{"id":613745,"date":"2024-03-22T03:00:01","date_gmt":"2024-03-22T00:00:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/en.buradabiliyorum.com\/scientists-using-novel-hydrogel-to-create-lollipops-for-mouth-cancer-diagnostic\/"},"modified":"2024-03-22T03:00:01","modified_gmt":"2024-03-22T00:00:01","slug":"scientists-using-novel-hydrogel-to-create-lollipops-for-mouth-cancer-diagnostic","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/scientists-using-novel-hydrogel-to-create-lollipops-for-mouth-cancer-diagnostic\/","title":{"rendered":"#Scientists using novel hydrogel to create ‘lollipops’ for mouth cancer diagnostic"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Researchers from the University of Birmingham, U.K., are creating a new ‘lollipop’ diagnostic for mouth cancer using a novel smart hydrogel.<\/p>\n

Developed by Dr. Ruchi Gupta and colleagues from the School of Chemistry, the biocompatible hydrogel concentrates and labels proteins with a fluorescent marker in a single step, making it suitable for diagnostics that aim to detect low abundance proteins from small sample sizes.<\/p>\n

The hydrogel achieves protein capture via the fluorescent marker (fluorescein isothiocyanate or FITC), which is attached to the hydrogel by a photocleavable bond. On exposure to light, the protein, which is now attached to the fluorescein, is released from the hydrogel.<\/p>\n

Initial studies on the gel, published last year<\/a> in Analyst<\/i> showed the gel offered a concentration factor of 236 with a reference protein (streptavidin), and 50% of the proteins in the hydrogel were released after 100 seconds exposure to UV light.<\/p>\n

Diagnostics are a new landscape for biogels, which until now have been used for drug delivery and tissue regeneration.<\/p>\n

The gel developed by Dr. Gupta offers distinct benefits over existing diagnostic techniques. It has far fewer steps than ELISA-based assays or preconcentration using beads and electrophoresis and can be conducted at room temperature.<\/p>\n

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Cancer Research Horizon, the innovation engine built to complement Cancer Research UK’s network, has filed a patent app<\/a>lication for the novel hydrogel, and the Birmingham researchers are seeking collaborators or partners to develop further applications.<\/p>\n

The gel’s biocompatibility means the hydrogel can be used either in vitro or directly on patients, as with the current project, which aims to replace current invasive, time-consuming diagnostic procedures that need to be conducted by medical professionals.<\/p>\n

Dr. Ruchi Gupta, Associate Professor of Biosensors at the University of Birmingham, said, “Smart hydrogels have really exciting potential for diagnosing mouth cancer. They can be easily molded into shapes as a solid to ‘catch’ proteins in saliva, and we’re hoping that we can be the first to make a device which is much kinder for diagnosing mouth cancer for patients and easier for GPs to use.<\/p>\n

“Beyond this project, we’re keen to investigate other possibilities for the hydrogel, and will welcome approaches from research or commercial organizations who want to collaborate on research or commercialization.”<\/p>\n

\n More information:<\/strong>
\n Leanne Kellermann et al, Photoactive hydrogels for pre-concentration, labelling, and controlled release of proteins, The Analyst<\/i> (2023). DOI: 10.1039\/D3AN00811H<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n
\n Provided by
\n University of Birmingham
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Citation<\/strong>:
\n Scientists using novel hydrogel to create ‘lollipops’ for mouth cancer diagnostic (2024, March 21)
\n retrieved 21 March 2024
\n from https:\/\/medicalxpress.com\/news<\/a>\/2024-03-scientists-hydrogel-lollipops-mouth-cancer.html<\/p>\n

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