Abstracts: 

 SBIR-Phase I 



Increased Speed in DNA Sequencing by Utilizing LARIS 

 To Localize Multiple Stable Isotope Labeled Fragments 



Heinrich F. Arlinghaus 



Atom Sciences. Inc., Oak Ridge. TN 37830 

 (615)483-1113 



The need to map and sequence the DNA in the human genome is of crucial impoilance 

 to future medical advances and economic competitiveness. Utilization of DNA probes 

 labeled with dozens of stable isotopes, instead of a single radioisotope, could increase 

 the rate of sequence determination 100-fold or more, compared with current methods. 

 The new approach described here — laser atomization resonance ionization spectroscopy 

 (LARIS) — will be used to localize and quantify these isotopes in DNA fragments that 

 had been separated by polyacrylaniide gel electrophoresis. The unique selectivity and 

 ultimate sensitivity made possible by the LARIS technique allow detection of isotope- 

 tagged DNA fragments in the 10"*-mol. or lower, range without isobaric or other 

 interferences. This technique can be applied not only to genome sequencing but also to 

 hybridization methods used in genetic engineering. For the proposed experiments in 

 Phase I, we will use the same experimental apparatus used by the ongoing sputter- 

 initiated RIS (SIRIS) DNA sequencing measurements. Doing this allows comparison 

 and evaluation of these two techniques. During Phase II, recommendations will be made 

 for the most fruitful directions in DNA sequencing development, and an RIS system 

 dedicated to DNA sequencing will be specified. 



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