Open AccessDetection and differentiation of normal, cancerous, and metastatic cells using nanoparticle-polymer sensor arrays
Author(s) -
Avinash Bajaj,
Oscar R. Miranda,
IkBum Kim,
Ronnie L. Phillips,
D. Joseph Jerry,
Uwe H. F. Bunz,
Vincent M. Rotello
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
proceedings of the national academy of sciences of the united states of america
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1091-6490
pISSN - 0027-8424
DOI - 10.1073/pnas.0900975106
Subject(s) - cancer cell , fluorescence , fluorophore , cell , nanoparticle , metastatic breast cancer , chemistry , biophysics , cell culture , metastasis , microbiology and biotechnology , cancer , materials science , biology , nanotechnology , breast cancer , biochemistry , genetics , physics , quantum mechanics
Rapid and effective differentiation between normal and cancer cells is an important challenge for the diagnosis and treatment of tumors. Here, we describe an array-based system for identification of normal and cancer cells based on a "chemical nose/tongue" approach that exploits subtle changes in the physicochemical nature of different cell surfaces. Their differential interactions with functionalized nanoparticles are transduced through displacement of a multivalent polymer fluorophore that is quenched when bound to the particle and fluorescent after release. Using this sensing strategy we can rapidly (minutes/seconds) and effectively distinguish (i) different cell types; (ii) normal, cancerous and metastatic human breast cells; and (iii) isogenic normal, cancerous and metastatic murine epithelial cell lines.