{
  "patent_number": "US 12735738",
  "country": "US",
  "title": "How Circular Probes Find Specific DNA in Cells",
  "original_title": "Circular probes and methods for sample analysis",
  "summary": "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.",
  "what_it_does": "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.",
  "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\")."
  ],
  "filed": "2022-11-23",
  "granted": "2026-09-15",
  "expires": null,
  "status": "active",
  "holder": null,
  "holder_url": null,
  "inventors": [],
  "times_cited": 0,
  "tags": [
    "biotech",
    "diagnostics",
    "research_tools",
    "gene_editing"
  ],
  "abstract": "The present disclosure relates in some aspects to methods and compositions for analyzing a target nucleic acid, such as in situ detection of a region of interest in a polynucleotide in a cell or tissue sample. In some aspects, provided herein are circular probes (e.g., dumbbell probes) for analyzing a target nucleic acid, as well as methods comprising an enzymatic treatment to de-circularize unbound or non-specifically bound circular probes. Circular probes specifically bound to target nucleic acids remain intact during and after the enzymatic treatment and can be detected, e.g., via rolling circle amplification (RCA) of the circular probes and detection of the RCA products.",
  "url": "https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/12735738/circular-probes-and-methods-for-sample-analysis",
  "markdown_url": "https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/12735738/circular-probes-and-methods-for-sample-analysis/md",
  "google_patents_url": "https://patents.google.com/patent/US12735738",
  "relatedPatents": [
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      "countryCode": "US",
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}