Article abstract
Nature Nanotechnology 1, 214 - 220 (2006)
Published online: 26 November 2006 | doi:10.1038/nnano.2006.134
Subject Categories: Nanobiotechnology | Nanosensors and other devices
Rapid and label-free nanomechanical detection of biomarker transcripts in human RNA
J. Zhang1, H. P. Lang1,2, F. Huber1, A. Bietsch1,2, W. Grange1, U. Certa3, R. Mckendry4, H.-J. Güntherodt1, M. Hegner1 & Ch. Gerber1
Abstract
The availability of entire genome sequences has triggered the development of microarrays for clinical diagnostics that measure the expression levels of specific genes. Methods that involve labelling can achieve picomolar detection sensitivity, but they are costly, labour-intensive and time-consuming. Moreover, target amplification or biochemical labelling can influence the original signal. We have improved the biosensitivity of label-free cantilever-array sensors by orders of magnitude to detect mRNA biomarker candidates in total cellular RNA. Differential gene expression of the gene 1-8U, a potential marker for cancer progression or viral infections, has been observed in a complex background. The measurements provide results within minutes at the picomolar level without target amplification, and are sensitive to base mismatches. This qualifies the technology as a rapid method to validate biomarkers that reveal disease risk, disease progression or therapy response. We foreseee cantilever arrays being used as a tool to evaluate treatment response efficacy for personalized medical diagnostics.
- NCCR Nanoscale Science, Institute of Physics, University of Basel, Klingelbergstrasse 82, CH-4056 Basel, Switzerland
- IBM Research GmbH, Zurich Research Laboratory, Säumerstrasse 4, 8803 Rüschlikon, Switzerland
- Roche Centre for Medical Genomics, F. Hoffmann–La Roche Ltd, 4070 Basel, Switzerland
- Department of Medicine, London Centre for Nanotechnology, 5 University Street, London WC1E 6JJ, United Kingdom
Correspondence to: M. Hegner1 e-mail: martin.hegner@unibas.ch
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