According to the report of Mehr news agency, citing Nano headquarters, Monash University and Monash Health have received a research grant of 100,000 dollars from the Love Your Sister Foundation. Support provided through the Monash Health Foundation aims to develop a graphene oxide-based biosensor for early cancer detection. This new sensor is designed by focusing on the detection of circulating tumor DNA, known as ctDNA; Molecules that can be a very early sign of cancer in the body.
The so-called GO-ctDNA project involves an extensive interdisciplinary collaboration that connects fields such as oncology, engineering, nanofabrication, structural biology and advanced research technologies. This collaboration was formed between Monash Health, Monash University and Australia‘s national research infrastructure and is an example of synergy between clinical needs and engineering innovations.
According to Dr. Gu Yao Ho, head of the Cancer Immunology Laboratory at Monash Health’s School of Clinical Sciences, the project has created a rare intersection between technology and clinical medicine. He emphasizes that if successful, the GO-ctDNA biosensor could revolutionize cancer diagnosis; Because it makes it possible to identify cancer mutations with unprecedented sensitivity and through a non-invasive blood test, even before the clinical symptoms of the disease appear.
The main goal of the research team is to design and build a portable and affordable sensor that can detect very small amounts of tumor-derived DNA in blood and even urine. The biosensor will be designed to detect specific genetic mutations associated with different types of cancer and produce a measurable fluorescence signal if these mutations are present. Such an approach can significantly increase the accuracy and speed of diagnosis.
To make this sensor, the researchers modified the graphene oxide surface in an engineered way so that short strands of DNA could stably attach to it. These filaments play the role of molecular receptors and are activated and emit light when they encounter the target cancer mutations. The use of graphene oxide as a substrate is considered a key advantage in increasing the sensitivity and efficiency of the sensor due to its high specific surface area, unique optical properties, and suitable biocompatibility.
The research team will use advanced synchrotron technologies and nanofabrication methods to optimize the performance of this system. These tools provide the possibility of fine-tuning the surface properties of graphene oxide and investigating its behavior in contact with real biological samples. Sensor testing with clinical samples is a critical step to evaluate its accuracy, stability and reliability in conditions close to real use.
The long-term vision of this project goes beyond the development of a laboratory instrument. Researchers hope that with the advancement of this technology, cancer detection tests will go beyond specialized and centralized laboratory environments and will reach outpatient treatment spaces or even treatment centers in underserved areas. The portable version of this sensor can allow doctors to continuously monitor the response of patients to treatment and identify the return of the disease in the very early stages.
Such a capability can play an important role in providing personalized and timely care; Care that not only increases the chance of treatment success, but also reduces the mental and physical pressure on patients. This project is a clear example of how nanotechnology and advanced materials can penetrate to the heart of serious medical challenges and open new paths for diagnosis and treatment of complex diseases.
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