Developing a low-cost, simple-to-use electrochemical sensor for the detection of circulating tumour DNA in human fluids

Attoye, B., Pou, C., Blair, E., Rinaldi, C., Thomson, F. , Baker, M. J. and Corrigan, D. K. (2020) Developing a low-cost, simple-to-use electrochemical sensor for the detection of circulating tumour DNA in human fluids. Biosensors, 10(11), 156. (doi: 10.3390/bios10110156) (PMID:33126531) (PMCID:PMC7692145)

[img] Text
225793.pdf - Published Version
Available under License Creative Commons Attribution.

1MB

Abstract

It is well-known that two major issues, preventing improved outcomes from cancer are late diagnosis and the evolution of drug resistance during chemotherapy, therefore technologies that address these issues can have a transformative effect on healthcare workflows. In this work we present a simple, low-cost DNA biosensor that was developed specifically to detect mutations in a key oncogene (KRAS). The sensor employed was a screen-printed array of carbon electrodes, used to perform parallel measurements of DNA hybridisation. A DNA amplification reaction was developed with primers for mutant and wild type KRAS sequences which amplified target sequences from representative clinical samples to detectable levels in as few as twenty cycles. High levels of sensitivity were demonstrated alongside a clear exemplar of assay specificity by showing the mutant KRAS sequence was detectable against a significant background of wild type DNA following amplification and hybridisation on the sensor surface. The time to result was found to be 3.5 h with considerable potential for optimisation through assay integration. This quick and versatile biosensor has the potential to be deployed in a low-cost, point-of-care test where patients can be screened either for early diagnosis purposes or monitoring of response to therapy.

Item Type:Articles
Additional Information:The lead author was supported by EPSRC (grant reference number EP/L015595/1).
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Pou, Dr Chantevy and Thomson, Dr Fiona
Creator Roles:
Pou, C.Resources
Thomson, F.Resources
Authors: Attoye, B., Pou, C., Blair, E., Rinaldi, C., Thomson, F., Baker, M. J., and Corrigan, D. K.
College/School:College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Cancer Sciences
Journal Name:Biosensors
Publisher:MDPI
ISSN:2079-6374
ISSN (Online):2079-6374
Copyright Holders:Copyright © 2020 The Authors
First Published:First published in Biosensors 10(11):156
Publisher Policy:Reproduced under a Creative Commons licence

University Staff: Request a correction | Enlighten Editors: Update this record