# Integrated Acoustofluidic Plasmonic Molecular Diagnostic System for Detecting MicroRNA Biomarkers

> **NIH NIH R01** · DUKE UNIVERSITY · 2020 · $476,407

## Abstract

The goal of this project is to develop an integrated diagnostic system designed for rapid isolation,
detection, and multiplexed identification of circulating exosomal microRNA (miRNA) biomarkers in human clinical
samples for early detection of diseases. Dysregulation of miRNAs is often observed in various diseases including
cancer, cardiovascular illnesses, and infection. Recent studies have also demonstrated that miRNAs can be
secreted from tumor cells into bloodstream via exosomes; their expression profiles can be used to classify cancer
types. Therefore, circulating exosomal miRNAs are considered promising biomarkers for early detection and
diagnosis of cancer. However, because of technical difficulties arising from exosome isolation and miRNA
analysis, detection of these small molecules has not been adopted into clinical practice. Thus, there is a need to
develop alternative analysis strategies that could offer more advantages over conventional methods. In this
project, we propose an integrated acoustofluidic plasmonic molecular diagnostic system designed for rapid
isolation and multiplexed detection of exosomal miRNA biomarkers. The cross-disciplinary approach will provide
new capabilities to advance the precise clinical diagnosis of diseases. This system integrates two unique
technologies: (1) acoustofluidic technology that can rapidly isolate exosomes with high yield and purity; and (2)
surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS)-based “Inverse Molecular Sentinel” (iMS) nanoprobes for direct
miRNA detection. Although miRNAs related to colorectal cancer (CRC) will be used as the model system, the
proposed project will also lead to the development of a generally applicable point-of-care diagnostic technology
for other types of diseases. The specific aims are: (1) Develop and integrate an acoustofluidic system for
exosomal miRNA isolation; (2) Develop iMS nanoprobes for multiplexed detection of exosomal miRNA
biomarkers; and (3) Technical Evaluation of the SERS-acoustofluidic system. We will build upon the combined
knowledge of our interdisciplinary team establishing the technical validation required to ready this integrated
technology for future use in clinical settings. Throughout this project, an integrated system will be developed and
validated for in-situ analysis of multiple exosomal miRNAs from clinical samples without the need for miRNA
extraction and amplification. In the technical validation phase, the results will be compared to those obtained
using conventional assays (e.g. qRT-PCR). The system will lead to a no-sample preparation and “sample-to-
answer” analysis approach that is based on the integration of existing and tested sub-components. This new
diagnostic system is capable of enhancing research and translation in the areas of early detection and screening
of various diseases beyond CRC; it is exceedingly well suited for point-of-care testing. The proposed system
represents a major innovation with transformative potential in bi...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9859477
- **Project number:** 1R01GM135486-01
- **Recipient organization:** DUKE UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Tuan Vo-Dinh
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $476,407
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2020-01-01 → 2023-12-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9859477

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9859477, Integrated Acoustofluidic Plasmonic Molecular Diagnostic System for Detecting MicroRNA Biomarkers (1R01GM135486-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9859477. Licensed CC0.

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