2009 R&D 100 Winner
To facilitate the rapid understanding of the functions of microorganisms, researchers at the Univ. of Oklahoma, Norman, Okla. developed the OUGeo Chip, a universal, high-throughput metagenomics microarray. The technology links microbial community structure to functions, allowing researchers to monitor sudden changes associated with bioterror attacks, epidemics, or atmospheric changes. The GeoChip is a DNA microarray containing oligonucleotide probes for genes involved in biogeochemical cycling of carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, sulfur and various metals, antibiotic resistance, metal resistance, organic contaminant degradation, and energy production. It can be used to test soil, water, air, and human or animal samples. Microbial samples do not require a culturing period. By implementing universal standards, the GeoChip allows for comparable analysis of microarray data across different sites, experiments, or labs. The 25 mm x 75 mm glass slide has 50 nucleotide long oligonucleotide probes with high resolution, specificity, and sensitivity for simultaneously distinguishing more than 50,000 functional gene variants of more than 300 function gene categories.
Technology
Universal, high-throughput metagenomics microarray
Developer
Univ. of Oklahoma
