Patent ID: 7687057
Filing Date: 2010-03-30
Classification: A61M

Abstract:
1. A method of delivering a gene product to a recipient, said method comprising the steps of: (a) providing a micro-organ explant expressing at least one recombinant gene product, said micro-organ explant comprising a population of cells, said micro-organ explant maintaining a microarchitecture and a three dimensional structure of an organ from which it is obtained and at the same time having dimensions selected so as to allow diffusion of adequate nutrients and gases to cells in said micro-organ explant and diffusion of cellular waste out of said micro-organ explant so as to minimize cellular toxicity and concomitant death due to insufficient nutrition and accumulation of the waste in said micro-organ explant, at least some of the cells of said population of cells of said micro-organ explant expressing at least one recombinant gene product, wherein said organ is skin and said explant has a surface area to volume index characterized by the formula 1/x+1/a≧1.5 mm −1 , wherein “x” is tissue section thickness and “a” is tissue section width in millimeters; and (b) implanting said micro-organ explant in an allogeneic or autologous recipient wherein step (a) is effected by: (i) isolating said micro-organ explant from a donor; and (ii) genetically modifying at least some of the cells of said micro-organ explant with a recombinant gene to express said at least one recombinant gene product.