Lead Inventors:
Jingyue Ju Ph.D., Zengmin Li Ph.D., Anthony K. Tong Ph.D.
Genetic Screening for Genetic Diseases using Fluorescent Markers use Complex Techniques
Genetic screening is widely used to test for various genetic diseases/conditions, and screen for potential latent health issues to be aware of. Such as various ""cancer"" genes which have been linked to greater risk for a variety of malignancies, including breast cancer. Many techniques rely on fluorescent markers attached to targeted sequences or antibodies for detection. However, only 10 distinct fluorophores exist, limiting the number of parallel targets one is able to test for, and while existing combinatorial schemes widen the playing field, they are complex, requiring challenging synthesis, multiple lasers and sophisticated optical filtering setups. A simple method to perform multiplex (broad parallel) analysis would be a huge boon and open such diagnostics up to a wider range of applications.
Forster Fluorescent Resonant Energy Transfer (FRET) Tags for Targeted Gene Detection
The technology is a library of Forster fluorescent resonant energy transfer (FRET) tags for labeling and detection of targeted genes, proteins, or pathogens. FRET is the phenomenon molecules with overlapping absorption/emission spectra demonstrate where one excited fluorophore can transfer some of its energy to the neighboring molecule resulting in emission from the other or both. The degree of transfer is a function of the spacing between the complimentary FRET molecules. Thus by controlling the distance two fluorescent molecules can give rise to many distinct emission spectra, serving as optical fingerprints. A library of unique FRET conjugates has been created, by precisely controlling the separation of multiple fluorophores. They are coupled to specific nucleotide sequences (or antibodies), which can then be used to detect the targeted complex. The system employs a single excitation source and spectrophotometer for detection. This technology allows for multiplex screening and genome mapping with greater bandwidth.
Applications:
• Genetic screening for mutations, and other anomalies linked to disease in the human chromosome
• Broad spectrum screening and pathogen detection for viral or bacterial infectious diseases
• A fluorescent labeling kit for use by cell biologists in studying the trafficking and localization of various compounds and structures in vitro
Advantages:
• Distinct emission signature for each FRET tag
• A small number of fluorescent dyes give rise to a large library of unique tags
• Simple, uses a relatively inexpensive optical detection system with one light/laser source and a spectrophotometer
• No fluorescent dye interactions
Patent Status: Patent Issued: (US 6,627,748) ~ see link below.
Licensing Status: Available for Licensing and Sponsored Research Support
Publications: Combinatorial fluorescence energy transfer tags for multiplex biological assays, Tong et al.,
Nature Biotechnology 19, 756 - 759 (2001)