Skip to main content

Genes with Ultra-High Sensitivity

Low-cost nanomaterial technology can detect cancer genes with ultra-high sensitivity


Dr. Min-young Lee and Dr. Sung-gyu Park of the Advanced Bio and Healthcare Materials Research Division at KIMS have developed a technology that can detect cancer mutant genes in blood with the world's highest sensitivity of 0.000000001% based on plasmonic nanomaterials for optical signal amplification. The team tested blood samples from lung cancer patients (stages 1-4) and healthy individuals for EGFR mutations and achieved a diagnostic accuracy of 96%.

The work is published in the journal Small Science.

Previously utilized genetic analysis technologies had low analytical sensitivity to detect mutated genes compared to normal genes, making it difficult to accurately diagnose early-stage cancer patients. In addition, it was difficult to establish a quick treatment strategy and apply it to screening tests due to the high cost and long time required for analysis and the need for special equipment.

To overcome these challenges, the research team developed a low-cost analysis technology that can analyze various cancer mutations within the target gene region within one hour with an ultra-high sensitivity of 0.000000001%. This technology boasts the world's highest level of sensitivity, which is 100,000 times better than the highest level of 0.0001% among reported technologies, and through this, the possibility of early diagnosis was confirmed using the blood of lung cancer patients.

This technology combines nanomaterial technology that significantly improves the fluorescence signal, and primer/probe design that suppresses the fluorescence signal of normal genes, amplifying only the fluorescence signal of cancer mutant genes. This is because the accurate detection of even very small amounts of cancer mutated genes requires not only strong fluorescent signal expression technology but also precise discrimination of fine fluorescent signals.

The team fabricated a biochip in the form of a microarray capable of simultaneously detecting three mutant genes of EGFR (deletion, insertion, and point mutations) on a plasmonic substrate made of three-dimensional, high-density gold nanostructures. After evaluating the clinical performance of 43 domestic lung cancer patients (stages 1 to 4) and 40 normal groups, a clinical sensitivity of 93% for lung cancer patients and a clinical specificity of 100% for the normal group were confirmed.

This technology can play an important role in not only early diagnosis and detection of recurrence of cancer, but also in monitoring treatment effectiveness and establishing personalized treatment plans. In addition, liquid biopsy using blood is possible as an alternative to surgical tissue biopsy, reducing the burden on patients and simplifying the examination process. It can also serve as a regular screening test, ultimately improving the quality of cancer management and treatment.

Senior researcher Min-young Lee said, "Because it is capable of comprehensively detecting various cancer mutations with the world's highest level of ultra-high sensitivity, it can become a leading player in the early cancer diagnosis and treatment/recurrence monitoring market. We expect that this will greatly improve the survival rate and quality of life of cancer patients."

nanomaterial technology, cancer detection, ultra-high sensitivity, nanoparticles, quantum dots, nanowires, genetic mutations, cancer biomarkers, early diagnosis, low-cost technology, precision medicine, cancer markers, blood diagnostics, personalized medicine, early intervention, cancer screening, nanotechnology, biomarker detection, affordable diagnostics, treatment outcomes,

#NanomaterialTechnology, #CancerDetection, #UltraHighSensitivity, #Nanoparticles, #QuantumDots, #Nanowires, #GeneticMutations, #CancerBiomarkers, #EarlyDiagnosis, #LowCostTechnology, #PrecisionMedicine, #CancerMarkers, #BloodDiagnostics, #PersonalizedMedicine, #EarlyIntervention, #CancerScreening, #Nanotechnology, #BiomarkerDetection, #AffordableDiagnostics, #TreatmentOutcomes

International Conference on Genetics and Genomics of Diseases 

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Genetics role in ovarian cancer

The Medical Minute: Genetics play big role in ovarian cancer In 2024, about 19,680 women in the United States will receive a new diagnosis of ovarian cancer and 12,740 women will die from the disease, said Dr. Shaina Bruce , a gynecologic oncologist at Penn State Cancer Institute . The median age of all patients who develop ovarian cancer is 63. Historically, women at increased risk for ovarian cancer are recommended to have their fallopian tubes and ovaries removed when they have completed having children. Taking that step to protect themselves comes at a heavy price ― surgical menopause. But Bruce said medical science is catching up with ovarian cancer. Studies could lead to new methods for preventative care and the surgery needed to lower risk may be easier than it once was. Below, during Gynecologic Cancer Awareness Month, Bruce discusses the disease and why acting to reduce your risk is worth it. What’s the connection between heredity and ovarian cancer? About 25% of all cases of ...

Migration in Population Genetics

  Migration in Population Genetics Migration in population genetics refers to the movement of individuals-and therefore their genes -between different populations of the same species. This gene flow alters allele frequencies, increasing genetic diversity within populations while reducing genetic differences between them. Migration can counteract the effects of genetic drift and inbreeding , introduce new alleles , and influence evolutionary processes such as adaptation and natural selection. The rate, direction, and scale of migration play a crucial role in shaping population structure, evolutionary potential, and long-term species survival, especially in fragmented habitats or changing environments. Migration, Population Genetics, Gene Flow, Allele Frequency, Genetic Diversity, Evolution, Genetic Variation, Population Structure, Adaptation, Biodiversity #PopulationGenetics #Migration #GeneFlow #GeneticDiversity #EvolutionaryBiology #AlleleFrequency #NaturalSelection #GeneticD...

Chromosomal Abnormalities

  Chromosomal Abnormalities Chromosome abnormalities refer to structural or numerical changes in chromosomes that can disrupt normal genetic function, leading to developmental disorders, congenital abnormalities, and various genetic diseases. These abnormalities may arise from errors in cell division, such as nondisjunction or chromosomal breakage, resulting in conditions like Down syndrome , Turner syndrome, Klinefelter syndrome , and various deletion or duplication syndromes. Understanding chromosome abnormalities is essential for genetic counseling, prenatal diagnosis, disease risk assessment, and research in cytogenetics and molecular genetics. Chromosome abnormalities, chromosomal disorders, chromosomal mutations, aneuploidy, structural chromosome abnormalities, nondisjunction, deletion syndrome, duplication syndrome , translocation, inversion, cytogenetics, karyotyping, prenatal diagnosis , genetic testing, genomic instability, Down syndrome, Turner syndrome, Klinefelter syn...