Out-licensing

Carbon Nanotube Transistor-Based Microarray Binding Sensors: Sequencing of DNA and Identification of miRNA Levels in Cancer

This technology consists of an apparatus containing microarray binding sensors having biological probe materials and carbon nanotube (CNT) transistors; and various methods of using the highly sensitive CNT transistors for the electronic detection of nucleic acid hybridization for performing microarray gene expression experiments.

Additionally, these methods can be used to detect DNA-DNA, DNA-RNA, Peptide Nucleic Acid (PNA) -DNA, PNA-RNA, DNA-protein or PNA-protein binding. By analogy to the microarray concept, each transistor is associated with a distinct probe oligonucleotide and is operated as a field effect transistor (FET). The transconductance between the source and drain electrodes is measured both before and after a hybridization event.

In addition to increased sensitivity and ease of use, this technology eliminates the need for chemical labelling and enzymatic manipulation. This design is distinct from other CNT-based biomolecular sensing schemes in that the CNT transistors function only as charge sensors and are completely isolated from chemical reactions concomitant with probe immobilization and target capture. In contrast, current methods rely on enzymatic amplification of nucleic acids, fluorescent labelled targets, hybridization, amplification of signal and detection by optical scanners, which are time consuming and have limited sensitivity.

The apparatus and methods can be used for numerous applications, including high-throughput monitoring of genome-wide DNA and mRNA copy number changes; sequencing of DNA; and identification of miRNA levels in cancer and of targets of transcription factors. Furthermore, given the intensity of effort in linking gene expression with diseases, it is only a matter of time before diagnosis and prognosis of certain ailments can be performed on the basis of gene expression. Presently, most such analyses require costly apparatus and labour-intensive laboratory procedures.

Conclusion

We have developed carbon nanotube transistor-based microarray binding sensors, which detect nucleic acid and protein levels with increased sensitivity and ease of use.

Relevance/Opportunity

The National Cancer Institute's Oncogenomics Section is seeking statements of capability or interest from parties interested in collaborative research to further develop, evaluate, or commercialize electronic detection of nucleic acid and protein levels. Please enquire quoting reference no. 662 PM.

Registered

U.S. Patent Application No. 60/743,524 filed 17 Mar 2006 U.S. Patent Application No. 11/723,369 filed 19 Mar 2007