Electricity-free, sequential nucleic acid and protein isolation.

Area of Science:

• Biotechnology
• Molecular Diagnostics
• Public Health

Background:

• Emerging and traditional pathogens pose significant global health risks, particularly in regions lacking advanced laboratory infrastructure.
• Rapid, field-based diagnostic tools are crucial for timely disease identification and improved patient prognosis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a low-cost, portable system for simultaneous nucleic acid and protein isolation from biological samples.
• To enable field-based pathogen identification and disease marker diagnosis without electricity or specialized equipment.

Main Methods:

• Utilized BOOM technology for solid-phase nucleic acid extraction using silica-based particles.
• Employed proprietary solid-phase extraction chemistry for protein purification from the nucleic acid isolation flow-through.
• Integrated both chemistries into a simple, inexpensive, and portable device.

Main Results:

• Developed a portable system for electricity-free nucleic acid and protein extraction.
• Isolated macromolecules are stable for transport and analysis, enabling both PCR amplification and immunological assays.
• The method allows for direct comparison of genomic and proteomic data from a single sample.

Conclusions:

• The portable isolation tool facilitates rapid, redundant molecular analysis in diverse settings.
• This technology can significantly improve disease diagnosis and patient outcomes by enabling early detection of infectious agents.
• The system is adaptable for various infectious agents, reducing logistical burdens for field-based diagnostics.