Secondary Structure Defining Database And Methods For Determining Identity And Geographic Origin Of An Unknown Bioagent Thereby
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Abstract
The present invention relates generally to the field of investigational bioinformatics and more particularly to secondary structure defining databases. The present invention further relates to methods for interrogating a database as a source of molecular masses of known bioagents for comparing against the molecular mass of an unknown or selected bioagent to determine either the identity of the selected bioagent, and/or to determine the origin of the selected bioagent. The identification of the bioagent is important for determining a proper course of treatment and/or irradication of the bioagent in such cases as biological warfare. Furthermore, the determination of the geographic origin of a selected bioagent will facilitate the identification of potential criminal identity.
121 Citations
122 Claims
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1-20. -20. (canceled)
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21. A method of identifying a bioagent, comprising:
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a) determining a molecular mass of a nucleic acid molecule derived from a bioagent by mass spectrometry; b) determining the base composition of said nucleic acid molecule from said molecular mass; and c) identifying said bioagent by comparing said determined base composition to a database of base compositions from a plurality of different bioagents, wherein said plurality of different bioagents comprises bioagents from two or more different genera. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 93, 94, 95, 96)
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58. (canceled)
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59. (canceled)
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75. (canceled)
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91. (canceled)
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92. (canceled)
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97. A system, comprising:
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a) a molecular mass determination component; b) a database component comprising nucleic acid base compositions from a plurality of bioagents, wherein said plurality of bioagents comprises bioagents from two or more different genera; and c) a processor configured to convert molecular mass data to nucleic acid base composition data, wherein said processor is further configured to compare said base composition data from a bioagent to said database component comprising nucleic acid base compositions from a plurality of bioagents to identify said bioagent. - View Dependent Claims (98, 99, 100, 101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 106, 107, 108, 109, 110, 111, 112, 113, 114, 115, 116, 117, 118, 119, 120, 121, 122)
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Specification