NEW ORLEANS--A biomedical engineer at Emory University and the Georgia Institute of Technology has developed a new class of biosensors that can recognize and detect specific DNA sequences and genetic mutations in laboratory experiments. The technology could lead to a new method of cancer detection or drug development. Dr. Shuming Nie, professor of biomedical engineering in the Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering at Emory and Georgia Tech, described his research at the 225th National Meeting of the American Chemical Society on March 27.

Dr. Nie constructs the nanosensors, which he calls "smart nanoparticle probes," by attaching short pieces of DNA (oligonucleotides) to 2.5-nm gold nanocrystals, which serve both as scaffolds and as "quenchers" for fluorescence. The oligonucleotide molecules, which form into an arch-like shape, are labeled with a fluorescent dye at one end and a sulfur atom at the other end. When a nanoparticle probe binds to its target molecule, an energy transfer causes the quencher to be suppressed and the particle to illuminate. Dr. Nie believes the new nanoparticle probes will be more effective than conventional molecular beacons because their unique shape is better suited to binding with target molecules, and because their fluorescence changes very little with changes in temperature.

Dr. Nie hopes to use the nanoparticle beacons to trace specific proteins in cells for early cancer diagnosis and to monitor the effectiveness of drug therapy. He also plans to use the particles to quantify and identify gene sequences, proteins, infectious organisms, and genetic disorders. The particles might be able to profile a large number of genes and proteins simultaneously, allowing physicians to individualize cancer treatments based on the molecular differences in the cancers of various patients. Because of their novel structural and optical properties, these nanobeacons open new opportunities in biomolecular sensing and bio
'"/>

Contact: Holly Korschun
hkorsch@emory.edu
404-727-3990
Emory University Health Sciences Center
27-Mar-2003

Page: 1 2
Related biology news :

1. Pittsburgh NMR Center for Biomedical Research at Carnegie Mellon
2. Biomedical scientist testing nanoparticles as early cancer detection agent
3. Yale researcher receives $1.3 million NIH grant to build Center of Excellence in Biomedical Computing
4. Rutgers to start up National Program of Excellence in Biomedical Computing
5. University of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon University establish Biomedical Security Institute to address bioterrorism, public health threats
6. Biomedical scientists from Russia to Rio to explore biologys frontiers at HHMI in June
7. Biomedical switch regulates how cells stick together and communicates
8. Biomedical engineers working to help kids with special needs
9. Cutting The Time And Cost Of Developing New Cures: Lord Sainsbury Launches Worlds First Biomedical Accelerator Mass Spectrometer In York
10. Nations Leading Biomedical Researchers Present Breakthroughs in Liver Disease
11. University Of Kentucky Biomedical Engineer Awarded Grant To Improve Joint Replacements And Dental Implants