Artificial Nucleotide Markers for Genetic Material Traceability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current nucleic acid detection techniques face challenges such as cross-contamination, sample traceability, and inhibitory substances, which can lead to inaccurate results and increased complexity and cost in testing processes.

Innovation Solution

The use of artificially-generated nucleotide sequences as markers that encode specific information, allowing for simultaneous amplification and sequencing with target nucleic acid sequences, enabling detection of cross-contamination, ensuring sample traceability, and identifying inhibitory substances by being subjected to the same amplification and sequencing conditions as the sample.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional PCR and control methods are used, then target nucleic acid detection is achieved, but cross-contamination and sample mix-ups occur leading to inaccurate results

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccuracy of detection resultsVSAvoidcross-contamination and sample mix-ups

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A unique artificial nucleotide sequence (marker) is introduced as an intermediary element that is amplifiable by the same primers as the target sequence. This marker serves as a traceable identifier that distinguishes authentic samples from contaminants, allowing detection of cross-contamination and sample mix-ups while maintaining the original detection function

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention creates a copy of the amplifiable sequence that is artificially generated and unique to each sample. This copied sequence (marker) contains the same primer binding sites as the target but has a distinct internal sequence that can be used for identification and traceability without interfering with the original target detection

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

2Reliability

If artificial targets are introduced to detect inhibitory substances, then inhibition monitoring is achieved, but the procedure becomes complex and less reliable

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection of inhibitory substancesVSAvoidcomplexity of testing procedure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The unique artificial nucleotide sequence serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as an internal control for detecting inhibitory substances, provides sample identification for traceability, and enables detection of cross-contamination. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate artificial targets and multiple testing procedures

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention merges the functions of inhibitory substance detection, sample identification, and contamination monitoring into a single integrated system using the unique artificial nucleotide sequence. The marker is amplified and sequenced together with the target in the same reaction, simplifying the overall procedure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If separate control samples are used for each batch of testing, then sensitivity and specificity requirements are met, but the complexity and cost of testing operations increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesensitivity and specificityVSAvoidcomplexity of testing operation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Each sample becomes self-sufficient with its own unique artificial nucleotide sequence embedded within it. This internal marker serves as a built-in control that travels with the sample through all processing steps, eliminating the need for separate batch-specific control samples and reducing operational complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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

This approach provides reliable detection of cross-contamination and sample origin, ensures accurate amplification and sequencing results, and reduces the complexity and cost of testing by integrating internal controls directly into the sample processing.

Implementation Method 1

carrying out a nucleic acid amplification procedure employing the primers to produce an amplicon containing the characteristic sequence

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectNucleic acid amplification:

Implementation Method 2

sequencing at least part of the characteristic sequence to confirm the presence the target nucleic acid in the sample

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDNA sequencing:

Data Source

PatentUS8785130B2Use of markers including nucleotide sequence based codes to monitor methods of detection and identification of genetic material

Publication Date: 2014.07.22 BIO ID DIAGNOSTIC

AI summary

Disclosed is the use of artificially-generated nucleic acid coded markers to monitor nucleic acid amplification and sequencing reactions designed to detect or analyze biological samples. The markers generally include, along with a unique sequence preferably including coded section designed to represent one or more factors of interest, primer annealing sequences so that the marker may be amplified and sequenced in the same process and using the same amplification and sequencing primers as for the sample target. The invention also relates to the marker itself, and other uses, such as identifying the origin of various materials or products.