Colorectal Cancer Post a Great Threat to Humankind

Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer globally and the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in 2022, resulting in nearly one million deaths annually [1].

Colorectal Cancer Post a Great Threat to Humankind

Current screening methods for colorectal cancer primarily involve the Fecal immunochemical test (FIT). If blood is detected in the stool sample, further examination is typically conducted by doctors using colonoscopy to observe the presence of polyps in the colon. However, this screening method has several drawbacks, such as inconvenience and high invasiveness.

RCA (Rolling Circle Amplification) is an isothermal amplification method performed at around 60-65°C. This process generates long-repeated complementary DNA (cDNA). [2]

After RCA process, the resulting cDNA are mixed with probe-conjugated gold (AuNPs) nanoparticles solution. The probes on the surface of AUNPs then recognize and bind to those cDNA products.

When treating the mixed solution with salts, the presence of cDNA in the probe-conjugated gold nanoparticle solution (indicating a high circRNA level) prevents the aggregation of AuNPs, resulting in a red color. Conversely, the absence of cDNA (indicating a low circRNA level) leads to a blue-purple color.

RT-RPA (Reverse Transcription-Recombinase Polymerase Amplification) is an amplification method. It offers an isothermal alternative to PCR(Polymerase Chain Reaction) [3].

After the RT-RPA, the amplicons are applied to the lateral flow cassette (PCRD). The presence of amplicons (depicted in white) with different tags (blue, yellow, and green) initially binds to carbon particles. Subsequently, they are recognized by their respective antibodies on the test lines, resulting in a black coloration.

Three lines (one control line and two test lines) indicates a high risk of developing colorectal cancer. Conversely, one line observed represents a negative outcome.

Unique Selling Points

NanoCircDx presents clear benefits compared to existing methods for colorectal cancer detection. Our approach needs just one tube of blood sample to evaluate the potential of colorectal cancer, offering:
1. Early identification of the disease.
2. Enhanced accuracy and speed in screening.
3. Greater user acceptance.
4. Non-invasive procedure.

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Impact

Impact

We combined our project with four SDGS to contribute to the creation of a sustainable life.
3 - Good Health and Well-Being:
Increase screening rates and reduce colorectal cancer mortality by developing a less minimally invasive, highly accurate, and cost-effective method for colorectal cancer detection.
4 - Quality Education:
Make colorectal cancer information accessible to the public through camps, social media, and a wiki game.
9 - Industry, Innovation, And Infrastructure:
To venture into entrepreneurship, creating more job opportunities and accelerating innovation within the liquid biopsy technology sector.
17 - Partnerships for The Goals:
Engaged in cross-border and cross-disciplinary collaborations with numerous iGEM teams. [4]

Read more on the Sustainable Development Impact page.