The goal of this research is to make an ultra-cheap, disposable urine assay that specifically binds and measures various biomarkers for the purpose of early cancer detection.  My project is focused on construction of an electrode using electrostatic layer-by-layer deposition of polyethyleneimine (PEI) and filamentous bacteriophage virus M13 (phage) onto a gold surface.  In collaboration with the Weiss group, phage is engineered using phage display to selectively recognize and bind a particular analyte molecule.  These modifications have been proven to show kinetic and thermodynamic binding properties for selected analyte molecules that are comparable to immobilized monoclonal antibodies.  The resulting phage surfaces maintain their ability to recognize and bind molecules.  Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy is used to detect the change in impedance before and after exposure analyte solution.  We have successfully detected a test analyte of bovine serum albumin in a buffer solution down to 20 nM versus controls of ovalbumin and human serum albumin.

Phage-PEI disposable urine assay for the purpose of early cancer detection

249th National Meeting (2015)

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