BIOPLASMOF (COLAB19/05)
Research project
Open procedure (Application submission deadline: 12/02/2020 - 11/02/2022 00:00)
Description
BIOmarkers detection based on PLASMonic probes onto Optical Fibers
Ultrasensitive optical chemical sensors are currently being developed at UPV/EHU by the multidisciplinary collaboration of the Microfluidics & Biomics Cluster UPV/EHU with the Applied Photonics Group. By immobilizing Localized Surface Plasmon Resonance sensors on the end face of glass optical fibers we have enabled a highly sensitive nanospectroscopic technology for the detection of metal ions in water 1000 times more sensitive than current methods. Encouraged by our previous results, the project described in this proposal focuses on a major breakthrough, the development of low cost ultrasensitive optical sensors for the detection of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) present in the blood of cancer patients, such as the T790M EGFR gene mutation (lung cancer) or the V600K BRAF (melanoma). The rapid detection of these biomarkers in the earlier stages of disease is a critical goal for disease diagnosis and management. It will be achieved by the immobilization of gold nanorods (GNRs) and selected DNA probe sequences onto the end-face of multimode optical fibers (MMFs). The spectroscopic monitoring of the plasmon resonance energy transfer (PRET) and localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) that occur at the nanoparticles surface upon binding of the targeted DNA will enable analyte detection and quantification. Additionally, we will carry out the integration of this nanoplasmonic antennas into a novel point-of-care (PoC) microfluidic device to enable rapid detection of the SNPs in small volumes of whole blood. Therefore, different disciplines, which are provided through this research framework, such as microfluidics, optics, photonics, nanotechnology and biotechnology will be necessary for the success of project.
Budget
€27400