title: Y-chromosome identification in circulating cell-free fetal DNA using surface plasmon resonance.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Since the discovery of cell-free fetal DNA (cffDNA) in maternal plasma, diagnostic non-invasive prenatal methods have been developed or optimized for fetal sex determination and identification of genetic diseases. As far as fetal sex determination, this might be important for therapeutic intervention on sex-associated pathologies such as Duchenne muscular dystrophy, hemophilia and congenital adrenal hyperplasia. Surface plasmon resonance (SPR)-based biosensors might be useful for these studies, because they allow to monitor the molecular interactions in real-time providing qualitative and quantitative information, through kinetics, affinity and concentration analyses.
  
  
  METHODS
  The Biacore™ X100 has been applied to identify Y-chromosome sequence in cffDNA obtained from plasma samples of 26 pregnant women at different gestational ages. We have performed SPR-based analysis of SRY PCR products using SRY-specific probes immobilized on the sensor chip.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We have demonstrated that there is a statistically significant difference between samples collected by pregnancies carrying male or female fetuses. Moreover, cffDNA obtained at early gestational ages and not detectable by conventional quantitative real-time PCR can be discriminated with high accuracy and reliability using SPR-based biosensors.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These data, in addition to their direct applicability in more extensive diagnostic trials, should be considered as the basis of future developments.
authors: Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Section, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy.|Biotechnology Center, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy.
authors: Giulia
authors: G
authors: Breveglieri
authors: Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Section, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy.
authors: Elisabetta
authors: E
authors: Bassi
authors: Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Section, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy.
authors: Silvia
authors: S
authors: Carlassara
authors: Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Section, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy.|Biotechnology Center, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy.
authors: Lucia Carmela
authors: LC
authors: Cosenza
authors: Operative Unit of Laboratory Analysis, University Hospital S. Anna, Ferrara, Italy.
authors: Patrizia
authors: P
authors: Pellegatti
authors: Operative Unit of Laboratory Analysis, University Hospital S. Anna, Ferrara, Italy.
authors: Giovanni
authors: G
authors: Guerra
authors: Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Section, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy.
authors: Alessia
authors: A
authors: Finotti
authors: Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Section, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy.|Biotechnology Center, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy.
authors: Roberto
authors: R
authors: Gambari
authors: Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Section, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy.
authors: Monica
authors: http://orcid.org/0000-0001-8470-2496
authors: M
authors: Borgatti
mesh_terms: D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D002474:Cell-Free System; D041322:Chromosomes, Human, Y; D004247:DNA / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D062145:Maternal Serum Screening Tests; D011247:Pregnancy; D011261:Pregnancy Trimester, First; D060888:Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012732:Sex Determination Analysis / Q000379:methods*; D020349:Surface Plasmon Resonance
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D004247:DNA