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Strohmaier-Nguyen D, Horn C, Baeumner AJ. Innovations in one-step point-of-care testing within microfluidics and lateral flow assays for shaping the future of healthcare. Biosens Bioelectron 2024; 267:116795. [PMID: 39332251 DOI: 10.1016/j.bios.2024.116795] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2024] [Revised: 08/31/2024] [Accepted: 09/17/2024] [Indexed: 09/29/2024]
Abstract
Point-of-care testing (POCT) technology, using lateral flow assays and microfluidic systems, facilitates cost-effective diagnosis, timely treatment, ongoing monitoring, and prevention of life-threatening outcomes. Aside from significant advancements demonstrated in academic research, implementation in real-world applications remains frustratingly limited. The divergence between academic developments and practical utility is often due to factors such as operational complexity, low sensitivity and the need for trained personnel. Taking this into consideration, our objective is to present a critical and objective overview of the latest advancements in fully integrated one-step POCT assays for home-testing which would be commercially viable. In particular, aspects of signal amplification, assay design modification, and sample preparation are critically evaluated and their features and medical applications along with future perspective and challenges with respect to minimal user intervention are summarized. Associated with and very important for the one-step POCT realization are also readout devices and fabrication processes. Critical analysis of available and useful technologies are presented in the SI section.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dan Strohmaier-Nguyen
- Institute of Analytical Chemistry, Chemo- and Biosensors, University of Regensburg, 93053, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Carina Horn
- Roche Diagnostics GmbH, 68305, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Antje J Baeumner
- Institute of Analytical Chemistry, Chemo- and Biosensors, University of Regensburg, 93053, Regensburg, Germany.
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2
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Subhashini N, Kerler Y, Menger MM, Böhm O, Witte J, Stadler C, Griberman A. Enhancing Colorimetric Detection of Nucleic Acids on Nitrocellulose Membranes: Cutting-Edge Applications in Diagnostics and Forensics. BIOSENSORS 2024; 14:430. [PMID: 39329805 PMCID: PMC11429540 DOI: 10.3390/bios14090430] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2024] [Revised: 08/30/2024] [Accepted: 08/30/2024] [Indexed: 09/28/2024]
Abstract
This study re-introduces a protein-free rapid test method for nucleic acids on paper based lateral flow assays utilizing special multichannel nitrocellulose membranes and DNA-Gold conjugates, achieving significantly enhanced sensitivity, easier protocols, reduced time of detection, reduced costs of production and advanced multiplexing possibilities. A protein-free nucleic acid-based lateral flow assay (NALFA) with a limit of detection of 1 pmol of DNA is shown for the first time. The total production duration of such an assay was successfully reduced from the currently known several days to just a few hours. The simplification and acceleration of the protocol make the method more accessible and practical for various applications. The developed method supports multiplexing, enabling the simultaneous detection of up to six DNA targets. This multiplexing capability is a significant improvement over traditional line tests and offers more comprehensive diagnostic potential in a single assay. The approach significantly reduces the run time compared to traditional line tests, which enhances the efficiency of diagnostic procedures. The protein-free aspect of this assay minimizes the prevalent complications of cross-reactivity in immunoassays especially in cases of multiplexing. It is also demonstrated that the NALFA developed in this study is amplification-free and hence does not rely on specialized technicians, nor does it involve labour-intensive steps like DNA extraction and PCR processes. Overall, this study presents a robust, efficient, and highly sensitive platform for DNA or RNA detection, addressing several limitations of current methods documented in the literature. The advancements in sensitivity, cost reduction, production time, and multiplexing capabilities mark a substantial improvement, holding great potential for various applications in diagnostics, forensics, and molecular biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nidhi Subhashini
- SERATEC Gesellschaft für Biotechnologie mbH, Ernst-Ruhstrat-Str. 5, 37079 Goettingen, Germany
| | - Yannick Kerler
- Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology (IZI), Branch Bioanalytics and Bioprocesses (IZI-BB), Am Mühlenberg 13, 14476 Potsdam, Germany
- Institute for Biochemistry and Biology, University of Potsdam, D-14476 Potsdam, Germany
| | - Marcus M. Menger
- Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology (IZI), Branch Bioanalytics and Bioprocesses (IZI-BB), Am Mühlenberg 13, 14476 Potsdam, Germany
| | - Olga Böhm
- Sartorius Stedim Biotech GmbH, August-Spindler-Str. 11, 37079 Goettingen, Germany
| | - Judith Witte
- Sartorius Stedim Biotech GmbH, August-Spindler-Str. 11, 37079 Goettingen, Germany
| | - Christian Stadler
- SERATEC Gesellschaft für Biotechnologie mbH, Ernst-Ruhstrat-Str. 5, 37079 Goettingen, Germany
| | - Alexander Griberman
- SERATEC Gesellschaft für Biotechnologie mbH, Ernst-Ruhstrat-Str. 5, 37079 Goettingen, Germany
