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Sklenárová D, Hlaváček A, Křivánková J, Brandmeier JC, Weisová J, Řiháček M, Gorris HH, Skládal P, Farka Z. Single-molecule microfluidic assay for prostate-specific antigen based on magnetic beads and upconversion nanoparticles. LAB ON A CHIP 2024; 24:3536-3545. [PMID: 38946347 DOI: 10.1039/d4lc00346b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/02/2024]
Abstract
Early-stage diagnosis of prostatic carcinoma is essential for successful treatment and, thus, significant prognosis improvement. In laboratory practice, the standard non-invasive diagnostic approach is the immunochemical detection of the associated biomarker, prostate-specific antigen (PSA). Ultrasensitive detection of PSA is essential for both diagnostic and recurrence monitoring purposes. To achieve exceptional sensitivity, we have developed a microfluidic device with a flow-through cell for single-molecule analysis using photon-upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) as a detection label. For this purpose, magnetic microparticles (MBs) were first optimized for the capture and preconcentration of PSA and then used to implement a bead-based upconversion-linked immunoassay (ULISA) in the microfluidic device. The digital readout based on counting single nanoparticle-labeled PSA molecules on MBs enabled a detection limit of 1.04 pg mL-1 (36 fM) in 50% fetal bovine serum, which is an 11-fold improvement over the respective analog MB-based ULISA. The microfluidic technique conferred several other advantages, such as easy implementation and the potential for achieving high-throughput analysis. Finally, it was proven that the microfluidic setup is suitable for clinical sample analysis, showing a good correlation with a reference electrochemiluminescence assay (recovery rates between 97% and 105%).
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Affiliation(s)
- Dorota Sklenárová
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kamenice 5, 625 00 Brno, Czech Republic.
| | - Antonín Hlaváček
- Institute of Analytical Chemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Veveří 97, 602 00 Brno, Czech Republic.
| | - Jana Křivánková
- Institute of Analytical Chemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Veveří 97, 602 00 Brno, Czech Republic.
| | - Julian C Brandmeier
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kamenice 5, 625 00 Brno, Czech Republic.
- Institute of Analytical Chemistry, Chemo- and Biosensors, University of Regensburg, Universitätsstraße 31, 930 53 Regensburg, Germany
| | - Julie Weisová
- Institute of Analytical Chemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Veveří 97, 602 00 Brno, Czech Republic.
| | - Michal Řiháček
- Department of Laboratory Methods, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Kamenice 5, 625 00 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Hans H Gorris
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kamenice 5, 625 00 Brno, Czech Republic.
| | - Petr Skládal
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kamenice 5, 625 00 Brno, Czech Republic.
| | - Zdeněk Farka
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kamenice 5, 625 00 Brno, Czech Republic.
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2
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Su Y, Xia C, Zhang H, Gan W, Zhang GQ, Yang Z, Li D. Emerging biosensor probes for glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) detection. Mikrochim Acta 2024; 191:300. [PMID: 38709399 DOI: 10.1007/s00604-024-06380-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2024] [Accepted: 04/22/2024] [Indexed: 05/07/2024]
Abstract
Glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), originating from the non-enzymatic glycosylation of βVal1 residues in hemoglobin (Hb), is an essential biomarker indicating average blood glucose levels over a period of 2 to 3 months without external environmental disturbances, thereby serving as the gold standard in the management of diabetes instead of blood glucose testing. The emergence of HbA1c biosensors presents affordable, readily available options for glycemic monitoring, offering significant benefits to small-scale laboratories and clinics. Utilizing nanomaterials coupled with high-specificity probes as integral components for recognition, labeling, and signal transduction, these sensors demonstrate exceptional sensitivity and selectivity in HbA1c detection. This review mainly focuses on the emerging probes and strategies integral to HbA1c sensor development. We discussed the advantages and limitations of various probes in sensor construction as well as recent advances in diverse sensing strategies for HbA1c measurement and their potential clinical applications, highlighting the critical gaps in current technologies and future needs in this evolving field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Su
- Key Laboratory of DrugTargeting and Drug Delivery System of the Education Ministry and Sichuan Province, Sichuan Engineering Laboratory for Plant-Sourced Drug and Sichuan Research Center for Drug Precision Industrial Technology, West China School of Pharmacy, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Chengen Xia
- Key Laboratory of DrugTargeting and Drug Delivery System of the Education Ministry and Sichuan Province, Sichuan Engineering Laboratory for Plant-Sourced Drug and Sichuan Research Center for Drug Precision Industrial Technology, West China School of Pharmacy, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - He Zhang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Wei Gan
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Guo-Qi Zhang
- Department of Chemistry, School of Science, Xihua University, Chengdu, 610039, People's Republic of China
| | - Zi Yang
- Key Laboratory of DrugTargeting and Drug Delivery System of the Education Ministry and Sichuan Province, Sichuan Engineering Laboratory for Plant-Sourced Drug and Sichuan Research Center for Drug Precision Industrial Technology, West China School of Pharmacy, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Dapeng Li
- Key Laboratory of DrugTargeting and Drug Delivery System of the Education Ministry and Sichuan Province, Sichuan Engineering Laboratory for Plant-Sourced Drug and Sichuan Research Center for Drug Precision Industrial Technology, West China School of Pharmacy, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China.
