Biosensing nanoscale device to revolutionize health screenings

One day soon a biosensing nanodevice developed by Arizona State University researcher Wayne Frasch may eliminate long lines at airport security checkpoints and revolutionize health screenings for diseases like anthrax, cancer and antibiotic resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)

Frasch works with the enzyme F1-adenosine triphosphatase, better known as F1- ATPase. This enzyme, only 10 to 12 nanometers in diameter, has an axle that spins and produces torque.

What Frasch and his colleagues show is that the enzyme can be armed with an optical probe (gold nanorod) and manipulated to emit a signal when it detects a single molecule of target DNA. This is achieved by anchoring a quiescent F1-ATPase motor to a surface. A single strand of a reference biotinylated DNA molecule is then attached to its axle. The marker protein, biotin, on the DNA is known to bind specifically and tightly to the glycoprotein avidin, so an avidin-coated gold nanorod is then added. The avidin-nanorod attaches to the biotinylated DNA strand and forms a stable complex.

When a test solution containing a target piece of DNA is added, this DNA binds to the single complementary reference strand attached to the F1-ATPase. The DNA complex, suspended between the nanorod and the axle, forms a stiff bridge. Once ATP is added to the test solution, the F1-ATPase axle spins, and with it, the attached (now double-stranded) DNA and nanorod. The whirling nano-sized device emits a pulsing red signal that can then be detected with a microscope.

According to Frasch, the rotation discriminates fully assembled nanodevices from nonspecifically bound nanorods, resulting in a sensitivity limit of one zeptomole (600 molecules). Simply put, if it’s not moving and flashing, it simply isn’t relevant.

Moreover, Frasch says, �Studies with the F1-ATPase in my laboratory show that since it can detect single DNA molecules, it far exceeds the detection limits of conventional PCR [polymerase chain reaction] technology.

Such a detection instrument based on the F1-ATPase enzyme would also be faster and more portable, he adds.

With support from Science Foundation Arizona (SFAz), Frasch will transfer his work from the bench to biotech, through establishment of a local company that utilizes the nano-sized F1-ATPase to produce a DNA detection instrument.

A prototype of the DNA detector is already in development. It is roughly the size of a small tissue box. Sampling would be as simple as taking a swab from an infected wound or a piece of baggage, dissolving it in a solution and placing a drop on a slide bearing reference F1-ATPases and their nanorods. Once in the instrument, red blinking signals emitted by rotating nanorods would let a computer know there’s trouble, literally, in a flash.

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The early detection of cancer can significantly improve the treatment and survival rate of cancer patients. As tumors develop, the cells, tissues and organs can increase or decrease the release of certain chemicals in the circulatory system. These specific chemicals are called biomarkers. Some of these biomarkers have been approved by FDA for the in-vitro diagnosis of different types of cancer. A well known example is the test of PSA (prostate specific antigen) level for prostate cancer detection. A total PSA level of 4 ng/mL is generally considered as a normal threshold, and when this value exceeds 10 ng/mL, the chance of prostate malignancy is increased substantially.

The nanoDLSA immunoassay is fast, highly sensitive, accurate, and extremely easy to conduct. It requires a much smaller amount (at least 100 times less) of blood samples and antibody probes to conduct the assay compared to ELISA. The cost reduction of nanoDLSA compared to other immunoassays is tremendous. Because of the minute amount of sample that is required by nanoDLSA, it is possible to conduct the detection and measurement of one or multiple cancer markers from a single drop of human blood sample using this new immunoassay technology. The goal of this research group is to develop a fully automated system that can be placed in supermarkets, pharmacy stores, hospitals, and clinics for the general public to test their cancer marker levels as frequently as necessary at affordable prices. The biomarker level history obtained from each individual will provide invaluable information to medical doctors for the early screening and diagnosis of cancer. Equally important, such frequent testing is also critical for cancer patients whose cancer marker levels need to be analyzed constantly to monitor the treatment effect and the recurrence of cancer.

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