New UCF Nanotech Gives Boost to Detection of Cancer and Disease
The technique uses nickel-platinum nanoparticles to increase the sensitivity of an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, or ELISA, that is used to test for the presence of cancers, HIV and more
Early screening can mean the difference between life and death in a cancer and disease diagnosis. That’s why University of Central Florida researchers are working to develop a new screening technique that’s more than 300 times as effective at detecting a biomarker for diseases like cancer than current methods.
The technique, which was detailed recently in the Journal of the American Chemical Society, uses nanoparticles with nickel-rich cores and platinum-rich shells to increase the sensitivity of an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).
ELISA is a test that measures samples for biochemicals, such as antibodies and proteins, which can indicate the presence of cancer, HIV, pregnancy and more. When a biochemical is detected, the test generates a color output that can be used to quantify its concentration. The stronger the color is, the stronger the concentration. The tests must be sensitive to prevent false negatives that could delay treatment or interventions.
In the study, the researchers found that when the nanoparticles were used in place of the conventional enzyme used in an ELISA — peroxidase — that the test was 300 times more sensitive at detecting carcinoembryonic antigen, a biomarker sometimes used to detect colorectal cancers.
And while a biomarker for colorectal cancer was used in the study, the technique could be used to detect biomarkers for other types of cancers and diseases, says Xiaohu Xia, an assistant professor in UCF’s Department of Chemistry and study co-author.
Colorectal cancer is the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the U.S., not counting some kinds of skin cancer, and early detection helps improve treatment outcomes, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The increase in sensitivity comes from nickel-platinum nanoparticle “mimics” that greatly increase the reaction efficiency of the test, which increases its color output, and thus its detection ability, Xia says.
Peroxidases found in the horseradish root have been widely used to generate color in diagnostic tests for decades. However, they have limited reaction efficiency and thus color output, which has inhibited the development of sensitive diagnostic tests, Xia says.
Nanoparticle “mimics” of peroxidase have been extensively developed over the past 10 years, but none have achieved the reaction efficiency of the nanoparticles developed by Xia and his team.
“This work sets the record for the catalytic efficiency of peroxidase mimic,” Xia says. “It breaks through the limitation of catalytic efficiency of peroxidase mimics, which is a long-standing challenge in the field.”
“Such a breakthrough enables highly sensitive detection of cancer biomarkers with the ultimate goal of saving lives through earlier detection of cancers,” he says.
Xia says next steps for the research are to continue to refine the technology and apply it to clinical samples of human patients to study its performance.
“We hope the technology can be eventually used in clinical diagnostic laboratories in the near future,” Xia says.
Original Article: New UCF Nanotech Gives Boost to Detection of Cancer and Disease
More from: University of Central Florida | Brown University | University of Texas at Dallas | Oak Ridge National Laboratory
The Latest Updates from Bing News & Google News
Go deeper with Bing News on:
Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay
- Cancer test launches within US and European veterinary clinics
VolitionRx Limited announced that its Nu. Q Vet Cancer Test is now available to veterinarians across the United States and Europe through Antech, a veterinary diagnostics company. The Antech version ...
- AlphaLISA immunoassays: the no-wash alternative to ELISAs for research and drug discovery
They exhibit remarkable sensitivity, wide dynamic range and robust performance that compares advantageously with conventional enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). ELISA is the most widely ...
- Iovance Biotherapeutics gets grant for gene-edited til composition with enhanced IFN secretion
Discover the groundbreaking patent by Iovance Biotherapeutics Inc for gene-edited TILs, enhancing efficacy and reducing costs in cancer immunotherapy.
- Nanosensor Diagnoses Disease in 30 Minutes by Monitoring Inflammation
The new sensor completes its task in just 30 minutes but also proves to be cost-effective. Promising for multiple sclerosis, diabetes, Alzheimer's treatments.
- Berthold Technologies Unveils the Zoom HT Microplate Washer & Dispenser: Redefining Speed and Efficiency in Laboratory Processing
Zoom HT microplate washer & dispenser: fast and reliable. The innovative Zoom HT microplate washer is not just fast; it's also incredibly reliable, providing precise and reproduci ...
Go deeper with Google Headlines on:
Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay
[google_news title=”” keyword=”enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay” num_posts=”5″ blurb_length=”0″ show_thumb=”left”]
Go deeper with Bing News on:
Detection of cancer biomarkers
- New Test Detects Cancer In Minutes Using Just 1 Drop of Dried Blood
A test devised in Shanghai could make cancer detection quicker, easier, and practical for multiple areas of the body at once. Using just one drop of dried blood, the test looks for biomarkers that ...
- Early Detection and Biomarkers in Pancreatic Cancer
Major advances in cancer control will be greatly aided by early detection for diagnosing and treating cancer in its preinvasive state before metastasis. Unfortunately, for pancreatic ductal ...
- Detecting cancer in minutes possible with just a drop of dried blood and new test, study hints
Early tests suggest that a new tool that requires only a single drop of blood could detect three of the deadliest forms of cancer.
- Study finds new urine-based test to detect prostrate cancer
Researchers at the University of Michigan Rogel Cancer Center have developed a new urine-based test that addresses a major problem in prostate cancer.The study was published in the journal ...
- Earli Detection: “Synthetic” Biomarkers Light Up Hidden Malignant Cancers
Earli demonstrated a screening platform to identify response elements that can be activated by cancer-dysregulated pathways.
Go deeper with Google Headlines on:
Detection of cancer biomarkers
[google_news title=”” keyword=”detection of cancer biomarkers” num_posts=”5″ blurb_length=”0″ show_thumb=”left”]