peptidase M4. The genetic lesions introduced are defined, true deletions, so there is no possibility of reversion. Inability to make spores assures that laboratories growing the strain will not become contaminated with the very stable anthrax spores. Inability to make peptidase M4 increases the stability of proteins such as anthrax toxin that are secreted to the culture medium.
Applications and Modality: B. anthracis vaccine/prophylactic and therapeutic studies.
Market:
Research tool useful for biodefense/therapeutic studies.
Development Status:
The technology is a research tool.
Inventors:
Andrei Pomerantsev (NIAID) Dana Hsu (NIAID) Ramakrishnan Sitaraman (NIAID) Craig Galloway (NIAID) Violetta Kivovich (NIAID) Stephen Leppla (NIAID)
Patent Status:
DHHS Reference No. E-127-2007/0 -- Research Tool
Relevant Publication: AP Pomerantsev et al. Genome engineering in Bacillus anthracis using Cre recombinase. Infect Immun. 2006 Jan;74(1):682-693. [PubMed abs]
Licensing Status: This technology is not patented. The strain will be transferred through a Biological Materials License.
Collaborative Research Opportunity:
The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Laboratory of Bacterial Diseases, is seeking statements of capability or interest from parties interested in collaborative research to further develop, evaluate, or commercialize Bacillus anthracis BH450 strain. Please contact Dr. Andrei P. Pomerantsev at phone 301-451-9817 and/or email apomerantsev@niaid.nih.gov for more information.
For Additional Information Please Contact: Peter A. Soukas J.D.
NIH Office of Technology Transfer
6011 Executive Blvd, Suite 325
Rockville, MD 20852-3804
Phone: (301) 435-4646
Email: soukasp@mail.nih.gov
Fax: (301) 402-0220
