Mary Jo Fackler

Title: Mary Jo Fackler: Inventor in Molecular Diagnostics.

Introduction

Mary Jo Fackler is an inventor associated with Johns Hopkins University in Hunt Valley, Maryland. Her patent work includes methods for detecting and quantifying tumor DNA and other circulating DNA in biological fluids. She is credited with 7 patents.

Latest Patents

Fackler’s listed patent work includes “Quantitative Multiplex Methylation Specific PCR Method—cMethDNA, Reagents, and Its Use.” The method is designed to detect very low levels of tumor DNA, or other circulating DNA, in samples such as serum and plasma.

The cMethDNA approach adds a synthetic polynucleotide standard, called STDgene, to a patient sample alongside standards for multiple genes of interest, called TARGETgenes. After DNA purification, an initial multiplex PCR co-amplifies the standard and target sequences using the same external primer set. A nested real-time PCR then quantifies the genes, using internal primers specific to methylated TARGETgenes and their associated STDgenes. The method uses absolute quantitation and two-color real-time PCR to measure multiple genes in a single well.

The patent description presents cMethDNA as a modification of the QM-MSP method and also covers the preparation of STDgene standards and their use in methods and kits.

Career Highlights

Fackler’s listed inventions focus on molecular diagnostic techniques, particularly the measurement of tumor-associated DNA in blood-derived fluids. Her work connects assay design, synthetic standards, and quantitative PCR to support sensitive detection.

Collaborations

Her listed coworkers include Saraswati Vaidyanathan Sukumar and Theresa Swift-Scanlan. The patent work is associated with Johns Hopkins University.

Conclusion

Mary Jo Fackler’s patent portfolio reflects a focus on quantitative molecular diagnostics, with cMethDNA offering a standardized PCR-based approach to detecting low levels of circulating DNA.