Single-Molecule DNA Detection via Hybridization Blockage
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current nucleic acid detection and quantification methods rely on PCR and labeled nucleotides, which are costly, prone to errors, and susceptible to contamination, and require amplification steps that are time-consuming and sensitive to contamination.
Innovation Solution
A method using physical techniques to denature and renature double-stranded nucleic acids, detecting blockages in renaturation to determine sequence information without the need for PCR or labeled nucleotides, employing single-stranded nucleic acids to block renaturation and measure physical parameters such as blockage position and duration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If PCR amplification is used to detect and quantify nucleic acids, then sensitivity is improved and small amounts of nucleic acid can be detected, but the process becomes time-consuming and highly prone to contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the PCR amplification step from the detection process. Instead of amplifying nucleic acids, the method directly detects and quantifies target nucleic acid molecules through hybridization with labeled probes, thereby removing the time-consuming amplification process while maintaining detection capability
Solution Approach 2:
The invention performs preliminary labeling of nucleic acid probes with fluorescent or other detectable labels before hybridization. This preliminary action enables direct detection of target molecules without requiring subsequent amplification steps, thus saving time while preserving sensitivity
2Measurement precision
If PCR amplification is used to detect and quantify nucleic acids, then sensitivity is improved and small amounts of nucleic acid can be detected, but the process becomes highly prone to contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the PCR amplification step from the detection process. Instead of amplifying nucleic acids, the method directly detects and quantifies target nucleic acid molecules through hybridization with labeled probes, thereby removing the time-consuming amplification process while maintaining detection capability
Solution Approach 2:
The invention performs preliminary labeling of nucleic acid probes with fluorescent or other detectable labels before hybridization. This preliminary action enables direct detection of target molecules without requiring subsequent amplification steps, thus saving time while preserving sensitivity
3Measurement precision
If labeled nucleotides are used in detection methods, then detection sensitivity is improved, but the overall costs increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses inexpensive, non-radioactive labels such as fluorescent dyes instead of expensive radioactive isotopes. These labels provide sufficient detection sensitivity without the high costs associated with radioactive materials, making the detection process more cost-effective while maintaining the ability to detect small amounts of nucleic acid
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 method allows for fast, cost-effective, and accurate detection and quantification of nucleic acid sequences without amplification or labeled probes, providing a competitive alternative to DNA chip technologies and enabling single-molecule resolution.
Implementation Method 1
The method is based on the hybridization of a single-stranded nucleic acid to a complementary target sequence
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a fast method for the detection and the quantification of a nucleic acid, DNA or RNA. Specifically, the invention provides a method for detecting and quantifying the presence of a specific nucleic acid molecule which is based on physical and electronic treatments. The method of the invention is particularly useful for applications as diverse as detection of chromosomal abnormal distributions or gene expression analysis.