Nanosphere says its new ClearRead nanoparticle-based technology allows detection of a SNP (Single Nucleotide Polymorphism, which indicates the extent to which the gene is normal or mutated) in an unknown genotype with a greater than 99 percent confidence threshold and can be used with human DNA obtained from samples as small as a drop of blood.

The technology, reported in the February 2005 (Volume 33, Number 2), issue of Nucleic Acids Research, eliminates the need for costly, time- and labor-intensive gene amplification or enzymatic interventions — two widespread methods currently used to perform such analyses, the commpany says.

The ClearRead method sandwiches a target DNA SNP segment between two oligonucleotide sequences to greatly increase detection specificity and sensitivity. One segment identifies any mutations in the DNA; the probe, a highly sensitive gold nanoparticle, creates a strong signal that accurately indicates the presence of a specific target SNP.
Nanosphere, Inc. press release