Detection of changes related to breast cancer using charge sensors or mass sensors coupled to DNA monolayers

Abstract

Identification of cancer-specific markers at an early stage can greatly improve clinicalsuccess rate and reduce cancer-related mortality. Faster, more sensitive and robustbiosensors are being developed in a wide range of techniques for the detectionof disease markers, but very few devices enter clinical trials for cancer diagnosis.This collaboration focuses on the development of biosensor arrays that enable thesimultaneous detection of a panel of biomarkers specific to breast cancer (BC)or prostate cancer (PCa). The proposal is built on recent developments by thesupervisors and their collaborators, namely by integrating a range of developedelectrochemical, semiconductor-based, and plasmonic biosensors suitable for in vitrocancer diagnostics. Novel biosensor devices will also be developed to the detectionof panels of microRNAs, which can target cancer-associated mRNAs transcribed bytumour suppressors and oncogenes. In Brazil, some electrochemical parameters havebeen developed but now the student requires further and more in depth training. Atthe University of Bath (UBath) the development of novel biosensor devices for thesimultaneous detection of panels of microRNAs will be conducted, using signal probemolecules and nanoparticles for signal amplification and microRNAs detection tolead to personalized fingerprints of cancer onset and progression. At the Universityof the West of England (UWE) the molecular biology aspects of microRNAs will bedeveloped. Most of the initial sensing development work at UBath will be on DNAanalogues, but the transition to actual microRNA samples requires the expertise ofthe group at UWE.