UBC Okanagan Pioneers Transformative Cancer Research Technology using Innovative Analysis and Detection Methods

UBC Okanagan Researchers Revolutionize Cellular Force Measurement with New Technologies

Kelowna, BC – Researchers at UBC Okanagan have announced two groundbreaking discoveries poised to transform how scientists observe and measure molecular forces within living cells.These advancements, published in the prestigious journals Advanced Science and angewandte Chemie, promise to unlock new understandings of life’s mechanics and accelerate breakthroughs in fields like cancer research, immunology, and regenerative medicine.

Dr. isaac Li, associate professor of chemistry at the irving K. Barber Faculty of Science, explains the significance: “These discoveries offer unprecedented precision and durability in force imaging, which could significantly advance the field of molecular mechanobiology.”

The first innovation, dubbed qtPAINT, is a novel imaging technology capable of measuring molecular forces with nanometre-level spatial precision and minute-scale time resolution. By combining DNA-based molecular tension probes with advanced microscopes,qtPAINT provides a real-time,clearer view of the behavior of tiny mechanical forces inside living cells.

“Tiny molecular forces drive many critically important functions in the body, like fighting infections, healing wounds and cancer progression,” explains Dr. Seongho Kim, lead author of the qtPAINT study. “Before qtPAINT, researchers could see where these forces were happening, but we couldn’t measure how strong they were or how they changed over time.”

Building on this success,Li’s team addressed a major limitation of DNA-based tension probes: their rapid degradation by naturally occurring enzymes called DNases. Their solution, detailed in the second paper and termed Decoy DNA, introduces extra strands of harmless DNA to act as “sacrificial targets” for these enzymes.

“Rather than using complex and costly chemical modifications, our approach is more like distracting predators with these decoys,” says hongyuan Zhang, lead author of the Decoy DNA study. “This protects our DNA probes and significantly improves the quality and duration of our measurements.”

This simple yet powerful technique extends the lifespan of functional tension probes from mere hours to over 24 hours, and even several days, dramatically improving the stability and accuracy of cellular force measurements.

Li’s lab specializes in single-molecule biophysics and mechanobiology, employing an interdisciplinary approach that merges cell biology, biochemistry, biophysics, nanotechnology, and bioengineering.”Our goal has always been to develop effective and accessible tools,” Li concludes. “These studies reflect our ongoing effort to develop technologies that support meaningful discoveries across many disciplines.”

How do microfluidic devices enhance teh accuracy of early cancer detection compared to traditional methods?

UBC Okanagan Pioneers Transformative Cancer Research Technology using Innovative Analysis adn Detection Methods

Advanced Liquid Biopsy Techniques at the Forefront

UBC Okanagan researchers are leading the charge in next-generation cancer diagnostics, focusing heavily on liquid biopsies. Unlike traditional tissue biopsies, which are invasive and frequently enough only provide a snapshot of the tumor, liquid biopsies analyze circulating tumor cells (CTCs), circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA), and other biomarkers found in blood. This allows for real-time monitoring of cancer progression, treatment response, and the early detection of recurrence.

Key areas of innovation include:

Microfluidic Devices: Growth of highly sensitive microfluidic devices to isolate and analyze rare CTCs from blood samples. These devices improve the efficiency and accuracy of CTC capture,crucial for early cancer detection.

Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS): Utilizing NGS to identify genetic mutations in ctDNA, providing a comprehensive profile of the tumor’s genetic makeup. This informs personalized treatment strategies and helps predict drug resistance.

Exosome Analysis: Investigating exosomes – tiny vesicles released by cancer cells – as a source of valuable biomarkers. Exosomes contain proteins,RNA,and DNA that can reveal crucial details about the tumor.

Novel Biomarker Discovery for early Cancer Detection

A significant challenge in cancer treatment is early detection. UBC Okanagan researchers are actively involved in biomarker discovery, aiming to identify novel indicators of cancer presence even before symptoms appear. This research leverages advanced proteomics and genomics techniques.

Proteomic Profiling: Identifying unique protein signatures in blood samples that differentiate between healthy individuals and those with cancer.

Methylation Analysis: Examining DNA methylation patterns – epigenetic changes that can indicate cancer development – in ctDNA.

RNA Sequencing: Analyzing RNA profiles in exosomes to identify cancer-specific RNA signatures.

These discoveries are paving the way for the development of non-invasive cancer screening tests with the potential to significantly improve patient outcomes.

Innovative Data Analysis and Machine Learning Applications

The vast amount of data generated by these advanced technologies requires elegant analytical tools. UBC Okanagan researchers are employing machine learning (ML) and artificial intelligence (AI) to:

1. Improve Diagnostic accuracy: ML algorithms are trained on large datasets of patient samples to identify patterns and predict cancer presence with greater accuracy than traditional methods.
2. Predict Treatment Response: AI models can analyze patient data – including genetic information, biomarker levels, and clinical history – to predict how a patient will respond to specific cancer treatments.
3. Personalized medicine: Developing algorithms to tailor treatment plans based on an individual’s unique cancer profile, maximizing efficacy and minimizing side effects.
4. Image Analysis: Utilizing AI to analyze medical imaging (MRI,CT scans) for subtle indicators of cancer that might be missed by the human eye.

Case Study: Advancements in Prostate Cancer Detection

UBC Okanagan’s research has shown particular promise in prostate cancer detection. Traditional methods, like PSA testing, can have high false-positive rates. Researchers are developing a blood test based on a panel of novel biomarkers identified through proteomic analysis, demonstrating improved specificity and sensitivity in preliminary studies. This could lead to fewer unnecessary biopsies and earlier, more accurate diagnoses.

Benefits of UBC Okanagan’s Cancer Research

The advancements being made at UBC Okanagan offer several key benefits:

Earlier Diagnosis: Improved detection methods lead to earlier diagnosis, increasing the chances of successful treatment.

Personalized Treatment: Genetic and biomarker profiling enables tailored treatment plans,maximizing efficacy and minimizing side effects.

Non-Invasive Monitoring: Liquid biopsies provide a less invasive way to monitor cancer progression and treatment response.

Reduced Healthcare costs: Early detection and personalized treatment can reduce the overall cost of cancer care.

Improved Patient Quality of Life: More effective treatments and less invasive monitoring contribute to a better quality of life for cancer patients.

Future Directions & Collaborative Research

UBC Okanagan is actively fostering collaborations with other research institutions and industry partners to accelerate the translation of these discoveries into clinical practice. Future research will focus on:

Expanding Biomarker Panels: Identifying additional biomarkers for a wider range of cancer types.

Developing Point-of-Care Diagnostics: Creating portable, easy-to-use diagnostic devices for rapid cancer detection in clinical settings.

Clinical Trials: Conducting large-scale clinical trials to validate the accuracy and effectiveness of new diagnostic and treatment strategies.

* Integration with Digital Health: combining biomarker data with electronic health records and wearable sensor data to create a comprehensive picture of a patient’s health.

Keywords: UBC Okanagan, cancer research, liquid biopsy, biomarker discovery, proteomics, genomics