Recuring breast cancer early genetic diagnostic on.. (RBCE-GenoDiagnoSens)
Recuring breast cancer early genetic diagnostic on a chip
(RBCE-GenoDiagnoSens)
Start date: Mar 1, 2008,
End date: Feb 28, 2010
PROJECT
FINISHED
The overall objective of RBCE-GenoDiagnoSens is to exploit breakthroughs at the confluences of micro-, nano- and bio-technologies to initiate the creation of a low-cost minimally-invasive intelligent diagnosis system using a nanotechnology-based device for the early detection of DNA biomarkers involved in breast cancer, especially found in circulating tumour cells (CTCs). The device will consist of an array of nano-biosensors for the consecutive RNA/DNA analysis of cancer cells. The advantages of the exploited biosensors for RNA/DNA analysis are their sensitivity, their inherent selectivity, their versatility and their cost effectiveness. Death from cancer is usually due to metastases that are formed by hematogenic or lymphatogenic spread of cancer cells from the primary disease site. Fortunately, only a subset of these persist and have the ability to form vascularised macro metastases. Therefore, the quantification and characterisation of circulating tumour cell mRNAs in order to define the metastatic potential is of clinical relevance and may prove valuable for monitoring disease progression and patients response to treatment, and assessing the risk for metastasis or recurrence. With prognostic implications, the quantities of mRNA markers in blood could indicate the stage of cancer progression and the need for more intensive therapeutic intervention to better the outcome of cancer patients. In the frame of the RBCE-GenoDiagnoSens, the leading research scientist will design, taylor and test the optimum surface chemistry for the functionalisation and operation of the nano-biosensors, following his established expertise in the field, while the host institution will provide the complementary knowledge and training in microfabrication, DNA expertise, mass-manufacturing, regulations and commercialisation consideration as routes for the researcher to establish his own autonomy and his progression to become a successful principal investigator within the European Union
Get Access to the 1st Network for European Cooperation
Log In