The field of synthesis of bio-nanoparticles is not alien to the patents world. Over
the last few years, several patents were granted to different research groups over the
world. In 2013, the University of Santiago de Chile requested the patenting of the
use of the fungus Botrytis cinerea for obtaining gold nanoparticles (WO/2013/
143017). Overall, this invention is related to the use of molecules generated by the
fungus to produce gold nanoparticles under a specific condition. Recently, similar
inventions were also patented. The differences between them consist of the microorganism utilized and expected modifications in the protocol for obtaining the
bio-nanoparticle, which depends on the microorganism. Certainly, many of them
share the same potential applications (WO/2016/076694; US20120108425A1;
US2002/0174743A1; US20090239280A1; US20100055199A1). Patents mentioned
here are referred to fungi and Gram-negative bacteria. To our knowledge, processes
for the production of bio-nanoparticles by using actinobacteria and specifically those
from genus Streptomyces were not patented.
Over the years, the nonobviousness criterion required for patenting is more
difficult to accomplish; thus certain scientific advances became non-patentable.
This is a debatable point since a scientific advance, although non-patentable, may
result significant for a biotechnological development. Following a patented process
for the production of bio-nanoparticles may result somehow limiting. The metabolic
potential of microorganisms, from which depends the organic diversity of
bio-nanoparticles, is almost unlimited. The outstanding advances in omics techniques allow predicting the metabolic potential of a microorganism. For instance,
combination of genomic and bioinformatics tools is possible to identify clusters of
genes related to the synthesis of specialized metabolites that could be the organic
portion of a bio-nanoparticle. In addition, the combination of proteomics and
metabolomics may give accurate information about how and when to produce a
specific specialized metabolite for a bio-nanoparticle. In summary, the advance of
science and its techniques can render a patented methodology in a short period
of time.
6.10 Conclusion
This chapter resumes updated data about metal NP biogenic synthesis, the techniques used for their study and characterization, and the importance of actinobacteria
as producers of new metal NPs to use in clinical, focusing on members of the phylum
isolated from polluted environments. Moreover, it is evidenced that these strains are
promising sources of new specialized metabolites, mainly with antimicrobial activities, by using genome mining approaches. In this context, it is imperative to conduct
deeper studies on the subject, in order to make the biomolecules produced by
actinobacteria as effective bioactive products for therapeutic applications, by
exploiting their undoubtedly huge potential.
6 Nanoparticles for New Pharmaceuticals: Metabolites from Actinobacteria
209
the last few years, several patents were granted to different research groups over the
world. In 2013, the University of Santiago de Chile requested the patenting of the
use of the fungus Botrytis cinerea for obtaining gold nanoparticles (WO/2013/
143017). Overall, this invention is related to the use of molecules generated by the
fungus to produce gold nanoparticles under a specific condition. Recently, similar
inventions were also patented. The differences between them consist of the microorganism utilized and expected modifications in the protocol for obtaining the
bio-nanoparticle, which depends on the microorganism. Certainly, many of them
share the same potential applications (WO/2016/076694; US20120108425A1;
US2002/0174743A1; US20090239280A1; US20100055199A1). Patents mentioned
here are referred to fungi and Gram-negative bacteria. To our knowledge, processes
for the production of bio-nanoparticles by using actinobacteria and specifically those
from genus Streptomyces were not patented.
Over the years, the nonobviousness criterion required for patenting is more
difficult to accomplish; thus certain scientific advances became non-patentable.
This is a debatable point since a scientific advance, although non-patentable, may
result significant for a biotechnological development. Following a patented process
for the production of bio-nanoparticles may result somehow limiting. The metabolic
potential of microorganisms, from which depends the organic diversity of
bio-nanoparticles, is almost unlimited. The outstanding advances in omics techniques allow predicting the metabolic potential of a microorganism. For instance,
combination of genomic and bioinformatics tools is possible to identify clusters of
genes related to the synthesis of specialized metabolites that could be the organic
portion of a bio-nanoparticle. In addition, the combination of proteomics and
metabolomics may give accurate information about how and when to produce a
specific specialized metabolite for a bio-nanoparticle. In summary, the advance of
science and its techniques can render a patented methodology in a short period
of time.
6.10 Conclusion
This chapter resumes updated data about metal NP biogenic synthesis, the techniques used for their study and characterization, and the importance of actinobacteria
as producers of new metal NPs to use in clinical, focusing on members of the phylum
isolated from polluted environments. Moreover, it is evidenced that these strains are
promising sources of new specialized metabolites, mainly with antimicrobial activities, by using genome mining approaches. In this context, it is imperative to conduct
deeper studies on the subject, in order to make the biomolecules produced by
actinobacteria as effective bioactive products for therapeutic applications, by
exploiting their undoubtedly huge potential.
6 Nanoparticles for New Pharmaceuticals: Metabolites from Actinobacteria
209