Optimized RNA-Seq Protocol for Pathogen Detection and Diagnostic Innovation

Technology Description

UCSF researchers have developed an optimized RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) protocol designed for metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) assays to enhance pathogen detection. This invention addresses critical challenges in infectious disease diagnostics, public health surveillance, and environmental monitoring by streamlining RNA extraction, DNase treatment, ribosomal RNA depletion, reverse transcription, and cDNA library construction—steps crucial for improving assay speed, efficiency, and reliability while reducing technical variability. The protocol also serves as the backbone of a respiratory mNGS assay for pathogen detection, currently being developed with support from CDC and BARDA grants. The UCSF protocol outperforms existing RNA-Seq kits in speed and data reliability, offering a differentiated solution for accurate and efficient diagnostics. It is actively deployed in respiratory mNGS assays, with licensing opportunities for biotech companies to scale and commercialize the technology.

Related Materials

• Laboratory validation of a clinical metagenomic next-generation sequencing assay for respiratory virus detection and discovery. PMID: 39532844, doi: 10.1038/s41467-024-51470-y. - 11/12/2024