A 3D Probabilistic Deep Learning System for Detection and Diagnosis of Lung Cancer Using Low-Dose CT Scans.

We introduce a new computer aided detection and diagnosis system for lung cancer screening with low-dose CT scans that produces meaningful probability assessments. Our system is based entirely on 3D convolutional neural networks and achieves state-of-the-art performance for both lung nodule detection and malignancy classification tasks on the publicly available LUNA16 and Kaggle Data Science Bowl challenges. While nodule detection systems are typically designed and optimized on their own, we find that it is important to consider the coupling between detection and diagnosis components.

Micro-Electrical Impedance Spectroscopy and Identification of Patient-Derived, Dissociated Tumor Cells.

Fine needle aspirate sampling of tumors requires acquisition of sufficient cells to complete a diagnosis. Aspirates through such fine needles are typically composed of small cell clusters in suspension, making them readily amenable to microfluidic analysis. Here we show a microfluidic device with integrated electrodes capable of interrogating and identifying cellular components in a patient-derived sample of dissociated tumor cells using micro-electrical impedance spectroscopy ( μ EIS).

Composite organic-inorganic nanoparticles as Raman labels for tissue analysis.

Composite organic-inorganic nanoparticles (COINs) are novel optical labels for detection of biomolecules. We have previously developed methods to encapsulate COINs and to functionalize them with antibodies. Here we report the first steps toward application of COINs to the detection of proteins in human tissues.

Ultrasensitive detection and characterization of posttranslational modifications using surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy.

Posttranslational modification (PTM) of proteins is likely to be the most common mechanism of altering the expression of genetic information. It is essential to characterize PTMs to establish a complete understanding of the activities of proteins. Here, we present a sensitive detection method using surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) that can detect PTMs from as little as zeptomoles of peptide.

Single-molecule detection of biomolecules by surface-enhanced coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering.

We report on the applicability of combining surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) with coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering for high-sensitivity detection of biological molecules. We found that this combination of techniques provides more than 3 orders of signal enhancement compared with SERS and permits monitoring of biological molecules such as deoxyguanosine monophosphate (dGMP) and deoxyadenosine monophosphate at the single-molecule level. This combined technique also improved detection sensitivity for angiotensin peptide.

Composite organic-inorganic nanoparticles (COINs) with chemically encoded optical signatures.

To obtain a coding system for multiplex detection, we have developed a method to synthesize a new type of nanomaterial called composite organic-inorganic nanoparticles (COINs). The method allows the incorporation of a broad range of organic compounds into COINs to produce surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS)-like spectra that are richer in variety than fluorescence-based signatures. Preliminary data suggest that COINs can be used as Raman tags for multiplex and ultrasensitive detection of biomolecules.

Microfluidic operations using deformable polymer membranes fabricated by single layer soft lithography.

We show that it is possible to use single layer soft lithography to create deformable polymer membranes within microfluidic chips for performing a variety of microfluidic operations. Single layer microfluidic chips were designed, fabricated, and characterized to demonstrate pumping, sorting, and mixing. Flow rates as high as 0.

Specific chemical effects on surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy for ultra-sensitive detection of biological molecules.

Achieving high signal amplification in surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) is important for reaching single molecule level sensitivity and has been the focus of intense research efforts. We introduce a novel chemical enhancer, lithium chloride, that provides an additional order of magnitude increase in SERS relative to previously reported enhancement results. We have duplicated single molecule detection of the DNA base adenine that has previously been reported, thereby providing independent validation of this important result.