Functionalization of microfabricated devices aiming at the selective capture of circulating tumor cells for diagnostic purposes

• Grant number: 20/12980-3
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Chemical Engineering - Chemical Technology
• Principal Investigator: Marisa Masumi Beppu
• Grantee: Marisa Masumi Beppu
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Engenharia Química (FEQ). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Campinas , SP, Brazil
• Pesquisadores principais:( Atuais ): Juliana Kelmy Macário Barboza Daguano
• Pesquisadores principais:( Anteriores ): Jorge Vicente Lopes da Silva
• Associated researchers: Aline Mara dos Santos ; Bradley Olsen ; Classius Ferreira da Silva ; Diego Mantovani ; Hernandes Faustino de Carvalho ; João Batista Maia Rocha Neto ; Marcos Akira d'Ávila ; Mariana Agostini de Moraes ; Rogério Aparecido Bataglioli ; Sérgio Paulo Campana Filho
• Associated research grant(s): 23/01628-5 - Large-scale production of hyaluronic acid using agro-industrial residues and its application for functionalization of substrates for tumor cell detection, AP.R; 22/11352-4 - Multi-user equipment approved in grant 2020/12980-3: Atomic Force Microscope and accessories, AP.EMU
• Associated scholarship(s): 23/09453-0 - SURFACE AND ELECTROCHEMICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF THREE-DIMENSIONAL ELECTRODES FOR CAPTURING TUMOR CELLS, BP.IC; 23/01660-6 - Production and functionalization of devices produced by additive manufacturing for the capture and detection of tumor cells for diagnostic purposes, BP.DD; 22/10053-3 - Functionalization of microfabricated devices aiming at the selective capture of cells circulating tumors for diagnostic purposes, BP.PD; 22/09966-4 - Production of coatings based on recombinant proteins for the selective capture of circulating tumor cells aiming diagnostic purposes, BP.DD

Abstract

Cancer is the second leading cause of death worldwide, with early detection and appropriate therapy being the best alternatives to reduce the risk of mortality. Despite the recent advances in investigating biomarkers for early cancer detection, diagnosis strategies still lack improvements in the selectivity for the capture of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) and the detection method's sensitivity. This proposal aims to establish a synergistic collaboration among three universities of the state of São Paulo (UNICAMP, USP, and UNIFESP), the Renato Archer Information Technology Center, and two international universities (University of Laval and MIT) to develop a platform for the diagnosis of different types of cancer diseases based on CTCs detection. The research team will explore microfabrication methods, recombinant protein biosynthesis, and surface functionalization via Layer-by-Layer to create tridimensional electrodes for detecting prostate, breast, and thyroid cancer cell lineages. These techniques will enable the production of functionalized, patterned surfaces bearing peptide sequences that interact with tumor cell integrins, enhancing the selective capture of CTCs from biological assays on impedance electrodes. Understanding the design rules for biological recognition of different CTCs lineages will demand an in-depth investigation of the factors affecting the cell adhesion process, such as the patterned surface geometry, the film deposition parameters, and the affinity between the surface macromolecules and the cell surface. Overall, this proposal envisions establishing a proof-of-concept platform for CTCs detection, streamlining the clinical diagnose of tumoral diseases. (AU)