# Detecting diverse nucleic acid biomarkers of cancer with solid-state nanopores

> **NIH NIH R33** · WAKE FOREST UNIVERSITY HEALTH SCIENCES · 2020 · $1,089,730

## Abstract

Project Summary
Nucleic acid biomarkers have tremendous potential value to patient health, but by their nature are often difficult
to probe. Solid-state (SS-) nanopores are uniquely positioned to contribute to a solution for this challenge. The
platform enables individual molecules to be probed as they translocate electrically through a synthetic,
nanometer-scale aperture. The intrinsic sensitivity, compact nature, and electronic output make the system an
attractive candidate for use as a translational diagnostic device. The central goal of this R33 project is to use
SS-nanopore technology to assess nucleic acid biomarkers with applications to cancer through a highly
selective assay developed in our lab. With our novel approach, target nucleic acid fragments can be detected
and quantified only when bound to a protein chaperone, yielding a binary output. The measurement is rapid,
sensitive, and yields an unambiguous electrical signal for analysis. We propose to apply this general
measurement scheme in ways that enable the assessment of two broadly significant families of nucleic acid
biomarkers. In Aim 1, we will assess epigenetic modifications and single base lesions. Modified bases regulate
a variety of cellular functions but are challenging to probe with conventional technology. We will first use our
approach to study global abundance of radiation-induced base modifications in model human cancer cell lines
and then develop a strategy for determining the gene-specific location of modifications. In Aim 2, we will probe
nucleic acid sequence motifs, focusing on microRNA. The link between microRNAs and cell
function/malfunction is well established, but such short motifs can be challenging to study. We will first optimize
our measurement for probing specific sequences, and then apply it to the assessment of lung cancer-relevant
microRNA in de-identified patient blood samples.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10025696
- **Project number:** 1R33CA246448-01A1
- **Recipient organization:** WAKE FOREST UNIVERSITY HEALTH SCIENCES
- **Principal Investigator:** Adam Roger Hall
- **Activity code:** R33 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $1,089,730
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2020-08-01 → 2024-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10025696

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10025696, Detecting diverse nucleic acid biomarkers of cancer with solid-state nanopores (1R33CA246448-01A1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10025696. Licensed CC0.

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