Technology
Current methods of identifying abnormal expression of genetic markers are based on monitoring either the protein (using antibodies) or RNA levels (micro array chip technology). These are monitored as the products of the aberrantly expressing genes. These methods are fundamentally impaired by:
- Sensitivity – the method requires a significant amount of material. It also relies on the stability (half-life) of the chosen protein and or RNA targets.
- Reproducibility – a requirement for duplicate if not triplicate tests, due to the intrinsic fluctuations and variability in levels of both RNA and protein products.
- Requirement for the samples to be of a very high quality – RNA-based micro array tests are vulnerable to RNA degradation.
In addition, while many current “disease” genes are easily identified (in particular in the field of oncology), such genes are known to change expression patterns as the disease progresses but there is no practical way of monitoring such changes.
To address this issue, OBD has developed a new technology called Chromosome Conformation Fingerprinting (CCF). The Chromosomal Confirmation Fingerprinting (CCF) technology is comprised of two basic components which are described in more detail below.
- Chromosome Conformation Capture (3C) Assay – a non-proprietary DNA-based PCR-amplified assay for detection of long-range chromosomal interactions between any chromosomal sites of choice.
- Unique Pattern Recognition analysis software - proprietary algorithms that identify chromosomal sites of choice which are implicated in abnormal gene expression and which are used in the 3C assay detection.
Once these markers are identified, OBD then develops primers which can be used in standard laboratory tests as commercial assays. The technology is being transferred to the diagnostic industry standards of being highly reliable, fast and with high throughput capacity.