Advancing the speed, sensitivity and accuracy of biomolecular detection using multi-length-scale engineering

Abstract

Rapid progress in identifying disease biomarkers has increased the importance of creating high-performance detection technologies. Over the last decade, the design of many detection platforms has focused on either the nano or micro length scale. Here, we review recent strategies that combine nano- and microscale materials and devices to produce large improvements in detection sensitivity, speed and accuracy, allowing previously undetectable biomarkers to be identified in clinical samples. Microsensors that incorporate nanoscale features can now rapidly detect disease-related nucleic acids expressed in patient samples. New microdevices that separate large clinical samples into nanocompartments allow precise quantitation of analytes, and microfluidic systems that utilize nanoscale binding events can detect rare cancer cells in the bloodstream more accurately than before. These advances will lead to faster and more reliable clinical diagnostic devices.

Ultrasensitive surface-enhanced Raman scattering detection in common fluids

“…spectroscopy | sensing | SERS | slippery surfaces | nanoparticles U ltrasensitive detection of chemicals and biological species is important in a broad range of scientific and technological fields ranging from analytical chemistry, materials, and biomolecular diagnostics (1)(2)(3)(4)(5) to the inspection of pollutants, explosives, and pharmaceutical drugs (6)(7)(8). Among various analytical techniques, surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) is among the most promising methods in detecting trace amounts of molecules owing to its high molecular specificity (i.e., differentiation between different types of molecules) and high sensitivity (i.e., the lowest analyte concentration from which SERS signals are distinguishable from the noise signal of a control sample) (9)(10)(11)(12)(13)(14)(15)(16)(17).…”

Low-Cost Microfluidic Arrays for Protein-Based Cancer Diagnostics Using ECL Detection

“…3,8 Most current commercial bead-based methods have However, many of these systems have cost and complexity issues that limit clinical point-of-care (POC) applications, that is measurements that can be done directly in a clinic or a physician's office. Recent advances in nanomaterials-enhanced microfluidic electrochemical devices have enabled multiplexed detection of proteins at levels in the low fg/mL range, 3,[10][11][12][13][14] thus covering the lower ranges of a majority of proteins in human serum. One example includes a highly nanostructured gold sensor chip.…”

Concentric manipulation and monitoring of protein-loaded superparamagnetic cargo using magnetophoretic spider web

“…2,7 Although innovative and more advanced sensors have been developed for specific biomolecule detection down to approximately fM resolution, [8][9][10][11][12] the nm-μm-sized sensor resolution is not limited by the signal transduction limitation but instead by the lack of appropriate analyte transport in solution that governs the detection time and results in poor sensor performance. 2,[13][14][15] Therefore, the control over transporting specific biomolecules to the sensing site is a prerequisite for an ideal LOC platform able to overcome diffusive accumulation in solution and achieve high-resolution detection of analytes and short detection times.…”