"James has even done this using CDs with music, like Beethoven's Fifth Symphony," says Burkart. "And you can actually hear the errors."
"How many people on this planet can actually hear a molecule attached to another molecule?" asks La Clair.
While a few bugs need to be ironed out before the technique can be used to accurately quantify the amount of a given protein in solution, Burkart plans to apply it immediately to help him screen for new compounds in his natural products chemistry research laboratory. Compared to the $100,000 price tag for a fluorescent protein chip reader, he points out, a CD player costs as little as $25.
The researchers envision many other potential applications for this technology outside the laboratory, particularly in the development of inexpensive medical diagnostic tests, now beyond the means of many people around the world, particularly in developing countries.
"In theory, anyone who has a computer with a CD drive could do medical tests in their own home," says La Clair.
The researchers hope that by openly publishing their development in the scientific literature, others will customize the technology in a variety of ways, eventually leading to a wide range of inexpensive new diagnostic kits and other beneficial products.
"We plan to make this fully available and see what people come up with," says Burkart.
For additional information, see: http://discode.ucsd.edu/
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Contact: Sherry Seethaler
sseethaler@ucsd.edu
858-534-4656
University of California - San Diego
18-Aug-2003