If you’re in the process of applying for patents in the scientific field, you need to know about sequence listing. These clever listings display all the biological sequence data in your application in one accessible document. So, if your patent involves nucleotide or amino acid protein sequences, you’ll need this listing.
The world of biotechnology and particularly research into gene mutations is an exciting growing field so we’re anticipating that need for sequence listings will grow each year. So if you’re a scientist, researcher, or law firm working with DNA, RNA, or amino acids in any capacity listen up.
It’s important to note that you’re required to have one whether the biological sequence in question is natural or artificially created. If your biological sequence has been generated just to illustrate a component of your patent it still must be included. There are international standards that you should follow. For example, each sequence must have its own identification number.
Your listing cannot include any individual sequences containing less than 10 nucleotides or 4 amino acids. Your listing should also follow agreed vocabulary rules. Adhering to these regulations ensures your sequence listing is accepted to searchable archives used by patent offices and the public so you can see why it’s so important to get it right first time.
There are many hoops to jump through with a patent application and you don’t want to slow the process down by having to repeat a step.
How to Submit Your Sequence Listing
You’ve taken all your raw data and created your sequence listing, so what now? When you fill out your patent application your biological listing should be included in an electronic data format to allow for easy upload to the searchable archives.
When submitting to the US patent office, for US and international applications, there are three options for submission. You can upload your sequence listing as an ASCII text through an electronic filing system. Alternatively, you can submit this as a physical disc, as a traditional or paperless submission.
Once your sequence listing has been accepted by the patent office, what’s next? Well once it’s been uploaded you can continue with your scientific endeavours safe in the knowledge that it’s now in a form that will be accepted by all relevant offices.
For US and international patents, your data can now be viewed by everyone necessary from Examining Authorities to National Phase Offices. You’re well on your way to patent approval.
Assuming your work turns out to be significant, which we’re sure it will be, then having this simplified document will allow for easy sharing among your peers for related research in the future.
You can Outsource This Listing Process
If you’re now thinking, I’d rather focus on research than worrying about whether my sequence listing is acceptable then we have good news for you. There are companies who specialise in sequence listing production.
They do the hard work of simplifying all your data and ensuring it meets the relevant standards, so you only have to submit it. Many companies are embracing advancing technology and using specialised software they have designed to create sequence listings, overseen by an experienced team.
This means it’s cheaper than you’re probably expecting, and you’ll get your listing back in no time so you can keep the patent process rolling. If you want to use this option, we’d recommend choosing a company who are upfront about how much experience they have and offer a free quote service so you know how much of your budget it will take up.
This way you’ll have a sequence listing that’s approved straight away and you can focus on your research and testing.
