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Rapid and Cost-Effective Measurement of mRNA Translation Rate

Targeted Profiling of Translation Rate (TPTR) is an RT-qPCR based method for quantifying RNA translation of specific genes of interest.

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Project Overview

  • Current gene expression analyses predominantly focus on measuring RNA abundance but measuring the rate of RNA translation offers a more precise correlation with the proteome.
  • There is a significant need for more accessible, efficient, and cost-effective methods to determine nucleic acid translation rates.
  • Dana-Farber scientists have has designed the Targeted Profiling of Translation Rate (TPTR) method to provide a streamlined, targeted approach for quantifying RNA translation of specific genes of interest.
  • Dana-Farber is looking for the right partner with an interest in licensing these assets for further development as a therapeutic to benefit patients.

Technology

Quantifying the expression of a specific gene is a key aspect of many types of biomedical research. Current gene expression analyses predominantly focus on measuring RNA abundance due to their relative ease in isolation, amplification and quantification. While these methods are cost-effective and efficient, they fall short in accurately reflecting the actual protein products of gene expression because RNA translation can be affected by drugs and cellular stresses, such as cancer and nutrient variations.

Measuring the rate of RNA translation offers a more precise correlation with the proteome. Existing translation analysis techniques, such as polysome and ribosome profiling, are labor-intensive, costly, and require specialized equipment. There is a significant need for more accessible, efficient, and cost-effective methods to determine nucleic acid translation rates.

Jean Zhao, PhD, principal investigator in the Department of Cancer Biology at Dana-Farber and her lab, have designed the Targeted Profiling of Translation Rate (TPTR) method to provide a streamlined, targeted approach for quantifying RNA translation of specific genes of interest. TPTR is an RT-qPCR based method which determines the relative abundance of ribosomal occupation rates for specific transcripts of interest as a proxy for the translation rate of the associated genes.

Laboratory results demonstrate that TPTR produces results for specific genes that are comparable to measurements by industry-standard ribosome profiling methods while significantly reducing the time and cost requirements. Unlike traditional methods, TPTR does not require highly specialized instruments or reagents, making it more accessible to a broader range of laboratories.

Benefits:

  • Can be easily developed into an assay kit for sale as a clinical/research tool.
  • Faster and more cost-effective than current industry-standard methods.
  • Does not require specialized equipment and can therefore be performed in a variety of clinical and research settings.

Team Members: Jean Zhao, PhD, Ben Bicen Li, PhD

Applications

  • Biomedical Research: studying RNA translation-related molecular mechanisms and effects.
  • Pharmaceutical Development: identification of RNA translation modulating drugs, elucidation of drug mechanisms of actions.
  • Clinical Diagnostics: utilization of RNA translation of specific genes as biomarkers.

Opportunities

Dana-Farber is looking for the right partner interested in licensing these assets for further development as a therapeutic to benefit patients.

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Team Members

Jean Zhao, PhD

Investigator, Cancer Biology and Signal Transduction, Dana-Farber

Professor, Harvard Medical School