Identification of Proteins Using Supramolecular Gold Nanoparticle‐Dye Sensor Arrays

Abstract

The rapid detection of proteins is very important in the early diagnosis of diseases. Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) can be engineered to bind biomolecules efficiently and differentially. Cross‐reactive sensor arrays have high sensitivity for sensing proteins using differential interactions between sensor elements and bioanalytes. A new sensor array was fabricated using surface‐charged AuNPs with dyes supramolecularly encapsulated into the AuNP monolayer. The fluorescence of dyes is partially quenched by the AuNPs and can be restored or further quenched due to the differential interactions between AuNPs with proteins. This sensing system enables the discrimination of proteins in both buffer and human serum, providing a potential tool for real‐world disease diagnostics.

Optical Cross‐Reactive Sensor Arrays**

“…[4] Rotello's team presents a set of gold nanoparticles encapsulating organic dyes that can discriminate proteins in human serum and distinguish different ratios of transferrin and human serum albumin. [5] Minami and colleagues use organic dyes to detect pH changes, demonstrating that the dyes can be printed onto paper and the color recorded by a flatbed scanner. [6] Their system could be used to monitor pH changes in sweat.…”

“…Two examples of supramolecular dyes are presented: Jolliffe and colleagues present a set of peptides decorated with fluorophores and metal complexes for discrimination of nucleotide phosphates, [3] while Yao and Bonizzoni present cyclodextrins encapsulating dyes that can discriminate plant‐derived phenolic acids [4] . Rotello's team presents a set of gold nanoparticles encapsulating organic dyes that can discriminate proteins in human serum and distinguish different ratios of transferrin and human serum albumin [5] . Minami and colleagues use organic dyes to detect pH changes, demonstrating that the dyes can be printed onto paper and the color recorded by a flatbed scanner [6] .…”