Biosensors & Bioelectronics

Biography

Biography: Pawan Jolly

Abstract

The need for early diagnosis of prostate cancer with a high sensitivity and accuracy has led to increasing work on the detection of multiple biomarkers for PCa.We report on the development of novel techniques to detect different biomarkers for PCa using aptamers. In this study various detection methods are being investigated, namely electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, surface plasmon resonance, Open circuit potential and colorimetric techniques. Novel surface modification strategies are also being developed, e.g. impedimetric detection of prostate specific antigen (PSA) with aptamers together with a thiol-terminated sulfo-betaine, which may allow detection of PSA levels down to 0.5 ng/mL. Additionally, in order to increase the sensitivity of PSA aptasensor, a novel assay is being developed where a PSA-binding antibody is used in conjunction with a DNA aptamer to perform a sandwich assay using the colorimetric technique. We have not only developed for quantification of PSA but have also developed novel assay for glycoprofiling studies. Another novel approach that is being developed is synthesis of synthetic receptors using molecularly imprinted polymers integrated with aptamers. As part of the search for enhanced PCa diagnosis, the detection of the biomarker α-methylacyl-CoA racemase (AMACR) is also being investigated using DNA aptamers. AMACR levels are consistently increased in early PCa. The best aptamer sequence for an on-surface detection of the AMACR protein has been identified using surface plasmon resonance (SPR). We have also developed novel detection method for Micro RNAs (miRNAs) by exploiting the inherent charges of nucleic acids and an amplification method with positively charged gold nanoparticles.