Label and Label-Free Detection Techniques for Protein Microarrays

Abstract

Protein microarray technology has gone through numerous innovative developments in recent decades. In this review, we focus on the development of protein detection methods embedded in the technology. Early microarrays utilized useful chromophores and versatile biochemical techniques dominated by high-throughput illumination. Recently, the realization of label-free techniques has been greatly advanced by the combination of knowledge in material sciences, computational design and nanofabrication. These rapidly advancing techniques aim to provide data without the intervention of label molecules. Here, we present a brief overview of this remarkable innovation from the perspectives of label and label-free techniques in transducing nano-biological events.

Imprinting Technology in Electrochemical Biomimetic Sensors

“…This chemical (covalent bonding) or temporary intermolecular interaction can potentially promote changes on their intrinsic properties and, thus, produce an electrical signal. Instead, a label-free detection system is defined as an approach that do not require the use of biological or chemical receptors (colorimetric, fluorescent, luminescent or radiometric), in order to afford measurements [183,184,185,186]. …”

“…The advances in sensors concept, inspire the continuous replacement of label-based assays, like devices based on fluorescence labelling, radiolabels, among others, with label-free detection methods [185]. Unlike what happens with label-based technologies, that simply allow to confirm the presence or absence of a detector molecule, the main advantage of label-free detection is to provide more detailed and direct information (such as selectivity, affinity, stoichiometry, kinetics or, thermodynamics of an interaction), since these methods only investigate native proteins and ligands that constitute a sample [176,185,186,187]. Furthermore, a major advantage of label-free detections is their high sensitivity enabling real-time detection and, thus, simplifying the time and effort of assay development [186,188].…”

Electrochemical biosensors for pathogen detection

“…Labels, often referred to as reporters, are molecular species, such as organic dyes or quantum dots (Resch-Genger et al 2008), that are attached to the target, either directly or through a biorecognition element, using a series of sample preparation steps or secondary binding steps to facilitate detection through the properties of the label. Thus, label-free biosensors avoid the use of a reporter species to detect the target species (Cooper, 2009;Syahir et al 2015). Label-free assays often have fewer sample preparation steps due to the elimination of procedures associated with target labeling and lower cost than label-based assays, which are important considerations for applications in which preparation facilities or trained personnel are either limited or unavailable (Cooper, 2009;Syahir et al 2015).…”

“…Thus, label-free biosensors avoid the use of a reporter species to detect the target species (Cooper, 2009;Syahir et al 2015). Label-free assays often have fewer sample preparation steps due to the elimination of procedures associated with target labeling and lower cost than label-based assays, which are important considerations for applications in which preparation facilities or trained personnel are either limited or unavailable (Cooper, 2009;Syahir et al 2015).…”

Reconnaissance of the candidate genes involved in the pathogenesis of human immunodeficiency virus and targeted by antiretroviral therapy

“…Pathogenesis of a virus is associated with expression change of many genes, which necessitates the development of efficient treatment approaches and designing new drug compounds. To achieve these goals, employing high‐throughput techniques, such as microarrays, can be beneficial . By finding the biological interactions between the identified genes and the engaged pathways, pathogenesis routes and the possible therapeutic agents for treatment can be specified.…”