Research Projects

Malignancy is a major concern in the world, with poor cancer survival rates due to late-stage diagnosis. To improve cancer patient survival, novel and simple technologies for early stage detection are prioritized. Large-sized marker molecules, such as proteins, enzymes, DNA/RNA, are often used for early detection, but small chemical compounds can also be effective biomarkers. Biogenic amines, low molecular weight nitrogen-containing compounds with at least one amine group, play a crucial role in early stage cancer detection. Elevated levels of biogenic amines in urine, saliva, blood, and serum have significant impact. Violent organic compounds (VOCs) are also important biomarkers for malignancy. These are originated from tumor cells or exogenously penetrate the body and expelled into the endobronchial cavity. There is currently no combined ratiometric device for quick, qualitative detection of cancer biomarkers from aqueous phase and directly from bio-fluids. The proposed "dual sword" approach focuses on developing novel and simple methodologies for biogenic amine detection by small organic molecules and VOCs in the presence of porous metal organic frameworks (MOFs) through chromo/fluorogenic and electrochemical processes up to the ppb level. A user-affable and cost-effective point of-care (POC) device could be created by synchronizing and interfacing chemical outcomes with electronic RGB/HSV/YCbCr-based sensory devices for on-site detection of biogenic amine analytes. Indigenously developed android applications could convert fluorescence response into digitalized data on smartphones, integrating the concept of IoT in the applied chemical field and providing a substantial footprint in cancer biomarker detection.