| Sample preparation for clinical testing requires fast, robust and reproducible protocols. Recently, core shell hydrogel nanoparticles, or Nanotraps, have been introduced for sample enrichment in biomarker discovery. These particles use a molecular sieving shell and various baits to simultaneously perform size exclusion and affinity capture. Nanotraps sequester and enrich low molecular weight biomarkers from carrier proteins directly from biological fluids. Using this sample preparation technique, prostate specific antigen (PSA), a known biomarker for prostate cancer, has been captured and analyzed by MALDI-TOF MS. Spectral profiling of Nanotrap processed samples quickly differentiated lung cancer patient sera was from non-disease patient sera. |
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