The GENEPRINT project is a cross-disciplinary collaboration between a Zambian research institute, a UK-based charity, a UK-based agri-business consultancy & 2 companies with specialisms in Biotech to explore the market & technical feasibility of a novel business model for localised production & marketing of high quality locally-bred seed in Zambia. The innovative idea pushes scientific & commercial boundaries by using genetic analysis to support certification of farmer-bred varieties that can then be marketed & sold through local multiplication companies. The idea is at an early stage & during the project the consortium will explore the commercial potential for localised production of high-quality, locally-bred varieties & the scientific/technical feasibility of portable genetic analysis supporting certification of the farmer-bred varieties. The project meets the challenge of improving small farm productivity by improving access to high-quality seed supplies, optimised for local agronomic conditions. The novel enterprise contributes to the economic growth of Zambia, increasing revenues for male & female smallholders & helping to protect valuable genetic resources. The strategy will initially be implemented in Zambia, but once demonstrated, the novel protocols could be used worldwide.

DNA is a code for RNA, which is the template for proteins. Within the same organism, all cells have the same DNA sequence but use different bits of DNA as codes for RNA (that is, selective DNA expression), so make different proteins. Thus, a human liver cell and a human skin cell are identical in DNA sequence, but very different to each other as they express different proteins. Diseases, including cancer, cause cells to alter the bits of DNA they make into RNA expressing altered proteins and these alterations are potentially useful diagnostic markers. Molecular biologists use a technique called quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (qrtPCR) to quantify how much of a particular piece of RNA there is in a sample, and hence how this might indicate a person is suffering from a particular disease. However, qrtPCR has not been used outside of research labs to diagnose disease, mainly because RNA is inherently susceptible to degradation, making sample collection and storage near impossible. Arcis have developed a procedure to simplify RNA extraction and stabilise the RNA pool for up to 26 days. This project seeks to explore feasibility of adapting this to extract and stabilise RNA from urine, potentially allowing the validation of game-changing biomarkers for prostate and bladder cancers, amongst other conditions.

Arcis Biotechnology have developed a blend of surfactants which has been found to lyse cells to release the DNA and RNA and subsequently protect these fragile molecules for a number of hours. This has potential benefits in the field on diagnostic kits both on life sciences and molecular diagnostics and with further potential for point of care applications. Arcis are seeking TSB support to develop and manufacture prototypes of coated qPCR plates in order to proceed to the next stage of development to commercialise this exiting opportunity.