Novel Enzyme Linked Diagnostic Assay Using Ribonuclease

In situ immunological and DNA probe-based histochemical detection methods have widespread,important biomedical applications in infectious and genetic disease diagnosis, neurobiology,developmental biology, pharmacology and other research. However, radioisotopic detection remains thepredominant method of histochemical detection, thus denying researchers the same advantages thatnon-isotopic methods have offered in other applications. To address this problem, we have beguninvestigating a novel approach to non-isotopic histochemical labeling and detection based on the uniqueinteraction of components of a low molecular weight signaling system. This detection system wouldoffer several advantages over existing methods, including greatly enhanced sensitivity, lower reagentcost, simplified procedures, and significantly improved reagent stability. To establish the feasibility ofdeveloping such a system, Phase I studies will focus on development of substrates that enable detectionof the unique ,high affinity interactions described above, optimization of methods for preparingconjugates to detect the interactions, and preliminary testing of conjugate sensitivity. Phase II will focuson applying the system for in situ applications to detect infectious agents such as HHV-6. In Phase IIl,we will complete development of a user friendly clinical diagnostic test, and will commercialize specificresearch product applications resulting from the research.