Rapid Homogeneous Detection of Biological Assays Using Magnetic Modulation Biosensing System

Abstract

A magnetic modulation biosensing system (MMB) [1,2] rapidly and homogeneously detected biological targets at low concentrations without any washing or separation step. When the IL-8 target was present, a 'sandwich'-based assay attached magnetic beads with IL-8 capture antibody to streptavidin coupled fluorescent protein via the IL-8 target and a biotinylated IL-8 antibody. The magnetic beads are maneuvered into oscillatory motion by applying an alternating magnetic field gradient through two electromagnetic poles. The fluorescent proteins, which are attached to the magnetic beads are condensed into the detection area and their movement in and out of an orthogonal laser beam produces a periodic fluorescent signal that is demodulated using synchronous detection. The magnetic modulation biosensing system was previously used to detect the coding sequences of the non-structural Ibaraki virus protein 3 (NS3) complementary DNA (cDNA) [2]. The techniques that are demonstrated in this work for external manipulation and condensation of particles may be used for other applications, e.g. delivery of magnetically-coupled drugs in-vivo or enhancing the contrast for in-vivo imaging applications. Protocol IL-8 assay:MMB system: Representative Results:Visual inspection of the aggregated beads presented a distinct difference between the reaction with the target and the reaction without the target. In all the reactions with the target, the beads formed a single, dense aggregate that moved in and out the laser beam in a unite manner. However, in all the reaction without the target, the beads were less aggregated and their motion was less unite (see Figure 1 3. The reactions are later placed without any separation or washing step in the cuvettes and inspected using the MMB system. 1. Place the cuvette in its position between the two electromagnetic poles. 2. Operate the modulation current and wait 30 seconds to allow aggregation and condensation of the beads 3. Measure the signal of the lock-in amplifier using an oscilloscope.