Optimization of Prostate Cancer Biomarkers using Quartz Crystal Microbalance

Undergraduate #305
Discipline:
Subcategory: Biomedical Engineering

Taylor Ribeiro - Norfolk State University
Co-Author(s): Fatima Green, Joshua Hayes, April Falconer, and Frances Williams, Tennessee State University, Nashville, TN

Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in American men. In 2015 the American Cancer Society estimates that there will be approximately 27,540 deaths associated with this disorder. Early detection is crucial in reducing these numbers, thus, better detection methods are needed. An immunosensor with nanostructured materials is proposed in this research. This immunosensor will utilize antibody conjugated gold nanoparticles on nanoelectromechanical systems (NEMS) cantilevers for use as a biosensor. The conjugation of biomaterials and nanomaterials combines the biocompatibility and multifunctional properties of nanomaterials with the specific and selective recognition abilities of biomaterials. This approach provides a promising sensing platform for the development of an immunosensor with increased sensitivity and specificity. For this project, previously synthesized antibody-conjugated gold nanoparticles (Ab-cGNP) were characterized and optimized using a quartz crystal microbalance (QCM). Specifically, the incubation time for the activation of the self-assembled monolayer (SAM), the effects of the dilution factor of the bio-conjugated gold nanoparticles, and the response of the material after exposure to a mix of different analytes were studied. The results collected revealed that the addition of gold nanoparticles to the biomolecules increased the biomolecule response when compared to the response of unmodified biomolecules.

Funder Acknowledgement(s): NSF CREST; NSF HBCU-RISE.

Faculty Advisor: Frances Williams, frwilliams@tnstate.edu

Role: In this research presented I worked with the biomarkers (which were conjugated with gold nanoparticles to form monoclonal antibody conjugated gold nanoparticles). They were characterized and optimized using a quartz crystal microbalance. Specifically, the incubation time for the activation of the self-assembled monolayer (SAM), the effects of the dilution factor of the bio-conjugated gold nanoparticles, the storage lifetime of the conjugate, and the response of the material after exposure to a mix of different analytes were studied.