Improved approach to RNA and protein recognition for pathogen detection

摘要

We are developing (U.S.Air Force, SBIR) a proprietary technology, based on the enzyme Q-beta replicase, to very rapidly detect and identify microorganisms (rRNA), virions (particularly RNA-based) and proteins of interest for pathogen detection. This enzyme is known to amplify a specific RNA signal one billion-fold in less than fifteen minutes at a constant temperature of 37 deg C. RNA probes are made in "halves" that are joined to each other after their terminal ends are brought into proximity mediated by the binding to the target. Only such a full-length molecule can be amplified. We have demonstrated specific examples of recognition of RNA target sequences of interest in species of Bacillus and are investigating methods for overcoming the well-known promiscuity of the enzyme so that this recognition feature can be utilized with confidence, even in the presence of dirty backgrounds.