UNIVERSITY OF UTAH
Confidential Invention Disclosure Form
U-______
This form contains five pages. Please fill out all the items that apply to your invention accurately and return the document
with original signature(s) to the Technology Commercialization Office (TCO). If you need assistance with filling out this
form, please contact the TCO at 581-7792, or email disclosures@tco.utah.edu.
1. Inventor Information
#
1
2
3
4
5
Full Legal Name
John Q. Public
Jane Roe
John Doe
Joe Above Average
Title (e.g. Professor)
Associate Professor
Assistant Professor
Postdoctoral Fellow
Graduate Student
Department
Biochemistry
Genetics
Biochemistry
Biochemistry
Tel. Number
801-555-6258
801-555-8745
801-555-6259
801-555-6259
% Share
50
20
20
10
2. Invention Related Dates:
Date
(mm/dd/year)
Written record
exists? (Yes/No)
If Yes, location of the written records.
If No, list names with whom you had discussions.
Disclosure to TCO
09/12/1982
Yes
This IDF and archived emails-at TCO
Conception of invention
01/28/1981
Yes
Lab notebooks – in Public lab
Experimental evidence of
invention
07/27/1982
Yes
Lab notebooks – in Public lab
3. Title of Invention: please provide a non-confidential title
Method of amplifying selected sequences of nucleic acids via temperature cycling
4. Appointments, Conflict of Interest (COI) and Funding: Please indicate all appointments/memberships
you may have had at the time of the invention. (Please type X in all cells that apply)
Inventor 1
Inventor 2
Inventor 3
Inventor 4
Inventor 5
ARUP Appointment
HCI Personnel
HHMI Employee
VA Affiliation
USTAR Appointment
Other (Please specify)
COI* (List CID)
*Please indicate the Conflict of Interest Disclosure (CID) number. If you do not have a CID but have “significant financial
or other interest” (as defined by the University’s Policy and Procedures, Section 2-30) in a business entity that is related to
this invention in any way then contact the office of Research Integrity and Compliance here.
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UNIVERSITY OF UTAH
Confidential Invention Disclosure Form
5. Briefly Summarize the Invention: Please use extra space if needed and append complete descriptions (e.g.
data, publications, abstracts, graphs, presentations )
The disclosed invention is a process which allows for the amplification of specific nucleic acid
sequences from a template sequence. The process uses oligonucleotide primers of a length of 15 to 35
base pairs with sequence homology to the 5’ and 3’ prime ends of the desired sequence. The
amplification of the desired DNA sequence is carried out with a nucleic acid polymerase and other
reagents that allow for the extension of the desired product between the primer sequences. The
process can be repeated through multiple cycles with the extension product of a previous cycle serving
as a template in the current and subsequent cycles. This chain reaction method of amplification
allows for rapid production of a large amount of the desired sequence within a comparatively short
amount of time. The sequence to be amplified can be selected based on the design of the
oligonucleotide primers.
The method begins with the isolation of the template nucleic acid through current state-of-the-art
methods. Oligonucleotide primers are then designed with sequence homology to the ends of the
sequence to be amplified and synthesized through current state-of-the-art means. The template,
primers, a mix of nucleotides including dATP, dCTP, dGTP and dTTP, and buffer are combined to
create the synthesis mixture. Other chemicals such as dimethyl sulfoxide may also be added. The
synthesis mixture is heated to 90-100C for approximately 4 minutes. This allows for denaturation and
separation of the template strands. The synthesis mixture is then allowed to cool to approximately
40C which allows for hybridization of the oligonucleotide primers. A nucleic acid polymerase
enzyme is then added to the synthesis mixture and incubated at 40C for 10 minutes. The polymerase
allows for extension of the nucleic acid strands from the primer along the template. The extending
strand is complementary in sequence to the template strand. The extension process occurs along both
of the template strands in either direction from each of the primers. The newly synthesized strand and
its complementary strand form the desired double stranded product. The cycle can then be repeated
with the original template and the double stranded products acting as templates. This allows for the
amplification to proceed in a rapid chain reaction fashion. Amplification cycles can be repeated until
the desired amount of nucleic acid has been produced.
