Oxide Nanowire-Based Devices for Biomolecule Analysis Towards Cancer Diagnosis

Liquid biopsy has emerged as a revolutionary diagnostic approach for analyzing cancer-related biomolecules in bodily fluids, providing a non-invasive and dynamic method for cancer detection and monitoring. However, its practical application in the medical field is often hindered by the complexities of body fluids that pose challenges in the collection, separation, and detection of cancer-related biomolecules. Nanostructures integrated into microfluidic systems offer a promising solution to overcome these challenges as the nanostructures can leverage their high surface-to-volume ratio for effective interactions with biomolecules. Particularly, oxide nanowire-based devices possess unique properties, including a surface charge and a specific nanoarchitecture, making them well-suited for biomolecule analysis. In this chapter, an overview of current research is presented which focuses on studies done in our laboratories about oxide nanowire-based devices for biomolecule analysis and subsequent cancer diagnosis. The chapter is comprised of five sections: (1) Introduction, (2) Fabrication of Oxide Nanowires, (3) Nanowire Devices for Biomolecule Separation, (4) Nanowire Devices for Biomolecule Detection Towards Cancer Diagnosis, and (5) Conclusions. The non-invasive liquid biopsy method holds the potential to significantly advance the early detection and monitoring of various types of cancers.