Detection of prostate specific antigen with nanomechanical resonators

Abstract

In this work, we use arrays of nanomechanical resonators to detect prostate specific antigen (PSA), a protein biomarker associated with prostate cancer. The surfaces of our very thin, trampoline-like devices are functionalized for immunospecific capture of PSA molecules, and the mass of bound material can be detected as a reduction in the resonant frequency. Fetal bovine serum was spiked with known concentrations of PSA, and in conjunction with a nanoparticle-based sandwich assay, concentrations as low as 50 fg mL(-1), or 1.5 fM, could be detected from the realistic samples. The presence of non-specific proteins in the serum did not significantly affect the sensitivity of our assay.

An optimized measurement chamber for cantilever array measurements in liquid incorporating an automated sample handling system

“…A sample line (5) connected to the sample reservoir (not shown) carries the sample fluid to the injection valve (6) where it is injected into the flow of the inlet buffer. The injection valve is held in place using a manifold mount (4). The fluid can then flow out through the priming line (8) or into the measurement chamber (2) depending on the orientation of the solenoid valve (not shown).…”

“…Figure 2 Chamber cross section. The cantilever array (6) is clamped in place using a PEEK clamp (4). An Oring (2) and the glass cover (3) allow the creation of a sealed measurement chamber.…”

“…Within the latter category, a large subset of sensing applications exists in the fields of proteomics [1][2][3][4][5], genomics [6][7][8] and microbiology [9][10][11][12][13][14][15], amongst others. A crucial component in achieving biologically relevant metrics in bio-sensing is the environment in which the test is performed.…”

Design and Manufacturing of Electromechanical Chip for Rapid Measurement of IgG1 Antibody in Cell-Culture Supernatant

“…Waggoner et al [19] have used arrays of nanomechanical resonators to detect prostate-specific antigens (PSAs). They have shown that membrane resonators have a relatively uniform frequency response for the mass of bound material located anywhere across its central paddle because of its unique resonant mode shape.…”

Power-Free Microchip Immunoassay of PSA in Human Serum for Point-of-Care Testing

“…5 Therefore, these characteristics open up microfluidics as a promising device of POCT, and many efforts have been made. [11][12][13] However, most of them were hooked up to an external pumping system, electric power supply 11 and complicated fluidic designs. 12,13 It is demanded to progress further in microfluidics with not only simpler and more compact device integrating the external power sources but also user-friendliness.…”