I-Corps: Translation potential of a miniaturized biotechnology platform for nucleic acid extraction, purification, and library preparation

I-Corps：用于核酸提取、纯化和文库制备的小型生物技术平台的转化潜力

• 批准号: 2421022
• 负责人: Eugene Yeo
• 金额: $ 5万
• 依托单位: University of California-San Diego
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Standard Grant
• 财政年份: 2024
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2024-04-01 至 2025-03-31
• 项目状态: 未结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=2421022&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: Corps; Translation; potential; miniaturized; biotechnology

The broader impact/commercial potential of this I-Corps project is the development of advanced laboratory tools for communities that lack such technologies so that they may gain access. Sequencing of nucleic acids (DNA and RNA) is important for a variety of applications such as the identification of pathogens and diagnostics of disease. This project aims to develop portable devices for DNA and RNA sample preparation for next generation sequencing. Many remote and under-served communities not only lack funding to purchase expensive lab instruments but also cannot attract the trained personnel to oversee such labs for on-demand analysis of research and clinical specimens. According to several research reports, more than 30% of rural hospitals are at risk of closing which would result in a loss of access to clinical labs and tools. This project focuses bio-sample preparation and hardware miniaturization that enables high-caliber clinical and research technologies in rural and under-served communities.This I-Corps project utilizes experiential learning coupled with a first-hand investigation of the industry ecosystem to assess the translation potential of the technology. This solution is based on the development of biochemical methods and bioengineering techniques and builds on prior work in the field of microfluidics-based sequencing. Extraction, purification, and preparation of nucleic acids for sequencing are complex and multi-step processes that are typically done with large, bulky machines inside brick-and-mortar labs. Current workflows involve collection of the bio-samples followed by rapid preservation and then transport or shipment to a processing facility where the samples are prepared for sequencing. These current workflows have long processing times and incur high costs. This project aims to develop technologies that will automate bio-sample preparation and miniaturize the hardware form factor such that bio-sample preparation can be achieved in remote and extreme environments. This technology is expected to be significantly less expensive while maintaining the same quality of results. Such portable, turnkey instruments are expected to democratize healthcare across the nation and the world.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.

该I-Corps项目的更广泛的影响/商业潜力是开发缺乏此类技术的社区的高级实验室工具，以便它们可以访问。核酸的测序（DNA和RNA）对于多种应用很重要，例如病原体和疾病诊断。该项目旨在开发用于下一代测序的DNA和RNA样品准备的便携式设备。许多偏远和服务不足的社区不仅缺乏购买昂贵的实验室仪器的资金，而且无法吸引受过训练的人员来监督此类实验室，以按需进行研究和临床标本分析。根据几份研究报告，有30％以上的农村医院有关闭的风险，这将导致无法获得临床实验室和工具。该项目重点是生物样本制备和硬件小型化，该项目可以在农村和服务不足的社区中进行高素质的临床和研究技术。这项I-Corps项目利用体验式学习以及对行业生态系统的第一手研究来评估该技术的翻译潜力。该解决方案基于生化方法和生物工程技术的开发，并基于基于微流体学测序的先前工作。核酸的提取，纯化和制备用于测序是复杂的，多步骤的过程，通常在实体实验室内使用大型笨重的机器进行。当前的工作流程涉及收集生物样本，然后进行快速保存，然后运输或运输到加工设施，在该设施中准备样品进行测序。这些当前的工作流程的处理时间很长，并且会产生高昂的成本。该项目旨在开发能够自动化生物样本制备的技术，并将硬件形式的小型化合物自动化，从而可以在远程和极端环境中实现生物样本的准备。预计这项技术将在保持相同的结果质量的同时要便宜得多。预计这种便携式的交钥匙工具将在全国范围内和世界各地使医疗保健民主化。该奖项反映了NSF的法定任务，并被认为是通过基金会的知识分子优点和更广泛的影响评估标准来评估值得支持的。