Epigenetics and Biomarkers in Oncology Research Program

A combination of basic and translational science strategies.

Program Overview

Long Interspersed Nuclear Element 1 is the only autonomous mobile DNA capable of self-propagation and is an environmental biomarker that is activated upon an environmental trigger. We have developed an ELISA method to detect and measure Open Reading Frame-1 (ORF1) and have applied it to interrogate serum samples from men with equivocal prostate specific antigen (PSA) results. Polyclonal antibodies were developed using the first 14- amino acid peptide of N-terminal-ORF1 protein. In conclusion, we have developed a competitive ELISA and discovered the presence of iORF1 in serum, which could be used to advance future studies involving ORF1 measurement from blood. In addition iORF1 may be a complement with the PSA screen to better detect prostate cancer.

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0009898118305266?via%3Dihub 

Details about our Program