Proteomic Biomarker Diagnostics for Early Detection of Cancer using MEMS Biosensor Arrays

BioScale is developing a high-throughput diagnostic tool to perform proteomic assays of multiple protein biomarkers for early detection of cancer and infectious disease. Genomic and proteomic profiling of tumors and cancer cells are enabling the new paradigm of "Proteomic Diagnostics", namely the measurement of multiple biomarkers matching the proteomic profile of specific disease states. Such tests promise to achieve the ideal of >96% sensitivity and specificity. Elucidation of specific proteomic profiles of cytokines released in response to infectious disease offers another such opportunity. Rapid and specific measurement of multiple proteins in the serum proteome can be enabled by instruments based on arrays of non-fouling biosensors capable of sensitive and quantitative detection. This Phase I proposal will demonstrate such detection capabilities in a non-optical MEMS sensor array by integrating a candidate set of biomarker assays aimed at early detection of prostate cancer. Phases II and III of this effort will focus on further clinical screening of sets of proteomic biomarkers and the development of the sensor array platform into a rapid diagnostic tool for clinical labs. Such a proteomic profile assay system will accurately detect specific disease states in individuals facilitating effective screening and therapeutic decision-making in military and civilian settings.