Imagine analyzing your DNA in 15 minutes. Imagine finding out your risk for cancer or drug reactions while you wait in a doctor’s office. Imagine testing for microorganisms, and within an hour, knowing what strain of bacteria or virus is present and what antibiotics you should take. Our goal is to develop simple methods to enable such rapid, personalized DNA diagnostics.

In the early 1990s, we modified the Nobel-prize winning technique, polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and made it ten times faster so that DNA can be amplified over a million–fold within 15 minutes. During the mid-late 1990s, we introduced the LightCycler® to watch DNA amplify in “real-time” using fluorescent dyes or hybridization probes. We specialize in technique development with prototype assembly of instrumentation and supporting software. We have worked closely with industry (Idaho Technology) for commercialization through NIH STTR and State of Utah Center of Excellence grants and have a close tie to clinical diagnostics through ARUP.

Currently, our laboratory is developing high-resolution DNA melting analysis for genotyping and mutation scanning. Two strands of DNA fall apart or “melt” if heated from 40°C to 95°C. Exactly how the DNA melts depends on its sequence. High-resolution melting is similar to high-definition TV or satellite imaging. The ability to collect high-density information allows us to magnify images and reveal greater detail. The “images” of DNA melting are simple fluorescence vs temperature plots, or melting curves. We can easily tell the difference between genotypes that differ in only a single base (the basic unit of DNA sequence). High-resolution melting takes only 1-2 minutes and can be performed in the same tube as real-time PCR without any additional cost. High-resolution melting is a powerful genetic analysis technique with advantages that include: 1) everything is done in solution (no physical separations are required), 2) the system is closed tube (no contamination risk), 3) no expensive probes or arrays are needed, and 4) the method is simple (no need for automation, reagent additions, or intermediate purification).

Staff

• Robert Pryor, Senior Laboratory Specialist, rob.pryor[at]path.utah.edu
• Gudrun (Gundi) Reed, Senior Laboratory Specialist, gundi.reed[at]path.utah.edu