Researchers Develop Nanopore Measurement Technique

A research team, led by Professor Ken Shepard from Columbia Engineering in partnership with researchers from the University of Pennsylvania, has developed a measuring technique for nanopores by devising a customized IC (integrated circuit) utilizing commercial semiconductor technology.

Nanopores are miniscule pores in a thin membrane that are capable of detecting single biomolecules like proteins and DNA with a minimal error when compared to the accuracy of other devices. Nanopores can perform rapid DNA sequencing at lower cost, but they emit weaker signals. Hence, it is necessary to cleanly measure them.

Jacob Rosenstein, one of the researchers, stated that the researchers obtained clean signals by placing the microscopic amplifier chip straightaway into a liquid chamber adjacent to the nanopore, allowing them to see individual molecules to traverse the nanopore within 1 ms. Earlier, researchers could only view molecules that reside in the nanopore for over 10 ms.

Shepard's team, which has been working on single-molecule measurements for years, turned towards nanopore sensors after attending a seminar delivered by Professor Marija Drndic from the University of Pennsylvania, at Columbia Engineering in 2009. Drndic’s team developed the nanopores, while Rosenstein devised the novel electronics and performed most of the laboratory work.

Drndic explained that the researchers integrated the highly sensitive solid-state nanopores with the highly sensitive electronics to develop faster electronics. Rosenstein informed that the nanopore measurement setup is easy and portable and eliminates the need for a complex microscope or other high powered tools. The nanopore technology shows promise to play a major role in DNA sequencing and other medical applications in the near future.

Shepard's group is working on upgrading these techniques. According to Shepard, it is possible to achieve a further 10X enhancement using a next-generation design, which allows the measurement of molecules that last for only 100 ns. His group is also involved in other electronic single-molecule methods built upon carbon nanotube transistors that are capable of leveraging similar electronic circuits.

Real-Time DNA Detection in a Lab-On-A-Chip and Computer USB Platform

Recent advances in DNA detection show promise for Lab-On-A-Chip, point-of-use technologies. Now, DNA Electronics is partnering with geneOnyx to deliver this real-time concept. The Genalysis® technology is a rapid, simple sample-to-answer platform for nucleic acid detection. The Genalysis® three-step system will enable even unskilled users to perform accurate nucleic acid tests any time, anywhere. This is a pipette-free, lab-free system which redefines "point-of-care" nucleic acid testing. A sample preparation kit which involves just a couple of simple manual steps takes in a sample (e.g. a swab or saliva sample) and delivers purified DNA to the chip. The chip is plugged into a USB stick or other electronic device to give a test result within around 30 minutes. Below is an in-depth review of the technology and it's applications.

DNA Electronics Ltd. a developer of semiconductor solutions for real-time DNA and RNA detection, today announces that it has licensed its ground-breaking Genalysis® technology platform for rapid, lab-free DNA detection to geneOnyx, a company that is delivering on-the-spot genetic analytics services for cosmetics and skincare applications. Following a successful evaluation of the DNA Electronics’ USB-based Genalysis® lab-free platform, the two companies are announcing a commercial license and supply agreement that grants geneOnyx access to DNA Electronics’ real-time Genalysis® platform for cosmetic applications. This agreement will deliver the world’s first commercial application of a true sample-to-answer, easy-to-use and low-cost DNA testing platform – bringing on-site, over-the-counter services to the retail industry for the first time.

DNA Electronics’ Genalysis® is a real-time platform for nucleic acid testing, delivering accurate, point-of-need results within 30 minutes using just a simple sample processing kit and interchangeable test cartridges plugged into a USB stick or other electronic reader. The Genalysis® platform enables truly user-friendly, rapid, lab-free and pipette-free DNA analysis products for a variety of medical and consumer applications. While this licensing and supply agreement launches DNA Electronics in its first non-IVD market for test panels selected by geneOnyx, pilot trials for clinical diagnostics using Genalysis® will also begin later this year. DNA Electronics – a privately-held company – was founded by semiconductor and medical technology pioneer Professor Chris Toumazou FRS, FREng, based on his key 2001 invention of detecting protons released during DNA synthesis using a standard silicon-chip based transistor – culminating in the world’s first DNA analysis on unmodified CMOS technology. DNA Electronics already has worldwide non-exclusive licensing agreements with Roche’s 454 Life Sciences and Ion Torrent (Life Technologies Inc.) for the field of semiconductor sequencing, enabling these global leaders to access certain parts of the DNA Electronics proprietary technology portfolio.

