DNA-INTER
DNA-protein and DNA-cancer cell interactions characterised by AFM and electrochemistry
Challenge
The objective of this project is research into the applications of DNA-electrochemical biosensors to investigate the interaction of DNA with a protein, the anti-cancer drug rituximab (RTX), and DNA with cancer cells from a specific cancer cell line, the human colon adenocarcinoma HT29 cells, using electrochemical methods and atomic force microscopy (AFM).
Solution
The DNA-electrochemical biosensor consists of electrodes modified with immobilised nanofilms of DNA or guanosine quadruplex aptamers, which will be used for detecting the interaction between DNA-RTX and DNA-HT29 cells. The project introduces new innovative possibilities for developing and comparing the new structures obtained by self-assembled DNA and aptamer nanofilms on different types of electrode surface, four of them carbon: glassy carbon, boron doped diamond, screen printed carbon and highly oriented pyrolytic graphite. The electrode modified by self-assembled DNA nanofilm forms uniform bidimensional nanoscale networks on the surface. The interaction with RTX and HT29 cancer cells is being studied for different potential coatings that will influence the structure and conformation of the adsorbed biomolecules. The DNA-modified electrode is a very good model for simulating nucleic acid interaction with cell membranes and proteins.
Objectives, Activities and Results expected / achieved
Project Reference
PTDC/QEQ-MED/0586/2012Funding