Please see attached draft manuscript and figures.
6. Please list pertinent keywords that we may use to search publications and patents for prior
art:
Amplification of nucleic acids, oligonucleotide primer, polymerase, cloning
7. What Are the Advantages of Your Invention Over the State-of-the-Art?
The current state-of-the-art is lacking in methods to efficiently and rapidly amplify sequences of
nucleic acids. This invention discloses a method that allows for this. Current methods for
amplification of nucleic acids involve either organic synthesis of the desired nucleic acid sequence or
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UNIVERSITY OF UTAH
Confidential Invention Disclosure Form
amplification through the introduction of a vector containing the desired sequence into a host system.
The organic synthesis method can produce the desired sequence with high accuracy but is time
consuming and is limited in the length of sequences that it is able to produce. Longer nucleic acid
sequences must be synthesized in sections and then joined together. The use of a vector and host
system can produce large amounts of nucleic acid but the process is time consuming and introduces
other factors due to the host system. Our invention has the advantage of rapidly amplifying the
desired sequence with an in vitro process and can produce copies of any desired template in large
quantities. Our invention has far reaching applications in the fields of molecular cloning and genetics.
8. What Are the Practical and Commercial Applications of the Invention?
Our invention has potential commercial applications in a number of areas related to nucleic acid
research:
 As a research tool our method can be used to produce desired nucleic acids sequences of genes
and other genetic elements that can be used in molecular cloning. It has great potential to
increase the ability of researchers to study disease causing genes and to allow for the
recombinant expression of those proteins.
 As a diagnostic tool our method could be used to amplify potential disease causing sequences
in patients with genetic disorders or cancers. The amplified genes could then be sequenced to
diagnosis particular disorders and to assign appropriate treatments.
 As a forensic tool our method could be used to amplify trace amounts of nucleic acid material
in evidence which can then be matched with known samples. This fingerprinting method has
the potential then to implicate or exonerate potential suspects and give investigators greater
tools.
 Our method can be used to identify certain pathogens either in patient samples or in
bioweapons applications. Primers can be designed to unique sequences within selected
pathogens and then be used in an amplification reaction. The presence of amplification
product would indicate the presence of that nucleic acid sequence and hence the presence of
that organisim.
9. Please Indicate the Stage of Development of Your Invention: (e.g. concept, early stage, bench
prototype, industrial prototype, product, market, etc.)
The invention currently exists as a bench prototype in the Public lab. The bench prototype consists of
the reagents cocktail which we prepare in-house and a series of constant temperature water baths.
We are developing automation which allows for the reaction mixture to be cycled through the
constant temperature water baths without human intervention. Upon securing additional funding we
hope to collaborate with our engineering colleagues to design an instrument which will allow for the
necessary temperature cycling within a single unit and optimization of the heat and time parameters.
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UNIVERSITY OF UTAH
Confidential Invention Disclosure Form
10. Does the Invention Possess Disadvantages or Limitations? How Might They Be Overcome?
Several limitations exist in the current process that we have developed and we are working to correct
them in subsequent versions:
 The primer sequences must be chosen with some care or mis-priming or hybridization to other
areas of the template will occur. This can lead to amplification of the incorrect sequence or
sequences that are longer or shorter than desired.
 The change in temperature for the amplification cycle is currently accomplished by manually
moving the samples between constant temperature water baths. Not only is this cumbersome,
but it also causes some lag time as the reaction mixture equilibrates to the new temperature.
 The activity of the polymerase is destroyed by the high denaturation temperatures. A
thermostable polymerase would eliminate the need to replenish the polymerase enzyme at each
cycle.
 Optimization must still be done to determine the best temperature and cycle length for each of
the steps and the amounts of template, primer and polymerase for the most efficient
amplification reaction.
