A -- Rolling Circle Amplification for Genetic Diagnostics

LAWRENCE LIVERMORE NATIONAL LABORATORY SEEKS PARTNERSHIPS WITH INDUSTRY TO COMMERCIALIZE ITS INVENTION OF in situ ROLLING CIRCLE AMPLIFICATION FOR GENETIC DIAGNOSTICS. Announcement: Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), operated by the University of California under contract with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), is seeking for one or more industrial partners to commercialize LLNL's invention in in situ Rolling Circle Amplification (in situ RCA) for genetic diagnostics. The invention improves in situ DNA or RNA amplification efficiency of rolling circle amplification (RCA) from 20% to more than 90%. Therefore, the invention enables specific DNA and RNA sequence and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) detection and analysis in virtually any type of cell or tissue, superior than any other available technologies for in situ genetic diagnosis. By using in situ RCA technology, scientists at LLNL have successfully identified cancer cells, detected DNA and RNA mutations and quantified RNA expression levels on cells and tissues directly. The in situ RCA is simple, easy, accurate and sensitive. It can be carried out with conventional clinic laboratory conditions and equipments without expensive equipments such as PCR or microarrays. One copy of either DNA or RNA is sufficient for the detection. Because the resulting amplification product is large and anchored to the target, the product remains inside the cell during the process such that cells containing the specific DNA or RNA can be readily identified and the amplification product does not diffuse to surrounding cells or solutions. In addition, in situ RCA adds only a small amount of cost to a typical histological examination when used for a genetic diagnosis. The cost can be further reduced by packaging the necessary components of in situ RCA into a kit. With in situ RCA, a clinic laboratory can easily conduct genetic diagnosis for genotyping, mutation detection, gene expression and specific sequence identification. Applications of in situ RCA include cancer diagnosis, population identification for risk assessment, disease susceptibility, or medical treatments, and other medical and veterinary diagnostics. Part of the invention was recently published (Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, Vol. 98, Issue 25, 14238-14243, December 4, 2001, http://www.pnas.org/cgi/content/full/98/25/14238). A patent for this invention is pending. LLNL is looking for industrial partners to commercialize one or more applications of this invention. Note: THIS IS NOT A PROCUREMENT. Companies interested in commercializing LLNL's in situ Rolling Circle Amplification should provide a written statement of interest and a description of corporate capabilities relevant to commercializing the technology. Written responses should be directed to: Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory Industrial Partnerships and Commercialization P.O. Box 808, L-795 Livermore, CA 94551-0808 Attention: FBO02-008-294. Please provide your written statement within thirty (30) days from the date this announcement is published to ensure consideration of your interest in LLNL's in situ Rolling Circle Amplification.