Ace2 Gene Primers for Rapid Yeast Species Identification
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current diagnostic methods for yeast and fungal infections are slow, inaccurate, and fail to differentiate between species, particularly in immunocompromised patients, leading to delayed treatment and increased resistance to antifungal drugs.
Innovation Solution
Designing specific primers and probes targeting the Ace2 gene, which allows for the detection and discrimination of yeast and fungal species, including Candida species, using nucleic acid diagnostics that enable rapid and accurate identification.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional microbiological culture methods are used for detecting yeast and fungal infections, then the diagnostic process can be performed with simple equipment, but the detection time is very long (2-8 days) and sensitivity is poor (25-82%)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional microbiological culture methods (mechanical/biological system) with nucleic acid-based diagnostic methods. The diagnostic assay uses fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) with fluorescent probes that bind to specific ribosomal RNA sequences of yeast and fungal cells, enabling rapid detection within hours rather than days, while significantly improving sensitivity through molecular targeting.
2Measurement precision
If conventional diagnostic methods are used, then the testing procedure is simple, but the methods fail to differentiate between yeast and fungal species accurately
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by designing species-specific fluorescent probes that target unique ribosomal RNA sequences for different yeast and fungal species. Each probe is customized to bind to a specific species' genetic marker, enabling accurate differentiation between species (e.g., Candida albicans vs. Candida parapsilosis) while maintaining a standardized FISH assay platform.
3Speed
If nucleic acid-based diagnostics targeting rRNA genes are used, then detection speed is improved, but the high conservation of rRNA genes across fungal species reduces species-specific discrimination capability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent overcomes the high conservation problem by targeting specific variable regions within the ribosomal RNA genes (such as ITS1 and ITS2 interspersed spacer regions) that contain species-specific sequences. The fluorescent probes are designed to bind to these variable regions, enabling both rapid detection and accurate species differentiation simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the ribosomal RNA gene into distinct functional regions: highly conserved regions for rapid detection and variable interspersed spacer regions for species-specific identification. By using probes that target specific segments (particularly the ITS regions), the assay achieves both speed and precision.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The use of Ace2 gene-specific primers and probes facilitates early and precise diagnosis of yeast and fungal infections, enabling targeted therapy and reducing the risk of resistant strains by allowing differentiation between Candida species, thereby improving patient outcomes.
Implementation Method 1
an oligonucleotide probe capable of binding to at least a portion of the Ace2 gene or its corresponding mRNA
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4(a)~4(d)
AI summary
The present invention relates to nucleic acid primers and probes for use in the identification of one or more yeast species. More specifically the invention relates to the Ace2 gene, the corresponding RNA, specific probes, primers and oligonucleotides related thereto and their use in diagnostic assays to detect and / or discriminate between yeast species.