Detection of DNA Lesions and Adducts Using Nanopores

University of Utah Technology Commercialization Office
posted on 03/31/2011

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Invention Description: Damage of DNA nucleobases can be attributed to various factors such as exposure to carcinogens, radiation and oxidative agents. As a result, DNA damage is often associated with cellular apoptosis and tumor development. The development of methods for the detection and diagnostic of DNA damage is necessary to better provide treatment and preventative care. This technology is focused on developing a chemical and physical method to detect damaged DNA nucleobases by forming an adduct that would control the speed of a single-stranded DNA molecule moving through a membrane-bound protein nanopore upon application of electric field. In particular, 8-oxoguanosine is used as a well known biomarker of oxidative DNA damage on the cellular level to form various adducts to identify the location of damaged nucleobases.

Market Applications: Compared to existing technologies for detecting DNA damage currently on the market, this technology addresses the issues of sequencing the DNA molecule, increased sensitivity, identification the DNA lesion and its location. As a result, research and industrial communities will benefit from application of this technology in studying oxidative damage of DNA, mutagenesis, cancer related diseases and development of medical diagnostic tools.

Features, Benefit & Advantages:
This technology allows for quantitative detection of a lesion and identification of neighboring sequence in the DNA molecule with high sensitive. For example, with the help of this technology human tissue samples can be tested for oxidative stress with high sensitivity.

Intellectual Property: A provisional patent application has been filed with the U.S. Patent and Trademark.

Development Stage: This technology is part of an active and ongoing research program and has been demonstrated to work in proof-of-concept experiments and includes a working prototype. It is also available for developmental research support and licensing under either exclusive or non-exclusive terms.

Related Research & Publications:
Dr. Burrows' web page: http://www.chem.utah.edu/directory/faculty/burrows.html

Dr. White's web page: http://www.chem.utah.edu/directory/faculty/white.html

Keywords: DNA damage, 8-oxoguanine, nanopores, oxidative stress, mutagenesis, medical diagnostics.