Periodic Reporting for period 1 - SIREN (Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy in liquid biopsy for breast cancer)
Berichtszeitraum: 2023-10-01 bis 2025-09-30
Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers worldwide, and early detection is crucial for improving patient outcomes. However, current diagnostic approaches often rely on invasive procedures or lack sufficient sensitivity at early stages. The SIREN project aimed to address this challenge by developing advanced, label-free sensing technologies capable of detecting cancer-related molecular signatures in a minimally invasive way.
The project focused on surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS), an optical technique that enables highly sensitive molecular fingerprinting. SIREN developed and optimised nanostructured plasmonic substrates designed to improve the robustness and reproducibility of SERS measurements in biologically relevant environments. These platforms were evaluated using purified biomolecules and breast cancer cell models, enabling detailed molecular analysis and high-resolution mapping at the single-cell level.
To support the interpretation of complex spectral data, the project also explored data analysis approaches, including machine learning methods. Together, these activities established a technological and methodological foundation for advanced molecular sensing, with the long-term goal of application to serum-based liquid biopsy approaches for cancer research and diagnostics.
Beyond its scientific objectives, SIREN contributed to strengthening links between academic research and innovation. By exploring pathways toward scalable sensing technologies and future diagnostic applications, the project supports long-term European efforts in early disease detection, biosensing innovation, and the translation of advanced materials into practical healthcare tools.
The project focused on surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS), an optical technique that enables highly sensitive molecular fingerprinting. SIREN developed and optimised nanostructured plasmonic substrates designed to improve the robustness and reproducibility of SERS measurements in biologically relevant environments. These platforms were evaluated using purified biomolecules and breast cancer cell models, enabling detailed molecular analysis and high-resolution mapping at the single-cell level.
To support the interpretation of complex spectral data, the project also explored data analysis approaches, including machine learning methods. Together, these activities established a technological and methodological foundation for advanced molecular sensing, with the long-term goal of application to serum-based liquid biopsy approaches for cancer research and diagnostics.
Beyond its scientific objectives, SIREN contributed to strengthening links between academic research and innovation. By exploring pathways toward scalable sensing technologies and future diagnostic applications, the project supports long-term European efforts in early disease detection, biosensing innovation, and the translation of advanced materials into practical healthcare tools.
The project developed, simulated, and experimentally validated a new nanostructured plasmonic substrate designed to improve the reproducibility, scalability, and sensitivity of surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) sensors. The work combined nanofabrication, structural optimisation, and optical characterisation to achieve more consistent signal performance over large sensing areas.
Using the developed substrates, strong and reproducible SERS signals were obtained for several breast cancer-related molecular species, with detection sensitivities reaching the micromolar range (down to approximately 50 µM) under controlled experimental conditions. These results demonstrate the high sensitivity and robustness of the sensing platform.
In parallel, sample preparation protocols were refined and feasibility studies were carried out using breast cancer cell models. These experiments enabled high-resolution spectral mapping at the single-cell level and demonstrated the capability of the platform to capture rich molecular information. Together, these activities established a robust and scalable sensing approach that forms a strong foundation for future diagnostic and analytical applications.
Using the developed substrates, strong and reproducible SERS signals were obtained for several breast cancer-related molecular species, with detection sensitivities reaching the micromolar range (down to approximately 50 µM) under controlled experimental conditions. These results demonstrate the high sensitivity and robustness of the sensing platform.
In parallel, sample preparation protocols were refined and feasibility studies were carried out using breast cancer cell models. These experiments enabled high-resolution spectral mapping at the single-cell level and demonstrated the capability of the platform to capture rich molecular information. Together, these activities established a robust and scalable sensing approach that forms a strong foundation for future diagnostic and analytical applications.
The project advances the state of the art in plasmonic biosensing by introducing a nanostructured SERS substrate with improved signal reproducibility and sensitivity across extended detection areas. This addresses a key limitation of conventional SERS approaches, which often suffer from variability and limited scalability.
Beyond performance improvements, the project generated protectable technological results. An invention disclosure and subsequent patent submission related to the developed nanostructured sensing substrates were completed, reflecting the novelty and innovation potential of the work.
The results also demonstrate new possibilities for integrating robust nanostructured sensors with biologically relevant models, including single-cell analysis. Together, these advances establish a strong technological basis for future developments toward liquid biopsy research, diagnostic applications, and scalable sensor production.
To enable broader uptake and impact, further steps such as extended biological validation, regulatory alignment, and industrial collaboration will be required. The outcomes of SIREN provide a solid platform for these next stages, including potential commercial exploitation through startup and innovation pathways.
Beyond performance improvements, the project generated protectable technological results. An invention disclosure and subsequent patent submission related to the developed nanostructured sensing substrates were completed, reflecting the novelty and innovation potential of the work.
The results also demonstrate new possibilities for integrating robust nanostructured sensors with biologically relevant models, including single-cell analysis. Together, these advances establish a strong technological basis for future developments toward liquid biopsy research, diagnostic applications, and scalable sensor production.
To enable broader uptake and impact, further steps such as extended biological validation, regulatory alignment, and industrial collaboration will be required. The outcomes of SIREN provide a solid platform for these next stages, including potential commercial exploitation through startup and innovation pathways.