Highly Sensitive microRNA 31 in situ Hybridization Assay to Detect Endometrial Cancer
Posted May 20 2010 5:00pm
Description of Invention: Investigators at the National Cancer Institute have developed a sensitive, specific and robust human microRNA in situ hybridization (ISH) assay that can detect, quantify, and identify cancer biomarkers. Currently available microRNA (miRNA) markers can be detected by microarray, Northern Blot, real time RT-PCR, and sequencing analysis. However, these assays cannot specify tissue and cell types that contain miRNAs without laser microdissection (LMD). LMD has severe limitations as it requires expensive equipment and its miRNA yields are too low to be detected by the aforementioned techniques.
Available for licensing is an optimized an ISH assay to detect miRNAs. ISH represents an efficient and specific assay to detect miRNA of interest due to direct interaction with specific tissue and cell types. This ISH assay utilized fresh cell lines and it can be adapted to frozen cells and tissue samples. Utilizing the assay, the investigators have found that miRNA-31 is decreased in cancerous endometrial cells in comparison to controls. This ISH assay provides for a less expensive, more efficient and highly sensitive assay to detect and quantify microRNAs.
Applications:
Method to detect and quantify miRNAs
Method and kits to diagnose endometrial cancer
Advantages: Cost effective, highly sensitive assay to detect miRNAs
Development Status: The technology is currently in the pre-clinical stage of development.
Portfolios: Cancer Cancer - Diagnostics Cancer - Other
For Additional Information Please Contact: Jennifer Wong NIH Office of Technology Transfer 6011 Executive Blvd. Suite 325, Rockville, MD 20852 United States Email: wongje@mail.nih.gov Phone: 301-435-4633 Fax: 301-402-0220
Description of Invention:
Investigators at the National Cancer Institute have developed a sensitive, specific and robust human microRNA in situ hybridization (ISH) assay that can detect, quantify, and identify cancer biomarkers. Currently available microRNA (miRNA) markers can be detected by microarray, Northern Blot, real time RT-PCR, and sequencing analysis. However, these assays cannot specify tissue and cell types that contain miRNAs without laser microdissection (LMD). LMD has severe limitations as it requires expensive equipment and its miRNA yields are too low to be detected by the aforementioned techniques.
Available for licensing is an optimized an ISH assay to detect miRNAs. ISH represents an efficient and specific assay to detect miRNA of interest due to direct interaction with specific tissue and cell types. This ISH assay utilized fresh cell lines and it can be adapted to frozen cells and tissue samples. Utilizing the assay, the investigators have found that miRNA-31 is decreased in cancerous endometrial cells in comparison to controls. This ISH assay provides for a less expensive, more efficient and highly sensitive assay to detect and quantify microRNAs.
Applications:
Advantages:
Cost effective, highly sensitive assay to detect miRNAs
Development Status:
The technology is currently in the pre-clinical stage of development.
Inventors:
Hui Han (NCI)
John E Niederhuber (NCI)
Patent Status:
HHS, Reference No. E-303-2009/0
US, Application No. 61/253,617 filed 21 Oct 2009
Licensing Status:
Available for licensing.
Portfolios:
Cancer
Cancer - Diagnostics
Cancer - Other
For Additional Information Please Contact:
Jennifer Wong
NIH Office of Technology Transfer
6011 Executive Blvd. Suite 325,
Rockville, MD 20852
United States
Email: wongje@mail.nih.gov
Phone: 301-435-4633
Fax: 301-402-0220
Ref No: 2112
Updated: 05/2010