Statistical analysis of RNA electropherograms to understand the degree and nature of RNA disruption induced by anti-cancer drugs

In this project a molecular diagnostic test, named RNA Disruption Assay (RDA) will be developed. RDA measures an individual patient’s tumor response to chemotherapy and accurately predicts whether the drug regimen will lead to the elimination of the disease after the completion of the treatment. RDA is a measure of RNA structural integrity and is derived from RNA electropherograms. This project includes the assessment and a preliminary mathematical analysis of patterns within the RNA electropherograms to generate RDA values of responders and non-responders as well as to distinguish drug effects from other extraneous effects including sample concentration and degradation. In order to commercialize the intellectual property related to RDA, Rna Diagnostics Inc. requires mathematical and statistical expertise to develop and validate an algorithm derived from RNA electropherograms.

Faculty Supervisor:

Dr. Mu Zhu

Student:

Xiaohui Wang

Partner:

Rna Diagnostics

Discipline:

Statistics / Actuarial sciences

Sector:

Medical devices

University:

University of Waterloo