Empowering Personalized Therapeutics: Advancing 3D-Nano DLD Arrays and Raman Micro-Biochips for Precision Isolation, Segmentation, and Molecular Profiling of Exosomal Trop2 Biomarkers in TNBC

The ExoDiagAI project is at the forefront of addressing a critical challenge in modern healthcare—early diagnosis and effective management of breast cancer, particularly the aggressive and elusive triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) subtype. TNBC lacks well-defined molecular targets, hindering treatment options.

Exosomes, a subset of extracellular vesicles with unique functions, hold great promise as diagnostic and prognostic markers for various diseases, including cancer.

These tiny vesicles are abundant in biological fluids but have been underutilized due to the absence of a cost-effective isolation protocol.

Our primary goal is to develop a microfluidic device, integrating nano-lateral displacement arrays with a Raman biochip, to identify exosome biomarkers specific to TNBC and translate this knowledge into clinical practice.

This project's main objectives encompass creating the microfluidic device, assessing its surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) capabilities, conducting Raman fingerprinting of exosomes from in vitro cell cultures and patient samples, and employing chemometric analysis to discriminate biomarkers.

The distinctive Raman fingerprinting associated with exosomes serves as a promising prognostic and diagnostic marker.

By introducing 3D printing SERS technology, we aim to enable real-time monitoring, shedding light on exosome structural integrity.

This interdisciplinary project combines organic, inorganic, nano, computational, spectroscopic, and molecular biology techniques, culminating in innovative device fabrication.

Ultimately, the ExoDiagAI project holds the potential to revolutionize early breast cancer diagnosis through exosomal biomarkers, aligning with the EU's sustainable development strategy for advanced diagnostic platforms and fostering the career of a promising researcher.

This endeavor marks a pivotal step towards enhancing the detection and management of TNBC, addressing a pressing healthcare need.