I-Corps: Translation potential of a miniaturized biotechnology platform for nucleic acid extraction, purification, and library preparation

这个I-Corps项目的更广泛影响/商业潜力是为缺乏这类技术的社区开发先进的实验室工具，使他们能够获得这些工具。核酸（DNA和RNA）的测序对于多种应用例如病原体的鉴定和疾病的诊断是重要的。该项目旨在开发用于下一代测序的DNA和RNA样品制备的便携式设备。许多偏远和服务不足的社区不仅缺乏资金购买昂贵的实验室仪器，而且无法吸引训练有素的人员来监督这些实验室对研究和临床标本进行按需分析。根据几份研究报告，超过30%的农村医院面临关闭的风险，这将导致无法获得临床实验室和工具。该项目专注于生物样品制备和硬件小型化，使高质量的临床和研究技术在农村和服务不足的社区。该I-Corps项目利用体验式学习，结合对行业生态系统的第一手调查，评估该技术的转化潜力。该解决方案基于生物化学方法和生物工程技术的发展，并建立在基于微流体的测序领域的先前工作的基础上。用于测序的核酸的提取、纯化和制备是复杂且多步骤的过程，通常在实体实验室中使用大型笨重的机器来完成。目前的工作流程涉及收集生物样品，然后快速保存，然后运输或装运到处理设施，在那里准备样品用于测序。这些现有的工作流程处理时间长，成本高。该项目旨在开发自动化生物样品制备的技术，并使硬件形状因子简化，以便在偏远和极端环境中实现生物样品制备。这项技术预计将大大降低成本，同时保持相同的结果质量。这种便携式交钥匙仪器有望使全国和全世界的医疗保健民主化。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的知识价值和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

The broader impact/commercial potential of this I-Corps project is the development of advanced laboratory tools for communities that lack such technologies so that they may gain access. Sequencing of nucleic acids (DNA and RNA) is important for a variety of applications such as the identification of pathogens and diagnostics of disease. This project aims to develop portable devices for DNA and RNA sample preparation for next generation sequencing. Many remote and under-served communities not only lack funding to purchase expensive lab instruments but also cannot attract the trained personnel to oversee such labs for on-demand analysis of research and clinical specimens. According to several research reports, more than 30% of rural hospitals are at risk of closing which would result in a loss of access to clinical labs and tools. This project focuses bio-sample preparation and hardware miniaturization that enables high-caliber clinical and research technologies in rural and under-served communities.This I-Corps project utilizes experiential learning coupled with a first-hand investigation of the industry ecosystem to assess the translation potential of the technology. This solution is based on the development of biochemical methods and bioengineering techniques and builds on prior work in the field of microfluidics-based sequencing. Extraction, purification, and preparation of nucleic acids for sequencing are complex and multi-step processes that are typically done with large, bulky machines inside brick-and-mortar labs. Current workflows involve collection of the bio-samples followed by rapid preservation and then transport or shipment to a processing facility where the samples are prepared for sequencing. These current workflows have long processing times and incur high costs. This project aims to develop technologies that will automate bio-sample preparation and miniaturize the hardware form factor such that bio-sample preparation can be achieved in remote and extreme environments. This technology is expected to be significantly less expensive while maintaining the same quality of results. Such portable, turnkey instruments are expected to democratize healthcare across the nation and the world.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.