Researchers earn funding to develop new DNA sequencing method

Aiming to create faster and lower-cost devices for direct optical interrogation of single DNA strands, researchers at the University of Southampton (Southampton, England) are developing a new method of single-molecule DNA sequencing, with funding from the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council's Strategic Tools and Resources Development Fund.

Using the new state-of-the-art fabrication facilities in the University of Southampton’s Mountbatten building, the multidisciplinary team from the University’s Optoelectronics Research Center (ORC) and the Chemistry department will fabricate nanoscale structures to optically 'read' the single DNA strand sequence.

This study will provide the first step for a new single-molecule DNA sequencing method that builds upon existing expertise at the University of Southampton, and will involve collaboration with Renishaw Diagnostics (Glasgow, Scotland), which is providing material and expertise.

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