Development of a novel nanoparticle surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy-machine learning algorithm (nanoSERS-MLA) to diagnose cardiac transthyretin amyloidosis (ATTR)

Transthyretin (TTR) is a protein that can accumulate in the heart. Features of this TTR amyloidosis (ATTR) include muscle weakness and heart failure. Due to problems in current standard of care screening methods, it is very difficult to identify ATTR. As a result, <1% of people living with ATTR are diagnosed. Our project will develop a new diagnostic tool for ATTR that use blood routinely collected from patients during their normal care process. This tool uses a technology known as nanoparticle surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy [nanoSERS]), where laser light create a fingerprint from samples. nanoSERS will be coupled to a machine learning algorithm (MLA), trained to identify common features of ATTR and differentiate it from a patient without ATTR. This project will benefit both our partner organizations. First, Pividl BioSciences Inc. is a small Canadian company that has developed a novel nanoparticle bioprocessing platform. This bioengineering information technology approach will develop new intellectual property for Pividl BioSciences Inc. to grow and commercialize their pipeline of products and marketable service lines.

Faculty Supervisor:

Keith Brunt

Student:

Partner:

Pividl Bioscience;Saint John Regional Hospital

Discipline:

Life Sciences

Sector:

Health and Related Sciences & Technology

University:

Dalhousie University

Program: