ECE PhD Prospectus Defense- Fulya Ekiz Kanik

<P><B>Title:</B> DEVELOPMENT OF SINGLE-PARTICLE COUNTING ASSAYS WITH INTERFEROMETRIC REFLECTANCE</P><P><B>Advisor:</B> Professor Selim Unlu, ECE</P><P><B>Chair:</B> Professor Thomas Bifano, ME, MSE, BME</P><P><B>Committee:</B> Professor Chen Yang, ECE; Professor Anna Swan, ECE; Dr. Marcella Chiari, Institute of Science and Technology</P><P><B>Abstract:</B> Biomarkers are biological measures used for clinical assessment, whether an individual has a particular medical condition or to monitor and predict health states in individuals. Sensitive detection and quantification of various biomarkers are essential for diagnosis-related diseases. A microarray platform for biomarker diagnosis allows for testing them in a rapid and multiplex format. However, conventional microarray technologies are limited by the sensitivity performance. This dissertation describes sensitive molecular and cellular biomarker detection assays based on single-particle interferometric reflectance imaging sensor (SP-IRIS). <P><P>SP-IRIS is a microarray-format assay platform that provides optical detection of individual nanoparticles when they are captured onto a simple reflecting substrate, providing single-molecule sensitivity. This technique can be used to detect natural nanoparticles (such as viruses) as well as molecular analytes (proteins and nucleic acids) that are labeled with metallic nanoparticle in a sandwich assay format. Moreover, the advancements in technology make SP-IRIS ideal for the detection of low abundance biomarkers. Polarization enhancement in the optical system to improve the signal-to-noise ratio and the use of plasmonic gold nanorods as labels have increasedthroughput and sensitivity in endpoint ensemble measurements. Moreover, integration of disposable microfluidic flow cell and dynamic particle tracking in kinetic measurements provides a robust, ultra-sensitive and automated diagnostic platform.</P><P>This dissertation focuses on SP-IRIS assays in a variety of applications demonstrating effective use of SP-IRIS as a clinical diagnostic platform. We discuss the development of protein, nucleic acid and biological nanoparticle detecting SP-IRIS microarrays. We demonstrate four digital detection platforms for Hepatitis B, microRNA, rare mutation in KRAS gene and virus-like particle detection with ultra-high sensitivity.</P>

When 10:00 am to 12:00 pm on Friday, May 29, 2020