Fiona Stewart

Title: Innovations in Molecular Enrichment: The Work of Fiona Stewart

Introduction: Fiona Stewart, an accomplished inventor based in Ipswich, MA, has made significant contributions to the field of molecular biology. With a portfolio that includes two impactful patents, her work focuses on innovative methods for enriching specific polynucleotides from complex mixtures. This article delves into her latest patents, career highlights, and collaborations with esteemed colleagues.

Latest Patents: Fiona Stewart's most recent patents involve advanced methods and compositions for enriching both target and non-target polynucleotides from mixed samples. Her first patent presents a rapid technique for enriching mitochondrial DNA and optionally chloroplast DNA from eukaryotic cells. Utilizing an affinity protein-coated substrate in a buffer, this method effectively binds chromosomal DNA, allowing for over 100-fold enrichment of mitochondrial DNA. Sequencing results indicate that her approach provides non-biased selection, representing a substantial portion of mitochondrial DNA in the analyzed cells.

In her second patent, Stewart addresses the extraction and enrichment of non-target polynucleotides by leveraging the differences in modified bases present in target polynucleotides. By selectively binding these target polynucleotides to an affinity matrix such as protein-coated magnetic beads, her technique enriches the non-target polynucleotides in the supernatant. This method is particularly beneficial for removing human genomic DNA from tissue samples, aiding in the characterization of microbiomes through DNA sequencing.

Career Highlights: Stewart is currently associated with New England Biolabs, Inc., a leading company in the biotechnology sector. Her work not only showcases her talent as an inventor but also highlights her commitment to advancing molecular biology techniques that can benefit research and clinical applications.

Collaborations: Throughout her career, Fiona has collaborated with notable colleagues, including George R. Feehery and James McFarland. These partnerships have enhanced her research efforts, leading to the successful development of her patented technologies.

Conclusion: Fiona Stewart exemplifies innovation in the realm of molecular enrichment techniques. With her two patents advancing the understanding and applications of polynucleotide enrichment, she continues to make a lasting impact in the field of biotechnology. Her work at New England Biolabs, Inc. and collaborations with esteemed professionals reflect her dedication to scientific advancement, paving the way for new discoveries in molecular biology.