Aluminium nitride - graphene dual-mode sensors for cancer cell detection

We propose to develop a technology for wafer scale device fabrication based on thin film heterostructures composed of graphene and aluminium nitride (AlN), which were recently demonstrated by our team for the first time. As a new orthogonal approach for biosensors, AlN-graphene heterostructures should enable simultaneous mass and charge detection of immobilized cellular and molecular species within one integrated device. This new capability is expected to lead to a dramatic reduction of false positives and false negatives in cancer cell detection based on antigen-antibody bond-mediated cell capturing. : As a bioactive sensor surface, bio-functionalized graphene enables charge detection via the electric field effect in graphene. Simultaneously, the graphene biointerface layer will be employed as an electrode - in combination with other graphene layer(s) embedded inside the heterostructure - to enable a fully integrated piezoelectric excitation and readout of mechanical deformations or oscillations of a free-standing AlN structure. Cell capture-induced alterations of the deformation or mechanical resonance should allow mass detection of the immobilized species. This orthogonal sensing capability of fully integrated devices will be tested and benchmarked for detection of cancer cells in blood or other body fluids.

As discussed in detail within the Pathways to Impact statement, the research to be performed within the suggested project provides a new scientific and technological basis that has a realistic potential to revolutionize cancer diagnosis by body fluid analysis, and as such it will contribute to early state cancer diagnosis, cancer monitoring, therapy development and cancer research. We expect that during the course of this project we will be able to suggest pathways to novel diagnostic approaches, which will be subject to follow-up projects that include clinical trials. We intend to discuss potential applications on a regular basis with our industry stakeholders, Imperial Innovations and clinical partners. Moreover, proactive action will also be taken if results look promising in other application areas.
The suggested fit into Imperial's interdisciplinary research landscape and is in accordance with Imperial's Mission. Early cancer detection addresses one of the grand challenges of our modern society, which can only be tackled by a cross-disciplinary team like ours, which combines benchmarking research within Materials Science, Device Engineering, Theory and Simulation, Life Science and Cancer Research. As such, dissemination of any generated breakthrough by Imperial's internal media and external media connections is guaranteed. However, the main communication path of our results will be via peer reviewed publications in high-impact journals and conference contributions; prior to each, a careful check with respect to a possible patent application will be pursued in close partnership with Imperial Innovations and our industrial stakeholders.