Nanotechnology: Multifunctional Smart Nanoparticles Measure Previously Invisible Diagnostic Analytes

Proteomics Interest Group A critical need within the biomedical research sector is the identification and reliable clinical measurement of novel low abundance biomarkers that are predictive of early stage diseases such as cancer, or that correlate with therapeutic outcome or toxicity. Unresolved challenges in the biomarker discovery and measurement field are 1) Early disease biomarkers exist in body fluids at a concentration below the detection limit of biomarker discovery and measurement platforms, 2) Proteins and peptides are masked by billion fold excess quantities of resident proteins such as immunoglobulin and albumin, and 3) Degradation and perishability of candidate biomarkers ex vivo following clinical sample collection, particularly for point of care collection, shipping and storage of biospecimens, and routine testing. We have developed a new class of versatile multifunctional nanotechnology that addresses all of these challenges in one step. The technology is novel porous, buoyant, core-shell hydrogel nanoparticles containing novel high affinity reactive chemical baits that harvests biomarkers in body fluids. Upon contact with the sample, the suspended nanoparticles immediately affinity-sequester target biomarkers inside the particles, exclude albumin, fully protect the biomarkers from degradation (even at elevated temperatures), and massively concentrate the sequestered biomarkers into a small volume. The technology can dramatically (demonstrated up to 10,000 fol...
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