1   2   3   4   5   6

Chad A. Mirkin is the project leader. Co-investigators involved in the project are Teresa K. Woodruff, neurobiology and physiology; Julian C. Schink, obstetrics and gynecology; Annelise E. Barron, chemical and biological engineering; Gustavo C. Rodriguez, obstetrics and gynecology, Evanston Northwestern Healthcare Research Institute; Diljeet K. Singh, obstetrics and gynecology; Richard P. Van Duyne, chemistry; Chang Liu, electrical engineering, UIUC.

The hypothesis of this research is that assays that provide greater sensitivity and multiplexing capabilities may allow earlier diagnosis and detection of ovarian and prostate cancer. It is predicted that earlier diagnosis will permit aggressive treatment at earlier stages, resulting in improved survival.

Advances in nanotechnology, specifically the development of a nanoparticle-based bio-barcode assay, now allow the identification and study of protein markers at concentrations that are many orders of magnitude lower than what can be detected with conventional diagnostic tools for proteins.

A goal of this research team is to evaluate whether nanoassays that detect ovarian and prostate cancer markers in serum or urine samples can be used to detect early stage ovarian and prostate cancer in settings where conventional technology does not possess the requisite sensitivity. Ultimately, the combination of several biomarkers into a single nanoscale oncology screening tool is expected to identify patients in early stages of cancer or cancer recurrence, when treatments are most effective, and reduce the significant mortality associated with this disease. This highly interdisciplinary team have strong backgrounds in cancer research, clinical diagnostics, sample processing, microfluidics, and nanotechnology.