A promising new method for detecting ribonucleic acids emerged from research conducted at the University of New Mexico Clinical and Translational Science Center’s (CTSC) Translational Lab. This innovation, filed as a patent application titled “Methods and Systems for Detecting Ribonucleic Acids,” was developed through collaborative efforts between CTSC lab personnel and UNM Health Sciences researcher Christos Argyropoulos, MD, MS, PhD, FASN.
The CTSC Translational Laboratory (T-Laboratory) is comprised of 6,000 gsf of wet-lab space, located in the renovated UNM CTSC Building. The T-Laboratory offers state-of-the-art equipment and technical assistance with laboratory techniques for UNM HSC investigators.
For this particular project, CTSC Lab Personnel Susan Tigert and Debbie Lovato partnered with the investigator, Dr. Argyropoulos, to establish a new technique (long-read nucleic sequencing) at the T-Lab. The innovation provides a single tube protocol for the creation of libraries from RNAs (isolated from cells, extracellular media e.g. blood or urine) that allows the simultaneous detection of short and long RNAs using platforms for long RNA sequencing. Furthermore, they provided additional technical training to the investigator and his own lab staff, which allowed them to design and execute the experiments that produced the data that supported the patent application. Under the new opportunities of SW CACTI and the collaborations with the University of Arizona, it will be exciting to see what additional innovations can be developed.
About UNM Rainforest Innovations
UNM Rainforest Innovations (UNMRI) plays a critical role in supporting research at The University of New Mexico by protecting and commercializing the intellectual property that emerges from their work. As UNM’s dedicated technology-transfer and economic development organization, UNMRI works closely with inventors to secure patents, copyrights, trademarks, and connect these innovations to industry through licensing or startup creation. Located just minutes from UNM’s main campus at the Lobo Rainforest Building, UNMRI serves as a central hub for innovation and entrepreneurial activity. Researchers who believe their discoveries may have commercial potential are encouraged to engage with UNMRI early in the process. To learn more about protecting intellectual property, visit https://innovations.unm.edu/protecting-intellectual-property/