SBIR-STTR Award

This phase I project aims at demonstrating a method to rapidly discover short sequences that bind tightly to protein targets. Our plan in phase I is limited to proof of principle by screening against fluorescently tagged proteins, which will facilitate analysis. In phase II label-free detection methods of analysis will be pursued in an effort to generalizes the screening method. Oligonucleotides discovered in these screens can be engineered into sensors having exquisite sensitivity and selectivity for diagnostics and drug discovery applications.

Thesaurus Terms:
high throughput technology, method development, microarray technology, nucleic acid quantitation /detection, nucleic acid sequence, oligonucleotide, protein binding drug discovery /isolation, lysozyme, nucleocapsid, virus protein biotechnology, genetic library

This Phase II project aims at further advancing and commercializing a microarray-based screening approach, for discovering nucleic acid probes that have high affinity and high specificity for protein and cellular targets. Oligonucleotides discovered in these screens can be engineered into sensors having exquisite sensitivity and selectivity for drug development, environmental sensing and POC-diagnostics; areas currently dominated by antibody based technologies. In Phase II we plan to pursue protein targets that are relevant to each of these market segments, in an effort streamline the commercialization process and establish a broad product portfolio.

Public Health Relevance:
The Combigen screening process being further developed in this phase II project will create molecular probes that specifically bind protein based targets. These probes will find applications in environmental sensing, point-of-care diagnostics and drug therapies.

Public Health Relevance:
This Public Health Relevance is not available.

Thesaurus Terms:
There Are No Thesaurus Terms On File For This Project.