Research team
Expertise
Dr. Alejandro Valverde obtained his PhD thesis in Advanced Chemistry, 2023 at Complutense University of Madrid (Spain), on the topic: Rapid diagnostic tools based on the use of bioelectrochemical platforms applicable to low-resource settings. He is currently working at the A-Sense Lab of the University of Antwerp as a postdoctoral researcher on the design and development of photoelectrochemical bioplatforms for the detection of DNA biomarkers involved in cancer progression.
SOCMA (Singlet Oxygen-based photoelectrochemical bioplatform for cancer mutations): from clinical current technologies with limitations towards innovative tools for early diagnosis and monitoring (SOCMA).
Abstract
Inspired by the mission of the EU commission, this project commits to tackling a major societal challenge, i.e., fighting cancer. A striking target for 2030 has been set by the EU: more than 3 million lives saved, living longer and better, achieve a thorough understanding of cancer, prevent what is preventable, optimize diagnosis and treatment, support the quality of life of all people exposed to cancer, and ensure equitable access to the above across Europe. The SOCMA project will contribute to (early) diagnosis and follow up of the disease. More and more biomarkers are discovered and validated for cancer and the highly precise determination thereof is high on the priority list, necessitating analytical devices that allow rapid and accurate analysis with high selectivity and sensitivity. Electrochemical bioplatforms are emerging tools for point-of-care diagnostic systems due to their inherent simplicity, fast response, high sensitivity, and, most importantly, cost and time effectiveness, which are the limitations of current diagnostic technologies. SOCMA proposes the use of the singlet-oxygen mediated photoelectrochemistry for the selective and sensitive detection of low concentrations of cancer biomarkers (e.g., DNA point mutations in KRAS gene) through specific LNA capture probes and DNA amplification techniques such as RCA. This project will focus on the development of a multiplexed 96-well plate bioplatform that allow the detection and quantification of the selected DNA sequences both in tissue and liquid biopsies from patients diagnosed with CRC and PDAC, to ensure the translation from a laboratory technology to a device for clinicians and hospital settings that positively impacts the fight against cancer.Researcher(s)
- Promoter: De Wael Karolien
- Fellow: Valverde De La Fuente Alejandro
Research team(s)
Project type(s)
- Research Project