METHODS FOR DETERMINING THE LENGTH OF TRIPLET REPEATS

我们正在开发创新的方法，用于直接检测特定核酸序列，即非扩增检测。这些方法依赖于使用我们专有的SuperTracer来增加探针的比活性，然后使用超灵敏的MPD仪器进行测量。已经开发了与DNA探针连接的超级示踪剂，并正在实施多种符合方法来减少生物本底。初步实验证明，多重符合探针法允许对非特定生物背景有相当大的排斥作用。总体而言，我们的研究证实，MPD允许改进的定量聚合酶链式反应方法和创新的核酸定量直接方法。这些创新方法的进一步发展是拟议研究的主要主题，特别是发展MPD增强的三联体重复序列的直接定量。拟议的商业应用：该项目将开发能够可靠地直接检测和定量低水平DNA的程序和辅助试剂。我们正在开发强大的直接检测方法，这种方法可以在存在高本底本土DNA的情况下，以最少的样品准备进行。这样的检测系统将在一些重要的研究、开发和生物医学诊断活动中有广泛的应用，包括：临床诊断、治疗监测、药物发现和食品质量检测。我们将商业化一种由仪器和辅助试剂组成的检测系统，以极低的拷贝数进行DNA/RNA的定量检测。这些产品在商业上取得成功的驱动力是它们在DNA/RNA定量检测方面的独特性能，这是竞争技术无法实现的。

We are developing innovative methods for the direct, i.e. non-amplified, detection of specific nucleic acid sequences. These methods rely on the use of our proprietary SuperTracers to increase the specific activity of the probes that are then measured with supersensitive MPD instrumentation. SuperTracers coupled to DNA probes have been developed, and multiple coincidence methods to reduce biological background are being implemented. Preliminary experiments documented that the multiple coincidence probe method permits a considerable rejection of non- specific biological background. Overall, our studies confirmed that MPD permits improved qPCR methods and innovative direct methods of nucleic acid quantitation. Further development of these innovative methods are main topics for the proposed research, especially the development of the MPD enhanced direct quantitation of triplet repeats. PROPOSED COMMERCIAL APPLICATIONS: This project will develop procedures and supporting reagents which enable reliable direct detection and quantitation of low levels of DNA. We are developing robust direct detection methods which may be performed with minimal sample preparation in the presence of high backgrounds of indigenous DNA. Such an assay system would have wide application in a number of important research, development and biomedical diagnostic activities, including: clinical diagnostics, therapy monitoring, drugs discovery and food quality testing. We will commercialize an assay system consisting of both instrumentation and supporting reagents to perform quantitative detection of DNA/RNA at very low copy number. The commercial success drivers for these products are their unique performance for the quantitative detection of DNA/RNA at levels which cannot be achieved with competing technologies.