Molecular Diagnostics

Diffinity’s selective adsorption technology could be used to create a hybridization assay for molecular diagnostic testing.  The technology is compatible with existing laboratory-based and point-of-care diagnostic systems.  It also enables the development of simple, inexpensive and rapid chip-based diagnostic systems.

Unlike many other hybridization assays, Diffinity Technology can be configured such that the hybridization step is independent of the assay so that molecular recognition (i.e. duplex formation) occurs rapidly under ideal conditions specified by the user and without the performance limiting constraints associated with hybridization at surfaces.

When a fluorescently-tagged probe of ss-DNA does not match a sequence in a target analyte, the fluorescently-tagged probe adsorbs on a Diffinity proprietary particle and its fluorescence is immediately quenched.  If the probe sequence is able to hybridize to the target, it will not adsorb on the particle and its fluorescence persists. Therefore, fluorescence indicates the presence of target sequence in the analyte. The amount of fluorescence is proportional to the amount of target present and enables quantitative measurements.

Schematic:  Hybridization Assay

 Diffinity proprietary particles can be used in a DNA hybridization assay to detect specific sequences that hybridize to a labeled probe (fluorescent, electrochemical, or radioactive).