Descrizione del progetto
Una nuova sonda portatile per lo spettrometro di massa per la diagnosi in vivo del cancro della pelle
La spettrometria di massa (MS, Mass Spectrometry) ambientale ha recentemente conquistato l’attenzione di diversi ambiti di ricerca, tra cui la diagnosi clinica, come un approccio non invasivo, veloce e semplice. Il progetto SKIN-CANCER-PROBE, finanziato dall’UE, propone di sviluppare una nuova sonda portatile con un meccanismo di microestrazione per le piccole molecole che possono essere combinate alla MS per le analisi in tempo reale. La sonda sarà utilizzata come strumento diagnostico per il rilevamento veloce e non invasivo del cancro della pelle. Essa sarà progettata come dispositivo di campionatura della superficie adatto per spot test e imaging chimico della superficie in modalità continua. Il dispositivo sarà in grado di effettuare il desorbimento utilizzando una giunzione solvente e i metaboliti desorbiti saranno diretti alla MS. Durante il processo di sviluppo della sonda, saranno bersagliati i biomarcatori del cancro della pelle come prova di concetto.
Obiettivo
Ambient mass spectrometry (AMS) has gained substantial attention in numerous research fields including clinical diagnosis as being a
nondestructive, fast and simple approach. Despite of the advances in mass spectrometry (MS) one of its main disadvantages is the simultaneous introduction of the matrix and analyte to MS that results in low sensitivity associated with a high background and ion suppression, and frequent instrumental maintenance. Therefore, there is a need for a ground-breaking sampling tool that is combinable with MS and that does not compromise the above mentioned merits.
Here we propose (i) to develop a novel handheld probe, which will have micro extraction mechanism for small molecules/biomarkers from the surface and can be combined with MS for real time targeted and untargeted analyses; (ii) to utilize the probe as a clinical diagnostic tool for noninvasive fast determination of skin cancer. The probe will be designed as a surface touch sampling device suitable for spot analysis and for continuous mode chemical imaging of surface. The device will be integrated with online desorption using a solvent junction and desorbed metabolites will be directed to MS. As proof-of-concept, skin cancer biomarkers and some other typical skin metabolites will be targeted during the probe development. Preliminary analyses with the probe will be conducted on the surface of agarose gel spiked with the selected metabolites mimicking artificial skin surface using MS in targeted mode. Upon development of the probe and prove of the detection of the biomarkers from the synthetic skin media the study will be extended to in vivo mice model with tumor. This novel probe will make a significant impact as rapid and reliable diagnostic tool. This project will open an opportunity for the researcher to develop her future career by implementing the novel probe in emerging research fields (e.g. clinical, forensic, etc.), where fast and reliable analytical tools are in high demand.
Campo scientifico
Parole chiave
Programma(i)
Argomento(i)
Meccanismo di finanziamento
MSCA-IF - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowships (IF)Coordinatore
06800 Ankara
Turchia