DNA Devices for Early Breast Cancer Detection

Project Keywords

DNA Methylation, Epigenetics, Surface Plasmon Resonance, Electrochemistry.

Project Summary

Every 3 minutes a woman is diagnosed with breast cancer. Despite the increasing incidence of breast cancer in the Western world, death rates have been decreasing since 1990. This is the result of treatment advances, increased awareness and early detection. It is widely accepted that early detection results in much higher survival rates, but it is proving difficult to detect the cancer in its early stages. In this project, we aim to develop a simple device for the early detection of breast cancer by monitoring changes on DNA methylation biomarkers. Detection approach is based on gold-DNA affinity interactions, which provide a new capability of detecting DNA methylation by simply monitoring the relative adsorption of DNA samples derived from breast cancer cells onto a gold substrate. The Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) or electrochemical readouts will be used. This interdisciplinary project will provide an opportunity for students to acquire diverse skills in chemistry, molecular biology and bioengineering. (For details see Anal. Chem. 2014 86, 10179-10185; Chem. Commun. 2014, 50, 13153-13156; Analyst,2014, 139, 6178-6184)

Project Contacts