Through this latest agreement, DNA Electronics will supply to geneOnyx its proprietary sample-to-answer DNA testing technology Genalysis® for the consumer cosmetics and skincare market. geneOnyx will provide an individually-tailored recommendation service for selecting optimal skincare and cosmetic products for individuals based on a scientific analysis of the person’s genetic variations and how well a person’s body will react to active product ingredients. geneOnyx’s recommendations service leverages the unique ability of the Genalysis® platform to provide on-the-spot results and connectivity to geneOnyx’s cloud- based system without needing to send a sample to a laboratory for analysis.

The Genalysis® platform processes a saliva sample from a mouth swab using a sample preparation kit designed for unskilled users which delivers purified, amplification-ready DNA to the CMOS-based test cartridge using just a couple of simple manual steps. The test cartridge then simultaneously amplifies and detects genetic signatures in the DNA when plugged into a USB stick or other electronic device. The simple three-step Genalysis® process of “swab, twist, test” was designed by DNA Electronics to overcome the fact that most nucleic acid tests, even those described as point-of-care, still require laboratory steps such as pipetting and centrifugation, and use expensive instrumentation.

Commenting on the announcement, Prof. Toumazou said: “This agreement makes lab-free semiconductor solutions for DNA analysis a commercial reality for both medical and non- medical markets – from personalised medicine to anti-ageing skincare.” He added: “With our microchip-based Genalysis® platform, we are able to screen genetic information more quickly, more accurately and more cost-effectively than ever before. Our partnership with geneOnyx delivers the first in a new breed of fast, user-friendly and consumerised DNA analysis services, and it is a key part of our roadmap to actively work with customers to deliver innovative solutions and services around these ground-breaking on-the-spot tests. By making this technology really affordable, we are enabling transformative services for retail “cosmeceutical” markets, wellness applications, pharmaceutical drug response and more. The opportunities are extremely exciting and DNA Electronics is open to working with other committed Early Access customers to develop Genalysis® tests for applications that solve their business needs.”

DNA Electronics is a developer of semiconductor solutions for real-time nucleic acid detection which enables faster, simpler and more cost-effective DNA analysis platforms. The company’s IP portfolio includes techniques for monitoring nucleotide insertions using ion- sensitive transistors, enabling label-free electronic DNA sequencing and diagnostics platforms using standard CMOS microchip technology. DNA Electronics (DNAe) has developed the Genalysis® platform of disposable sample-to-answer silicon chip-based solutions for real-time nucleic acid sequence detection at the point-of-need, providing end users with technology as yet unavailable outside a laboratory.

The Genalysis® platform uses interchangeable, disposable “lab-on-chip” cartridges and pipette-free sample preparation kits to give fast and accurate portable molecular tests with all the appeal of consumer electronics: anytime, anywhere. Each cartridge can be tailored to any sequence of interest, making this a customizable semiconductor technology amenable to a wide variety of applications and markets, including personalized medicine and infection screening. The ability to accurately detect DNA in real-time using a standalone, fully portable, low power electronic readout presents disruptive new opportunities in diagnostics, data capture and therapy.

geneOnyx provides a service that offers the world’s first over the counter genetic test with on- the-spot results. The service provides tailored recommendations related to skincare ingredients and associated genetics to select the optimal skincare and cosmetic products.

geneOnyx’ CosMosTM cloud technology provides a comprehensive SMPTM library, a unique mapping database based on geneOnyx’s extensive research into cosmetic product active ingredients, our genes and how the compounds are metabolised. By mapping the relationship between active ingredients and the genetic variations, this continually updated database allows geneOnyx to perform a completely personalised analysis of the effectiveness of products designed to address skin issues.