UoH researcher receives patent for DNA/RNA sample pooling technology

The Indian Patent Office has granted a patent to Prof. Sreenivasulu Kurukuti of the Department of Animal Biology, School of Life Sciences, University of Hyderabad, and Dr. Gautam Das of Mumbai-based miBiome Therapeutics LLP for a method designed to improve the efficiency of large-scale DNA/RNA sample processing.The patent, titled “Method of Pooling Multiple Reverse Indexed DNA/RNA Samples and Adding Single Indexed Forward Primer and Application Thereof,” was granted, it bears Patent No. 605714, against Application No. 202041030440, filed on July 16, 2020.

The invention emerged from a collaborative research initiative during the COVID-19 pandemic, which aimed to develop scalable, efficient and cost-effective molecular diagnostic technologies.

The patented method uses a high-throughput combinatorial indexing strategy for processing multiple DNA/RNA samples through next-generation sequencing (NGS). It employs unique molecular barcodes to identify individual samples, which are pooled and assigned an additional pool-specific barcode. This allows individual sample identities to be retained during large-scale sequencing.

According to the details of the invention, the method reuses sample-specific indexing primers across differently indexed pools. Its theoretical capacity extends to distinguishing samples from 92,160 individuals, calculated as 96 multiplied by 960, with the potential for further expansion to millions of samples.

The approach could reduce library preparation requirements, processing time and sequencing costs. Potential applications include population-scale molecular diagnostics, infectious disease surveillance, mass screening and genomic research.

The technology is particularly relevant to research and diagnostic settings that require the processing of large numbers of samples. By combining sample pooling with multiple indexing stages, the method seeks to support high-throughput analysis while maintaining sample-level identification.

The patent highlights collaboration between academic research and biotechnology industry expertise. It also reflects continuing efforts to develop molecular technologies that can be scaled for public health and life sciences applications. Further validation and implementation would determine the technology’s performance and suitability across specific use cases.

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