Nanotechnology Now - Press Release: Fluorescent nano-barcodes could revolutionise diagnostics

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Dr Dimitrov

Abstract:
A new technology with research and clinical application including the early detection of disease has been invented and developed by University of Queensland researchers.

Fluorescent nano-barcodes could revolutionise diagnostics

Australia | Posted on May 22nd, 2008

A new technology with research and clinical application including the early detection of disease has been invented and developed by University of Queensland researchers.

Dr Krassen Dimitrov, from UQ's Australian Institute for Bioengineering & Nanotechnology, has developed fluorescent "barcodes" called nanostrings, offers greater sensitivity and accuracy than current detection methods.

The research has been published the prestigious international journal Nature Biotechnology.

Dr Dimitrov said nanostrings bind to RNA molecules for digital gene expression analysis.

"Because this system can count the exact number of biomolecules present we can get an extremely accurate and sensitive picture of gene expression at a particular point in time," Dr Dimitrov said.

"This quantitative data is superior to other gene expression systems such as microarrays, which rely on the analogue measurement of fluorescence and therefore are less accurate and have a limited range.

"The nanostring is an important technological development in both clinical and research settings. We will be able to more accurately detect molecules associated with particular diseases and in the research arena, we will be able to identify new molecules associated with diseases and trace these back to the genes responsible."

He said the technology is based on a non-enzymatic process which reduces the chance of bias and is more robust in a variety of different conditions.

Dr Dimitrov is currently working on the next step, which will be new nano-barcodes that will further reduce the cost and improve sensitivity and usability.

This technology has been commercialised in Seattle by a company founded by Dr Dimitrov in 2003.

The AIBN is a multi-disciplinary research institute based at UQ, which brings together the skills of world-class researchers in the areas of bioengineering and nanotechnology to produce positive health and environmental outcomes such as biomedical delivery; bio-devices; tissue regeneration; and cell therapies.

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About University of Queensland
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About University of Queensland
The University of Queensland (UQ) is one of Australia's premier learning and research institutions. It is the oldest university in Queensland and has produced generations of graduates who have gone on to become leaders in all areas of society and industry. The University is a founding member of the national Group of Eight, an alliance of research-strong "sandstone" universities committed to ensuring that Australia has higher education institutions which are genuinely world class. It belongs also to the global Universitas 21 alliance. This group aims to enhance the quality of university outcomes through international benchmarking and a joint venture e-learning project with The Thomson Corporation.

For more information, please click here

Contacts:
Dr Krassen Dimitrov
7 3346 3880

or
Russell Griggs
07 3346 3989

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