mRNA Proxy Blood Testing With Minimal Sample Volume
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current blood tests require invasive venipuncture and significant blood volumes, leading to iatrogenic anemia and limiting their use as frequent health monitors.
Innovation Solution
A method involving RNA extraction from a small blood sample, determining mRNA levels of predictive genes, and converting these levels into blood test results, allowing for non-invasive and less burdensome blood component analysis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If standard blood tests are conducted using venipuncture, then accurate blood component analysis is achieved, but significant blood volume is required and invasive procedures are needed
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and measures mRNA molecules from blood cells as proxy indicators for blood component levels. By isolating and quantifying specific mRNA transcripts (e.g., beta-actin for red blood cells, albumin for liver function), the method obtains accurate blood test results from minimal blood samples without requiring direct measurement of the blood components themselves.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses mRNA molecules as intermediary biomarkers that correlate with blood component levels. Instead of directly measuring blood components like red blood cells or liver enzymes, the method measures mRNA expression levels that serve as proxies, enabling indirect but accurate assessment of blood status from small samples.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple tubes of blood are collected for comprehensive panels, then complete health assessment is achieved, but frequency of blood collection increases causing iatrogenic anemia
Solution Approach 1:
The invention enables a single small blood sample to provide comprehensive health information across multiple organ systems. By measuring mRNA levels of different gene panels (hematology genes for blood cells, chemistry genes for liver/kidney function, thyroid genes for endocrine status), one blood draw replaces what previously required multiple separate blood collections for different test panels.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the measurement parameter from direct blood component quantification to mRNA expression level measurement. This parameter change allows comprehensive assessment of multiple physiological systems from minimal blood volume, as mRNA levels reflect the functional state of various organs and tissues without requiring large blood volumes.
3Reliability
If venipuncture is performed by technicians in laboratories, then proper blood collection is ensured, but patient convenience and accessibility are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The invention enables patients to perform blood collection themselves using simple capillary blood sampling methods (fingerstick or heel prick). The assay protocol is designed to work with these self-collected samples, allowing patients to obtain comprehensive health monitoring without requiring visits to laboratories or interaction with phlebotomists, while still achieving reliable results.
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
Enables accurate blood component analysis with minimal blood volume, reducing the risk of anemia and enabling convenient, frequent health monitoring.
Implementation Method 1
extracting an RNA from a blood sample
Implementation Method 2
determining the mRNA level of the predictive gene in the blood sample
Data Source
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AI summary
The present disclosure relates to alternative methods of conducting standard blood chemistry tests, the methods typically comprising: extracting an RNA from a blood sample, determining a mRNA level of a predictive gene in the blood sample, and converting the mRNA level of the predictive gene into the blood test result of the target blood component. The present disclosure also relates to blood test for performing the proxy methods. The blood test includes a plasmid with at least an exon of a predictive gene, a reagent for detecting a mRNA level of the predictive gene, and a reagent for detecting a mRNA level of a housekeeping gene.