Multiplexed detection of soluble proteins and other biomarkers in unprocessed clinical samples

There is an enormous need for analytical methods that can achieve simultaneous detection of multiple soluble proteins and other biomarkers in complex biological fluids. A technology that can achieve this holds the promise of far-reaching impact in multiple healthcare grand challenges both in point-of-care diagnostics and monitoring disease progression.

Here Joshua E. Edel reports on nanopore technology, developed by his teams in collaboration with Oxford Nanopore Technologies, to detect proteins and other biomarkers. The technology has the potential for multiplexed detection, directly in native clinical samples with no processing. The proposed platform will be able to detect serum biomarkers simultaneously, with high sensitivity, rapidly and offers great promise for the identification of diagnostic/prognostic biomarkers and validation of emerging biomarkers.

He demonstrates the multiplexed label-free detection of soluble proteins and other biomarkers in biofluids using nanopores, via customisation and use of molecular probes, which can be used to confirm concentration and presence of a particular biomarker. Each probe contains an aptamer sequence for the detection of protein biomarkers or other biomarkers. Detection is validated in clinical samples from patients and control groups. Preliminary results using the technology indicate a significant advantage over existing techniques.