Potential applications include easier diagnosis of infectious disease.
Xenomics developed a new method for the isolation of low molecular weight cell-free transrenal DNA (Tr-DNA) from urine. “Many of the available DNA isolation kits were designed for purification of large genomic DNA in blood or tissue specimens,” explains Dr. L. David Tomei, CEO and co-founder. “The new techniques are specifically designed to isolate Tr-DNA from simple urine specimens and can be used to detect the genetic signature of a broad variety of diseases in the body.”
“The small DNA markers in urine specimens can come from throughout the body and are recognized by the fact that they are clearly distinct from the body’s genetic makeup,” adds James Huggett, senior research fellow at The University College of London. “The detection of pathogen genetic components as transrenal DNA has the potential to revolutionize the diagnosis of infectious diseases like tuberculosis. The monitoring of pathogen DNA in the urine could greatly improve the use of available therapy and provide a valuable tool for assessing patient prognosis.”
The method is applicable to small and large volumes of urine and can be used for Tr-DNA preservation, storage, shipping, and purification. Xenomics plans to develop kits to accelerate the application of its Tr-DNA technology in different areas of DNA-based molecular diagnostics in humans and animals. Similar products will be developed for future clinical diagnostic tests, based on analysis of Tr-DNA.
