Novel application of Laser Transmission Spectroscopy technology (LTS) as a DNA diagnostic tool

Hi All,

Here is an interesting new technique called Laser Transmission Spectroscopy (LTS), a quantitative and rapid in vitro technique used to measure the size, shape and number of nano particles in suspension. Physicists Carol Tanner and Steven Ruggiero from the University of Notre Dam have applied LTS as a novel detection method for species-specific DNA detection.

LTS technique has many advantages over other established DNA detection techniques. The technique is highly sensitive and takes only a few seconds to genetically score a sample for species presence or absence. This technique could possibly eliminate the need for pcr amplication of products required to do marker analysis or in forensic studies.

Although the current paper describes the use of LTS in invasive species detection, the Notre Dame researchers believe that the technique could serve as an important tool in detecting human pathogens and understanding and indicating the presence of genetic diseases such as cancer.

Full-length Article can be obatined from
http://www.plosone.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0029224