Project Title: Development of carbonic anhydrase IX test biosensor for cancer screening

Project No: lzp-2021/1-0584

Period: 1 January 2022 – 31 December 2024

Project costs: 299999,70 EUR

Principle Investigator: Institute of Solid State Physics, University of Latvia

Principle Investigator: Dr.biol. Kaspars Tārs

Summary

The aim of the project is to develop and test label free biosensors for the detection of carbonic anhydrase IX (CA IX) using an innovative microfluidic channel functionalized column-based design and combining two detection methods: electrochemical and spectroscopic. We plan to detect a carbonic anhydrase IX (CA IX) as a diagnostic marker for Cancer, which is the most widely expressed gene in response to hypoxia playing crucial role in intracellular pH maintenance representing how cancer cells adapt to the toxic conditions of the extracellular milieu. Typically, free CA IX levels are detected by immunoprecipitation, ELISA or Western Blot, both of which are time-consuming methods, not easily done in ambulatory settings. To address the technical issues in detection of free CA IX we propose construction of innovative biosensor, able to detect minute CA IX concentrations quickly and precisely in serum and urine samples by combining two detection methods and utilising a high area working electrode consisting of functionalized columns directly embedded in the microfluidic channel providing a high surface area to volume ratio from working surface to the sample. There are two novelties in this project: CA IX biosensor with multiple detection strategies on the same chip, as such allowing an internal process control (not present in existing designs). Innovative synthetic paper based on microfluidic channel metallized column design.

Information published 03.01.2022.