Project description
A miRNA biosensor for early-stage lung cancer screening
Lung cancer accounts for the majority of cancer-related deaths in the world. Although most lung tumours are classified as the less aggressive non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) type, late diagnosis leads to dismal outcomes. The EU-funded MI-SCAN project aims to improve the non-invasive detection of early stage (I, II) lung cancer using miRNA biomarkers. Scientists will develop a microfluidic device that uses miRNA probes combined with gold nanoparticles to target miRNA biomarkers present in lung cancer cells. A surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) detection methodology is applied to achieve a sensitive detection. This biosensor works with non-invasive sputum samples, overcoming the laborious and invasive gold standard methods currently employed for lung cancer diagnosis.
Objective
Lung cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer mortality in the world accounting for an estimated 1.8 million deaths, 18.4% of the total in 2018. Approximately 85% of lung cancers are classified as non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), a less aggressive form of tumor than small cell lung cancer (the remaining 15% of all lung cancers).
The gold standard diagnostic methods for lung cancer patients include X-ray, low-dose CT and sputum cytology which are not efficient for early stage diagnosis of lung cancer. Lately, analysis of molecular markers has been proposed as a useful tool for cancer diagnosis in early stage. Molecular analysis of sputum is reported for identifying the cells bearing tumor-related genetic aberrations; therefore, it is specific and sensitive than cytological analysis. Furthermore, using non-invasive sputum sample have potential application for screening by molecular methods for regular health checking clinics.
The proposed interdisciplinary methodology is to combine the Micro-RNA (miRNA) bioassay on microfluidic chip with Surface Enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS) spectroscopy. The goal of the project is to develop non-invasive detection of early stage (I, II) lung cancer using miRNA biomarker on-chip with multiplexed SERS technology. The overall system integrates a microfluidic device with gold particle linked with RNA probes that can capture target miRNA biomarkers for lung cancer cells. The SERS is used to generate a signal peaks when a positive test result occurs.
Importantly, this biosensor platform will have several advantages over existing techniques. i) It is a label-free, amplification-free method for rapid miRNA detection. ii) The sensor platform can monitor multiple targets simultaneously. The project will eventually develop a portable and novel integrated platform by incorporating commercially available custom made portable Raman detectors for sensitive and selective detection of lung cancer at very early stage.
Fields of science
- engineering and technologyelectrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineeringelectronic engineeringsensorsbiosensors
- social sciencessociologydemographymortality
- medical and health sciencesclinical medicineoncologylung cancer
- medical and health sciencesbasic medicinephysiologycytology
- natural sciencesbiological sciencesgeneticsRNA
Programme(s)
Funding Scheme
MSCA-IF - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowships (IF)Coordinator
36310 Vigo Pontevedra
Spain