Objective: To develop portable Raman spectrometer prototype having automated focusing and scanning facility and embedded software for screening for the detection of breast cancer biomarkers using SERS-nanotags and enable multicentric clinical validation using the portable Raman spectrometer. Summary: Late diagnosis is the primary reason for the high mortality rate among cancer patients. This is due to the lack of adequate number of diagnostics centers and the high cost that is not affordable to common man in India. The previous studies from CSIR-NIIST has established that cancer cells/tissues can be distinguished from normal samples through Raman fingerprinting. The results were also reproduced with a handheld Raman spectrometer fabricated at CSIR-NIIST. However, the identified challenges for its ease of use were (i) heterogeneity of biological samples demanded acquisition of Raman spectrum from different position of the tissue sample. This was possible in in-house handheld system only through manual movement of the sample and the manual focusing at each point is a cumbersome. Though this can be done with state of the art commercial systems, it costs around more than 1 crore. In any case, analysis need to be performed manually and outside the systems by highly trained professionals. The present proposal aim to find a cost effective and indigenous solution for this through developing a highly customized Raman spectrometer having automated focusing, scanning signal analysis facilities. |