METHODS FOR DETERMINING THE LENGTH OF TRIPLET REPEATS

我们正在开发用于直接（即非扩增）检测特定核酸序列的创新方法。这些方法依赖于使用我们专有的SuperTracers来增加探针的比活度，然后使用超灵敏的MPD仪器进行测量。已经开发出与DNA探针偶联的SuperTracers，并且正在实施减少生物背景的多种符合方法。初步的实验证明，多重符合探针法可以很好地排除非特异性生物背景.总之，我们的研究证实，MPD允许改进的qPCR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MPD增强的三联体重复序列直接定量的发展。拟议的商业应用：该项目将开发程序和支持试剂，使可靠的直接检测和定量的低水平的DNA。我们正在开发强大的直接检测方法，可以在土著DNA的高背景的存在下进行最少的样品制备。 这种分析系统将在许多重要的研究、开发和生物医学诊断活动中具有广泛的应用，包括：临床诊断、治疗监测、药物发现和食品质量测试。 我们将商业化一种由仪器和支持试剂组成的测定系统，以在非常低的拷贝数下进行DNA/RNA的定量检测。这些产品在商业上取得成功的驱动因素是它们在定量检测DNA/RNA方面的独特性能，其水平是竞争技术无法达到的。

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.