A new method for Rna-nucleic acid purification has just made it to the cover of ‘Cell Reports’.
The method, as a kit that is already on the market, is the result of collaboration between the first start-up supported by the Cibio Department of UniTrento (Immagina Biotechnology srl) and the Biophysics Institute of Italy's National Research Council (Cnr-Ibf) and Fondazione Bruno Kessler (Fbk).
Massimiliano Clamer, first author of the paper, biotechnologist, founder and president of Immagina Biotechnology srl, explained that: “The cells of every living organism, humans included, contain millions of ‘molecular printers’ (ribosomes) that produce proteins (the cells’ functional ‘bricks’) after having read the information contained in the ‘instruction manual’ (Rna). These printers are not always on, they are sometimes off or jammed. The technology of RiboLace by Immagina Biotechnology manages to take a snapshot of these printers exactly when they are in function. This technology will make it possible to see how, by reading the wrong ‘instruction manual’, ribosomes make mistakes and cause more or less serious conditions. These products are used mainly in the research sector, but we are working to explore diagnostic applications”.
“Our method is multipurpose, low-cost, quick and effective. In the future, RiboLace may be used in the diagnosis of various diseases and, in general, in the purification of Rna nucleic acid when it is used as a footprint for the production of proteins”, continued Gabriella Viero, researcher at Cnr-Ibf, who coordinated the research activity. “This work demonstrates that the young people of our region, who have been trained and supported by local and national research institutions like the University of Trento, the Biophysics Institute of Cnr and Fondazione Bruno Kessler, have a strong spirit of initiative to start innovative business companies that represent an asset for the future of the area”.