Human papilloma virus strain detection utilising custom-designed oligonucleotide microarrays

Area of Science:

• Molecular Biology
• Genomics
• Infectious Disease Diagnostics

Background:

• Microarray technology has become a vital tool for pathogen strain detection over the last 15 years.
• Commercially available microarrays offer known DNA sequences for identifying specific strains in clinical samples.
• A limitation exists when novel sequences, not on commercial chips, require identification.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the use of an in situ oligonucleotide microarray platform for synthesizing custom microarrays.
• To demonstrate the capability of designing and synthesizing bespoke microarrays for specific research needs.
• To investigate the application of custom microarrays for discerning multiple Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) strains.

Main Methods:

• Utilisation of the Combimatrix B3 CustomArray platform for in situ microarray synthesis.
• Design of specific oligonucleotide probe sequences tailored to identify novel pathogen DNA.
• Hybridisation analysis to detect and differentiate between multiple HPV strains using synthesized microarrays.

Main Results:

• Successful synthesis of reusable, custom-designed oligonucleotide microarrays.
• Demonstrated ability to identify specific Human Papilloma Virus strains using the bespoke microarrays.
• The platform facilitates the detection of novel sequences not present in commercially available chips.

Conclusions:

• The Combimatrix B3 CustomArray platform provides a flexible solution for creating custom microarrays.
• This approach enables the identification of novel DNA sequences, advancing pathogen detection.
• Custom microarrays are effective for discerning multiple Human Papilloma Virus strains, enhancing diagnostic potential.