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3
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Farka Z, Brandmeier JC, Mickert MJ, Pastucha M, Lacina K, Skládal P, Soukka T, Gorris HH. Nanoparticle-Based Bioaffinity Assays: From the Research Laboratory to the Market. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2024; 36:e2307653. [PMID: 38039956 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202307653] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2023] [Revised: 11/16/2023] [Indexed: 12/03/2023]
Abstract
Advances in the development of new biorecognition elements, nanoparticle-based labels as well as instrumentation have inspired the design of new bioaffinity assays. This review critically discusses the potential of nanoparticles to replace current enzymatic or molecular labels in immunoassays and other bioaffinity assays. Successful implementations of nanoparticles in commercial assays and the need for rapid tests incorporating nanoparticles in different roles such as capture support, signal generation elements, and signal amplification systems are highlighted. The limited number of nanoparticles applied in current commercial assays can be explained by challenges associated with the analysis of real samples (e.g., blood, urine, or nasal swabs) that are difficult to resolve, particularly if the same performance can be achieved more easily by conventional labels. Lateral flow assays that are based on the visual detection of the red-colored line formed by colloidal gold are a notable exception, exemplified by SARS-CoV-2 rapid antigen tests that have moved from initial laboratory testing to widespread market adaption in less than two years.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zdeněk Farka
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kamenice 5, Brno, 625 00, Czech Republic
| | - Julian C Brandmeier
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kamenice 5, Brno, 625 00, Czech Republic
- Institute of Analytical Chemistry, Chemo- and Biosensors, University of Regensburg, Universitätsstr. 31, 93053, Regensburg, Germany
| | | | - Matěj Pastucha
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kamenice 5, Brno, 625 00, Czech Republic
- TestLine Clinical Diagnostics, Křižíkova 188, Brno, 612 00, Czech Republic
| | - Karel Lacina
- CEITEC-Central European Institute of Technology, Masaryk University, Kamenice 5, Brno, 625 00, Czech Republic
| | - Petr Skládal
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kamenice 5, Brno, 625 00, Czech Republic
| | - Tero Soukka
- Department of Life Technologies/Biotechnology, University of Turku, Kiinamyllynkatu 10, Turku, 20520, Finland
| | - Hans H Gorris
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kamenice 5, Brno, 625 00, Czech Republic
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4
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Alibekova Long M, Benman WKJ, Petrikas N, Bugaj LJ, Hughes AJ. Enhancing Single-Cell Western Blotting Sensitivity Using Diffusive Analyte Blotting and Antibody Conjugate Amplification. Anal Chem 2023; 95:17894-17902. [PMID: 37974303 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.3c04130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2023]
Abstract
While there are many techniques to achieve highly sensitive, multiplex detection of RNA and DNA from single cells, detecting protein content often suffers from low limits of detection and throughput. Miniaturized, high-sensitivity Western blots on single cells (scWesterns) are attractive because they do not require advanced instrumentation. By physically separating analytes, scWesterns also uniquely mitigate limitations to target protein multiplexing posed by the affinity reagent performance. However, a fundamental limitation of scWesterns is their limited sensitivity for detecting low-abundance proteins, which arises from transport barriers posed by the separation gel against detection species. Here we address the sensitivity by decoupling the electrophoretic separation medium from the detection medium. We transfer scWestern separations to a nitrocellulose blotting medium with distinct mass transfer advantages over traditional in-gel probing, yielding a 5.9-fold improvement in the limit of detection. We next amplify probing of blotted proteins with enzyme-antibody conjugates, which are incompatible with traditional in-gel probing to achieve further improvement in the limit of detection to 1000 molecules, a 120-fold improvement. This enables us to detect 100% of cells in an EGFP-expressing population using fluorescently tagged and enzyme-conjugated antibodies compared to 84.5% of cells using in-gel detection. These results suggest the compatibility of nitrocellulose-immobilized scWesterns with a variety of affinity reagents─not previously accessible for in-gel use─for further signal amplification and detection of low-abundance targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariia Alibekova Long
