Research Highlights
Vol.13, September 2018
Bioprinting technology to control the number of DNA Molecules to single molecule level
Contributing to high accuracy gene testing using reference DNA material containing well defined number of DNA molecules
The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is a high sensitivity method that is extensively for genetic testing with reports showing the detection of single DNA molecules by amplification. Specific applications include inspections of genetically modified organism foods, cancers, and infections. As part of such tests, it is important not to miss a specific DNA sequence (target gene) to be examined, and it is important that inspection agencies control of the quality of inspection instruments, reagents, and detection methods as a whole.
Some companies and research institutes have delivered reference material whose DNA types and densities are prescribed, but they are of high densities i.e. the number of DNA molecules is prescribed in mols (one mol is equivalent to 6.02×1023 DNA molecules). For use in low-density tests at an accuracy of 100 molecules or less, the reference material generally must be diluted. Thus, errors can occur in DNA molecule densities during the diluting process—the resulting samples may contain more DNA molecules than prescribed, or conversely no DNA molecules at all, when the required number of DNA molecules is less than ten.
With this background, Ricoh Company, Ltd., the National Agriculture and Food Research Organization (NARO), and FASMAC of the Nippon Flour Mills Group have collaborated to use bioprinting technology to produce new reference DNA material in which the absolute number of the DNA molecules is controlled in units of one. The reference material can be used in the quality control of genetic testers and reagents.
The three organizations developed a new method to produce reference DNA material, which enables production of reference materials suitable for genetic tests to detect specific DNAs, as in the inspection of GMO foods, cancers, and infections. The new reference DNA materials will increase the reliability of the tests.
Reference
Presented at the Bio International Convention in Boston, USA (June 4-7th, 2018) and Biotech in Tokyo, Japan (June 27-29th 2018).
Figure:
Figure 1
Overview of the new process developed for the manufacture of reference material, cells are genetically modified to have a target sequence inserted in them enabling the number of DNAs containing the target sequence to be counted.
Further information
Public Relations Public Relations, Ricoh
koho@ricoh.co.jp
Communications Planner, Food Research Institute, NARO
kohop-nfri@ml.affrc.go.jp
Public Relations, Nippon Flour Mills
f-kamei@nippn.co.jp
Biotechnological Research Support Division, FASMAC
public-relations@fasmac.co.jp
