(170c) Rapid Detection of Microrna Via Light Scattering of Plasmonic Nanoparticles

The discovery of microRNAs (miRNAs) as key regulators of the cellular machinery and their implication in diseases has blossomed research in miRNA detection. Conventional techniques such as quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), northern blotting and microarray technologies have contributed significantly to the detection of various miRNA but areas of unmet need remains to make the detection process simpler while maintaining good sensitivity and selectivity. Here, we present a gold nanoparticle (AuNP) scattering technique which utilizes the controlled formation of defined nanoassemblies through the hybridization of uniquely-designed AuNP probe to its targeted miRNA. The defined assemblies exhibit a distinct size shift that can be detected through dynamic light scattering (DLS). Thus, instead of using DLS as a characterization tool as it is conventionally used for, herein we demonstrate its potential use as a bioanalytical system. Using the let7 family miRNA, which associates with increasingly many medical conditions, as the model of study, we are able to achieve a limit of detection of 100fmol and a selectivity discriminating close members of the let7 family. Potentially, detection can be done in 5 minutes, which also makes it a rapid detection system.