The goal of this project is to overcome limitations and high cost of current genome finishing methods. An integrated system, the UniTool(Tm), is proposed to be developed for fast and robust sequencing off BAC, YAC DNA by primer walking as well as for sequencing of homopolymer tracks in plasmid clones. Such system will be universally applicable for closing of hundreds of thousands of gaps, which have been generated during the """"""""working draft"""""""" phase of the Human Genome Sequencing Project and which will be generated in """"""""draft"""""""" phase of mouse and rat genome projects. During Phase I we will develop basic separate elements of the Unitool, which include, but not limited to, developing a cost effective dye terminator and dye-fimer BAC sequencing reactions, fimer design rules, selecting of """"""""helper"""""""" DNA binding proteins, methods for problem regions, and developing of a processive DNA polymerase. During Phase II these separate solutions will be tested for compatibility and general applicability, bundled with a software for fimer design and will be ultimately integrated into a universal solution for genome finishing.

Proposed Commercial Applications

The UniTool system will be the first comprehensive, """"""""crossplatform"""""""" solution to the problem of genome finishing. It will greatly increase the throughput of sequencing projects and drastically decrease their cost. UniTool will be compatible with automated operations at sequencing factories or service facilities and individual research by bench scientists.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI)
Type
Small Business Innovation Research Grants (SBIR) - Phase I (R43)
Project #
1R43HG002186-01A1
Application #
6337998
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG1-SSS-Y (10))
Program Officer
Felsenfeld, Adam
Project Start
2001-08-10
Project End
2002-02-09
Budget Start
2001-08-10
Budget End
2002-02-09
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
2001
Total Cost
$100,000
Indirect Cost
Name
Fidelity Systems, Inc.
Department
Type
DUNS #
City
Gaithersburg
State
MD
Country
United States
Zip Code
20879
Belova, Galina I; Prasad, Rajendra; Nazimov, Igor V et al. (2002) The domain organization and properties of individual domains of DNA topoisomerase V, a type 1B topoisomerase with DNA repair activities. J Biol Chem 277:4959-65
Slesarev, Alexei I; Mezhevaya, Katja V; Makarova, Kira S et al. (2002) The complete genome of hyperthermophile Methanopyrus kandleri AV19 and monophyly of archaeal methanogens. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 99:4644-9
Pavlov, Andrey R; Belova, Galina I; Kozyavkin, Sergei A et al. (2002) Helix-hairpin-helix motifs confer salt resistance and processivity on chimeric DNA polymerases. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 99:13510-5