Trilateral Project 24.1-Biotechnology 022

Yes, it is possible in a claim to characterize a DNA sequence by "hybridizing" to a specific DNA sequence, but only on condition that the hybridization conditions are defined in the claim. It is neither necessary in this respect to specify the source of the DNA nor whether the DNA is a naturally occurring or synthesized product. However, in the example given in the Questionnaire the amino acid sequence of protein X is also given by reference to Fig. 1 under item (a), therefore the DNA under item (b) is automatically limited to those coding for protein X and a definition of the hybridization conditions is thus, no longer necessary.