How Circular Probes Find Specific DNA in Cells
This patent describes a method using special circular DNA probes and enzymes to precisely detect specific genetic sequences within a cell or tissue sample, then amplifies the detected sequences for clear viewing.
Original patent title: “Circular probes and methods for sample analysis”
This patent describes a method using special circular DNA probes and enzymes to precisely detect specific genetic sequences within a cell or tissue sample, then amplifies the detected sequences for clear viewing. Granted in 2026.
Coverage
What does this patent actually cover?
This method analyzes target nucleic acids, like DNA or RNA, within a cell or tissue. It uses circular probes, such as "dumbbell probes," that are designed to bind only to a specific target sequence. After the probes are introduced, an enzymatic treatment is applied. This treatment destroys any circular probes that did not bind to their target or bound incorrectly, effectively cleaning up the sample. The circular probes that successfully bound to their target nucleic acid remain intact. These intact, bound probes are then amplified using a process called rolling circle amplification (RCA), which creates many copies of the circular probe's sequence, making the target detectable. For example, a researcher could use this to find a specific viral DNA sequence inside infected cells.
The gap
What does this patent NOT cover?
- Does not cover methods that use linear probes instead of circular probes for target nucleic acid detection.
- Does not cover analysis methods that do not include an enzymatic step to remove unbound or non-specifically bound probes.
- Does not cover detection systems that do not rely on rolling circle amplification (RCA) to visualize the target.
- Does not cover the analysis of targets other than nucleic acids, such as proteins or lipids.
- Does not cover methods where the target nucleic acid is analyzed outside of its original cellular or tissue context (i.e., not "in situ").
These exclusions are unique to PatentBrief — derived from the actual claim language, not patent-office boilerplate.
Key facts
What made this novel
The clever part is combining circular probes with an enzymatic step that specifically destroys only the unbound or incorrectly bound probes. This dramatically reduces background signal, ensuring that only the truly specific binding events are amplified and detected, leading to much clearer and more reliable results.
Schematic visualization of the patent's claim structure. Hand-drawn diagrams in progress for each landmark patent.
Where you've seen this
Real-world examples
Detecting specific viral DNA in infected human tissue samples
Identifying gene expression patterns in cancer cells
Mapping RNA molecules within a neuron
Diagnosing bacterial infections by finding their unique DNA sequences
Studying genetic variations in individual cells
Why it matters
The bigger picture
Precisely detecting specific nucleic acid sequences within cells or tissues is crucial for understanding diseases like cancer and infections, and for basic biological research. This method aims to improve the accuracy and clarity of such detection by reducing background noise from non-target binding. It provides a tool for scientists to visualize exactly where and how much of a particular genetic material is present in a biological sample.
Filed
November 23, 2022
Granted
September 15, 2026
Market context
Who's building on this
Companies in this space
Companies in the molecular diagnostics and life science research tools space are actively developing and refining technologies for in situ nucleic acid detection. Major players like Thermo Fisher Scientific, Illumina, and Bio-Rad Laboratories, along with numerous specialized startups, are continuously innovating in areas related to probe design, enzymatic amplification, and imaging techniques to improve sensitivity and specificity for genetic analysis.
Market impact
This type of technology contributes to the ongoing advancement of molecular diagnostics and basic biological research. By offering improved specificity and signal-to-noise ratios, it can enable more accurate disease detection and a deeper understanding of cellular processes. This could lead to the development of new diagnostic tests and research assays, potentially influencing fields from oncology to infectious disease surveillance by providing clearer insights into genetic material within its native context.
Claim 1 — Plain English
What this patent covers
This method analyzes target nucleic acids, like DNA or RNA, within a cell or tissue. It uses circular probes, such as "dumbbell probes," that are designed to bind only to a specific target sequence. After the probes are introduced, an enzymatic treatment is applied. This treatment destroys any circular probes that did not bind to their target or bound incorrectly, effectively cleaning up the sample. The circular probes that successfully bound to their target nucleic acid remain intact. These intact, bound probes are then amplified using a process called rolling circle amplification (RCA), which creates many copies of the circular probe's sequence, making the target detectable. For example, a researcher could use this to find a specific viral DNA sequence inside infected cells.
The clever bit
The clever part is combining circular probes with an enzymatic step that specifically destroys only the unbound or incorrectly bound probes. This dramatically reduces background signal, ensuring that only the truly specific binding events are amplified and detected, leading to much clearer and more reliable results.
What it does not cover
- Does not cover methods that use linear probes instead of circular probes for target nucleic acid detection.
- Does not cover analysis methods that do not include an enzymatic step to remove unbound or non-specifically bound probes.
- Does not cover detection systems that do not rely on rolling circle amplification (RCA) to visualize the target.
- Does not cover the analysis of targets other than nucleic acids, such as proteins or lipids.
- Does not cover methods where the target nucleic acid is analyzed outside of its original cellular or tissue context (i.e., not "in situ").
Patent timeline
Application submitted to the patent office
Patent officially issued
PatentBrief Score
Impact Score
Early stage
Citation count
0/40
No citations yet
Claim breadth
0/20
Narrow claimsclaimsThe numbered statements at the end of a patent that legally define what the inventor owns.Read more →
Recency
20/20
Granted within 5 years
Assignee scale
0/20
Independent or smaller assigneeassigneeThe entity that owns the patent — usually the inventor's employer or a company.Read more →
PatentBrief Impact Score — based on citation count, claim breadth, recency, and assignee scale. Not a legal assessment.
Heuristic Value Estimate
What this patent might be worth
$36K – $115K
Midpoint $72K · 16.1 yr remaining · industry ×3.0
Heuristic only — blends forward/backward citation counts, claim scope, time remaining, litigation history, and CPC-derived industry baseline. Real valuations need a professional appraisal.
Claim text not yet imported for this patent
Concepts involved
Cite this patent
(2026). How Circular Probes Find Specific DNA in Cells (U.S. Patent No. 12,735,738). U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/12735738/circular-probes-and-methods-for-sample-analysis
Auto-generated from the patent record. Double-check author order and the issue date against the official USPTO document before submitting.
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Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What does How Circular Probes Find Specific DNA in Cells cover?
This patent describes a method using special circular DNA probes and enzymes to precisely detect specific genetic sequences within a cell or tissue sample, then amplifies the detected sequences for clear viewing.
When does this patent expire?
This patent is expected to expire on September 15, 2046, when the invention enters the public domain.
What problem does this patent solve?
Precisely detecting specific nucleic acid sequences within cells or tissues is crucial for understanding diseases like cancer and infections, and for basic biological research. This method aims to improve the accuracy and clarity of such detection by reducing background noise from non-target binding. It provides a tool for scientists to visualize exactly where and how much of a particular genetic material is present in a biological sample.
What does this patent NOT cover?
Does not cover methods that use linear probes instead of circular probes for target nucleic acid detection.
Patent monitoring