# Nano-plasmonic technology for high-throughput single exosome analyses

> **NIH NIH R21** · MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL · 2020 · $182,700

## Abstract

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) present new opportunities for cancer diagnoses and treatment monitoring as
circulating biomarkers. These cell-derived membrane-bound vesicles are abundantly present in biological fluids
and carry cell-specific cargos, such as lipids, proteins and genetic materials, which can be harnessed as a
minimally invasive means to probe the molecular status of tumors. EV analyses, however, poses unique
technical challenges due to EVs' nanometer size, heterogeneity, and presence in vast biological background.
We have previously developed nanoplasmonic sensing platforms that can rapidly and sensitively detect tumor
EVs directly from clinical samples. Drawing upon our previous experiences with the prototypes, the goal of this
application is to further advance the cutting-edge nanoplasmonics technology for comprehensive molecular
analyses at single EV resolution. Specifically, we will 1) adapt gold nanorod structures that provides higher
sensitivity down to a single molecular level and 2) integrate plasmon-enhanced fluorescence detection for
multiplexed EV protein and RNA analyses in single EVs. We hypothesize that the approach will be more
sensitive and comprehensive in profiling EV protein and mRNA markers than is currently possible. Using an
ovarian cancer as a model system, we will evaluate 1) system implementation for high-throughput single EV
detection; 2) reliable detection of tumor-derived EVs in clinical samples; and 3) multiplexed EV marker
screening on tumor-derived EVs. If successful, the developed platform would render a more accessible tool to
significantly accelerate the clinical adoption of EV analyses as routine screening tests for cancer care in clinical
settings.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9991779
- **Project number:** 5R21CA217662-02
- **Recipient organization:** MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL
- **Principal Investigator:** Hyungsoon Im
- **Activity code:** R21 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $182,700
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2019-08-08 → 2022-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9991779

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9991779, Nano-plasmonic technology for high-throughput single exosome analyses (5R21CA217662-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9991779. Licensed CC0.

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