Superwettable Electrochemical Biosensor toward Detection of Cancer Biomarkers

Abstract

Bioinspired superwettable micropatterns that combine two extreme states of superhydrophobicity and superhydrophilicity with the ability to enrich and absorb microdroplets are suitable for versatile and robust sensing applications. Here we introduce a superwettable microchip that integrates superhydrophobic–superhydrophilic micropatterns and a nanodendritic electrochemical biosensor toward the detection of prostate cancer biomarkers. On the superwettable microchip, the superhydrophobic area could confine the microdroplets in superhydrophilic microwells; such behavior is extremely helpful for reducing the amount of analytical solution. In contrast, superhydrophilic microwells exhibit a high adhesive force toward microdroplets, and the nanodendritic structures can improve probe-binding capacity and response signals, thus greatly enhancing the sensitivity. Sensitive and selective detection of prostate cancer biomarkers including miRNA-375, miRNA-141, and prostate-specific antigen on a single microchip is also achieved. Such a superwettable microchip with high sensitivity, low sample volume, and upside-down detection capability in a single microdroplet shows great potential to fabricate portable devices toward complex biosensing applications.

Bioinspired Superwettability Micro/Nanoarchitectures: Fabrications and Applications

“…These properties derived from superwettability have been harnessed in many applications including photovoltaics, organic light‐emitting diodes (OLEDs), cell capture, and lab‐on‐chip devices . Here, we limit our discussion to the process made over the past 3 years in emerging applications of topological textured surfaces including optoelectronics, droplet manipulation, microreactor biochemical assays, and medical coatings …”

“…On such a surface, a suspended solution droplet evaporates, and the solute gradually becomes concentrated with no loss due to the nonwetting property of the surface . After evaporation, the solution drop collapses and the molecules precipitate on the micro/nanostructures of the superhydrophobic surface for further detection . The combination of superhydrophobic surfaces and nanoplasmonic sensors ( Figure a–h) enables the single‐molecule detection of chemicals and biomolecules at femtomolar (10 −15 mol L −1 ) or attomolar (10 −18 mol L −1 ) levels (Figure i,j).…”

“…The combination of superhydrophobic surfaces and nanoplasmonic sensors ( Figure a–h) enables the single‐molecule detection of chemicals and biomolecules at femtomolar (10 −15 mol L −1 ) or attomolar (10 −18 mol L −1 ) levels (Figure i,j). The ultrasensitive detection of molecules significantly improves the possibility of diagnosing diseases at early stages, such as cancers . For instance, a superwettability patterned surface and a conductive electrochemical biosensor can be utilized to detect prostate cancer biomarkers and specific antigens with a detection limit of 1 × 10 −12 mol L −1 …”

Micro‐/Nanostructured Interface for Liquid Manipulation and Its Applications

“…Until now, SPW had been extensively explored as an effective high‐throughput platform for bioassay and biosensing . For example, Wang group developed SPW for various biosensing, such as sensitive nucleic acid detection based on condensing‐enrichment effect, microgravity biosensing and electrochemical detection toward cancer biomarkers . Noticeably, the specific micro‐/nanostructure of the (super)wetting domains can be helpful for the designed detections.…”

Ultrasensitive Bioaffinity Electrochemical Sensors: Advances and New Perspectives

“…Xu and co-workers developed superwettable electrochemical biosensor for detection of cancer biomarkers [64]. Xu and co-workers developed superwettable electrochemical biosensor for detection of cancer biomarkers [64].…”