Novel technology detects human DNA mutations
Instantaneous enzyme-free platform allows robust gene identification without gene amplification - Researchers at Nanosphere, Inc.
today reported unprecedented benefits in the company’s technology an eye to the medical investigation of good-natured DNA.
Nanosphere’s nanoparticle-based technology allows for swift, authoritatively-tender and specific Single Nucleotide Polymorphism
(SNP) genotyping, which is the direct detection of a particular gene and the size to which it is normal or mutated. The
technology, reported in the February 2005 (Volume 33, Number 2), issue of Nucleic Acids Inspection, allows detection of a SNP
in an nameless genotype with a greater than 99 percent coolness brink and can be used with kind-hearted DNA obtained from
samples as petty as a drop of blood. Importantly, the technology eliminates the need for costly, time and labor focused
gene amplification or enzymatic interventions - two widespread methods currently used to perform such analyses.
“Nanosphere’s new SNP review methodology by reason of whole genomic humanitarian DNA is a intense example of the versatility of our
proprietary ClearReadTM nanoparticle technology,” said William Moffitt, Nanosphere’s President and CEO. “This study and the
use of nanoparticles to dramatically increase sensitivity in our other proprietary applications — such as bio-barcode in place of
ultra sensitive detection of proteins — demonstrate the broad applicability of nanotechnology and its possibility to markedly
move up the imperial-of-the-guile in nucleic acid and proteomic research and diagnostics.”
The interpretation of in one piece charitable genomic DNA is extraordinarily complex as it requires sifting through the more than one billion
base pairs of DNA to find a particular base duo of interest. Once that base pair is located, it is then necessary to
detect if either of the bases is mutated (i.e., has SNPs). Nanosphere’s technology can rapidly, doubtlessly, and accurately
interrogate both bases in the in holy matrimony to determine if they are homozygous (i.e., both are mutant or normal) or heterozygous
(i.e., one is mutant, a particular is normal) - the most critical step in correlating the SNP with a disease or hallucinogenic sensitivity.
To do so, Nanosphere scientists employ a two-step process called ClearReadTM technology. This method sandwiches a target DNA
SNP segment between two oligonucleotide sequences to greatly advance detection specificity and sensitivity. One segment
identifies any mutations in the DNA and the around, a approvingly sensitive gold nanoparticle, creates a strong signal accurately
indicating the cool-headedness of a specific target SNP. Stay of principle, reproducibility, and the vigorous, simple and rapid
characteristics of this technology were demonstrated with unamplified DNA samples representing all possible forms of three
genes implicated in hypercoagulation disorders.
Nanosphere (www.nanosphere-inc.com) is a nanotechnology-based
life sciences company in Northbrook, Illinois that is using the employment of proprietary nanotechnology to create new
standards in medical care and public safety. With a universal VerigeneTM product platform because the detection of nucleic acids
and proteins, Nanosphere is rapidly advancing the development of assays for genomic and proteomic research, clinical
laboratories and point-of-care markets.
Wendy Emanuel - pr@nanosphere.us
Nanosphere, Inc.
Eric Gilbert