Researchers from Syracuse University’s College of Arts and Sciences, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Ichor Therapeutics, and Clarkson University have developed a nano-sized sensor that can detect protein biomarkers in a sample with single-molecule precision. Known as “hook and bait,” the sensor contains a tiny protein binder that attaches to a nanopore created in a cell’s membrane. The nanopore allows an ionic solution to flow through it. When the sensor identifies a targeted molecule, the ionic flow changes, and this change serves as a signal from the sensor that the biomarker has been found. The researchers combined nanopore technology with antibody mimetic technology, which are artificially designed protein scaffolds that bind and interact with a specific biomarker and behave like antibodies. The researchers tested their hypothesis using a blood serum sample and were able to identify and quantify epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), a protein biomarker in various cancers.
Researchers from Syracuse University’s College of Arts and Sciences, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Ichor Therapeutics, and Clarkson University have developed a tiny, nano-sized sensor that can detect protein biomarkers in a sample with single-molecule precision. Known as “hook and bait,” the sensor contains a tiny protein binder that attaches to a nanopore created in a cell’s membrane. The nanopore allows an ionic solution to flow through it. When the sensor identifies a targeted molecule, the ionic flow changes, and this change serves as a signal from the sensor that the biomarker has been found. By accurately fishing the protein biomarkers from a solution, researchers can better identify and quantify protein biomarkers associated with different hematological malignancies and solid tumors. The team’s latest research, published in Nature Communications, has addressed previous challenges in making this technology generalizable. The findings include a sensor design architecture that can be applied to a wide range of protein targets.
A team of researchers has developed a nano-sized sensor that can detect protein biomarkers in a sample with single-molecule precision. For the first time, they combined nanopore technology with antibody mimetic technology, which are artificially designed protein scaffolds that bind and interact with a specific biomarker and behave like antibodies. The researchers designed the scaffolds using established scaffolds from mother nature and adapted them using evolutionary mutagenesis. The technology is highly effective in complex biofluids, like blood serum, that contain numerous antibodies.
The sensors have numerous applications, including broad integration into nanofluidic devices, which would enable scientists to test for many different biomarkers at once in a specimen. By accurately detecting and quantifying protein biomarkers, researchers can better identify and quantify protein biomarkers associated with different hematological malignancies and solid tumors. The researchers’ latest research, published in Nature Communications, addresses previous challenges in making this technology generalizable. The findings include a sensor design architecture that can be applied to a wide range of protein targets.
According to Liviu Movileanu, a professor of physics at Syracuse University’s College of Arts and Sciences, “Creating highly specific protein detection technologies will address these demands and also accelerate discoveries of new biomarkers with potential consequences for the progression of pathological conditions.” Furthermore, the nano-sensor technology could provide a fundamental basis for biomarker detection in complex biofluids, reducing the reliance on imaging and biopsies when diagnosing cancers.
The researchers tested their hypothesis using a blood serum sample and were able to identify and quantify epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), a protein biomarker in various cancers. The team also conducted numerous calibrations of the sensors using other biophysical techniques.
In conclusion, the team’s innovative use of nanopore technology and antibody mimetic technology has resulted in the creation of a highly effective nano-sized sensor that can detect protein biomarkers in a sample with single-molecule precision. The technology has numerous applications, including the detection of various biomarkers associated with different cancers, paving the way for future advancements in medicine.
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