Non-invasive prenatal monitoring

US6664056B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• The Chinese University of Hong Kong · CN

Inventors

• Yuk-Ming Dennis Lo · Kowloon, CN
• Lit Man Poon · Hong Kong, CN

Key dates

• Filing date: Jun 6, 2001
• Grant date: Dec 16, 2003
• Expiry date: Jun 6, 2021

Classification

• Technology area (CPC C): Chemistry; Metallurgy
• CPC primary: C12Q1/6883
• WIPO field: Biotechnology
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention are directed to the detection of fetal or maternal RNA in a blood sample from a pregnant subject, and may involve subjecting the sample to a test for fetal or maternal analysis indicative of a fetal or maternal condition or characteristics. For instance, the RNA analysis may involve the assessment of the gene expression pattern of an unborn fetus by analyzing a blood sample from the mother. The prenatal monitoring technology allows, for the first time, the detection of genes which are expressed by the fetus, just by analysis of a sample of maternal blood. In specific embodiments, the prenatal monitoring technology is based on the discovery of circulating RNA of fetal origin in the plasma of pregnant women. In general, the detection method performed on a maternal serum or plasma sample from a pregnant female comprises detecting the presence of RNA of fetal or maternal original in the sample.