Targeting the early detection of cancer with lab-on-chip nanohole sensors

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Cancer is a leading cause of death in Canada and it is expected to become even more prominent with Canada's aging population. Early detection is paramount to treating cancer successfully. Ovarian cancer, for instance, has a 95% survival rate with early detection, yet is commonly fatal as it is asymptomatic until late stages and there is a lack of effective screening technology. The lack of a single biomarker, or indicator, for most cancers indicates effective early detection of cancer will require analysis of a sample over an array of biosensors in an integrated device. The goal of this project is to develop a practical and effective integrated device for cancer diagnostics. To achieve this goal, the project integrates the forefront of label-free nanohole array based biosensing, microfluidic processing, and established ovarian cancer biomarkers with a novel flow-through-array architecture. The integrated device, a combination of chip and reader, is expected to outperform current biomedical methods for early cancer detection with respect to sensitivity, with additional benefits of lab-on-chip miniaturization. The proposed research program takes advantage of the team's early demonstrations and expertise in nanophotonics sensing technology and lab-on-chip integration. Central to the work is the involvement and support of the BC Cancer Deeley Research Centre, and their on-going work in developing reagents for identified ovarian cancer biomarkers, as well as industrial supporting organizations. The work will involve three concurrent stages: the optimization of the nanophotonic sensing and optical instrumentation; the immobilization of capture antibodies on the nanohole array structures and validation; and development of sample preparation and delivery fluidics with a flow-through-array architecture. The goal of this device development work is to lay the way for a practical and effective cancer screening technology, to the social and economic benefit of Canadians.