Uruguayan scientists will patent Antarctica discovery

By Pittaluga Abogados

A team of the Faculty of Sciences of the University of the Republic of Uruguay discovered novel photolyases in UVC-resistant Antarctic bacteria, a development that has medical, pharmaceutical and cosmetic consequences, and may help to prevent skin cancer. "The discovery will be patented as its application has a very important potential" said the Minister of National Defense, Jorge Menéndez, at a press conference.

The team, lead by Juan José Marizcurrena as part of his Doctorate in Biotechnology thesis, worked upon isolation and identification of Antarctic UVC-resistant bacteria, and the search for novel photolyases. Results suggest that the Antarctic environment is an important source of genetic material for the identification of novel photolyase genes with potential biotechnological applications.

Photolyases are DNA repair enzymes that repair damage caused by exposure to ultraviolet light and Marizcurrena´s goal is the production of a high efficiency photolyase at a low cost.