SBIR Topic 243-Novel and Improved Methods To Measure Cancer Epigenetic Biomarkers

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The proposed work will advance methylation diagnosis through the creation of a nano electronic methylation detection system. Most methods currently used in the detection of CpG methylation at specific sites require a bisulfate treatment, PCR amplification and other conventional bio-molecular assays which are time-consuming and lack accuracy. Recently, nanowire field effect transistor based electronic devices have shown promising results in the detection of DNA molecules with attractive features of being label-free and ultra-sensitive. Based on the previous research by the proposing team in the development of nano-transistor biosensor for DNA methylation detection, it is proposed herein to develop integrated electronic devices for analyzing the DNA methylation profiles for cancer cells. Proposed research involves three areas: a) generate specific electronic signals to report DNA methylation events in numerous gene promoters simultaneously (PhaseI); b) improve nano-transistor design, fabrication quality and yield (Phase I); and c) develop integrated devices of nano-transistors with deep submicron electronics (Phase II). A unique molecular signal transduction system which transforms molecular recognition events into electronic signals will be used for multiple DNA detection. Nano-transistor detectors are coupled to a set of microelectronic devices specifically designed for molecular electronic charge detection.