A variety of medical ailments can be characterized by the
presence of specific nucleic acids, proteins, and lipids that are generated
during the course of the ailment. Multiplexed and sensitive detection of these
molecules is of great importance in the medical diagnostics field. Current
technologies designed to detect biological events coded by specific
macromolecules typically consist of chip-based or particle-based platforms
incorporating a large number of designed probes for proteins and nucleic acids.
Chemically synthesized DNA oligonucleotides can self-assemble into ordered
nucleic acid tiling arrays with controlled distances and fixed spatial
orientations. These arrays can be used in a variety of biomedical applications.
Researchers at Arizona State University have developed a
method for making nanoscale arrays from self-assembly of DNA in such a way as to
expose single stranded probes. The array orientation and probe can be imaged by
atomic force microscopy. More importantly, several improvements were implemented
allowing the arrays to be used directly inside the contents of single cells or
with very small volumes of sample. These improvements enhanced the inventions
ability to detect RNA expression of a single cell, with accuracy.
Potential Applications
This technology can be used for a variety of applications
involving detection of different biological molecules.
- Medical Diagnostics – Identify biological molecules
associated with medical problems, organ and disease specific arrays.
- Proteomics – Expression profiling
- Genetic assays – Gene expression, SNP profiling, nucleic
acid sequencing.
Benefits and Advantages
- Versatility – Allows simultaneous identification of
proteins, nucleic acids, and lipids from a single sample solution.
- Ease of Use – Water solubility, fast binding kinetics of
molecular probes to targets, rechargeability for repeated use, and small
sample volumes make this technology easy to use.
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For more information about the inventor(s) and their
research, please see
Dr. Yan's laboratory webpage
Dr. Chaput's
laboratory webpage
Dr.
Zhang's directory webpage
Dr. Lindsay's
laboratory webpage
