| 2023-MAO-70050 | |
| Researchers at Purdue have developed a new technique for synthesizing small (≥16 nucleotides), single stranded DNA (ssDNA) circles that are resistant to exonucleases. The ssDNA circles are produced at high concentrations (100 µM) and with a high yield (97%) using already commonly utilized T4 DNA ligase. Current methods for producing ssDNA circles cannot cyclize ssDNA that are shorter than 20 nucleotides (nt) and, because linearization is favored over cyclization precursor concentrations of more than 1 µM, large scale production is impractical. These limitations to produce small ssDNA circles also in-turn, limit the scope for development of new therapeutics or diagnostic tools to DNA sequences that are ≥20 nt. Applications for ssDNA include suppressing protein expression and pathogenic miRNA with anti-sense oligos, design of aptamers to bind to target molecules, and using ssDNA circles as a template for rolling circle amplification. Additionally, cyclization of the ssDNA removes the free ends that are otherwise exposed in its linear form, making it resistant to exonuclease degradation and increasing its lifetime in the body. Technology Validation: The resistance to exonucleases of the circular ssDNA produced by the researchers was confirmed by immersion in 10% fetal bovine serum for 14 hours, with no obvious degradation observed. This was compared to the same length of linear ssDNA as a control, which showed degradation after 1 hour and complete dissolution by 14 hours. Advantages: - Synthesize DNA circles ≥16 nt. - High throughput. - Exonuclease resistant - Familiar protocol and materials - Broadly applicable Applications: - Biomedical therapeutics - Biosensing - Nanotechnology |
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Jan 13, 2023
Provisional-Gov. Funding
United States
(None)
(None)
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Purdue Office of Technology Commercialization The Convergence Center 101 Foundry Drive, Suite 2500 West Lafayette, IN 47906 Phone: (765) 588-3475 Fax: (765) 463-3486 Email: otcip@prf.org |
