The ultimate goal of the project is the development of a biosensor for the biomarker miRNA-92a, employing aptamer based detection. This miRNA is relevant because it is upregulated in various cancer forms like leukemia and is co-expressed with traumatic brain injury biomarkers. The schematic method of detecting this miRNA includes: (1) designing an aptamer for binding of both the signaling molecule as well as the miRNA-92a sequence, (2) measuring binding of the signalling-molecule to the 92a aptamer, (3) displacement of the signaling molecule through hybridization of the target molecule miR-92a, and (4) reactivation of a previously purified apo-enzyme using the displaced signaling trigger. This detection strategy, which uses UV/Vis, is able to quantitatively determine amount of signaling trigger bound and released from the aptamer. Most importantly, the release of the trigger is equivalent to binding of the miRNA to the aptamer, signifying that the target molecule was detected. Thus far, this method has shown some binding and release of the signaling molecule to and from the 92a aptamer. ITC data also supports binding of the trigger to the aptamer. Future work includes optimization of the detection of 92a and observation of tighter binding of the signaling molecule to the aptamer. Upon optimization, this could be a useful detection method in clinical settings for convenient and rapid detection of the disease states.

Detection of miRNA 92a as a viable means of elucidating disease states

255th National Meeting (2018)

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