NU 2014-071

Inventors

Chad Mirkin*

Chad Shade

Robert Kennedy

Short Description

Novel, highly sensitive reagent for detection of double stranded DNA in living cells 

Abstract

Northwestern scientists have developed a new reagent for detection of double stranded DNA in cells based on the well-known ruthenium DNA intercalator. Detection of specific genetic elements in live cells is key to understanding the onset and development of various human diseases. While several reagents to accomplish this already exist, many of them suffer from selectivity or detection issues, in addition to requiring toxic transfection reagents for intracellular delivery. This novel detection reagent from Prof. Mirkin's group can enter cells without transfection reagents, is more selective and specific for double stranded DNA than current alternatives and its fluorescence is completely quenched before the target sequence is identified. Further, this reagent could also be used for mRNA detection, localization and quantification, which may lead to development of innovative drug screening platforms.

Applications

• Intracellular detection of duplexed oligonucleotides
• Label-free luminescent staining agents
• Drug screening platforms

Advantages

• Enhanced photostability and selectivity
• Decreased background autofluorescense
• Longer luminescense lifetime
• No transfection reagents required

IP Status

Provisional patent application has been filed.

Tags NANOTECHNOLOGY: nanoparticles, MANUFACTURE/PROCESSES, RESEARCH TOOL: reagent