There is a critical need for highly sensitive and specific tests for early cancer diagnosis. Several studies have reported the ability to detect cancer based on specific protein markers. This project focuses on detection of protein biomarkers for ovarian and lung cancer, each characterized by a low 5-year survival rate when discovered at a late stage, which could be improved with earlier diagnosis. We have engineered viral nanoparticles, bacteriophage, decorated with target-specific antibodies and bearing unique, amplifiable DNA labels, which show very low non-specific binding.Magnetic beads functionalized with antibodies are used to capture and concentrate the proteins from the sample. Captured antigens are then recognized by the viral nanoparticles and thereafter quantified using real-time PCR. We have used these highly detectable bacteriophage to detect Folate Receptor-a (FR-a) and Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) spiked into buffer, serum and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid at femtomolar concentrations.

Viral nanoparticles for the ultrasensitive detection of cancer biomarkers

245th National Meeting (2013)

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