A Bead-Based Method for Multiplexed Identification and Quantitation of DNA Sequences Using Flow Cytometry

A new multiplexed, bead-based method which utilizes nucleic acid hybridizations on the surface of microscopic polystyrene spheres to identify specific sequences in heterogeneous mixtures of DNA sequences is described. The method consists of three elements: beads (5.6-μm diameter) with oligomer capture probes attached to the surface, three fluorophores for multiplexed detection, and flow cytometry instrumentation. Two fluorophores are impregnated within each bead in varying amounts to create different bead types, each associated with a unique probe. The third fluorophore is a reporter. Following capture of fluorescent cDNA sequences from environmental samples, the beads are analyzed by flow cytometric techniques which yield a signal intensity for each capture probe proportional to the amount of target sequences in the analyte. In this study, a direct hybrid capture assay was developed and evaluated with regard to sequence discrimination and quantitation of abundances. The target sequences (628 to 728 bp in length) were obtained from the 16S/23S intergenic spacer region of microorganisms collected from polluted groundwater at the nuclear waste site in Hanford, Wash. A fluorescence standard consisting of beads with a known number of fluorescent DNA molecules on the surface was developed, and the resolution, sensitivity, and lower detection limit for measuring abundances were determined. The results were compared with those of a DNA microarray using the same sequences. The bead method exhibited far superior sequence discrimination and possesses features which facilitate accurate quantitation.     

Multiplexed, particle-based detection of DNA using flow cytometry with 3DNA dendrimers for signal amplification.

BACKGROUND: Complex mixtures of DNA may be found in environmental and medical samples. There is a need for techniques that can measure low concentrations of target DNAs. For a multiplexed, flow cytometric assay, we show that the signal-to-noise ratio for fluorescence detection may be increased with the use of 3DNA dendrimers. A single fluorescent DNA molecule per bead could be detected with conventional flow cytometry instrumentation. METHODS: The analyte consisted of single-stranded (ss) DNA amplicons that were hybridized to capture probes on the surface of fluorescent polystyrene microspheres (beads) and initially labeled with streptavidin-R-phycoerythrin (single-step labeling). These beads have a low reporter fluorescence background and high efficiency of DNA hybridization. The DNA/SA-RPE complex was then labeled with 3DNA dendrimers and SA-RPE. The bead complexes were detected with a Luminex 100 flow cytometer. Bead standards were developed to convert the intensity to the number of SA-RPE labels per bead and the number of dendrimers per bead. RESULTS: The dendrimer assay resulted in 10-fold fluorescence amplification compared with single-step SA-RPE labeling. Based on concentration curves of pure target ss-amplicons, the signal-to-noise ratio of the dendrimer assay was greater by a factor of 8.5 over single-step SA-RPE labeling. The dendrimer assay was tested on 16S ribosomal DNA amplified from filter retentates of contaminated groundwater. Multiplexed detection of a single dendrimer-labeled DNA molecule per bead was demonstrated. CONCLUSIONS: Multiplexed detection of DNA hybridization on a single molecule level per bead was achieved with conventional flow cytometry instrumentation. This assay is useful for detecting target DNAs at low concentrations.     

Microscopic mechanisms influencing the volume amplified magnetic nanobead detection assay

The volume amplified magnetic nanobead detection assay [Str?mberg, M., G?ransson, J., Gunnarsson, K., Nilsson, M., Svedlindh, P., Str?mme, M., 2008. Nano Letters 8, 816-821] was investigated with respect to bead size, bead surface coverage of probe oligonucleotides, bead concentration and rolling circle amplification (RCA) time, with the objective to improve the understanding of the microscopic mechanisms influencing the assay. The most important findings for future biosensor development were the following: (i) small beads exhibit a much reduced tendency to cross-link several RCA products, thus enabling use of both complex magnetisation turn-on and turn-off detection strategies, whereas larger beads only allow for turn-off detection; (ii) small beads exhibit faster immobilisation kinetics, thus reducing the time for diagnostic test completion, and also immobilise in larger numbers than larger beads. Finally, (iii) by demonstrating qualitative dual-target detection of bacterial DNA sequences using 130 and 250nm beads, the bioassay was shown to allow for multiplexed detection.     

Direct capture and cloning of receptor kinase and peroxidase genes from genomic DNA.

A direct DNA capture and cloning procedure with magnetic bead separation was used to isolate receptor kinase like and peroxidase genes from oat (Avena sativa) and wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) genomic DNA, respectively. In this procedure, the digoxigenin-labeled probe DNA and target genomic DNA fragments were mixed, denatured, and hybridized. The double-helix complexes formed were captured with anti-digoxigenin immunoglobulin-coated magnetic beads and then cloned into either the lambdaBlueSTAR or pUC18 vector. The effectiveness of this procedure was demonstrated by using two specific DNA probes to capture receptor-like kinase genes and surrounding sequences from oat genomic DNA and a peroxidase gene from wheat genomic DNA.     

A molecular beacon, bead-based assay for the detection of nucleic acids by flow cytometry

Molecular beacons are dual-labelled probes that are typically used in real-time PCR assays, but have also been conjugated with solid matrices for use in microarrays or biosensors. We have developed a fluid array system using microsphere-conjugated molecular beacons and the flow cytometer for the specific, multiplexed detection of unlabelled nucleic acids in solution. For this array system, molecular beacons were conjugated with microspheres using a biotin-streptavidin linkage. A bridged conjugation method using streptavidin increased the signal-to-noise ratio, allowing for further discrimination of target quantitation. Using beads of different sizes and molecular beacons in two fluorophore colours, synthetic nucleic acid control sequences were specifically detected for three respiratory pathogens, including the SARS coronavirus in proof-of-concept experiments. Considering that routine flow cytometers are able to detect up to four fluorescent channels, this novel assay may allow for the specific multiplex detection of a nucleic acid panel in a single tube.     

Multiplexed single nucleotide polymorphism genotyping by oligonucleotide ligation and flow cytometry

BACKGROUND: We have developed a rapid, high throughput method for single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) genotyping that employs an oligonucleotide ligation assay (OLA) and flow cytometric analysis of fluorescent microspheres. METHODS: A fluoresceinated oligonucleotide reporter sequence is added to a "capture" probe by OLA. Capture probes are designed to hybridize both to genomic "targets" amplified by polymerase chain reaction and to a separate complementary DNA sequence that has been coupled to a microsphere. These sequences on the capture probes are called "ZipCodes". The OLA-modified capture probes are hybridized to ZipCode complement-coupled microspheres. The use of microspheres with different ratios of red and orange fluorescence makes a multiplexed format possible where many SNPs may be analyzed in a single tube. Flow cytometric analysis of the microspheres simultaneously identifies both the microsphere type and the fluorescent green signal associated with the SNP genotype. RESULTS: Application of this methodology is demonstrated by the multiplexed genotyping of seven CEPH DNA samples for nine SNP markers located near the ApoE locus on chromosome 19. The microsphere-based SNP analysis agreed with genotyping by sequencing in all cases. CONCLUSIONS: Multiplexed SNP genotyping by OLA with flow cytometric analysis of fluorescent microspheres is an accurate and rapid method for the analysis of SNPs.     

Dynamics of marine bacterial and phytoplankton populations using multiplex liquid bead array technology

Heterotrophic bacteria and phytoplankton dominate the biomass and play major roles in the biogeochemical cycles of the surface ocean. Here, we designed and tested a fast, high‐throughput and multiplexed hybridization‐based assay to detect populations of marine heterotrophic bacteria and phytoplankton based on their small subunit ribosomal DNA sequences. The assay is based on established liquid bead array technology, an approach that is gaining acceptance in biomedical research but remains underutilized in ecology. End‐labelled PCR products are hybridized to taxon‐specific oligonucleotide probes attached to fluorescently coded beads followed by flow cytometric detection. We used ribosomal DNA environmental clone libraries (a total of 450 clones) and cultured isolates to design and test 26 bacterial and 10 eukaryotic probes specific to various ribotypes and genera of heterotrophic bacteria and eukaryotic phytoplankton. Pure environmental clones or cultures were used as controls and demonstrated specificity of the probes to their target taxa. The quantitative nature of the assay was demonstrated by a significant relationship between the number of target molecules and fluorescence signal. Clone library sequencing and bead array fluorescence from the same sample provided consistent results. We then applied the assay to a 37‐day time series of coastal surface seawater samples from the Southern California Bight to examine the temporal dynamics of microbial communities on the scale of days to weeks. As expected, several bacterial phylotypes were positively correlated with total bacterial abundances and chlorophyll a concentrations, but others were negatively correlated. Bacterial taxa belonging to the same broad taxonomic groups did not necessarily correlate with one another, confirming recent results suggesting that inferring ecological role from broad taxonomic identity may not always be accurate.     

New Labelling Technology for Molecular Probes Applied to the Ligation Detection Reaction–Universal Array System

The ligation detection reaction (LDR) associated with universal arrays (UA) uses a fluorescently labelled probe (DP) and a Zip Code-extended probe to detect single nucleotide polymorphisms in DNA target sequences. When used for genotyping, the LDR-UA technique uses two DPs, each specific to an allele and labelled with a different fluorophore. The fluorescent signals are processed to calculate the genotype. The uneven decay of fluorophores due to ageing and freezing/thawing cycles and the consequent unequal fluoresce level can lead to erroneous genotype calls. To circumvent this problem, an indirect labelling strategy was developed based on the substitution of the fluorophore with allele-specific 22 bp universal labelling sequences (ULS). Labelling is achieved with fluorescently labelled oligos complementary to the ULS (cULS). The strategy improved the uniformity in probe labelling, and generated results comparable to those using direct-labelled probes, as shown by genotyping 22 polymorphic sites in 70 samples with both strategies. This method can be easily implemented in the routine screening with LDR-UA or other techniques. Moreover, the approach results in a significant cost reduction over traditional direct labelling, and offers the possibility to interchange fluorophores and to increase the fluorescent signal by using multiple-labelled cULS.     

Quantitation of DNA Sequences in Environmental PCR Products by a Multiplexed, Bead-Based Method

A first application of a multiplexed, bead-based method is described for determining the abundances of target sequences in an environmental PCR product. Target sequences as little as 0.3% of the total amount of DNA can be quantified. Tests were conducted on 16S ribosomal DNA sequences from microorganisms collected from contaminated groundwater.     

Quantitation of DNA sequences in environmental PCR products by a multiplexed, bead-based method

A first application of a multiplexed, bead-based method is described for determining the abundances of target sequences in an environmental PCR product. Target sequences as little as 0.3% of the total amount of DNA can be quantified. Tests were conducted on 16S ribosomal DNA sequences from microorganisms collected from contaminated groundwater.     

Ligase-based multiple DNA analysis by using an electrochemical sensor array

We herein report an electrochemical biosensor for the sequence-specific detection of DNA with high discrimination ability for single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). This DNA sensor was constructed by a pair of flanking probes that "sandwiched" the target. A 16-electrode electrochemical sensor array was employed, each having one individual DNA capture probe immobilized at gold electrodes via gold-thiol chemistry. By coupling with a biotin-tagged detection probe, we were able to detect multiple DNA targets with a single array. In order to realize SNP detection, a ligase-based approach was employed. In this method, both the capture probe and the detection probe were in tandem upon being hybridized with the target. Importantly, we employed a ligase that specifically could ligate tandem sequences only in the absence of mismatches. As a result, when both probes were complementary to the target, they were ligated in the presence of the ligase, thus being retained at the surface during the subsequent stringent washing steps. In contrast, if there existed 1-base mismatch, which could be efficiently recognized by the ligase, the detection probe was not ligated and subsequently washed away. A conjugate of avidin-horseradish peroxidase was then attached to the biotin label at the end of the detection probe via the biotin-avidin bridge. We then electrochemically interrogated the electrical current for the peroxidase-catalyzed reduction of hydrogen peroxide. We demonstrated that the electrochemical signal for the wild-type DNA was significantly larger than that for the sequence harboring the SNP.     

Flow cytometric platform for high-throughput single nucleotide polymorphism analysis

We have developed a rapid, cost-effective, high-throughput readout for single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) genotyping using flow cytometric analysis performed on a Luminex 100 flow cytometer. This robust technique employs a PCR-derived target DNA containing the SNP, a synthetic SNP-complementary ZipCode-bearing capture probe, a fluorescent reporter molecule, and a thermophilic DNA polymerase. An array of fluorescent microspheres, covalently coupled with complementary ZipCode sequences (cZipCodes), was hybridized to the reaction products and sequestered them for flow cytometric analysis. The single base chain extension (SBCE) reaction was used to assay 20 multiplexed SNPs for 633 patients in 96-well format. Comparison of the microsphere-based SBCE assay results to gel-based oligonucleotide ligation assay (OLA) results showed 99.3% agreement in genotype assignments. Substitution of direct-labeled R6G dideoxynucleotide with indirect-labeled phycoerythrin dideoxynucleotide enhanced signal five- to tenfold while maintaining low noise levels. A new assay based on allele-specific primer extension (ASPE) was validated on a set of 15 multiplexed SNPs for 96 patients. ASPE offers both the advantage of streamlining the SNP analysis protocol and the ability to perform multiplex SNP analysis on any mixture of allelic variants.     

Colorimetric detection of the tuberculosis complex using cycling probe technology and hybridization in microplates

Cycling probe technology (CPT) is a simple signal amplification method for the detection of specific target DNA sequences. CPT uses a chimeric DNA-RNA-DNA probe that is cut by RNase H when bound to its complementary target sequence. In this study, a hybridization assay was developed to detect biotinylated CPT products that result from the amplification of a Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex sequence. The chimeric probe was specifically designed to avoid the formation of secondary structures. The chosen capture probe was perfectly complementary to and was the same size as OL2, one of the two CPT products. The assay was based on the observation that a long sequence, such as the initial probe, was destabilized when bound to a small capture probe as a result of steric hindrance. The capture probe preferentially bound OL2 rather than the long initial probe. We added a prehybridization step with a helper DNA to enhance this discrimination between the two sequences. Colorimetric detection was performed using a peroxidase-streptavidin conjugate. After optimization, the non-isotopic hybridization assay allowed the detection of around 10 amol of target DNA. Besides being faster and easier to perform, this detection method was compared to electrophoresis separation and gave similar results.     

G‐rich sequence‐functionalized polystyrene microsphere‐based instantaneous derivatization for the chemiluminescent amplified detection of DNA

Herein, we develop a novel chemiluminescence (CL) approach with high sensitivity and excellent selectivity, by taking advantage of magnetic beads as preconcentration carriers and polystyrene microspheres as an amplification platform. Briefly, a ‘sandwich‐type’ detection strategy is employed in our design, which involves capture probe DNA immobilized on the surface of carboxyl‐terminated magnetic beads and multiple biotinylated reporter DNA self‐assembled on the surface of streptavidin‐modified polystyrene microspheres. The reporter DNA includes a guanine nucleobase‐rich (G‐rich) sequence domain for the generation of light and an additional tethered nucleic acid domain complementary with the target DNA. The CL signal is obtained via a novel instantaneous derivatization reaction between a specific CL reagent and the guanine nucleo­bases rich in the target and reporter DNA. As a result, we demonstrate that this DNA assay is reproducible, stable, easy to use, and can sensitively detect femtomolar target DNA related to anthrax lethal factors with excellent differentiation ability for single‐base mismatched sequences. Overall, this new CL protocol couples the high sensitivity of CL analysis with effective magnetic separation for discriminating against unwanted constituents such as mismatched sequences, and hence, offers great promise for DNA hybridization analysis. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Tris(3-mercaptopropyl)-N-glycylaminomethane as a new linker to bridge antibody with metal particles for biological cell separations

Conjugates of nickel beads with CD8 and anti-red blood cell KC16 antibody were prepared by using the aminotrithiolate "spider" ligand, tris(3-mercaptopropyl)-N-glycylaminomethane, in its new function as a linker between the surface of nickel beads and antibody via activation of spider ligand attached to nickel beads with the common, heterobifunctional cross-linker, sulfosuccinimidyl 4-(N-maleimidomethyl)cyclohexane-1-carboxylate (sulfo-SMCC). Raw nickel beads were cleaned by either mild sonication in a bath or by stronger probe sonication to remove surface nickel oxide layers, before attachment of the spider ligand. Scanning electron micrographs of the nickel beads before and after probe sonication showed a marked change from a corrugated to a smooth bead surface. Analyses of the supernatants of conjugation mixtures for antibody gave surface densities of 2.5-5.2 mg/m(2) for CD8 and 0.6-12 mg/m(2) for KC16 antibody runs. The antibody-spider-nickel bead conjugates were used in magnetic bead depletions of targeted CD8+ lymphocytes or red blood cells (rbcs) in whole blood of normal donors. For CD8 cell depletions, the undepleted controls and supernatants of depleted samples were analyzed for CD8/CD4 cell populations by flow cytometry with appropriate fluorescent antibody markers. Enumeration of red blood cells, white blood cells (wbcs), and platelets (plts) in undepleted controls and supernatants of depleted samples were carried out on appropriate hematology counters. Whole blood titer results with various lots of either CD8-spider-nickel or KC16-spider-nickel bead conjugates showed varying degrees of depletion ability as indicated by bead-to-cell ratios of 2-32 for CD8 beads and by rbc-to-bead ratios of 1.2-10 for KC16 beads. Moreover, varying degrees of specificity of CD8 beads for CD8+ cells over CD4+ cells and of KC16 beads for rbcs over white blood cells and platelets were observed from the normalized nontargeted cell population figures in undepleted controls versus supernatants of depleted samples.     

A Method for Selecting Structure-switching Aptamers Applied to a Colorimetric Gold Nanoparticle Assay

Small molecules provide rich targets for biosensing applications due to their physiological implications as biomarkers of various aspects of human health and performance. Nucleic acid aptamers have been increasingly applied as recognition elements on biosensor platforms, but selecting aptamers toward small molecule targets requires special design considerations. This work describes modification and critical steps of a method designed to select structure-switching aptamers to small molecule targets. Binding sequences from a DNA library hybridized to complementary DNA capture probes on magnetic beads are separated from nonbinders via a target-induced change in conformation. This method is advantageous because sequences binding the support matrix (beads) will not be further amplified, and it does not require immobilization of the target molecule. However, the melting temperature of the capture probe and library is kept at or slightly above RT, such that sequences that dehybridize based on thermodynamics will also be present in the supernatant solution. This effectively limits the partitioning efficiency (ability to separate target binding sequences from nonbinders), and therefore many selection rounds will be required to remove background sequences. The reported method differs from previous structure-switching aptamer selections due to implementation of negative selection steps, simplified enrichment monitoring, and extension of the length of the capture probe following selection enrichment to provide enhanced stringency. The selected structure-switching aptamers are advantageous in a gold nanoparticle assay platform that reports the presence of a target molecule by the conformational change of the aptamer. The gold nanoparticle assay was applied because it provides a simple, rapid colorimetric readout that is beneficial in a clinical or deployed environment. Design and optimization considerations are presented for the assay as proof-of-principle work in buffer to provide a foundation for further extension of the work toward small molecule biosensing in physiological fluids.     

DNA probes on beads arrayed in a capillary, 'Bead-array', exhibited high hybridization performance

A DNA analysis platform called 'Bead-array' is presented and its features when used in hybridization detection are shown. In 'Bead-array', beads of 100- micro m diameter are lined in a determined order in a capillary. Each bead is conjugated with DNA probes, and can be identified by its order in the capillary. This probe array is easily produced by just arraying beads conjugated with probes into the capillary in a fixed order. The hybridization is also easily completed by introducing samples (1-300 micro l) into the capillary with reciprocal flow. For hybridization detection, as little as 1 amol of fluorescent-labeled oligo DNA was detected. The hybridization reaction was completed in 1 min irrespective of the amount of target DNA. When the number of target molecules was smaller than that of probe molecules on the bead, 10 fmol, almost all targets were captured on the bead. 'Bead-array' enables reliable and reproducible measurement of the target quantity. This rapid and sensitive platform seems very promising for various genetic testing tasks.     

Nucleic acid hybridization assays employing dA-tailed capture probes. I. Multiple capture methods

A quantitative hybridization assay termed "reversible target capture" is described. The technique is designed to extensively purify the target nucleic acid from crude cell lysates in about 1 h without phenol extraction. Simple, rapid methods are described that explain how each process in the assay is optimized. The procedure involves hybridizing the target nucleic acid in solution with a dA-tailed capture probe and a labeled probe. The capture probe-target-labeled probe "ternary complex" is then captured on magnetic beads containing oligo(dT). After the excess unhybridized labeled probe, cell debris, and other sample impurities are washed away, the intact ternary complex is further purified by chemical elution from the beads and recapture on fresh beads. The ternary complex is then eluted thermally and recaptured on a third set of beads or on poly(dT) filters. This triple capture method results in a detection limit of approximately 0.2 amol (100 fg) of target with 32P-labeled riboprobes. This is approximately 1000 times more sensitive than sandwich assays employing only a single capture step. The method is illustrated by detecting Listeria cells in the presence of heterologous bacteria. With three rounds of target capture, as few as six Listeria cells have been detected in the presence of 1.25 x 10(7) control cells.     

Real-time PCR to study the sequence specific magnetic purification of DNA

The performance of various molecular techniques using complex biological samples greatly depends on the efficient separation and purification of DNA targets. In recent years, magnetic separation technology making use of small magnetic beads, has gained immense popularity. Most of these methods rely on the non-specific adsorption of DNA/RNA. However, as presented here, when functionalizing the beads with complementary DNA probes, the target of interest can selectively be isolated. Such sequence specific purification was evaluated for short DNA targets by means of simple fluorescent measurements, resulting in purification efficiencies around 80%. Besides standard fluorescent techniques, a real-time PCR (qPCR) method was applied for monitoring the purification of longer DNA targets. This qPCR method was specifically optimized for directly quantifying the purification efficiency of low concentrated DNA targets bound to magnetic beads. Additionally, parameters possibly affecting the magnetic isolation, including the length of the used capture probe or the hybridization location, were investigated. Using optimized conditions in combination with qPCR, purification efficiencies between 60% and 80% were observed and this over a large concentration window. These data also show the power of a direct qPCR approach to monitor the magnetic isolation of DNA at very low concentrations.     

Nano-bio-chips for high performance multiplexed protein detection: Determinations of cancer biomarkers in serum and saliva using quantum dot bioconjugate labels

The integration of semiconductor nanoparticle quantum dots (QDs) into a modular, microfluidic biosensor for the multiplexed quantitation of three important cancer markers, carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), cancer antigen 125 (CA125), and Her-2/Neu (C-erbB-2) was achieved. The functionality of the integrated sample processing, analyte capture and detection modalities was demonstrated using both serum and whole saliva specimens. Here, nano-bio-chips that employed a fluorescence transduction signal with QD-labeled detecting antibody were used in combination with antigen capture by a microporous agarose bead array supported within a microfluidics ensemble so as to complete the sandwich-type immunoassay. The utilization of QD probes in this miniaturized biosensor format resulted in signal amplification 30 times relative to that of standard molecular fluorophores as well as affording a reduction in observed limits of detection by nearly 2 orders of magnitude (0.02 ng/mL CEA; 0.11 pM CEA) relative to enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Assay validation studies indicate that measurements by the nano-bio-chip system correlate to standard methods at R² = 0.94 and R² = 0.95 for saliva and serum, respectively. This integrated nano-bio-chip assay system, in tandem with next-generation fluorophores, promises to be a sensitive, multiplexed tool for important diagnostic and prognostic applications.