New Method for Detecting DNA Lesions (IMAGE)

University of Utah

New Method for Detecting DNA Lesions

Caption

This graphic shows a new method, developed at the University of Utah, for identifying DNA lesions, or sites of damage on DNA strands that can lead to disease-causing mutations. First the damage is cut out and replaced by so-called unnatural base pairs so chemists can amplify, or make millions of copies, of the damaged DNA. Then they label the unnatural base with a chemical called 18-crown-6 ether. which makes it easier to detect the site of DNA damage by passing the strand of DNA through molecule-size nanopore.

Credit

Aaron Fleming, University of Utah

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