Development of a novel SERS assay for the detection of MiRNA and the synthesis and use of lipid soluble nanoparticles for the application to cardiovascular disease

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Cardiovascular disease (CVD) encompasses a wide range of clinical conditions including atherosclerosis. This progressive inflammatory disease can develop and present no symptoms for along period of time before classifying as clinical. Current detection methods include the non-invasive technique of x-rays and the invasive technique of angiography. Both of these have several limitations including the delayed timeframe from which they can detect the disease. It is desirable for a technique to be able to detect early (sub-clinical) stages, to allow early treatment and the best possible chances patient recovery.;Small endogenous RNA species (microRNA's) play an important role in cardiac homeostasis, therefore lending themselves as potential biomarkers. This research demonstrates the use of nanoparticle-oligonucleotide conjugates, together with surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) to detect and identify CVD specific microRNA sequences. The use of a Raman reporter functionalised to the nanoparticle surface allows a signal to be obtained and thus an attribute by which the presence, or lack of, a target microRNA sequence can be concluded.;In order for such species to be used for clinical purposes, they must be capable of passing through the cell membrane. This research shows the synthesis of cholesterol covered particles and their ability to penetrate the phospholipid bilayer, thus demonstrating their potential to act as a biomarker detector.

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