title: Multiplexed detection of pathogen-specific DNA using engineered zinc finger proteins without target amplification.
abstract: Multiplexed detection of pathogen-specific DNA sequences in a simple and reliable way is in great demand for clinical and biomedical applications. However, there is still a lack of available DNA detection methods that are simple and pathogen-selective for point-of-care (POC) testing. Here, we report a novel zinc finger protein (ZFP)-based chemiluminescent method for direct detection of pathogenic double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) in a multiplexed platform. ZFPs are custom-designed to identify unique pathogenic DNA sequences. ZFP-based chemiluminescent detection of dsDNA provides sufficient sensitivity (≤50 fmol) and high specificity without target DNA amplification. Our study addresses the potential of developing a simple and selective pathogen detection method in a multiplexed fashion needed for POC application.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, Western Kentucky University, Bowling Green, KY 42101 USA.
authors.forename: Moon-Soo
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, Western Kentucky University, Bowling Green, KY 42101 USA.
authors.forename: Juhwa
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kim