Chemistry

The detection of DNA or RNA targets using nanoparticle probe technology entails: 

• Extraction of genomic DNA from a clinical sample and pipetting a small aliquot into a single-use, proprietary Test Cartridge. The genomic DNA is then sheared, via a proprietary sonication process, into 300-500 base-pair fragments in order to facilitate hybridization in subsequent steps;
• In the initial hybridization step, the sheared genomic DNA (target nucleic acid) is simultaneously hybridized to;
  • Single DNA base-specific capture oligonucleotides arrayed in replicate on a solid support (an array), and
  • Sequence-specific mediator oligonucleotides that detect single-copy DNA regions of each target of interest.
  • A washing step then follows that removes unhybridized gold nanoparticle probes;
• Silver signal amplification is then performed on the gold nanoparticle probes that are hybridized to captured DNA targets of interest;
• There then follows a washing step to remove unreacted signal amplification reagents;
• Qualitative analysis of results (slide reading) can now be performed on the Verigene^® Reader.