11. Please List any Companies You Find Are/Might Be Interested in Your Invention. (specific
contacts are most helpful)



Cutting Edge New Technology Corporation – Jim H. Doe, 350-555-8787
Successful Company Biotechnology – Mary Smith, m.smith@email.com, 422-555-7898
Big Pharma Company – Dr. John Smith, Business Development, smith@bigpharmaco.com
(Dr. Public attended grad school with Dr. Smith and may be able to help make contact)
12. Have the Essential Elements of the Invention Been Disclosed to Anyone Outside of the
University of Utah*, Either Orally or in Writing? (*ARUP and HCI are within University of Utah
confidentiality agreement)
Yes
X
No
(Please type X) If Yes, please specify (e.g. date, name, circumstances).
13. Do you Intend to Publicly Disclose the Essential Elements of the Invention in the Future,
Either Orally or in Writing? (e.g. publication, thesis/dissertation, seminar, poster, meeting abstract, web page)
X Yes
No
(Please type X) If Yes, please specify planned date of disclosure.



A manuscript is in preparation and we would like to submit it to the scholarly journal, Nature,
for publication in early 1983. A draft of the manuscript has been attached.
Joe Above Average is preparing his doctoral dissertation which outlines the essential elements
of the invention. He is scheduled to graduate Summer 1983.
John Public has been invited to give a lecture at the Important Symposium in July 1983 and
must submit an abstract by May 1983.
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UNIVERSITY OF UTAH
Confidential Invention Disclosure Form
14. Funding Sources: Please list all funding sources for materials, equipment and/or salaries of all personnel
involved in conception and development of the invention.
Funding Source
Name of Department, Company, Agency etc.
(e.g. NIH, Huntsman, ARUP, HHMI, VA, CBI)
Grant or Account number
Unrestricted University/Departmental
Biochemistry (unrestricted)
Federal/other government agencies 1
National Science Foundation
BES-010935
Federal/other government agencies 2
NIH
GM019228
Private/public foundation (e.g. HCF)
Commercial entity
Others (Please Specify)
15. Did This Invention Utilize Data or Materials from Any of the Following? (Type X on all that
apply)
MTA (Material Transfer
Agreement)
Biological materials
(e.g. Human blood, tissues, &
cell lines)
CRADA/SBIR/STTR
High Risk Cancer Clinic
Population Database
(UPDB/Cancer Registries)
Others (Please Specify)
16. Please Identify Inventors Who Were Students at the University of Utah During the
Conception and Development of Invention. (List Names)
Joe Above Average – Graduate student, Biochemistry Department
17. Please List any Colleagues on Campus Who Are Knowledgeable about the Work and Its
Potential Impact? (List Names)
 Joe Blow, Assistant Professor, Biochemistry Department, joeblow@university.edu 801-5556687
 Mary H. Public, Associate Professor, Human Genetics Department, mhpublic@email.com,
801-555-6123
 Giovanni Jones, Assistant Professor, Surgery, giovannij@surgery.edu, 801-555-9981
18. Please list external researcher(s)/competitor(s) who work in the field related to this
disclosure.
 John A. Citizen, Distinguished Professor, Department of Molecular Biology, Massachusetts
Institute of Technology
 Jane Roe, Department of Evolutionary Genetics, University of California-Riverside
 Jan Janssen, Department of Biology, Alberta State University, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
 Peter Petrov, Life Science Group, Imperial College, London, United Kingdom
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UNIVERSITY OF UTAH
Confidential Invention Disclosure Form
19. Please Provide a Non-confidential, Simple and Commercially Applicable Summary of the
Invention. (This will be used for marketing purposes; include advantages, characteristics and industry applications)
Our invention is a method which allows for the rapid and easy amplification of selected nucleic acid
sequences from a template sequence. The desired region of the template sequence and the length of
the amplified sequence can be selected. The amplification is carried out in an in vitro process that
does not involve organic synthesis of the desired sequence or the use of a host organism. The
enzymatic process occurs through a chain reaction method which rapidly produces the desired
quantity of the nucleic acid. The process can be carried out on the benchtop and has far reaching
applications in the fields of molecular biology and genetics.
