Method for Genetic Analysis of Plant Materials in Remote Testing Sites

Unmet Need
The study of plant genetics has immense economic impacts as many crops are genetically modified to increase yields or provide resistance to herbicides and diseases. Because of these changes, many genetically modified crops have been heralded as having great potential in developing countries. Even in the United States today, approximately 92% of cotton, corn, and soybean crops are genetically modified for various purposes. However, the current state of the art depends upon laboratory-bound techniques, which preclude the testing of plant samples directly at the site of acquisition. Specifically, today’s technology for plant DNA extraction, purification and analysis requires the use of conventional laboratory equipment including centrifuges, heat blocks and thermal cyclers. This technology is expensive and non-mobile, which leads to a plethora of logistical challenges for plant screening in remote locations around the globe. As plant genetic screening is increasingly important for developing countries and remote locations, there is a need for a method to enable genetic analysis of plant material at remote testing sites.
 
Technology Overview
The inventors have created a laboratory free method for genetic testing of plant DNA. The inventors believe that the two major technical bottlenecks in the implementation of genetic testing include: 1. laboratory- dependent sample processing steps for nucleic acid purification and 2. the need for trained personnel to operate instruments for complex biological assays. Thus, in order to overcome these issues, the inventors have implemented: 1. a simplified, temperature-compatible protocol for plant cell lysis, consisting of lysis reagents and a filter to separate large particles from the nucleic acid-containing solution; and 2. an automated nucleic acid purification and detection apparatus on a portable device by using integrated microfluidic approaches, such as droplet magnetofluidic assay platforms. These implementations together facilitate an automated, portable method of nucleic acid purification and analysis from an unpurified liquid sample.
Stage of Development
The technique has been tested for biomarker quantification and allelic discrimination. Further tests are being conducted.
 

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