Cancer early detection (CED) is pivotal to patient survival. The small non-coding nucleic acid sequences, miroRNA (miRNA) are a captivating molecular target for CED. miRNA is dysregulated during the early stages of cancer, well before the manifestation of cancer- related clinical symptoms, it is found in stable amounts in blood plasma and serum. Therefore, a liquid biopsy screening device would allow for minimally invasive detection, ideal for point- of-care diagnostics. Current miRNA detection methods are cumbersome and lack reproducibility. To overcome these challenges, we aim to develop a new diagnostic platform using a functional 3D peptide hydrogel for sequence-specific, PCR-free, fluorescent detection of miRNAs in a "one-pot" assay. This work will assess the suitability of the novel hydrogel- based technology for rapid, robust and reliable screening of the unique miRNA fingerprint of difficult-to-detect cancers. In assessing the sensors ability to detect miRNA from a 3D pancreatic cancer model, we witnessed an influence in cell morphology via the biomaterial. The self-assemble peptide hydrogels are versatile in their biomedical applications due to their animal-free, and tuneable characteristics. The cell-matrix interactions in this work resulted in varying migration behaviour depending on the self-assembling peptide.
Designing a Hydrogel for Cancer Early Detection
Mahon, N. (Author). 31 May 2024
Student thesis: Phd