Characterization and application of ssDNA aptamers for detection of carcinoembryonic antigen

Grant funding 2020-2022
Ministry of Education and Sciences of the Republic of Kazakhstan

In this work, it is proposed i) to characterize developed aptamer sequences that would reveal sensitivity and specificity against the target CEA. Aptasensors as more advanced methods for the rapid detection of biomarkers have been well progressed for cancer diagnosis. ii) the proposed study will also concentrate on the application of the CEA aptamers in the development of a method based on an electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) combined with an interdigitated electrode (IDE) and aptamer for the rapid detection of the CEA with an increased sensitivity.

The proposed work on detection of a cancer biomarker using an electrochemical aptasensor will have an important positive impact in the biosensing field by offering high detection sensitivity, low volume handling, and rapid detection of samples. The proposed study will also lead to the development of a platform that can be adapted to other diseases – both infectious and non-communicable – new devices with commercial value. The cost of the aptasensor could be considered cheaper than that of immunosensors since the cost of aptamer production is much cheaper than antibodies.

Aptamers against CEA will be successfully characterized and a sequence of the most sensitive CEA aptamer will be revealed. Bioinformatics analysis, ELONA,SPR, and AFM studies will support information on the aptamer specificity, sensitivity, and affinity to the target CEA. CEA aptamer will be further applied in the development of the EIS aptasensor for the detection of CEA. Surface chemistry will be optimized for the sensitive detection of the target biomarker. The aptasensor to be developed will be tested with spiked human serum and will be evaluated in dose response analysis. We expect that the performance of the aptasensor will be comparable with literature reports.