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Park SB, Shin JH. Pressed Lateral Flow Assay Strips for Flow Delay-Induced Signal Enhancement in Lateral Flow Assay Strips. BIOCHIP JOURNAL 2022; 16:480-489. [PMID: 36320437 PMCID: PMC9607699 DOI: 10.1007/s13206-022-00085-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2022] [Revised: 08/29/2022] [Accepted: 09/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
This paper proposes that the signal intensity of a lateral flow assay (LFA) strip can be increased by pressing the top of the strip, effectively reducing its flow rate. The reduced flow rate allows more time for antigen-antibody interactions to occur, resulting in increased signal intensity and an improved detection limit. To assess the potential of the pressed LFA (pLFA) strip, C-reactive protein (CRP) diluted in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) and serum is detected, affording signal enhancement and a lowered limit of detection. Additionally, to show that the signal enhancement by pressure-induced flow delay applies to existing LFA products, commercially available COVID-19 antigen test strips are pressed, and signal enhancement is observed. Lastly, we show that the signal intensity of COVID-19 LFA kits can be increased by approximately two-fold at maximum by applying pressure on top of the manufactured product. This study suggests that pressed LFA strips can be used to reduce the chances of determining ambiguous signals as false-negative results and can potentially improve the detection sensitivity. Graphical abstract Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13206-022-00085-w.
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Affiliation(s)
- Se Been Park
- Industry 4.0 Convergence Bionics Engineering, Pukyong National University, Busan, 48513 Republic of Korea
| | - Joong Ho Shin
- Major of Biomedical Engineering, Division of Smart Healthcare, Pukyong National University, Busan, 48513 Republic of Korea ,Industry 4.0 Convergence Bionics Engineering, Pukyong National University, Busan, 48513 Republic of Korea
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Strip modification and alternative architectures for signal amplification in nanoparticle-based lateral flow assays. Anal Bioanal Chem 2021; 413:4111-4117. [PMID: 34036400 DOI: 10.1007/s00216-021-03421-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2021] [Revised: 05/12/2021] [Accepted: 05/19/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Nanoparticle (NP)-based lateral flow assay (LFA) technology has outstanding characteristics that make it ideal for point-of-care bioanalytical applications. However, LFAs still have important limitations, especially related to sensitivity, which is in general worse than that of other well-established bioassays such as ELISA or PCR. Many efforts have been made for enhancing the sensitivity of LFAs, mainly actuating on the nanoparticle labels and on alternative optical detection modes. However, strip pads modification for such a purpose is an incipient vast field of research. This article gives a brief overview on the recent advances proposed for signal amplification actuating on different pads and the general architecture of the LFA strips. Such strategies offer universal tools that can be adapted to any LFA, independently of the kind of sample, analyte, and label. The principles of the different strategies developed to achieve novel signal amplification and sensitive detection are discussed, and some examples of relevant approaches are highlighted, together with future prospects and challenges.
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Hoang TX, Phan LMT, Vo TAT, Cho S. Advanced Signal-Amplification Strategies for Paper-Based Analytical Devices: A Comprehensive Review. Biomedicines 2021; 9:biomedicines9050540. [PMID: 34066112 PMCID: PMC8150371 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines9050540] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2021] [Revised: 05/05/2021] [Accepted: 05/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Paper-based analytical devices (PADs) have emerged as a promising approach to point-of-care (POC) detection applications in biomedical and clinical diagnosis owing to their advantages, including cost-effectiveness, ease of use, and rapid responses as well as for being equipment-free, disposable, and user-friendly. However, the overall sensitivity of PADs still remains weak, posing a challenge for biosensing scientists exploiting them in clinical applications. This review comprehensively summarizes the current applicable potential of PADs, focusing on total signal-amplification strategies that have been applied widely in PADs involving colorimetry, luminescence, surface-enhanced Raman scattering, photoacoustic, photothermal, and photoelectrochemical methods as well as nucleic acid-mediated PAD modifications. The advances in signal-amplification strategies in terms of signal-enhancing principles, sensitivity, and time reactions are discussed in detail to provide an overview of these approaches to using PADs in biosensing applications. Furthermore, a comparison of these methods summarizes the potential for scientists to develop superior PADs. This review serves as a useful inside look at the current progress and prospective directions in using PADs for clinical diagnostics and provides a better source of reference for further investigations, as well as innovations, in the POC diagnostics field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thi Xoan Hoang
- Department of Life Science, Gachon University, Seongnam 13120, Gyeonggi-do, Korea; (T.X.H.); (T.A.T.V.)
