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Expressed Sequence Tags

 What Are They?

  Expressed sequence tags, or ESTs, are a type of sequenced site tag (STS): a segment of DNA around 200 to 500 base pairs long, whose location on the chromosome and sequence are known.  ESTs are created from cDNA, a single strand of DNA that has been copied from an mRNA template.  In other words, an EST is a strand of DNA consisting only of the exons—the base pair sequence that is expressed—of a gene.

 What Are They Good For?

  ESTs can be used by researchers looking for new genes, mapping genomes, and identifying the coding regions of a gene.  In addition, patents on ESTs will give you rights to the entire gene.  Several companies are stockpiling the ESTs they develop and applying for patents on them, sometimes thousands at a time, despite usually  having no idea what role the gene plays in the human body.  The investment in finding and sequencing these ESTs is so potentially huge, that these companies are willing to live with their lack of knowledge about the gene and the vast number that may eventually prove useless.  After all, they can always follow in Human Genome Science’s footsteps and cash in on the research of others through royalties and licensing.  Wouldn’t you like to be the company holding the patent or licensing rights to a gene that may lead to a vaccine against HIV?  It could happen; all you need are some ESTs and a good patent lawyer.

 


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