Nanophotonic Biosensors for Next-Generation Precision Cancer Diagnostics
Laura M. Lechuga
Catalan Institute of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (ICN2), CSIC, BIST and CIBER-BBN, Barcelona
Despite remarkable advances in molecular diagnostics, current analytical methodologies often rely on complex laboratory infrastructure, sophisticated instrumentation, and time-consuming procedures, limiting their accessibility and widespread implementation in clinical practice. The development of innovative point-of-care biosensor technologies capable of rapid, ultrasensitive, and multiplexed detection of clinically relevant biomarkers is therefore essential for advancing precision oncology.
Our research focuses on the development of advanced nanophotonic biosensing platforms, integrating innovative surface biofunctionalization strategies, microfluidic systems, and highly selective molecular recognition approaches. Particular emphasis is placed on multiplexed detection, enabling the simultaneous analysis of multiple biomarkers within a single sample and providing more comprehensive molecular information for accurate disease diagnosis and monitoring.
We have demonstrated the potential of our nanophotonic biosensors for the ultrasensitive detection and quantification of a broad range of cancer-associated biomarkers, including proteins, circulating nucleic acids, microRNAs, and epigenetic alterations. Notably, our recent developments include strategies for the identification of cancer-associated DNA methylation signatures, opening new opportunities for early cancer detection and minimally
invasive liquid biopsy applications.
More recently, we have extended these technologies to the evaluation and monitoring of advanced therapies and emerging cell-based immunotherapies for personalized cancer treatment. By enabling rapid, sensitive, and real-time molecular analysis, our biosensing platforms aim to accelerate and improve the characterization, development, and production of these advanced therapies, while reducing analytical complexity and associated costs, ultimately facilitating their broader clinical implementation.
Beyond analytical performance, a major objective of our research is the development of complete, point-of-care platforms, combining photonic sensing chips, optimized bioassays, disposable microfluidic cartridges, miniaturized optical instrumentation, and automated data acquisition and analysis. These efforts aim to translate advanced nanophotonic technologies into compact, robust, and user-friendly diagnostic systems suitable for clinical applications.
This seminar will highlight our latest technological advances and representative applications in cancer diagnostics and immunotherapy monitoring, discussing the challenges and opportunities for translating multiplexed nanophotonic biosensors into next-generation precision oncology tools.