Biophotonics: Dual-FRET Molecular Beacons for Early Cancer Detection

Georgia Tech Research Corporation, Atlanta GA

Investigators

Abstract

0222211 Bao The applicants propose to develop a novel dual-FRET molecular beacons methodology for the detection of cancer cells with high specificity, sensitivity and efficiency. Molecular beacons (MBs) are single-stranded oligonucleotides with a stem-loop hairpin structure and dual-labeled with a fluorophore at one end and a quencher at the other. Delivering MBs into cells will result in a fluorescence signal if the MBs hybridize to target mRNAs. Thus, when the target mRNAs correspond to the molecular markers of a cancer, cancer cells (bright) can be distinguished from normal cells (dark ).