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Credit: State University of New York
Background:
RNases are involved in many biological processes, including neurotoxicity, genome replication and maintenance, immune suppression, and antitumor activity. RNase inhibitors are also potential drug candidates and biomarkers for diseases such as cystic fibrosis and pancreatic cancer. In a laboratory setting, RNases are important for some molecular biology protocols, but can also be the source of frustrating contamination that degrades biological RNA samples. To avoid this, detection and suppression of RNases have become important. Unfortunately, commercially available kits have limitations, including high cost, low sensitivity, or the need for signal amplification.
Technology Overview:
This DNA nanoswitch technology, developed at the University at Albany, is useful in a range of RNase-sensing applications. The nanoswitch is initially locked in a looped state by an RNA strand. In the presence of an RNase, the RNA strand is cleaved, and the nanoswitch changes shape into the linear state. The DNA nanoswitch-based assay can be customized to detect specific RNases either individually or as a yes/no presence test. The looped and linear states can be detected using agarose gel electrophoresis, a common laboratory tool today. This nanoswitch reagent offers simple, customizable detection at pennies per test.
Advantages:
- Works in a range of temperatures.
- No labeling or signal amplification is required. This provides easy adoption for any lab and eliminates the need for expensive equipment.
- Simple and effective mix-and-read strategy with a gel-based read-out.
- Rapid readout: a start-to-finish assay in as little as 15 minutes.
Applications:
- Biosensing – for the detection of RNase activity in relevant biological fluids.
- Drug discovery – for screening potential RNase inhibitors.
- Lab cleaning/maintenance – for ensuring a RNase-free environment.
Intellectual Property Summary: This Intellectual Property is protected through a US Patent Application
Stage of Development: Technology Readiness Level (TRL): 4 - The technology has been validated in a lab and has a peer-reviewed publication.
Licensing Status: This technology is available for licensing. The technology has potential for licensing in a range of RNase detection applications, such as:
- Drug discovery (i.e., AIDS, where RNase H inhibitors can help block disease replication).
- Research laboratories.
- Biosensing in biological fluids for disease detection (pancreatic cancer, cystic fibrosis, etc.).
About the Research Foundation for the State University of New York:
As the nation's largest research foundation supporting the nation's largest public university system, The Research Foundation for SUNY powers research and innovation to address today's most pressing problems and shape a better future for generations to come. The Research Foundations supports SUNY researchers leading the way globally in AI for the public good, quantum technologies, next-generation semiconductors, biotech and medicine, energy and climate solutions, and more. The Research Foundation for SUNY is a private, nonprofit educational corporation that is tax-exempt under Internal Revenue Code (IRC) Section 501(c)(3). To learn more, please visit us online at rfsuny.org.
About the State University of New York
The State University of New York is the largest comprehensive system of higher education in the United States, and more than 95 percent of all New Yorkers live within 30 miles of any one of SUNY’s 64 colleges and universities. Across the system, SUNY has four academic health centers, five hospitals, four medical schools, two dental schools, a law school, the country’s oldest school of maritime, the state's only college of optometry, 12 Educational Opportunity Centers, over 30 ATTAIN digital literacy labs, and manages one US Department of Energy National Laboratory. In total, SUNY serves about 1.7 million students across its portfolio of credit- and non-credit-bearing courses and programs, continuing education, and community outreach programs. SUNY oversees nearly a quarter of academic research in New York. Research expenditures system-wide are nearly $1.5 billion in fiscal year 2025, including significant contributions from students and faculty. There are more than three million SUNY alumni worldwide, and annually one in three New Yorkers who earn a college degree is a SUNY alum. To learn more about how SUNY creates opportunities, visit suny.edu.