Supplement: Bio CaRGOS: Capture and release gels for optimized storage of Cancer Biospecimens

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Biomarkers play a central role in the detection, diagnosis, management and monitoring of patients with cancer. Factors such as analytical sensitivity and reproducibility are critical to the clinical utility of plasma-based biomarkers in the setting of longitudinal surveillance and early detection of disease and or recurrence. Currently, the state of preservation of biospecimens is accomplished primarily using sub freezer techniques and it is cost prohibitive and certainly not practical in most scenarios. There is clearly a dearth of techniques that can preserve the biospecimens at room temperature for long periods of time. Therefore, there is a critical unmet clinical need for storing a plethora of biospecimens acquired routinely. In the parent grant, we proposed to demonstrate stability and integrity of Pancreatic Cancer Specific biomarkers (CA-A19, miRNA21, and ctDNA) in buffers as well as plasma for extended periods of time at room temperature utilizing a 1-step microwave based sol-gel process. The specific aims were: The specific aims of this research were: (A) Achieve complete integrity and stability of cancer biomarkers in physiologic electrolytes at room temperature. (B) Demonstrate integrity and stability of cancer biomarkers in presence the major plasma proteins (albumin, globulin and fibrinogen). (C) Investigate the integrity of induced cancer biomarkers and native biomarkers present in plasma Solutes such as glucose, uric acid, and other nominal proteins can have an effect on CaRGOS. In the Supplement Grant, Lindsay will develop a reverse engineering approach and will work closely with the PIs and students to directly stabilize biomarkers in plasma. Lindsay started working on this approach and have observed critical challenges including: (i) biocompatibility of the process due to even minimal presence of methanol (ii) possible interference of silica with characterization techniques such as dd PCR. (iii) intensive extraction protocols for extraction of biomarkers from plasma and their compatibility with the silica. These three major hurdles form the basis of the supplement grant, where we will need to advance our fundamental understanding of the nature of interactions of silica precursors with a complex matrix such as plasma. The specific aims of the Supplement grant are: (A) Elimination of methanol from the precursor sol prior to addition of biomarker/plasma. (B) Develop robust protocols to separate silica from the biomarkers at the point of downstream processing During the first year, Lindsay will be an undergraduate researcher and obtain her B.S. in Chemical Engineering. During the second year she will obtain her master’s in engineering enabling her to enrich her skill set in this area. This focused project will allow Lindsay to become an independent and confident researcher in future that aligns with her goals to obtain a MD/PhD.