CRISPR-Cas9 Labeling of Human Genomic DNA for Telomere Length Measurement

Overview

Executive Statement:

An innovative method for the precise detection and measurement of individual telomere lengths that can be correlated to specific chromosomes.

Description:

This technology provides a method for detecting the length of individual telomeres in genomic DNA using a unique combination of guide RNA, Cas9 nickase, polymerase, and fluorescently labeled nucleotide. The fluorescently labeled motif sequences are used as a barcode to identify the chromosome. This technology can be deployed to detect and map chromosomal haplotypes and previously unknown regions of the human genome.

Market Applications

Useful in aging research for understanding telomere lengths in healthy humans and their role in diseases such as cancer
Helpful in studying and understanding individual haplotypes and the human genome
Telomere biology research
Biomedical research involving DNA damage and repair
Drug discovery and development
Cancer diagnostics and therapy

Key Advantages

Simultaneously measures individual telomeres in a single reaction
Identifies corresponding chromosome arms
Capable of identifying chromosomes with no detectable telomere repeats and previously unknown regions of the genome
Uses a smaller amount of DNA compared to other methods
Capable of identifying chromosomal haplotypes

Problems Solved

Overcomes the limitation of traditional methods that only provide mean telomere length information
Solves the problem of existing methods being unable to measure telomeres in senescent cells
Addresses the challenge of measuring critically short telomeres, which are critical for chromosome stability and cell viability