Quantitative detection of molecules of interest from biological and
environmental samples in a rapid manner, particularly with a relevant
concentration range, is imperative to the timely assessment of human diseases
and environmental issues. In this work, we employed the microwave-accelerated
bioassay (MAB) technique, which is based on the combined use of circular
bioassay platforms and microwave heating, for rapid and quantitative detection
of Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein (GFAP) and Shiga like toxin (STX 1). The
proof-of-principle use of the MAB technique with the circular bioassay platforms
for the rapid detection of GFAP in buffer based on colorimetric and fluorescence
readouts was demonstrated with a 900 W kitchen microwave. We also employed the
MAB technique with a new microwave system (called the iCrystal system) for the
detection of GFAP from mice with brain injuries and STX 1 from a city water
stream. Control bioassays included the commercially available gold standard
bioassay kits run at room temperature. Our results show that the lower limit of
detection (LLOD) of the colorimetric and fluorescence based bioassays for GFAP
was decreased by ~1,000 times using the MAB technique and our circular bioassay
platforms as compared to the commercially available bioassay kits. The overall
bioassay time for GFAP and STX 1 was reduced from 4 hours using commercially
available bioassay kits to 10 minutes using the MAB technique.