Rastogi S., Mishra N., Winterrowd P., Nelson R., Maki W.
University of Idaho, US
Keywords: cancer detection, DNA methylation, nano-biosensor, PNA synthesis
Epigenetics is proving to have an increasingly important role in both human development and disease, particularly cancer. DNA methylation is one of two epigenetic alterations. A distinct set of tumor types has a high level of hypermethylation in the promoter region of tumor suppressor genes. The analysis of the promoter methylation status will be one of the promising strategies for cancer early diagnosis. The goal of this project is to develop a hand held device for DNA-Methylation detection which does not require bisulfate treatment and is label free for point-of-care testing. In order to make robust biosensor surface, we synthesized PNA sequences manually on solid phase peptide vessel, using controlled coupling. The PNAs were cleaved from the resin and purified using reverse phase high performance liquid chromatography. Synthesized PNA were characterized and tested on a nano-transistor surface. A novel molecular signal amplification method has been developed, which generates methylation specific signal molecules. Using this peptide nucleic acid technology, methylated DNA sequences can be identified on a universal nano field effect transistor based device. This advanced technology will not only avoid problems in the conventional DNA methylation detection processes, also achieve a high sensitivity without PCR amplification.
Journal: TechConnect Briefs
Volume: 2, Technical Proceedings of the 2007 NSTI Nanotechnology Conference and Trade Show, Volume 2
Published: May 20, 2007
Pages: 443 - 446
Industry sector: Sensors, MEMS, Electronics
Topics: Biomaterials, Chemical, Physical & Bio-Sensors
ISBN: 1-4200-6183-6