NanoChip

Every NanoChip cartridge contains an electronic chip, which in turn holds test sites laid out in a geometric grid known as an array. Each test site can be controlled electronically from the system's on-board computer. A permeation layer coated on the chip acts as the protective interface between the electrically active surface and the biological test environment.

The NanoChip takes advantage of naturally occurring positive and negative charges associated with most molecules, including DNA and RNA, to facilitate movement to and from — and concentration at — designated test sites. This electronic concentration feature greatly accelerates molecular binding at each site, providing a fast, efficient method for functional genomic testing.

Current applications include single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) and short tandem repeat (STR) analyses. SNPs and STRs are genetic markers used in cutting-edge clinical research and clinical diagnostics. Under development at Nanogen are expanded capabilities, which may include gene expression and on-chip amplification. Gene expression involves analyzing which genes turn on and off in a specific biological process. Among other uses, gene expression is used in clinical research to determine different patients' responses to various drugs or drug candidates. On-chip amplification simplifies testing by amplifying genetic material, making variations easier to detect with greater reliability and speed.

Nanogen, Inc., 10398 Pacific Center Court, San Diego, CA 92121. Tel: 858-410-4600; Fax: 858-410-4848.