New "gene chip" quickly and inexpensively identifies bird flu
Unlike previous diagnostics, technology developed by researchers at the University of Colorado and the CDC relies on a single isolated virus gene; matric gene a target because it evolves extremely slowly, meaning that test can last a while without being tweaked; researchers currently looking to bring test to market
The ability to quickly identify flu virsuses, especially bird flu, remains the holy grail of public health endeavors, and there is no shortage of scientists wishing to call themselves the Indiana Jones of epidemiology. The latest contenders come from the University of Colorado and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), where scientists have developed an inexpensive “gene chip” test based on a single influenza virus gene. In tests of twenty-four bird flu viral isolates, the so-called MChip identified the virus type and subtype in twenty-one cases and provided zero false positives.
Unlike the FluChip, a flu diagnostic previously developed by the same research team and based on three influenza genes—hemagglutinin (HA), neuraminidase (NA) and matrix (M)—the MChip is based solely on the latter of the three. This might sound limiting, but in fact it increases testing sensitivity. HA and NA mutate constantly, but the M gene segment does so at a considerably slower rate. “The M gene segment is much less of a moving target than the HA or NA gene. We believe that a test based on this relatively unchanging gene segment will be more robust because it will continue to provide accurate results even as the HA and NA genes mutate over time.” professor Kathy Rowlen said.
Following exposure to a viral isolate, the MChip displays results as a pattern of fluorescent spots. To eliminate the possibility of human error, the researchers developed an artificial neural network trained to recognize the distinctive pattern indicative of bird flu. “This new technology, once manufactured and distributed, could have the potential to revolutionize the way laboratories test for influenza,” said Nancy J. Cox, director of the CDC’s influenza division. “The MChip could enable more scientists and physicians, possibly even those working in remote places, to more quickly test for [bird flu] and to accurately identify the specific strain and its features. This would greatly increase our ability to learn more about the viruses causing illness and take the best steps to respond.”
Investors take note: The raw materials for the MChip cost less than ten dollars, and discussions are currently under way to manufacture and market it. A paper describing the work is scheduled to appear in the 15 December issue of the American Chemical Society’s journal Analytical Chemistry.
-read more in this university news release
