Highly sensitive detection of cancer cells based on the DNA barcode assay and microcapillary electrophoretic analysis

Considering rarity of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) in human blood, the development of highly sensitive detection techniques for cancer cells is crucial for prediction, diagnosis, and prognosis of cancers. In this study, we propose an advanced cellular detection method by combining a biobarcode assay and microcapillary electrophoresis (μCE) technology. While the DNA biobarcode assay can provide ultrasensitive and multiplex detection platforms, the μCE chip can analyze barcode DNAs with high speed and accuracy according to the DNA size. We designed the barcode DNA size as 20 bp for indicating the expression of epithelial cell adhesion molecules (EpCAM) biomarkers and 30 bp for assigning CDX2 expression which is specific for colorectal cancer cells with addition to two bracket ladders (15 and 45 bp). Using MCF‐7 (breast cancer) and SW620 (colorectal cancer) as models, we conducted a biobarcode assay and analyzed the resultant biobarcode DNA on the μCE chip. We could detect the 20 bp CE peak in the electropherogram even with ten MCF‐7 and SW620 cells in a volume of 200 μL, thereby demonstrating the highly sensitive detection of cancer cells. We furthermore identified the type of colorectal cancer by observing two positive peaks (20 bp for EpCAM and 30 bp for CDX2) in the μCE analysis.     

Editorial Board: Electrophoresis 8'14

Electrophoresis 2014, 35, 1144–1151. DOI: 10.1002/elps.201300501 The center stage of nanopore sequencing is to extract gene information from the translocation of DNA through a nanopore. Graphene nanopore technology has been promising ultra‐high resolution for gene sequencing owing to the atomic thickness and excellent electronic properties of the graphene monolayer. By filtering out the thermal noise of ionic current, the instantaneous conformational variations of DNA in a graphene nanopore could be unveiled from undulates of the blocked ionic current, because of the spatial blockage effect of DNA against ionic migration. It supplies a theoretical basis for the monitor of dynamical information of DNA in a graphene nanopore during sequencing from the ionic current fluctuation.

     

Editorial Board: Electrophoresis 18'14

Electrophoresis 2014, 35, 2673–2680. DOI: 10.1002/elps.201400210 pH‐responsive microcapsules manufactured by combining electrostatic droplets (ESD) and microfluidic droplets (MFD) techniques to produce mono‐disperse core (alginate) ‐ shell (chitosan) structure with controlled drug release behavior. The fabricated core‐shell microcapsules have a pH‐controlled drug delivery function according to acidic and alkaline environment, and present positive biocompatibility, indicating their potential use in biological and biomedical applications, such as pH‐responsive drug‐delivery systems, scaffolding for bone tissues, and as an oral drug‐delivery vehicle.