Microfluidic Platform Integrated with Carbon Nanofibers-Decorated Gold Nanoporous Sensing Device for Serum PSA Quantification

Abstract

Prostate cancer is a disease with a high incidence and mortality rate in men worldwide. Serum prostate-specific antigens (PSA) are the main circulating biomarker for this disease in clinical practices. In this work, we present a portable and reusable microfluidic device for PSA quantification. This device comprises a polymethyl methacrylate microfluidic platform coupled with electrochemical detection. The platinum working microelectrode was positioned in the outflow region of the microchannel and was modified with carbon nanofibers (CNF)-decorated gold nanoporous (GNP) structures by the dynamic hydrogen bubble template method, through the simultaneous electrodeposition of metal precursors in the presence of CNF. CNF/GNP structures exhibit attractive properties, such as a large surface to volume ratio, which increases the antibody’s immobilization capacity and the electroactive area. CNFs/GNP structures were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive spectrometry, and cyclic voltammetry. Anti-PSA antibodies and HRP were employed for the immune-electrochemical reaction. The detection limit for the device was 5 pg mL−1, with a linear range from 0.01 to 50 ng mL−1. The coefficients of variation within and between assays were lower than 4.40%, and 6.15%, respectively. Additionally, its clinical performance was tested in serum from 30 prostate cancer patients. This novel device was a sensitive, selective, portable, and reusable tool for the serological diagnosis and monitoring of prostate cancer.

Origami Paper-Based Electrochemical Immunosensor with Carbon Nanohorns-Decorated Nanoporous Gold for Zearalenone Detection

“…The second effect can be ascribed to the improved electron transfer kinetics resulting from the presence of active sites. This behavior could also be evidenced in a report article [27], which focuses on modifying the working electrode with gold and carbon nanofibers for prostate-specific antigen detection. These sites originate from the numerous Cyclic voltammograms of the [Fe(CN) 6 ] −3/−4 redox probe serve as a practical and invaluable tool for monitoring the properties of an electrode surface.…”

“…These hydrogen bubbles effectively hinder the migration of gold ions to nucleation sites on the electrode, leading to the spontaneous formation of random micropores during the metal deposition process. This resulting honeycomb-like dendritic structure significantly enhances the surface roughness, thereby providing an enlarged surface area [27]. The GPE/CNH/GNP were subjected to morphological characterization through SEM imaging at various magnification levels.…”