The PEPS
The heart of Lenima's molecular diagnostic tests is a revolutionary piezoelectric plate sensor (PEPS) that is capable of self-amplifying its detection signal by more than 1000 times via the unique properties of a novel thin crystalline material. This novel self-amplification capability affords PEPS unprecedented analytical sensitivity, greatly simplifying the genetic testing process, permitting rapid and simultaneous testing of multiple nucleic acids including both DNAs and RNAs in a simple, elegant, and yet portable and low-cost format.
PEPS direct DNA test from clinical samples
Conventional DNA detection requires DNA isolation and nucleic acid amplification (NAAT) by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) or by loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP). In contrast, due to its unprecedented analytical sensitivity a PEPS can detect DNA directly from clinical samples with PCR-like sensitivity but without the need of DNA isolation or amplification steps required by the conventional DNA detection methods. In addition, PEPS DNA detection is label-free. It does not require expensive fluorescent probes as needed by quantitative PCR.
PEPS direct RNA test from clinical samples
Conventional RNA direction requires RNA isolation, reverse transcription of the RNA, and amplification of the reverse-transcribed DNA by PCR or LAMP. In comparison, due to its self-amplification capability, a PEPS can also detect RNAs directly from clinical samples without the need of RNA isolation, reverse transcription, and DNA amplification as required by the conventional RNA detection methods. Similarly, a PEPS RNA test is also label-free and does not require expensive fluorescent probes as needed by conventional DNA detection methods.
PEPS Genetic Test to detect multiple DNAs and RNAs at the same time
Furthermore, because PEPS DNA and RNA detection is label-free, a revolutionary one-step genetic detection process can be achieved to detect multiple DNAs and RNAs directly and simultaneously within one clinical sample in 40 minutes or less without nucleic acid extraction and amplification or reverse transcription of the RNA.
Current molecular tests detect only the blue print of a gene, the DNA. What correlates with the disease state is the expression of the gene. Detecting only the DNA does not indicate if the gene is expressed or how actively the gene is expressed. Detecting the mRNA would allow one to assess if a gene is expressed. Ideally, if the DNA and mRNA of the same gene can be detected and quantified at the same time, comparing the amount of the mRNA to that of the DNA would allow one to assess if the gene is expressed and how actively the gene is expressed. Such information will be particularly useful in dealing with acute infectious diseases to help determine if the patient has the disease but also the severity of the disease.
The ability of the PEPS detection system to detect multiple DNAs and RNAs in one test in a low-cost, rapid, and portable format is particularly useful at the forefront of medical care where it is needed the most to help physicians make timely diagnoses and treatment decisions to save lives while reducing the healthcare cost.
More information about the PEPS system can be found here.