|| The Electronic Detection of DNA Nanoballs Enables Simple Pathogen Detection Efficiently ||

|| Thursday: September 07: 2023 || ά. Researchers at the Karolinska Institute have developed a new method, using DNA Nanoballs, to detect pathogens, aiming to simplify nucleic acid testing and revolutionise pathogen detection. The results of the Study have been published in Science Advances, which could pave the way for a straightforward electronic-based test, capable of identifying various nucleic acids in diverse scenarios quickly and cheaply.

The researchers modified an isothermal DNA amplification reaction, termed as, LAMP, to generate tiny 01-02μM DNA nanoballs, if, the pathogen was present in the sample. These nanoballs are, then, directed through minute channels and identified electrically as they traverse between two electrodes. The method has demonstrated remarkable sensitivity detecting as few as 10 target molecules and rapid results under one hour, using a compact, motionless system.

The Principal Investigator Vicent Pelechano, an associate professor at the Karolinska Institute’s Department of Microbiology, Tumour and Cell Biology, is cautiously optimistic about the technology's potential to detect an array of pathogenic agents in real world settings.  “The methodology involves combining Molecular Biology, DNA Nanoball generation and electronics, electric impedance-based quantification, to yield a pioneering detection tool.” Says Vicent Pelechano.

“Fast and accurate detection of genetic material is key for diagnosis, especially so in response to the emergence of novel pathogens.” Says Vicent Pelechano. During the recent COVID-19 pandemic, the researchers saw an extensive use of protein-based diagnostics for rapid testing. However, these methods require time-consuming development of high-quality antibodies. In contrast, nucleic acid-based approaches offer greater ease of development, enhanced sensitivity and inherent flexibility, according to the researchers.

This new method, offering label-free detection, could hasten the rollout of new diagnostic kits. Integrating affordable mass-produced electronics with lyophilised reagents, the technology possesses the potential to provide a cheap, widely deployed and scalable point-of-care device.

The researchers commenced this work as an extension of their previous endeavors in Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification:LAMP, based detection of SARS-CoV-2 during the pandemic. Presently, the research team is actively exploring avenues to integrate this technology into domains, such as, environmental monitoring, food safety, virus and antimicrobial resistance detection. They are exploring avenues for licensing or, potentially, establishing a startup to capitalise on this technology, having recently applied for a patent for it.

The main financiers of the study are the Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation and research partners are Rutgers University and the Stanford Genome Technology Centre.

The Research: Digital assay for rapid electronic quantification of clinical pathogens using DNA nanoballs: Muhammad Tayyab, Donal Barrett, Gijs van Riel, Shujing Liu, Björn Reinius, Curt Scharfe, Peter Griffin, Lars M. Steinmetz, Mehdi Javanmard, Vicent Pelechano: Science Advances Online: September 06: 2023

Caption: Artistic depiction of the electric detection of a DNA nanoball. Image: Karolinska Institutet:Ella Maru Studio :::ω:::

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