About This Project
Tape stripping is a non-invasive inexpensive method for obtaining samples for molecular diagnostics. The method requires gently pressing adhesive tape to the skin and then pulling off the tape. This is a reliable method for sampling normal or diseased skin. We are applying tape stripping to obtain sufficient RNA from healthy conjuctiva, the membrane that covers the front of the eye, so we can amplify a housekeeping gene GAPDH. We want to use this method to diagnose ocular diseases.
Ask the Scientists
Join The DiscussionWhat is the context of this research?
Tape stripping is a non-invasive, simple, reliable and inexpensive method to obtain clinical samples for molecular diagnosis. This technology has successfully been used in the past by several groups of investigators, e.g., Vera Morhenn at California Skin Research Institute, as a reliable method for molecular diagnosis of skin diseases. In these studies, tape stripping, i.e. gently pressing an adhesive tape like Scotch tape, to the skin and then pulling off the tape. This can be repeated several times with one and the same piece of tape. This procedure has proven to be a reliable method of sampling normal or diseased skin. Tape stripping also is a an efficient method for the assessment of the quality and efficacy of cosmetic and dermatologic formulations.
What is the significance of this project?
This project should eventually increase the accuracy of the healthcare professional's diagnoses of eye abnormalities/disease and reduce the cost of making a diagnosis.
At TearBio our mission is to provide the ophthalmologist and other healthcare professionals with a kit that would contain the tape(s), an appropriate volume of a suitable buffer and an instruction sheet. After tape stripping, the tubes containing the tapes would be mailed to TearBio for extraction of the RNA and diagnosis. At this time, we need to demonstrate “the proof of concept” using the tape stripping technology to obtain ocular clinical samples (such as from patients suffering from melanoma) for studies of relevant biomarkers.
What are the goals of the project?
For this study we want to isolate RNA from healthy conjunctiva, the membrane that covers the front of the eye, and to amplify a housekeeping gene (GAPDH) by PCR. In our current study, we used a commercially available adhesive tape purchased from Adhesive Research (Glen Rock, Pennsylvania) that was custom fabricated by Diagnostic Laminations Engineering (Oceanside, CA) into small disks (~ 17 mm in diameter). Upon sampling, tapes were placed into a microfuge tube containing an RNA extraction buffer. The tubes were placed on ice and transported to the laboratory for further analysis.
We will use the same method for this proof of concept study. However, this time around we will not only amplify GAPDH but amplify 3 other genes related to ocular diseases.
Budget
We, at TearBio, are applying tape stripping to obtain sufficient RNA from healthy conjunctiva, the membrane that covers the front of the eye, and to amplify a housekeeping gene (GAPDH), as well as, other RNAss by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR). In our current study, we used a commercially available adhesive tape purchased from Adhesive Research (Glen Rock, Pennsylvania) that was custom fabricated by Diagnostic Laminations Engineering (Oceanside, CA) into small disks (~ 17 mm in diameter). Upon sampling, tapes were placed into a microfuge tube containing an RNA extraction buffer. The tubes were placed on ice and transported to the laboratory for further analysis.
We need funds for PCR to test if RNAs specific to ocular diseases, e.g. melanoma, are present.
Endorsed by
Meet the Team
Team Bio
We have a total of 2 members on our team Harvey Fishman and Vera Morhenn.
Vera B. Morhenn
I'm a dermatologist and have 4 grandchildren. About a decade ago, I was working for a company called CSRI, Int. where I discovered that one can isolate intact RNA(s) from human skin by tape stripping the area of the skin that is diseased or normal appearing. This was a surprising finding since it was thought that one could not do this because RNAses existed on the skin and that these enzymes would destroy any nucleic acids located on the integument before this RNA could be isolated and characterized.
Lab Notes
Nothing posted yet.
Additional Information
Previous Publications:
W Wachsman, V Morhenn, et al. Noninvasive genomic detection of melanoma. The British Journal of Dermatology. 2011; 164(4): 797-806.
Lluncor DE, Belongie S, Rullan P, Morhenn V. Regression and classification methods for nasolabial folds: a possible paradigm for computer-aided diagnosis of skin diseases. Japanese Dermatological Association. 2103; 41: 92-97.
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