NU 2024-199

INVENTORS

• Yogesh Goyal*
• Emanuelle Grody
• Elena Martinelli

SHORT DESCRIPTION
The technology, called SALVE (Single-cell Amplified Libraries for Variant isoform Enrichment)-seq, is an innovative experimental and computational workflow designed to detect rare RNA isoforms in single cells. Compared to existing single cell RNA sequencing (scRNAseq) technologies, SALVEseq is more sensitive and can more readily detect rare RNA isoforms. This technology offers a high throughput format so can be applied to the analysis of rare populations of cells. The current application of this technology is being used to selectively enrich for rare HIV viral isoforms to study the interplay with the host cell whole transcriptome and to optimize HIV latency reversal treatments.

ABSTRACT
SALVEseq advances the field of single-cell RNA sequencing by enabling the selective enrichment of rare HIV isoforms within sequencing libraries, allowing for unprecedented resolution in studying the interactions between host cells and viruses. By utilizing a valuable byproduct of single-cell RNA sequencing workflows, SALVEseq offers a cost-effective and adaptable solution applicable to various viral infection contexts. It maintains the high throughput nature of single-cell RNA-seq and has high sensitivity for extremely rare isoforms, which make it particularly useful for profiling rare cells and detecting elusive viral RNAs in the context of the host cell transcriptome. This technology has the potential to contribute significantly to the development of new antiviral strategies and enhance understanding of infection dynamics. Furthermore, SALVEseq can be easily adapted to detect rare RNA isoforms outside of viral infections, such as neuronal degeneration and liver regeneration, and therefore has potential as a diagnostic tool in wide-ranging fields.

APPLICATIONS

• HIV drug discovery - Combined HIV and host cell transcriptome analysis facilitates discovery of latency reversal treatments.
• Research and development for other viral infections:
  • SIV, Epstein-Barr, CMV, HSV
• Research and development for other indications:
  • Neurodegenerative disease, Cancer, Liver regeneration

ADVANTAGES

• Higher sensitivity - Recovers rare RNAs isoforms not detectable with current methods
• High throughput - Enables analysis of rare cells
• User friendly - Provides simple implementation, customization, and efficiency
• Flexible - Adapts to a variety of disease indications

IP STATUS

PCT Patent Application WO2026090533A1 Filed.