| | - Le Minh Tu Phan
- Department of Electronic Engineering, Gachon University, Seongnam 13120, Gyeonggi-do, Korea
- School of Medicine and Pharmacy, The University of Danang, Danang 550000, Vietnam
- Correspondence: (L.M.T.P.); (S.C.)
| | - Thuy Anh Thu Vo
- Department of Life Science, Gachon University, Seongnam 13120, Gyeonggi-do, Korea; (T.X.H.); (T.A.T.V.)
| | - Sungbo Cho
- Department of Electronic Engineering, Gachon University, Seongnam 13120, Gyeonggi-do, Korea
- Department of Health Sciences and Technology, GAIHST, Gachon University, Incheon 21999, Korea
- Correspondence: (L.M.T.P.); (S.C.)
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Xia G, Wang J, Liu Z, Bai L, Ma L. Effect of sample volume on the sensitivity of lateral flow assays through computational modeling. Anal Biochem 2021; 619:114130. [PMID: 33600781 DOI: 10.1016/j.ab.2021.114130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2020] [Revised: 01/17/2021] [Accepted: 02/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Lateral flow assays (LFAs) are extensively used in qualitative detection because of their convenience, low cost, fast results, and ease of operation. However, the sample volume used in a lateral flow assay is usually determined experimentally. We test and find that the flow velocity is influenced by sample volume, using fluorescent microspheres as label particles, when analyte concentration is fixed in a sandwich LFA. A model is developed based on mass-action kinetics and advection-diffusion-reaction equation, combing the conjugate pad and nitrocellulose membrane. The model shows predictions from 10 to 120 μL, and predicts accurately the experimental results from 50 to 120 μL where the fluid can flow to the test line. Over all, the model can provide predictions over a wide range of sample volumes for sensitivity analysis. On the basis of the model, the sensitivity of the LFA can be improved according to the sample volume added in the experiment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guo Xia
- Academy of Opto-electric Technology, Hefei University of Technology, Special Display and Imaging Technology Innovation Center of Anhui Province, State Key Laboratory of Advanced Display Technology, 193 Tunxi Road, Hefei, 230009, China.
| | - Jiangtao Wang
- Academy of Opto-electric Technology, Hefei University of Technology, Special Display and Imaging Technology Innovation Center of Anhui Province, State Key Laboratory of Advanced Display Technology, 193 Tunxi Road, Hefei, 230009, China
| | - Zhijian Liu
- School of Instrument Science and Opto-electronic Engineering, Hefei University of Technology, 193 Tunxi Road, Hefei, 230009, China
| | - Lihao Bai
- Academy of Opto-electric Technology, Hefei University of Technology, Special Display and Imaging Technology Innovation Center of Anhui Province, State Key Laboratory of Advanced Display Technology, 193 Tunxi Road, Hefei, 230009, China
| | - Long Ma
- Academy of Opto-electric Technology, Hefei University of Technology, Special Display and Imaging Technology Innovation Center of Anhui Province, State Key Laboratory of Advanced Display Technology, 193 Tunxi Road, Hefei, 230009, China
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Motalebizadeh A, Asiaei S. Micro-fabrication by wax spraying for rapid smartphone-based quantification of bio-markers. Anal Biochem 2020; 603:113777. [PMID: 32445635 DOI: 10.1016/j.ab.2020.113777] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2020] [Revised: 05/09/2020] [Accepted: 05/13/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
A cheap/rapid technique for the fabrication of μPADs is presented for point of care analysis. Hydrophobic channels were formed across the width of the paper by spraying hot pure wax. This biocompatible novel process yielded uniform 300 ± 5 μm hydrophilic microchannels on paper, without the use of the cleanroom, UV lamp, or organic solvents and was completed in a single step without the need for a hotplate. Hot wax is properly impregnated across paper thickness by spraying under optimized temperature and pressure. Our method is advantageous in the cost and ease of fabrication, process time (<1 min), the feasibility of mass-fabrication, readout, environmental considerations and multiplexing due to the embossed structure of remnant wax. The performance of the resulting μPAD was assessed on a multiplexed Uric acid and Nitride assay, bearing 95% of confidence level in the readout against standardized tests. A novel RGB processing app was developed for smart-phones to quantify colorimetric read-outs through a heuristic normalization equation that converts RGB to integer systems. This combinatorial sensor demonstrates a good linear range (up to 800 μM for Uric acid and 1250 μM for Nitride), low detection limit (100 μM for uric acid and 156 μM for nitride).
