Detecting DNA and RNA at Zeptomole Scale Sensitivities
SLU ID 10-017 | Biolayer Interferometry Measurement of Biological Targets
Intellectual Property Status
Seeking
Patented
Know-how based
Licensee
Development partner
Commercial partner
Investment
University spin-out company
Background
Analyzing DNA is essential to modern molecular biology and clinical diagnostics. However, many methods for DNA analysis are too costly and inefficient for numerous commercial applications.
Overview
Researchers at Saint Louis University have developed methods to detect specific target DNAs at zeptomole scale sensitivities. The technology is implemented using fully automated instrumentation and has broad application in diagnostics and genetic screening.
Benefits
The potential benefits of this technology include:
Increasing ability to detect mutations in samples containing over 100-fold excess of wild-type DNA sequences
Minimizing the amount of purification required to analyze DNA
Minimizing the amount of technical expertise required to perform DNA analysis
Minimizing the cost of DNA analysis
Minimizing the time required to perform DNA analysis
Applications
The potential applications of this technology include:
Diagnostics
Genetic screening
Genotyping
Analysis of clinical samples for mutations and nucleotide sequence polymorphisms
Exposing a biosensor to a sample containing the target molecule
Amplifying the number of bound peroxidase by allowing the peroxidase enzyme to react with a proteinaceous substrate coupled to biotin
Opportunity
Saint Louis University is seeking a partner to further develop and commercialize this technology.