Measurement of Lymphocyte Receptor Diversity Using a Gene Chip

Reference #:

2002-127

Inventors/Contributors

Jeffrey L. Platt, M.D., Marilia I. Cascalho, M.D., Ph.D., Brenda M. Ogle, Ph.D.

Description

Immune competence is thought to be related to lymphocyte receptor diversity. There is currently no reliable way to measure lymphocyte receptor diversity. We propose here a method to measure lymphocyte receptor diversity using gene chips. RNA is extracted from peripheral blood lymphocytes or tissue samples. RNA coding for lymphocyte receptors is isolated and labeled with a detectable moiety. The labeled sample is then hybridized to a gene chip. The gene chip could be either a currently available chip containing known sequences or a chip we would design containing random sequences. The degree of hybridization (i.e., the number of RNA fragments bound to oligos on the chip) is indicative of the level of individual lymphocyte receptor diversity.

Patent Status

Pending