This unique biosensing platform consists of an array of ultrathin graphene layers and gold nanostructures. The platform, combined with high-tech imaging (Raman spectroscopy), detects genetic material (RNA) and characterizes different kinds of stem cells with greater reliability, selectivity and sensitivity than todays biosensors. Credit: Letao Yang, KiBum Lee, Jin-Ho Lee and Sy-Tsong (Dean) Chueng

A Rutgers-led team has created better biosensor technology that may help lead to safe stem cell therapies for treating Alzheimers and Parkinsons diseases and other neurological disorders.

The technology, which features a unique graphene and gold-based platform and high-tech imaging, monitors the fate of stem cells by detecting genetic material (RNA) involved in turning such cells into brain cells (neurons), according to a study in the journal Nano Letters.

Stem cells can become many different types of cells. As a result, stem cell therapy shows promise for regenerative treatment of neurological disorders such as Alzheimers, Parkinsons, stroke and spinal cord injury, with diseased cells needing replacement or repair. But characterizing stem cells and controlling their fate must be resolved before they could be used in treatments. The formation of tumors and uncontrolled transformation of stem cells remain key barriers.

A critical challenge is ensuring high sensitivity and accuracy in detecting biomarkers indicators such as modified genes or proteins within the complex stem cell microenvironment, said senior author KiBum Lee, a professor in the Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology in the School of Arts and Sciences at Rutgers University-New Brunswick. Our technology, which took four years to develop, has demonstrated great potential for analyzing a variety of interactions in stem cells.

The teams unique biosensing platform consists of an array of ultrathin graphene layers and gold nanostructures. The platform, combined with high-tech imaging (Raman spectroscopy), detects genes and characterizes different kinds of stem cells with greater reliability, selectivity, and sensitivity than todays biosensors.

The team believes the technology can benefit a range of applications. By developing simple, rapid and accurate sensing platforms, Lees group aims to facilitate treatment of neurological disorders through stem cell therapy.

Stem cells may become a renewable source of replacement cells and tissues to treat diseases including macular degeneration, spinal cord injury, stroke, burns, heart disease, diabetes, osteoarthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis, according to the National Institutes of Health.

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Reference: Dual-Enhanced Raman Scattering-Based Characterization of Stem Cell Differentiation Using Graphene-Plasmonic Hybrid Nanoarray by Letao Yang, Jin-Ho Lee, Christopher Rathnam, Yannan Hou, Jeong-Woo Choi and Ki-Bum Lee, 30 October 2019, Nano Letters.DOI: 10.1021/acs.nanolett.9b03402

The studys co-lead authors are Letao Yang and Jin-Ho Lee, postdoctoral researchers in Lees group. Rutgers co-authors include doctoral students Christopher Rathnam and Yannan Hou. A scientist at Sogang University in South Korea contributed to the study.

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Innovative Biosensor Technology for Stem Cells Leads Way to Treatment of Alzheimers, Parkinsons Diseases - SciTechDaily