Page 18 - SDIR5 Abstract book 21 12 2021.

ADVANCES IN SOLID TUMOR RESEARCH

Cancer biosensors based on gene regulatory elements

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Aleksandra Nikolić
1 Institut of Molecular Genetics and Genetic Engineering, University of Belgrade

Cancer diagnostics still relies on imaging techniques and traditional tumor biomarkers, which keep failing
in detection of early stage tumors and premalignant lesions. Biosensor technologies have emerged as a
promising tool for noninvasive and effective early detection of malignant disease, which remains a major
unmet need in cancer management. There is growing evidence on aberrant use of multiple promoters in
malignant cell and also of the importance of the promoter choice and its precedence over the gene's overall
level of transcriptional activity. Transcriptional regulation of gene expression is affected by various
intracellular and extracellular factors, which results in context-specific activity of alternative gene
promoters, which could serve as sensors of malignancy. The aim of this research is to identify gene
regulatory elements differentially active in malignant and non-malignant cells. Gene regulatory elements
of interest are selected using open access databases and bioinformatics tools. Structural and functional
analysis of gene regulatory elements serves to identify those with potential to be developed into
biosensors. The prototype of cancer biosensor combines selected gene regulatory elements as
biorecognition components with widely used genes for fluorescent proteins as signal transducers. The
diagnostic sensitivity of biosensor prototype is tested using organoid cultures and clinical samples from
patients with colorectal cancer, an excellent model of a multistage tumor progression. The major expected
output is a molecular diagnostic tool developed for colorectal cancer with potential for further
improvement and application across different types of malignant diseases.
Key words: biosensor, cancer, gene regulation, molecular diagnostics
Acknowledgement: This research was supported by the Science Fund of the Republic of Serbia, PROMIS,
#6052315, SENSOGENE.

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