Our invention has great potential as a research tool and will allow researchers to quickly produce
nucleic acid sequences of genes or other genetic elements that can be used in molecular cloning.
Researchers will be able to increase their ability to study disease causing genes and to produce and
study recombinant proteins. Our method can be used to create diagnostic tools for patients with
genetic disorders or cancer. Our invention also has the potential to allow for genetic fingerprinting in
the field of forensic science and the possibility to allow for the detection of harmful pathogens.
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UNIVERSITY OF UTAH
Confidential Invention Disclosure Form
ALL INVENTORS AFFILIATED WITH THE UNIVERSITY OF UTAH DURING THE COURSE OF DEVELOPING THIS INVENTION MUST SIGN
BELOW. BY SIGNING THIS INVENTION DISCLOSURE FORM YOU HEREBY ASSIGN YOUR RIGHTS IN THIS INVENTION TO THE
UNIVERSITY OF UTAH PURSUANT TO THE UNIVERSITY OF UTAH POLICY & PROCEDURES MANUAL, SECTION 6: RESEARCH SECTION.
All statements and information I have made or provided in this Invention Disclosure Form are true and complete to the best of my knowledge. I understand
and agree that all rights, obligations, and financial interests, if any, pertaining to or derived from the invention are as determined under the University of
Utah Policy & Procedures Manual “Policy”. I also understand and acknowledge that the University has the right to change the Policy from time to time,
including the percentage of net royalties paid to me. Further, I acknowledge that the percentage of net royalties paid to inventors is derived only from
consideration in the form of money or equity received under: (1) a license or material transfer agreement for licensed rights; or (2) an option or letter
agreement leading to a license or material transfer agreement. I also acknowledge that the percentage of net royalties paid to inventors is not derived from
research funds or from any other consideration of any kind received by the University. I agree to assist the University of Utah Technology
Commercialization Office in the evaluation, possible protection and commercialization of the invention as described in this Invention Disclosure Form.
For each University of Utah and ARUP Inventor, please TYPE in all fields, then sign and date.
Primary Contact
Inventor 1 Name: John Q. Public
Citizenship: USA
Home Address: 2323 Any Town Road, Salt Lake City,
UT 84112
Work Address: 25 N Medical Dr, RM 30, Salt Lake
City, UT 84132
Phone: 801-555-6258
Fax: 801-555-6200
E-mail: johnqpublic@university.edu
Signature:
John Q. Public
Date: 9/12/1982
Inventor 2 Name: Jane Roe
Citizenship: Canada
Home Address: 45 West Anonymous Street, Salt
Lake City, UT 84102
Inventor 3 Name: John Doe
Citizenship: Dominican Republic
Home Address: 1818 S. North Avenue, Salt Lake
City, UT, 84112
Work Address: 333 Wakara Way, Salt Lake City,
UT, 84122
Work Address: 25 N Medical Dr, RM 30, Salt Lake
City, UT 84132
Phone: 801-555-8745
Fax: 801-555-8700
E-mail: jane.roe@email.com
Phone: 801-555-6259
Fax: 801-555-6200
E-mail: jd555987@email.net
Signature:
Jane Roe
Signature: John
Date: 9/12/1982
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Doe
Date: 9/12/1982
UNIVERSITY OF UTAH
Confidential Invention Disclosure Form
Inventor 4 Name: Joe Above Average
Citizenship: Taiwan
Home Address: 33 North Black Street, Salt Lake City,
UT 84102
Inventor 5 Name:
Work Address: 25 N Medical Dr, RM 30, Salt Lake
City, UT 84132
Work Address:
Phone: 801-555-6259
Fax: 801-555-6200
E-mail: aboveaverage@university.edu
Phone:
E-mail:
Signature:
Joe A. Average
Citizenship:
Home Address:
Signature:
Date: 9/12/1982
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Fax:
Date: