Intrinsic
Fluorescence Informatics Technology (INFLIT)
To
maximize the efficiency of new data acquisition and to permit
the analysis of unique, high value spectral information, the Company
is expanding its portfolio of custom designed high precision fluorometric
instrumentation. These systems, called Intrinsic Fluorescence
Informatics Technology (INFLIT), are based on SerOptix' experiences
in the accurate detection of faint natural fluorescence signals,
and represent a proprietary combination of state-of-the-art optical
components and novel signal analysis software that optimize overall
system performance characteristics. This technology provides both
a novel portfolio of tools and advanced data stream not currently
commercially available as well as an efficient strategy for management
and mining of SerOptix' proprietary databases.
High
Resolution-INFLIT (HR-INFLIT) Systems
SerOptix'
most advanced system to obtain and analyze molecular signatures
has been designated the HR-INFLIT-355. The system uses a 355 nM
microlaser with a spectrometer and computer system designed to
measure fluorescence associated with any biological fluid or extract.
This specific wavelength system was chosen to maximize the information
obtained from diluted or partially fractionated protein-rich plasma
that is dominated by tryptophan fluorescence (a natural component
of proteins) when excited with shorter wavelengths of light. To
increase the breadth of data obtained from any sample and to take
advantage of our protocols, which can now provide an almost protein-free
extract of plasma, SerOptix intends to develop a family of INFLIT
instruments incorporating additional light sources (e.g. deep
ultraviolet: 266 nm as well as 355nm) and sensitive detection
units. Additional single and dual laser combinations will be considered
as a result of our Standard Spectral Surveys (see SMI).
Advanced design units will have the capability of obtaining spectral
signatures of the emission from plasma extracts at one or both
excitation wavelengths and be equipped to analyze and combine
the enhanced spectral information. Selected systems may be further
optimized as instruments for direct diagnostic assays such as
SerOptix' ID-LBS assay for HCV.
XL-INFLIT
systems
SerOptix
has proven that intrinsic fluorescence analysis can be employed
to create reliable systems for disease detection. The application
of broad spectral surveys and specific HR-INFLIT systems on direct
extracts of biological samples represent the initial steps in
the creation of comprehensive molecular signatures based on intrinsic
fluorescence. Bulk extracts can be directly and rapidly fractionated
into families of fluorescent molecules using chromatographic methods
(e.g. HPLC) that magnify minor bulk extract differences when separated
into several groups. The information content of chromatographic
profiles can be further enhanced by the measurement of the intrinsic
fluorescence spectra of each fraction or 'peak'. SerOptix scientists
have demonstrated that the measurement of native fluorescence
spectra during chromatographic separation provides additional
information concerning the molecular profile of the sample, increasing
the complexity, utility and value of the databases built from
these analyses. With current technology it is possible to monitor
samples with multiple excitation wavelengths and obtain high-resolution
fluorescence spectra of fractionated peaks. Figures 1A
& 1B are three dimensional
displays of a chromatographic profile showing both fluorescence
intensity and emission spectra of a model sample extract monitored
with laser excitation at 266nm and 355nm respectively. The wavelength
maximum of each "peak" in the chromatographic profile
is noted in each panel, and illustrates the additional information
that can be obtained through this approach. SerOptix XL-INFLIT
units that are designed to obtain and process these datasets with
enhanced time resolution and spectral breadth at multiple excitation
wavelengths, will hold substantial value for disease-specific
molecular profiling, and provide a powerful tool for the identification
of new molecular targets for drug discovery and diagnostic product
development.
The
Spectra-Molecular Informatics Database System
The
cornerstone of the SerOptix Platform is the establishment of its
proprietary Informatics system based on intrinsic fluorescence
signatures for samples from normal and diseased subjects. The
Informatics system will include multiple parallel databases derived
from a matrix of sample preparation and spectral analysis methods.
From the central informatics server, selected datasets can be
compiled, subjected to quantitative and comparative analyses,
and utilized as the basis for further data acquisition decisions.
Custom-developed data integration software will permit the rapid
real time compilation and analysis of data sets from diverse data
sources, such as spectral survey tools and multiple HR- and XL-INFLIT
systems. The Spectra-Molecular Informatics system is being constructed
to offer confidential segregation of results derived from funded
research, and will provide limited access to core databases and
analytical functions for possible mining to corporate partners
and database subscribers. SerOptix intends to maintain full rights
to data acquired through both internally funded and sponsored
studies for probing for molecular targets not subject to contract
restrictions (e.g. specific disease targets), and expects to construct
a comprehensive longitudinal database from samples acquired form
normal and disease donors over extended time periods. These data
proprietorship advantages will provide SerOptix with first review
of novel datasets and an ownership position for many immediately
identifiable disease-discriminatory spectral leads and molecular
targets. The longitudinal database is expected to offer particularly
useful spectral-molecular information as initially normal subjects
age and develop disease symptoms. Data and archived samples will
be available from these important donors, from which especially
valuable subclinical evidence of important diseases may be derived.
Since
spectral data will be routinely obtained as relations of intensity
and wavelength, our system will be optimally configured to maximize
accessibility and mining of these files for detection of disease-specific
signals and development of discriminatory algorithms.
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