New patented technology for next generation of DNA and RNA microarrays

[Guest guest]

New patented technology for next generation of DNA and RNA

microarrays

http://www.news-medical.net/?id=21895

A novel invention developed by a scientist from New York Institute

of Technology (NYIT) could revolutionize biological and clinical

research and may lead to treatments for cancer, AIDS, Alzheimer's,

diabetes, and genetic and infectious diseases.

Since the discovery of DNA, biologists have worked to unlock the

secrets of the human cell. Scientist Claude E. Gagna, Ph.D., an

associate professor at NYIT's School of Health Professions,

Behavioral and Life Sciences, discovered how to immobilize intact

double-stranded (ds-), multi-stranded or alternative DNA and RNA on

one microarray. This immobilization allows scientists to duplicate

the environment of a cell, and study, examine and experiment with

human, bacterial and viral genes. This invention provides the

methodology to analyze more than 150,000 non-denatured genes.

" This patent represents a leap forward from conventional DNA

microarrays that use hybridization, " says Gagna, a molecular

biologist-pathologist who performs research in the structure-

function of DNA in normal and diseased cells. " This will help

pharmaceutical companies produce new classes of drugs that target

genes, with fewer side effects, " he adds. " It will lower the cost

and increase the speed of drug discovery, saving millions of

dollars. "

The " Gagna/NYIT Multi-Stranded and Alternative DNA, RNA and Plasmid

Microarray, " has been patented (#6,936,461) in the United States and

is pending in Europe and Asia. Gagna's discovery will help

scientists understand how transitions in DNA structure regulate gene

expression (B-DNA to Z-DNA), and how DNA-protein, and DNA-drug

interactions regulate genes. The breakthrough can aid in genetic

screening, clinical diagnosis, forensics, DNA synthesis-sequencing

and biodefense.

In the near future, practical applications of the patent will

include enabling researchers to directly target and inhibit mutated

genes and/or proteins that are responsible for pathologies, making

it easier to treat or even cure disease. A discussion of the patent

and two new applications -- known as transitional structural

chemogenomics and transitional structural chemoproteomics -- was

published in the May 2006 issue of Medical Hypotheses (67:1099-1114).

Additionally, Gagna has developed a novel surface that increases the

adherence of the DNA to the microarray so that any type of nucleic

acid can be anchored. Unlike conventional microarrays, which

immobilize single-stranded DNA, scientists will now be able

to " secure intact, non-denatured, unaltered ds-DNA, triplex-,

quadruplex-, or pentaplex DNA onto the microarray, " says

Gagna. " With this technology, one day we will have tailor-made

molecular medicine for patients. "

Invented in 1991, DNA microarrays have become one of the most

powerful research tools. Scientists are able to perform thousands of

experiments with incredible accuracy and speed. According to

MarketResearch.com, by 2009, sales of DNA microarrays are projected

to be more than $5.3 billion a year.

Gagna, a resident of Palisades Park, N.J., performs research in his

lab at New York College of Osteopathic Medicine of NYIT. He is an

adjunct assistant professor at the New Jersey Medical School:

Department's of Pathology and Medicine. Gagna earned a Doctor of

Philosophy in anatomy and biochemistry from New York University

(NYU), Basic Medical Sciences. He completed his postdoctoral work at

NYU and at New Jersey Medical School, researching DNA. Gagna

received a Master of Science in anatomy from Fairleigh Dickinson

University, and a Bachelor of Science in biology from St. s

College.

http://www.nyit.edu/dnamicroarrays