Materials and processes:

The group has direct and indirect interests in the application of its materials in base and modified forms in bioseparative processes and molecular diagnostics. The silica-magnetite composites have been optimised for use in the extraction of various biomolecules and have been activated with oligonucleotides capture sequences and antibodies and antibody fragments. The silica-magnetite has now been formulated into kits for theextraction of DNA to be used in GM testing and forms part of an accredited method listed in the AOAC Compendium (used widely in Europe) whilst oligonucleotide modified forms have been used in commercial and diagnostic laboratory testing for various viruses and microorganisms. This work has been carried out in collaboration with governmental institutes involved in public health and food safety as well as commercial organisations.

		A, B Gel and Southern blot of amplification products from RT-PCR (with rTth polymerase) after hybrid capture using a serial dilution of measles wt RNA transcript spiked into intestinal tissue homogenates. Lanes 1-8 represent 107, 106, 105, 104, 103 wt transcript molecules, water blank and two PCR negative controls. M, 100-bp DNA molecular weight marker.
		C,D Gel and Southern blot of amplification products from RT-PCR (with rTth polymerase) without hybrid capture using a serial dilution of measles wt RNA transcript spiked into intestinal tissue homogenates. Lanes 1-8 represent 107, 106, 105, 104, 103 wt transcript molecules, water blank and two PCR negative controls. M, 100-bp DNA molecular weight marker.

Support: BBSRC, EPSRC, EU and Industrial