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Affiliation(s)
- Abbas Motalebizadeh
- Sensors and Integrated Biomicrofluidics/MEMS Laboratory, School of Mechanical Engineering, Iran University of Science and Technology, 1684613114, Tehran, Iran
| | - Sasan Asiaei
- Sensors and Integrated Biomicrofluidics/MEMS Laboratory, School of Mechanical Engineering, Iran University of Science and Technology, 1684613114, Tehran, Iran; Sensors and Integrated Microsystems Laboratory, Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering Department, University of Waterloo, ON, N2L 3G1, Waterloo, Canada.
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Huang Y, Xu T, Wang W, Wen Y, Li K, Qian L, Zhang X, Liu G. Lateral flow biosensors based on the use of micro- and nanomaterials: a review on recent developments. Mikrochim Acta 2019; 187:70. [PMID: 31853644 DOI: 10.1007/s00604-019-3822-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2019] [Accepted: 09/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
This review (with 187 refs.) summarizes the progress that has been made in the design of lateral flow biosensors (LFBs) based on the use of micro- and nano-materials. Following a short introduction into the field, a first section covers features related to the design of LFBs, with subsections on strip-based, cotton thread-based and vertical flow- and syringe-based LFBs. The next chapter summarizes methods for sample pretreatment, from simple method to membrane-based methods, pretreatment by magnetic methods to device-integrated sample preparation. Advances in flow control are treated next, with subsections on cross-flow strategies, delayed and controlled release and various other strategies. Detection conditionst and mathematical modelling are briefly introduced in the following chapter. A further chapter covers methods for reliability improvement, for example by adding other validation lines or adopting different detection methods. Signal readouts are summarized next, with subsections on color-based, luminescent, smartphone-based and SERS-based methods. A concluding section summarizes the current status and addresses challenges in future perspectives. Graphical abstractRecent development and breakthrough points of lateral flow biosensors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Huang
- Research Center for Bioengineering and Sensing Technology, University of Science & Technology Beijing, Beijing, 100083, People's Republic of China.,Institute of Biomedical and Health, School of Life and Health Science, Anhui Science and Technology University, Fengyang, Anhui, 233100, People's Republic of China.,Department of Chemistry and biochemistry, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND, 58105, USA
| | - Tailin Xu
- Research Center for Bioengineering and Sensing Technology, University of Science & Technology Beijing, Beijing, 100083, People's Republic of China
| | - Wenqian Wang
- Research Center for Bioengineering and Sensing Technology, University of Science & Technology Beijing, Beijing, 100083, People's Republic of China
| | - Yongqiang Wen
- Research Center for Bioengineering and Sensing Technology, University of Science & Technology Beijing, Beijing, 100083, People's Republic of China
| | - Kun Li
- Institute of Biomedical and Health, School of Life and Health Science, Anhui Science and Technology University, Fengyang, Anhui, 233100, People's Republic of China
| | - Lisheng Qian
- Institute of Biomedical and Health, School of Life and Health Science, Anhui Science and Technology University, Fengyang, Anhui, 233100, People's Republic of China.
| | - Xueji Zhang
- Research Center for Bioengineering and Sensing Technology, University of Science & Technology Beijing, Beijing, 100083, People's Republic of China. .,Institute of Biomedical and Health, School of Life and Health Science, Anhui Science and Technology University, Fengyang, Anhui, 233100, People's Republic of China. .,School of Biomedical Engineering, Shenzhen University Healthy Science Center, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518060, People's Republic of China.
| | - Guodong Liu
- Institute of Biomedical and Health, School of Life and Health Science, Anhui Science and Technology University, Fengyang, Anhui, 233100, People's Republic of China. .,Department of Chemistry and biochemistry, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND, 58105, USA.
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