The Open Analytical Chemistry Journal

2008, 2 : 47-54
Published online 2008 May 9. DOI: 10.2174/1874065000802010047
Publisher ID: TOACJ-2-47

Development and Characterization of a Solid Phase for Single-Step Enrichment of Pathogenic Targets

M.J. Archer , D.A. Stenger and B. Lin
Center for Bio/Molecular Science & Engineering, Code 6900, Naval Research Laboratory, Washington DC 20375, USA.

ABSTRACT

The identification of low abundance target nucleic acids in a complex matrix can be challenging due to the abundance background material. Current methods use two-step processes which are time consuming, prone to contamination and usually limited to one pathogen. In this study we describe a single-step target-capture approach using magnetic microbeads with capture probes covalently attached through a phosphorus dendrimer linker. This approach was also used successfully for simultaneous capturing of two low abundance pathogenic nucleic acids present in a complex matrix (800- fold excess of background nucleic acids) by using a multi-pathogen solid phase. The thermal stability of the solid phase allows denaturation and capture to proceed sequentially and the recovery of the targets to be performed by heat denaturation without the risk of probe shedding. The critical variables involved in the development of the solid phase and the steps required for further optimization are discussed.