This subproject is one of many research subprojects utilizing the resources provided by a Center grant funded by NIH/NCRR. The subproject and investigator (PI) may have received primary funding from another NIH source, and thus could be represented in other CRISP entries. The institution listed is for the Center, which is not necessarily the institution for the investigator. Ultrasensitive detection of specific RNA molecules is currently only feasible using amplification-based technologies (ie: RT-PCR), which are time consuming and subject to a host of errors due to the exponential nature of RNA amplification techniques. Accordingly, a demand exists for a rapid, sensitive, non-amplification-based RNA quantitation system, which will have a plethora of downstream uses, including microbial (ie: bioterror agent) detection and gene expression profiling from clinical samples (ie: biopsies). We are currently designing novel RNA capture assays that will utilize the sensitivity of surface plasmon coupled emission. A generic platform will detect and quantify model RNA molecules that may be easily expressed in human cell lines, while additional probes will be screened for detection of specific pathogens and the expression of cancer-related genes from biopsy samples.
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