The informational value of plasma analytes composition

Cell-free nucleic acids (cfNAs), such as circulating cell-free DNA (cfDNA) and RNA, are fragments of genetic material found in blood plasma and other bodily fluids. Their discovery and clinical application have transformed molecular diagnostics, enabling non-invasive testing for a range of conditions.

• 1948: Initial Discovery - Scientists first identified cfDNA in human blood, noting its presence in healthy individuals and those with diseases, though its clinical potential remained unexplored for decades.
• 1990s: Cancer and Prenatal Insights - Researchers linked elevated cfDNA levels to cancer and discovered fetal cfDNA in maternal plasma, laying the groundwork for non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT).
• 2000s: Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing (NIPT) - The introduction of NIPT revolutionized prenatal care, allowing detection of fetal chromosomal abnormalities (e.g., Down syndrome) through a maternal blood sample, reducing the need for invasive procedures like amniocentesis.
• 2010s: Liquid Biopsies for Cancer - cfDNA-based liquid biopsies emerged as a tool for cancer diagnostics, enabling detection of tumor-specific mutations, monitoring treatment response, and identifying minimal residual disease without tissue biopsies.
• 2020s: Expanding Applications - Advances in sequencing and bioinformatics have broadened cfNA applications to include early cancer detection, organ transplant monitoring, and infectious disease diagnostics, with ongoing research into neurodegenerative and cardiovascular diseases.

Today, cfNAs are at the forefront of precision medicine, offering a window into health and disease through a simple blood draw. Double-Strand LLC is building on this legacy to discover novel biomarkers for next-generation diagnostics.