Wisconsin Patent of the Month – October 2023
Traditional nucleic acid purification methods often involve cumbersome, time-consuming, and costly processes, necessitating specialized equipment and skilled operators. GoDx Inc. has addressed these challenges head-on by introducing a new method for separating nucleic acids from complex sample matrices.
Their invention centers around the utilization of nucleic-acid-capture microspheres, specifically soda-lime-borosilicate microspheres. The method involves a series of steps, commencing with the contact of a sample lysate with these microspheres within a microsphere-separating device, forming a lysate dispersion.
The lysate dispersion comprises a lysate continuous phase and a particulate phase, with the latter containing the nucleic-acid-capture microspheres and the adsorbed nucleic acids obtained from the sample. Here’s where the brilliance of their approach shines. GoDx Inc. employs buoyancy-activated separation, eliminating the need for electric power or expensive laboratory equipment. Unlike traditional methods, this innovative process offers rapid separation, making it ideal for point-of-need medical testing.
The method includes the mechanical separation of the lysate continuous phase from the particulate phase and the subsequent elution of the nucleic acids from the microspheres. Washing steps may be incorporated to ensure the highest quality results.
They have developed a comprehensive approach that encompasses the entire workflow, including nucleic acid amplification. Following separation, the nucleic acids are amplified, either through a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique or an isothermal amplification technique, depending on the specific requirements of the application.
This groundbreaking method enables the detection of nucleic acids indicative of pathogens or cells. The approach is not limited to a single target sequence; it can address a multiplicity of target sequences, making it versatile for various diagnostic scenarios.
GoDx was founded by Dr. Kim to improve global health. When he heard that diarrheal diseases count for 1 in 9 child deaths worldwide, the second leading cause of death among children under the age of 5, he knew he found his calling. With ten years of experience in the diagnostic industry, he saw the unmet need for diagnostics testing for all people that could be solved with the low-cost point of care diagnostics. Since 2017, Dr. Kim has been awarded multiple grants to help pursue this passion.
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