# Supplement: Bio CaRGOS: Capture and release gels for optimized storage of Cancer Biospecimens

> **NIH NIH R21** · UNIVERSITY OF LOUISVILLE · 2021 · $34,990

## Abstract

Biomarkers play a central role in the detection, diagnosis, management and monitoring of patients
with cancer. Factors such as analytical sensitivity and reproducibility are critical to the clinical
utility of plasma-based biomarkers in the setting of longitudinal surveillance and early detection of
disease and or recurrence. Currently, the state of preservation of biospecimens is accomplished
primarily using sub freezer techniques and it is cost prohibitive and certainly not practical in most
scenarios. There is clearly a dearth of techniques that can preserve the biospecimens at room
temperature for long periods of time. Therefore, there is a critical unmet clinical need for storing a
plethora of biospecimens acquired routinely.
In the parent grant, we proposed to demonstrate stability and integrity of Pancreatic Cancer
Specific biomarkers (CA-A19, miRNA21, and ctDNA) in buffers as well as plasma for extended
periods of time at room temperature utilizing a 1-step microwave based sol-gel process. The
specific aims were:
The specific aims of this research were: (A) Achieve complete integrity and stability of cancer
biomarkers in physiologic electrolytes at room temperature. (B) Demonstrate integrity and stability
of cancer biomarkers in presence the major plasma proteins (albumin, globulin and fibrinogen). (C)
Investigate the integrity of induced cancer biomarkers and native biomarkers present in plasma
Solutes such as glucose, uric acid, and other nominal proteins can have an effect on CaRGOS.
In the Supplement Grant, Lindsay will develop a reverse engineering approach and will work
closely with the PIs and students to directly stabilize biomarkers in plasma. Lindsay started working
on this approach and have observed critical challenges including: (i) biocompatibility of the process
due to even minimal presence of methanol (ii) possible interference of silica with characterization
techniques such as dd PCR. (iii) intensive extraction protocols for extraction of biomarkers from
plasma and their compatibility with the silica. These three major hurdles form the basis of the
supplement grant, where we will need to advance our fundamental understanding of the nature of
interactions of silica precursors with a complex matrix such as plasma. The specific aims of the
Supplement grant are:
(A) Elimination of methanol from the precursor sol prior to addition of biomarker/plasma. (B)
 Develop robust protocols to separate silica from the biomarkers at the point of downstream
processing
During the first year, Lindsay will be an undergraduate researcher and obtain her B.S. in Chemical
Engineering. During the second year she will obtain her master’s in engineering enabling her to
enrich her skill set in this area. This focused project will allow Lindsay to become an independent
and confident researcher in future that aligns with her goals to obtain a MD/PhD.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10381281
- **Project number:** 3R21CA251042-01S1
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF LOUISVILLE
- **Principal Investigator:** Gautam Gupta
- **Activity code:** R21 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $34,990
- **Award type:** 3
- **Project period:** 2021-08-01 → 2022-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10381281

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10381281, Supplement: Bio CaRGOS: Capture and release gels for optimized storage of Cancer Biospecimens (3R21CA251042-01S1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-06-02 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10381281. Licensed CC0.

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