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Frequently Asked QuestionsQ: “Xeno” comes from the Greek and means alien or foreign. What is meant by the term alien DNA? A: Alien DNA is a general term that refers to DNA that comes from cells in the body that have genetic characteristics clearly different from a person’s own genetic profile. Thus, a developing fetus has a genetic identity that differs from that of the mother. A tumor growing somewhere in the body carries with it characteristic mutations that exist only in that tumor. Similarly, a transplanted organ such as a heart contains the genetic information of the donor and differs from that of the recipient. These alien DNA molecules have a specific and recognizable signature. Q: What are the sources of DNA for genetic testing used by others today? A: Currently, genetic tests are performed on DNA isolated from specimens of blood, mouth swabs, amniotic fluid, tissue biopsy samples and urine. These cell specimens contain DNA that is representative of DNA in every cell throughout the body containing what may be called your genetic profile. Q: What is circulating DNA? A: Within every organ of the body, within a developing fetus, or within a tumor that may be growing somewhere, cells are continuously dividing while others are continuously dying. As cells die, they first break up their long DNA molecules into shorter fragments and a portion of these fragments find their way into the blood stream. All together, this mixture of DNA in blood plasma, so called circulating DNA, contains genetic information from all cell types of the body. Among the many DNA fragments are those that carry recognizable signatures that identify their origin such as an undiagnosed tumor. Q: What is Transrenal DNA? A: Our scientists were the first to discover that a portion of circulating DNA crosses the kidney barrier and accumulates in the urine. This is Transrenal DNA which, like circulating DNA, contains genetic information from all cell types of the body. Urine is a relatively simple aqueous solution and, unlike plasma, contains few components that can attack and break down these DNA fragments. From there, the fragments can easily be isolated and analyzed using conventional methods in use or in development in many molecular genomics laboratories. Q: We have heard about urine DNA tests in the past, but what is the difference between transrenal DNA and the urine DNA that has been mentioned by others? A: Urine is composed of two parts: first, a water solution containing salts and other soluble molecules including Transrenal DNA; second, sediment that is not in solution and includes cells that have been shed from the linings of the kidneys, bladder and urethra. When others refer to “urine DNA” tests, they are referring to DNA tests performed on the cells washed from the lining of the urinary tract into the urine. In addition, if the individual has a bacterial or viral infection in the urinary tract, DNA from these organisms has been commonly isolated from urine. Q: Is isolation of Transrenal DNA an easy procedure? A: Yes, since urine does not contain many cells, proteins and other contaminants, isolation of Transrenal DNA is a simple procedure which can be easily automated for high throughput screening applications. Q: What are the essential sectors of genetic testing where the Company expects Transrenal DNA platform will be the approach of choice? A: The major sectors in which Transrenal DNA testing would be the method of choice are areas of molecular diagnostics based on “alien” DNA analysis such as: prenatal testing where the Tr-DNA test can be performed as early as 6 weeks of pregnancy; early tumor diagnosis including detection of pre-neoplastic conditions, tumor monitoring and detection of metastatic disease, and assessment of anti-tumor therapies; monitoring of transplanted cells, tissues and organs; and detection of pathogens. Xenomics is keenly aware of the fact that there are a growing number of opportunities to develop applications and new markets for the Transrenal DNA technology, including traditional genetic profiling. |
