Development of a Molecular Assay to Identify Ticks that Vector Rickettsial Diseases

HyBeacons Probe Assays for the Detection of Ticks and Tick-Borne Pathogens Patrick Williams, Ph.D., Evogen Inc., 8301 State Line Road, Kansas City, MO 64114 The proposed development will evaluate the use of Evogen"s HyBeacons probes for rapid, multiplexed vector and pathogen detection using Evogen ONE sample processing, multiplex amplification detection, and high temperature melt curve analysis. An Assay will be developed for Amblyomma americanum. The assays will utilizes the proprietary Evogen ONE nucleic acid extraction chemistry and Evogen"s HyBeacons probes for quantitative amplification and high resolution melt curve analysis. These unique features will make this assay superior in many applications over existing technology. The ultimate goal of this project is a deployable, integrated, automated platform of chemistries and hardware capable of rapidly detecting ticks and tick-borne pathogens. The challenge of this task is in the development and validation of HyBeacons probe assays, the validation of the Evogen ONE nucleic acid extraction chemistry, the sequential automation of the pathogen analysis via the automated sample prep (ASP), and RA-8 random access amplification modules.