Enhanced Fluorescence in the Detection of HIV RNAs

Brent Gaylor, PhD

May 31, 2006
CLU - Richter Hall Ahmanson Science Building

The glow of fluorescent probes serves an essential role in many diagnostic, forensic, pharmaceutical, and genomic screening tests.

This talk focuses on an invention that amplifies the fluorescence at the molecular level.  A new class of light-emitting polymers release their optical energy when in contact with the probes, boosting the glow by a factor of 25.  This allows to detect lower concentrations of RNA such as HIV RNA than other optical methods.

The applications extend well beyond early detection of HIV.  Because fluorescent probes are commonly used to identify specific DNA sequences, light amplification with these new polymers could boost the sensitivity and reduce the costs of procedures ranging from forensic DNA matching to gene tracking in crops.

Brent Gaylor, PhD

Dr. Brent Gaylord is responsible for directing research and development at SiriGen, Inc. and is the lead investigator for the firm's $2.1 million government contract. He holds a Ph.D. in Material Science from the University of California at Santa Barbara where he invented and developed the firm's proprietary technology in collaboration with UCSB professors Guillermo C. Bazan and Alan J. Heeger. He also holds a B.S. in Chemistry-Material Science Engineering with a minor in Mathematics from the United States Air Force Academy.