U. S. Genomics' GeneEngine™ technology for direct, linear DNA analysis explored as potential tool to identify class A pathogens

Woburn, MA (September 04, 2002) - U.S. Genomics announced today it was awarded a $499,500 contract by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) to examine the use of the Company's direct linear DNA analysis technology to detect Class A pathogens, such as anthrax and smallpox. The contract will enable the company to study the use of its GeneEngine™ technology as a tool to create genomic maps or signatures of organisms; such maps have the potential to enable very rapid detection and identification of deadly bacteria.

U.S. Genomics is the pioneer of direct, linear DNA analysis, a technology that enables ultra-fast genetic analysis. The Company's GeneEngine™ technology directly analyzes individual strands of long, contiguous DNA molecules to map whole genomes at rates exponentially faster than those of existing technologies. The GeneEngine™ technology utilizes a universal mapping technique based on tagging of DNA motifs, so it is capable of mapping a broad array of genomes, known and unknown, with a single test, unlike most detection technologies which are limited to testing for the presence of a single, known organism.

In the last year there has been increased interest in detection and identification of potentially dangerous biological elements. Because individual species and even different strains of the same species have unique genomes, a method for rapidly generating maps of microbial genomes for identification could represent a critical first step in facilitating appropriate countermeasures against deployed biological warfare agents. Under the DARPA contract, U.S. Genomics will seek to demonstrate the capabilities of the GeneEngine™ technology platform for such rapid microbial mapping and identification.

"We are very excited to work with DARPA to explore this advanced application of our GeneEngine™ technology platform," said Eugene Chan, CEO of U.S. Genomics. "This application of our technology can be compared to a bar code scanner at the supermarket. When an item, or genome in this case, is scanned, it is rapidly identified by comparison to a larger database. The research supported by this DARPA contract will also enhance our strategy to develop a robust commercial technology, based on genomic analysis, for broader healthcare applications."FROM>>> pathogenetix.com

(WIKI)- DNA barcoding is a taxonomic method that uses a short genetic marker in an organism's DNA to identify it as belonging to a particular species. It differs from molecular phylogeny in that the main goal is not to determine classification but to identify an unknown sample in terms of a known classification.^[1] Although barcodes are sometimes used in an effort to identify unknown species or assess whether species should be combined or separated,^[2] the utility of DNA barcoding for these purposes is subject to debate.^[3]

A further paper on the topic. http://www.cs.duke.edu/~reif/publicity/DNAbarcode.publicity/Tech.Re...

[TLS]- I was watching Bloomberg this morning passively as i scanned the news and a topic caught my attention. A DARPA project to inject bar-codes into bacteria to fight terrorism. This technology gives them the ability to identify specific lab samples origin, example being a type of anthrax developed at Fort Detrick, Maryland verses anthrax developed in Russia... As usual anything to "fight terrorism" is usually a catch all term meaning simply a new weapon or spy tool. Now i know your thinking this is interesting but how does this affect me? This new technology has many other uses not limited at all to simply getting an ID on a lab sample.

Imagine Homeland security putting a drop of a solution into something a person consumes or physically transferring a unique bar-coded bacteria to a person by swabbing their car door handle with it. The bacteria would be designed to be contagious but benign in nature (no symptoms) as well as predictably mutagenic. This way it could be a nearly undetectable tracking device that would multiply and infect others the target came in contact with, fellow terrorists. Being predictably mutagenic once one of the fellow terrorists were captured much information could be gained with a simple blood test. Such as if the subject was infected by the original target host or someone else who was, how long he or she was infected, whether the detainee was in contact with other marked terror cells or marked friendlys.

One of the great challenges in a guerrilla war is determining friend from foe in civilian populations. This new technology cuts that fog of war in half or more. Although not perfect and a margin of error being present in the form of normal human contact. In situations such as a collapse of society were groups of people mix minimally this technology comes into its prime and may being developed for just that.

You might think this is all far out, it's not at all. This is the new tech thats very close to being a reality in every day life. Genetics and nanotechnology are the wave of the future and what was impossible a decade ago is now todays reality. 

-TLS