Événement Parlons AffairesPhotonics North 2014, Montréal, 29 mai
Technologies originating from the research results of
Prof. Denis Boudreau (COPL, Université Laval)
Simple, fast and cost-effective tools for biodiagnostics and medical research
Novel nanobiosensors
Presented by Martin Castonguay, SOVAR
Parlons Affaires Photonics North 2014, Montréal, 29 mai
Technology: “what and why ?”Plasmonic fluorescent core-shell nanoparticles
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Silver core (~50 nm dia.)
Silica shell (~3 nm th.)Molecular probe (no signal)
Target molecule captured by molecular probe (strong signal)
Silica surface for easy immobilization of biomolecules
Silver core for enhanced fluorescence
Strong signalResistance to photobleaching
Excellent signal/noise Versatility
Molecular probe for specificity
Parlons Affaires Photonics North 2014, Montréal, 29 mai
Application example #1: PCR-free genotyping
• Phenotyping and immunological methods are gradually being replaced by genotyping methods
• Genotyping methods utilizing PCR amplification of genetic material are costly, complex and time-consuming
• PCR-free cost-effective and timely genotyping tools would increase time-to-answer and decrease complexity and costs
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Parlons Affaires Photonics North 2014, Montréal, 29 mai
Technological advantagesDNA sensing based on fluorescent nanoparticles
and a polymeric hybridization transducer
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• Sensitive: 1000 copies, vs. 10 copies for PCR ~10M copies are available from 1 ml of blood
• Rapid: result available <10 min after mixingSimple sample preparation AND no amplification required
• Low cost: straightforward fabrication process and readily available instrumentation for detection
Parlons Affaires Photonics North 2014, Montréal, 29 mai
Proof of principleSRY and Dombrock genes were detected directly
from DNA extracted from human blood cells
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Fluo
resc
ence
sig
nal (
a.u.
)
Male donors Female donors Doa (+)
Fluo
resc
ence
sig
nal (
a.u.
)
Doa (-) Dob (+) Dob (-)
SRY genotyping results for 10 non-amplified genomic DNA samples.1
Dombrock (Doa/Dob) genotyping results for 6 non-amplified genomic DNA samples.2
Brouard D, Ratelle O et al. (2013) Analytical Methods 5(24)
Unpublished data (2014).
Parlons Affaires Photonics North 2014, Montréal, 29 mai
Preliminary evaluation of the cost per test
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Batch size Projected cost per test
Low scale, using research facilities and personel 6$
Large scale <1$
Parlons Affaires Photonics North 2014, Montréal, 29 mai
Application example #2: Functional cell imaging
Parlons Affaires Photonics North 2014, Montréal, 29 mai
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Adaptability to different functional fluorophores pH sensibility Calcium imagery Chloride Sodium, Potassium DNA probes
Stable grafting on surfaces Non-invasive measurements Quantitative in vitro
analyses Multi-elementary response Commercial microscopy
hardware
“Fluorescent nanosensors and uses thereof”, Canada/US provisional patent filed May 23, 2014.
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Parlons Affaires Photonics North 2014, Montréal, 29 mai
Proof of principleLive extracellular pH measurements on calcified cardiac
fibroblasts directly in the culture medium
pH = 6.5
Substrate fluorescence
Control GFP GFP + CA126.0
6.2
6.4
6.6
6.8
7.0
7.2
Ex
tra
ce
llula
r p
H
Addition of therapeutic drug
Adaptable for various studies• Heart and lung cells (Na+, K+, pH)• Cancer and tumors (pH, Cl-, Ca2+)• Neurons (Ca2+, neurotransmitters)
IP protection
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Patent 1: Polymer transducer
Canada, US, Europe (UK, France, Germany), Australia and Japan
Patent 2: Combination of polymer transducer to fluorescent reporterCanada, US, Europe (UK, France, Germany, Spain, Swiss), Australia and Japan
Patent 3: Combination of polymer transducer and particlesCanada, US.
A patent application was just filed a week ago for the surface-grafted nanoparticles.
Parlons Affaires Photonics North 2014, Montréal, 29 mai
Take home message ?
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Fast time-to-answer
Uses existing
detection hardware
Low-cost adaptable product
International market
Multiple applications
Benefits for Canadians
Newborn screening
CancerPharmacogenomics
Pathogen detection
Parlons Affaires Photonics North 2014, Montréal, 29 mai
Prof. Boudreau and his team are experts in the field of nanoparticles.
If you are interested in functional nanoparticles for medical or other applications, there may well be a match between his science and your business needs !