Rapid, High Throughput Epigenetic Assay for PTSD Genes

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a forefront of public health concern as the problem is especially acute among war veterans. The current treatment for PTSD mainly consist of antidepressant medications and psychotherapy, however, these are still not effective considering drug use disorders and suicide. Epigenetics, in particular, DNA methylation has been known to show a significant role in pathophysiology of PTSD. As current assays for DNA methylation are often laborious and complex, strategies that allow rapid monitoring of predictive biomarkers such as methylated nucleic acid bases associated with PTSD are highly desired. Luna is developing an epigenetic assay to translate biosensing array technology to its practical use. In Phase I, Luna constructed the sensing arrays, identified surface blocking system, demonstrated assay’s reproducibility and multiplex detection of PTSD bases using cell line DNA samples. In Phase II, Luna will complete assay development, demonstrate utility of the assay using whole blood samples from patients with PTSD, and validate the assay platform. Luna’s assay has superiority over existing technologies because of its rapid, direct, and site-specific detection, label-free, highly sensitive, and real-time monitoring, and multiplexing capability with minimal data processing that would be extremely valuable in clinical practice for PTSD diagnosis and treatment.