August 6, 2008 - BioNanomatrix Inc., a developer of nanoscale whole genome imaging platforms for genetic diagnostics, personalized medicine and biomedical research, received a grant from the National Human Genome Research Institute of the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH) to develop a nanoscale platform for single-molecule haplotyping imaging.
Under the direction of BioNanomatrix principal investigator Ming Xiao, PhD, the two-year $399,020 project will develop a nanoscale platform for single-molecule haplotyping imaging and analysis of long strands of DNA at ultra-high resolution in a massively parallel format.
Researchers believe such a platform could add significantly to the understanding of genetic diseases by increasing access to whole genome analysis and by allowing researchers to view and analyze the critical haplotype information that is currently difficult to obtain.
The goal of the project is to develop a fully integrated nanochannel chip and reader capable of single-molecule mapping of linearized genomic material extracted directly from a sample, enabling direct visualization and analysis of long strands of DNA in context and at very high resolution. The platform is designed to accommodate massively parallel analyses of individual DNA molecules to permit standardized, high-throughput mapping of sequence motifs or polymorphic sites along the DNA. Such capabilities could transform biological analyses, permitting highly sensitive detection of genetic information for genome-wide association studies, especially where crucial haplotype information is required. These capabilities would result in a greater understanding of genetic variation and genetic diseases and also enable applications such as rapid mapping of pathogen genomes.
For more information: www.bionanomatrix.com