Targeted SERS probes for detection

Lead Research Organisation: Durham University
Department Name: Chemistry

Abstract

The overarching aim of the project is to create SERS Raman probes for targeting and detecting skin cancer. To better understand the mechanism of Raman signal enhancement by metal surface plasmons, I will first be investigating the effects of surface plasmons on fluorescence. Metal enhanced fluorescence (MEP) and surface plasmon coupled emission (SPCE) are of additional interest, as the ability of surface plasmons to enhance the emission of a fluorophore, and transform the emission into directional radiation, are also potentially useful to bio sensing technology.

Publications

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Studentship Projects

Project Reference Relationship Related To Start End Student Name
EP/N509462/1 01/10/2016 30/09/2021
1916049 Studentship EP/N509462/1 01/10/2017 31/03/2021 Kathleen Bowes
 
Description The end-goal of this research is to create a chemical probe for the detection of skin cancer. The probe would be sprayed on the skin, the excess rinsed away with water, and an eye-safe laser from a table-top Raman spectrometer would then be directed at the skin. This would give a signal if cancer is present, and no signal if skin is healthy.

A probe was made for the detection of skin cancer using Surface Enhanced Raman spectroscopy. The probe consists of a gold nanostar core for enhancing Raman signals, a blue dye to give a strong Raman signal on binding, and a peptide to selectively bind a target (i.e cancer cells).
Preliminary tests with breast cancer cells (as these were readily available) show that the probe binds to target cells, giving a strong signal, but does not bind to non-target cells, which is a successful result. Work is underway to apply this probe to skin cancer cells; if this is successful, we will move foreward to clinical trials on human skin.
Exploitation Route Our goal is to create a diagnostic tool which could be used by medical professionals to detect skin cancer quickly (on-the-spot results) and non-invasively (no biopsy required).
Sectors Chemicals,Healthcare,Pharmaceuticals and Medical Biotechnology
 
Title SERS probes for melanoma detection 
Description SERS probe selective detection of breast cancer was synthesised and tested using skin cancer (MCF7) cells. The probe is made selective using a peptide, such that a SERS signal is observed with the probe when MCF7 cells are present, but no signal is observed with a control cell line of mouse skin cells (NIH-3T3). This probe is currently undergoing modification to detect skin cancer, in particular the A-375 human melanoma cell line, with a view to create a non-invasive clinical diagnostic method for skin cancer in future, using a hand-held Raman spectroscopy system built in-house by PB spectroscopy. 
Type Of Material Physiological assessment or outcome measure 
Year Produced 2018 
Provided To Others? No  
Impact Reseach is still ongoing. 
 
Description High Force Reaearch Ltd. 
Organisation High Force Research Ltd
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Private 
PI Contribution I am undertaking this project in collaboration with High Force Research, as they are interested in the outcomes of my research and potentially commercialising the end result in future.
Collaborator Contribution High Force Research contribute their scientific expertise by offering help when the project runs into problems, as well as contributing financially.
Impact Outputs are ongoing
Start Year 2017
 
Description Talk at High Force Research Ltd. 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Regional
Primary Audience Industry/Business
Results and Impact A talk was given at High Force Research Ltd., reporting my findings to Industrial sponsors and researchers from other research institutions. This sparked discussion afterwards leading to new ideas to improve my work.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2019