Researchers Demonstrate New DNA Detection Technique

A research team from the University of Notre Dame, led by physicists Carol Tanner and Steven Ruggiero, have applied a new technique called laser transmission spectroscopy (LTS) as a new method for detecting species-specific DNA. The research was carried out as a part of the University of Notre Dame's Environmental Change Initiative (ECI). LTS has many benefits over current DNA detection techniques, including its high sensitivity and the fact that it takes only a few seconds to genetically score a sample for species presence or absence. The researchers feel that LTS technology will be much more rapid, practical, and cost effective than established detection methodologies and could eventually reach the sensitivity required to eliminate the need for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification. Also as indicated by the Notre Dame researchers,  LTS could serve as an critical tool in detecting human pathogens and understanding and indicating the presence of genetic diseases like cancer.

Link to the article: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/12/111216175240.htm