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Diagnostic Biological Tests/Assays/Genomics/Pretomics

Latest Innovations
A DNA-Based Diagnostic Test for the Identification of Individuals having the Mutation causing the Ectodermal Dysplasia (ED) Genetic Defect in Sheep Researchers from the University of Illinois have identified a new inhibitor of the androgen receptor (AR), CPIC, that would be effective in the treatment of... Read More Researchers from the University of Illinois have identified a new inhibitor of the androgen receptor (AR), CPIC, that would be effective in the treatment of Castration Resistant Prostate Cancer (CRPC). CPIC targets a novel site on the full-length and truncated forms of the AR, present in the CRPC. Initial in vivo data has demonstrated that this new class of compounds is capable of inhibiting growth of prostate cancer cells. Furthermore, CPIC has shown to be 40x more potent against the truncated AR compared to current small molecules against the truncated AR.
Lipoprotein Nanoplatelets: Fluorescent, Zwitterionic Probes for Molecular and Cellular Imaging Dr. Smith has developed a new class of water-stable nanoplatelets encapsulated in lipoproteins. Nanoplatelets are bright single-molecule emitters, comparable to... Read More Dr. Smith has developed a new class of water-stable nanoplatelets encapsulated in lipoproteins. Nanoplatelets are bright single-molecule emitters, comparable to quantum dots, but with substantially narrower bandwidths. The nanoparticles retain their fluorescence after internalization in cells and thus are suitable for live-cell single-molecule imaging.
Microfluidic Chromatin Immunoprecipitation Device for Epigenomic Analysis Researchers from the University of Illinois have created a process for the epigenomic analysis of single cells. This process combines the uses of single cell... Read More Researchers from the University of Illinois have created a process for the epigenomic analysis of single cells. This process combines the uses of single cell microfluidics and chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) for the analysis of DNA modifications in single cells.This technology has the potential to greatly decrease the number of cells needed from a biopsy to test for different cancers. It may also allow the study of traveling cell cancers that are only present in very small almost undetectable quantities.
DNA Sequencing Systems Using Nanoscale Field Effect Sensor Arrays This invention is a novel approach to performing DNA sequencing-by-synthesis methodology that is anticipated to make DNA sequencing routine, highly accurate and... Read More This invention is a novel approach to performing DNA sequencing-by-synthesis methodology that is anticipated to make DNA sequencing routine, highly accurate and affordable. The approach is a silicon-based field effect nanoscale sensor array using a sequence-by-synthesis methodology. PCR is performed locally in each pixel through the use of recently developed methods for heating fluid using a silicon field effect sensor, and then the amplified molecules in the pixel are detected in a label-free electrical manner where the added charge during the synthesis process is detected using the same thin-film SOI transistor. Cost is significantly reduced since the nucleotides do not need a fluorescent label, there is no need for gel electrophoresis, and the entire machinery of optical signal processing is unnecessary. In addition, since the silicon field effect sensors when used in a nanoscale dimension can be very sensitive and detect the charge from just a few molecules, it is quite feasible that the PCR amplification can be utilized with very few cycles. Reduction of PCR cycling would reduce the usage of costly reagents. The information retrieval can be scaled and the information obtained per unit time is maximized.
New Way to Detect DNA Changes Researchers from the University of Illinois have identified a new, cheaper and easier way to detect methylation (alterations) of DNA. By measuring the methylation... Read More Researchers from the University of Illinois have identified a new, cheaper and easier way to detect methylation (alterations) of DNA. By measuring the methylation of certain DNA sequences, doctors can predict the likelihood of cancers and other disorders. This early detection has the potential to save lives.
Near Ultraviolet-Wavelength Photonic-Crystal Biosensor with Enhanced Surface-to-Bulk Sensitivity Ratio Biosensors based on one- or two-dimensional photonic-crystal reflectance filters operating at near-ultraviolet wavelengths. The biosensors feature a tightly... Read More Biosensors based on one- or two-dimensional photonic-crystal reflectance filters operating at near-ultraviolet wavelengths. The biosensors feature a tightly confined resonant electric field at the surface of this biosensor and provide a high surface-sensitivity to bulk-sensitivity ratio, enabling enhanced detection resolution for biomolecules adsorbed on the biosensor surface. These new biosensors can be fabricated in mass by replica molding and are especially well suited for applications requiring the detection of small molecules or ultra-low analyte concentrations.
Distributed Feedback Laser Biosensor A biosensor based upon a vertically emitting, distributed feedback (DFB) laser. The DFB laser comprises a replica-molded, one- or two-dimensional dielectric... Read More A biosensor based upon a vertically emitting, distributed feedback (DFB) laser. The DFB laser comprises a replica-molded, one- or two-dimensional dielectric grating coated with a laser dye-doped-polymer as the gain medium. A sensor is also described in which the grating layer and the active layer are combined into a single layer. DFB lasers using an inorganic or organic thin film with alternating regions of high and low index of refraction as the active layer are also disclosed. The sensor actively generates its own narrowband high intensity light output without stringent requirements for coupling alignment, thereby resulting in a simple, robust illumination and detection configuration.
Project Diagnosis of Trimethylaminuria with a Handheld Optoelectronic Nose The inventors have developed a sensitive handheld device which can detect TMA vapors at concentrations well below the diagnostically significant... Read More The inventors have developed a sensitive handheld device which can detect TMA vapors at concentrations well below the diagnostically significant concentration of TMA. Current methods require expensive instrumentation, complicated preparation of sensors, lack of portability, and long times of analysis. Benefits Method of detection not limited to handheld devices (which the manuscript addresses) First report of a line reader/sensor for a biological application Novel method of TMA detection
Nanoporous Organic Semiconductor Thin Films Fabrication Dr. Ying Diao has identified a new nanoporous thin film fabrication method using simple solution processing methods applicable to both polymer... Read More Dr. Ying Diao has identified a new nanoporous thin film fabrication method using simple solution processing methods applicable to both polymer and small molecule semiconductors. Using the novel additive method, she has developed a OFET chemical sensors comprising of nanoporous thin film. Templated by the nanostructured PVP:HAD layer, the pore sizes in the semiconductor layer are widely tunable from 50 nm to 1µm. Compared to the currently available sensors, the invention exhibited ultrafast and ultrasensitive response to ammonia as well as formaldehyde molecules down to 1ppb at hundred-millisecond time scale, a breakthrough of 10-fold sensitivity enhancement. The excellent performance, simple fabrication, and diverse form-factors of nanoporous transistors has opened up a wide range of applications of the invention in the fields of personal health and environmental monitoring, both fields which demand sensors with high sensitivity on the ppb level with fast response.
Method for Short Run-Time Spatial Gene Analysis Dr. Rashid Bashir has developed a novel method for spatial gene analysis that removes the need for purification and homogenizing steps typical in RNA amplification... Read More Dr. Rashid Bashir has developed a novel method for spatial gene analysis that removes the need for purification and homogenizing steps typical in RNA amplification techniques. This method combines microfabrication and bioengineering in a unique manner that allows for spatial gene analysis in 2 hours or less. The method uses a chip patterned with thousands of picoliter microwells with sharp edges that pixelate the tissue without cross contamination. This preserves spatial data and allows amplification in each microwell.

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