Marine DNA polymerases as tools for next generation molecular diagnostics solutions

• Main Authors: Piotrowski, Yvonne, Lanes, Olav, Seppola, Magnus, Noralf Larsen, Atle
• Format: Text
• Language: unknown
• Published: ECI Digital Archives 2017
• Subjects: DNA polymerase; bioprospecting; diagnostic; molecular evolution; Engineering; Arctic; Subarctic
• Online Access: https://dc.engconfintl.org/enzyme_xxiv/8

Globally, there is a high demand to monitor and diagnose critical infectious diseases. Current molecular diagnostic tests require long “sample in - answer out” time and expensive equipment. Isothermal Nucleic Acid Amplification Technology (INAAT) is an enabling technology possibly offering rapid, sensitive and specific molecular diagnosis of infectious diseases. However, the implementation of INAAT into Point of Care diagnostic platforms are halted due to a very limited selection of suitable enzymes, i.e. polymerases, performing at ambient temperatures. The overall goal with the project is to bring a panel of new and improved polymerase enzymes to market for use in next generation INAAT molecular diagnostic platforms and other potential application areas, e.g. next-generation sequencing and single-cell genomics. We have identified and characterized a large selection of polymerase enzymes based on marine bioprospecting of the arctic and subarctic region. These act as starting point for the development of 2nd generation isothermal amplification polymerases. Through use of our highly versatile molecular evolution library, combined with rational design studies, tailor-made enzymes for various application areas will be developed. This project emphasizes on early market feedback to confirm relevance and applicability and to ensure that enzymes are developed according to customer needs.