SBIR-STTR Award

The DNA microarray is a powerful new technology that can be applied to the detection of biological warfare agents. For the detection of multiple agents, tremendous challenges lie ahead for the DNA microarray technology regarding on sensitivity, selectivity, reliability and consistence. The central theme of this proposal is to apply and optimize a newly developed DNA probe: Molecular beacons (MB) to DNA microarray applications. MBs are a new class of oligonucleotides that have extremely high sensitivity and selectivity with single base mismatch identification capability. Unlike current methods, MB based DNA microarray is pre-labeled DNA probes so that users will not need to label sample DNA. In addition, MB based DNA microarray will not be affected by non-target DNA samples because MB has fluorescent signals only when hybridizations occur. By applying MB based DNA microarray, the current DNA microarray problems can be significantly improved so that PCR-less DNA detection is possible for real BW situations. The proposed research will capitalize upon all of unique properties for MB and for the first time to assemble MB based DNA arrays. Biomachines will build a prototype MB DNA array system which will be: i) highly sensitive; ii) highly selective; iii) resistant to interference by materials present in biological samples; and iv) resistant to interference or contamination by non-target DNA or DNA fragments. We believe MB based DNA Microarray format will find wide range of biomedical applications in the areas of genomics and proteomics research, pharmaceutical discovery, clinical diagnostics and biological warfare applications.

In the wake of the September 11th attacks and subsequent Anthrax scares, researchers worldwide are working to expand our ability to rapidly assess what poses a terrorism threat to the public. The rapid detection of specific pathogens is required for biodefense

Keywords:
biodefence, sensitive dna detection, microarray, biochip, dna probe, molecular beacon, genomics, pathogens, dna diagnosis