Development of biosensors for instantaneous detection of proteins and cancer cells, for application on on-site biopsy

Abstract

In some malignant tumors, cancer cells overexpress specific receptors such as FOLR1 protein. FOLR1 is responsible for the physiological transport of folic acid, which binds strongly to the protein in order to be transported to the intracellular medium. In this project we propose the development of a biosensor based on the interaction FOLR1-folic acid, for instantaneous detection of tumor cells on on-site biopsy. This sensor would allow for early diagnosis of malignant tumors and increase of patient survival. The initial phase of the project will be dedicated to the synthesis of ferrocenyl derivatives of folic acid. Using the ferrocene as redox probe, cyclic voltammetry will be used to study the supramolecular interactions between the folic acid-ferrocene molecules and the protein FOLR1. The second phase of the project consists on the immobilization of polymeric folic acid-ferrocene structures on platinum and carbon electrode surfaces through adsorption. Moreover, thiol groups will be used to modify gold electrodes with folic acid-ferrocene moieties. The last phase of the project will be dedicated to an extensive electrochemical study on the new modified electrodes, in order to optimize their electrochemical response and develop fast and efficient biosensors. (AU)