Technologies capable of rapid and sensitive detection of
single biomolecules is continuously evolving, and is now beginning to emerge as
a very promising new tool for precision detection and identification.
Application areas span analytical chemical and biochemical fields, with high
potential economic impact in the genomic analysis, drug discovery, pathogen
identification and diagnostics fields. Some of the most sensitive DNA detection
technologies, such as surface-enhanced Raman scattering of DNA molecules bound
to metal nanoparticles still require high concentrations of DNA-reporter
aggregates, and suffer from non-specific binding and long incubation times.
Researchers at ASU have developed a highly sensitive
technique to detect target molecules. The technique utilizes a plurality of
target-specific nucleic acid probes that are each complementary to a target
nucleic acid, and ligation methods in combination with a molecular post and
probe to detect specific targets without the need for amplification steps.
Detection is accomplished using conventional methods such as fluorescence
microscopy, surface plasmon resonance, gel electrophoresis etc. The technology
is capable of detecting minute amounts of target molecules with high specificity
very quickly.
Potential Applications
This technology offers a high speed, high sensitivity method
capable of detecting:
- Single-molecule DNA detection / sequencing
- Genomic analysis / gene expression analysis
- Diagnostics / Drug Discovery
- Proteomics
- Biophysical / biochemical basic research
Benefits and Advantages
- High speed: Does not require lengthy sample incubation
times
- High sensitivity: Demonstration detection of 1800
molecules of target DNA without the use of amplification
- High fidelity: Ability to distinguish target bound and
non-specific binding
Download original PDF
For more information about the inventor(s) and their
research, please see
Dr.
Frasch's departmental webpage
