Single-molecule analysis of nucleic acid biomarkers - A review

Tal Gilboa; Padric M Garden; Limor Cohen

doi:10.1016/j.aca.2020.03.001

Single-molecule analysis of nucleic acid biomarkers - A review

Anal Chim Acta. 2020 Jun 8:1115:61-85. doi: 10.1016/j.aca.2020.03.001. Epub 2020 Mar 5.

Authors

Tal Gilboa¹, Padric M Garden¹, Limor Cohen²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA; Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston, MA, 02115, USA.
² Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA; Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston, MA, 02115, USA; Department of Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Boston, MA, 02115, USA. Electronic address: lcohen22@bwh.harvard.edu.

PMID: 32370870
DOI: 10.1016/j.aca.2020.03.001

Abstract

Nucleic acids are important biomarkers for disease detection, monitoring, and treatment. Advances in technologies for nucleic acid analysis have enabled discovery and clinical implementation of nucleic acid biomarkers. However, challenges remain with technologies for nucleic acid analysis, thereby limiting the use of nucleic acid biomarkers in certain contexts. Here, we review single-molecule technologies for nucleic acid analysis that can be used to overcome these challenges. We first discuss the various types of nucleic acid biomarkers important for clinical applications and conventional technologies for nucleic acid analysis. We then discuss technologies for single-molecule in vitro and in situ analysis of nucleic acid biomarkers. Finally, we discuss other ultra-sensitive techniques for nucleic acid biomarker detection.

Keywords: Biomarkers; Nucleic acids; Single-molecule.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Biomarkers / analysis
DNA / genetics*
Humans
Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis*
RNA / genetics*

Substances

Biomarkers
RNA
DNA