Amplification-free electrochemical assay for rapid in-field DNA/RNA detection in plant materials
A universal, amplification-free molecular diagnostic platform that detects plant DNA and RNA directly from leaves and seeds in under 10 minutes. Using antisense oligonucleotide probes and redox-mediated electrochemical readout amplified by gold nanoparticles, the technology enables multiplexed, one-step detection of multiple genetic markers without nucleic acid isolation, validated at 98%+ accuracy in clinical samples.
Overview
This solution offers a rapid, amplification-free electrochemical assay for detecting DNA and RNA directly from plant materials such as leaves and seeds. Designed for in-field use, the platform delivers results in under 10 minutes from sample to result, eliminating the need for laboratory-based nucleic acid isolation or polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification. The technology is being adapted from a validated human-pathogen diagnostic platform that has demonstrated high accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity across a broad range of targets. For agricultural applications, this means growers, seed companies, plant breeders, and crop protection specialists can obtain genetic confirmation of plant identity, pathogens, or traits on-site, dramatically reducing turnaround time and dependency on centralized laboratories.
Technical specifications
Core detection principle:
- Antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) probes are designed to complement specific target DNA or RNA sequences in plant materials
- Probes are conjugated onto electrode surfaces using a binding-induced folding mechanism
- In the absence of target, the capture probe forms a hairpin structure that retains a redox reporter near the electrode surface
- When target genetic material is present, hybridization opens the hairpin, moving the redox reporter away from the electrode and producing a measurable change in cyclic voltammetry response
- Gold nanoparticles amplify the electron kinetics signal to enhance sensitivity
- Multiple genetic markers can be detected simultaneously in a multiplexed format
- A portable potentiostat enables field-deployable testing
Validated performance characteristics (from clinical benchmark):
- Accuracy: 98.4%
- Sensitivity: 98.2%
- Specificity: 98.5%
- Limit of detection: 2.5 copies per microliter
- No DNA/RNA isolation step required
- No amplification step required
- Sample-to-result time: under 10 minutes
Technology readiness level
The underlying electrochemical detection platform has been validated across multiple human and pathogen targets, including SARS-CoV-2, H1N1, HIV-1, and others, with clinical sample benchmarking against gold-standard PCR testing. The plant-specific adaptation is at an early development stage, with a planned one-year research effort focused on designing plant-target ASO probes, optimizing the electrode sensing platform, and evaluating assay performance directly on plant samples without nucleic acid isolation. The team is actively seeking industry partnership to guide in-field use cases, provide funding for key personnel, and support commercialization pathways.
About Penn State University
Penn State University is a comprehensive public land‑grant research university with a large multi‑campus footprint across Pennsylvania. Industry engages through a research and technology park adjacent to the flagship campus that houses corporate R&D, co‑located labs, and flexible collaboration space, as well as a statewide extension network that enables field testing, demonstration, and workforce reach. Integration with a major hospital system supports clinical translation, and an applied research laboratory fosters mission‑driven partnerships with government and industry sponsors. Research is supported by competitive federal funding from agencies such as NSF, NIH, DOE, USDA, DoD, and NASA. A dedicated technology transfer office manages IP, licensing, and startup formation to accelerate commercialization.
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