Abstract

Advanced Nanosystems for Diagnostic Applications

Jackie Ying, Executive Director, Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology

Our laboratory has been developing various nanosystems for diagnostic applications. These include designing plasmonic nanocrystals for single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) genotyping. The platform involves polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for target sequence amplification and colorimetric detection for pharmacogenomics applications. We have also established polymer-based lab-on-a-cartridge for automated sample preparation and PCR detection. The integrated all-in-one system, termed MicroKit, allows for the rapid and accurate typing and subtyping of influenza and other viral infections within 2 hours. We have created the silicon-based Microsieve system for rapid and selective isolation of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) from peripheral blood. This non-invasive, near real-time, inexpensive liquid biopsy approach allows for the enumeration and biomarker analysis of CTCs for cancer diagnosis, prognosis and monitoring.