Biosearch Technologies Awarded Fifth Phase II NIH SBIR Grant For Development Of Conformationally Assisted FET Probes
The grant of $745,000 over two years will continue the development and application of a new class of fluorescence-quenched probes originally developed under an earlier Phase I grant. This Phase II grant will permit Biosearch to expand on the original work and optimize probe-quencher features that will enhance their application for genetic analysis and quantification. Probes synthesized with Biosearch's popular and proprietary Black Hole Quencher™ (BHQ) dyes demonstrate extraordinarily low spurious noise (i.e. non-specific reporter signal) and consequently have a very high signal to noise (S/N) ratio. Most importantly, they are the first dark quenchers to be offered as amidites and CPGs which translates into reduced synthesis costs and enhanced market penetration.
Self-quenching fluorogenic oligonucleotide probes have become important tools for the detection, quantification and discrimination of genes. In addition, the recent spate of anthrax bio-terrorism in the U.S. highlights the potential use of these same oligo probes to rapidly detect highly infectious agents in the field. Current probe designs, however, are difficult and expensive to prepare, often exhibit extraneous background noise and limit assay throughput by limiting the choices of fluorophore to those within a relatively narrow spectral bandwidth. The Biosearch series of Black Hole Quencher dyes expands the available bandwidth of useful fluorophores thus allowing the routine multiplexing of several different probes at one time and increasing overall assay throughput. According to Biosearch Founder and President Dr. Ron Cook, "Black Hole Quencher dyes have proven themselves in a variety of applications to be a significant advancement over previously developed quenchers. They improve the performance of virtually all FRET probe-mediated assays, including Taqman™, Molecular Beacons, Sunrise™, Scorpions™ and Invader™."
Since the commercial introduction of the BHQ dyes in September of 2000, more than 20 commercial custom synthesis companies have entered into licensing agreements permitting them to synthesize BHQ-functionalized probes for their customers. Licensed companies include industry leaders such as Qiagen Operon, Integrated DNA Technologies and Sigma-Genosys. Biosearch is also poised to announce that it will begin CY 2002 by offering its BHQ technology to individual researchers without the need of a license. Finally, in addition to the current focus on DNA applications, Biosearch is rapidly moving into the field of fluorescence-quenched protease substrates. These powerful new applications have important ramifications in diagnostic medicine.
Biosearch Technologies is a leading developer of fluorescence quenching systems and a supplier of proprietary reagents, synthesis supports and specialty chemicals for genomics and proteomics R&D. Biosearch has developed and licenses the Black Hole Quencher series of dark quenchers and is an innovator in the design and custom synthesis of advanced reporter/quencher systems for gene quantification, SNP discovery, detection & scoring, spectral genotyping and library screening. Biosearch has also developed proprietary multi-96-well high-throughput robotic synthesis platforms and purification technology. These advanced robotic platforms permit the expeditious and affordable synthesis and purification of complex fluorescent probes and large numbers of discrete unmodified or 3'- or 5'-modified oligos for microarray fabrication.
Additional information about Biosearch and their products is available at www.biosearchtech.com.