Rapid DNA extraction and direct-barcoding for efficient nanopore-based DNA sequencing

This technology is a direct-tag method for rapid nanopore sequencing that enables rapid DNA extraction and high-yield sequencing of DNA fragments within a fraction of the time of current sequencing technologies.

Unmet Need: Fast and affordable method for DNA sequencing of critical genetic information

DNA sequencing plays a vital role in prenatal and neonatal health screening, cancer diagnostics, as well as the detection of genetic diseases. However, current methods for DNA sequencing require large amounts of high-quality DNA, often require days to weeks to deliver results, and are very costly. These limitations delay critical genetic information to physicians, hindering important decisions for patient care. This underscores the urgent need for faster and more affordable DNA sequencing technologies.

The Technology: Nanopore-based DNA sequencing enables timely results to improve DNA sequencing

This technology is a ligation-based sequencing barcoding system to provide reliable and high-throughput sequencing of DNA from a range of biological samples, such as tissue and amniotic fluid, without requiring extensive purification, quantification, and normalization steps. This technology optimizes DNA extraction from small amounts of DNA extracted from tissue using the Rapid Bead-beating-based (BBB) gDNA extraction which reduces the time for DNA extraction from overnight to 15min. This technology offers orders of magnitude improvement in processing speed and cost compared to current paradigms. As a result, this technology allows clinicians to make timely decisions for the course of treatment of patients and enables in-house sequencing to streamline basic research.

Applications:

• Rapid DNA sequencing and library preparation
• Prenatal and neonatal health screening via amniotic fluid
• Precision diagnostics tool for cancer mutation panels
• Microbial identification and antibiotic resistance screening
• DNA sequencing tool for research

Advantages:

• High-throughput method for DNA sequencing
• Accelerates time to results (15000 times faster)
• Requires minimal amounts of DNA
• Compatible with current clinical procedures to obtain sample
• Cost-effective (1000 times lower initial cost)

Lead Inventor:

Samuel Zev Williams, MD, PhD

Patent Information:

Patent Pending (EP3935164)

Related Publications:

• Wei S, Djandji A, Lattin MT, Nahum O, Hoffman N, Cujar C, Kayali R, Cinnioglu C, Wapner R, D'Alton M, Levy B, Williams Z. “Rapid Nanopore Sequencing-Based Screen for Aneuploidy in Reproductive Care.” N Engl J Med. 2022 Aug 18; 387(7): 658-660

Tech Ventures Reference:

• IR CU19163, CU19244

• Licensing Contact: Cynthia Lang