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
- Bioengineering Graduate Group, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19104, United States
- Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
| | - William K J Benman
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
- Bioengineering Graduate Group, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19104, United States
| | - Nathan Petrikas
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
| | - Lukasz J Bugaj
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
- Bioengineering Graduate Group, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19104, United States
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
- Abramson Cancer Center, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
| | - Alex J Hughes
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
- Bioengineering Graduate Group, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19104, United States
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
- Center for Soft and Living Matter, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
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5
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Agarwal R, Martinez-Chapa SO, Madou MJ. Theoretical analysis of immunochromatographic assay and consideration of its operating parameters for efficient designing of high-sensitivity cardiac troponin I (hs-cTnI) detection. Sci Rep 2023; 13:18296. [PMID: 37880256 PMCID: PMC10600258 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-45050-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2023] [Accepted: 10/15/2023] [Indexed: 10/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Troponin is the American College of Cardiology and American Heart Association preferred biomarker for diagnosing acute myocardial infarction (MI). We provide a modeling framework for high sensitivity cardiac Troponin I (hs-cTnI) detection in chromatographic immunoassays (flow displacement mode) with an analytical limit of detection, i.e., LOD < 10 ng/L. We show that each of the various control parameters exert a significant influence over the design requirements to reach the desired LOD. Additionally, the design implications in a multiplexed fluidic network, as in the case of Simple Plex™ Ella instrument, are significantly affected by the choice of the number of channels or partitions in the network. We also provide an upgrade on the existing LOD equation to evaluate the necessary minimum volume to detect a particular concentration by considering the effects of stochastics and directly incorporating the target number of copies in each of the partitions in case of multiplexed networks. Even though a special case of cTnI has been considered in this study, the model and analysis are analyte agnostic and may be applied to a wide class of chromatographic immunoassays. We believe that this contribution will lead to more efficient designing of the immunochromatographic assays.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rahul Agarwal
- School of Engineering and Sciences, Tecnológico de Monterrey, Ave. Eugenio Garza Sada 2501, 64849, Monterrey, NL, Mexico.
| | - Sergio Omar Martinez-Chapa
- School of Engineering and Sciences, Tecnológico de Monterrey, Ave. Eugenio Garza Sada 2501, 64849, Monterrey, NL, Mexico
| | - Marc Jozef Madou
- School of Engineering and Sciences, Tecnológico de Monterrey, Ave. Eugenio Garza Sada 2501, 64849, Monterrey, NL, Mexico.
- Autonomous Medical Devices Incorporated (AMDI), 3511 W Sunflower Ave, Santa Ana, CA, 92704, USA.
- Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, University of California, Irvine, USA.
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Abstract
There has been a recent surge of advances in biomolecular assays based on the measurement of discrete molecular targets as opposed to signals averaged across molecular ensembles. Many of these "digital" assay designs derive from now-mature technologies involving single-molecule imaging and microfluidics and provide an assortment of new modalities to quantify nucleic acids and proteins in biospecimens such as blood and tissue homogenates. A primary new benefit is the robust detection of trace analytes at attomolar to femtomolar concentrations for which many ensemble assays cannot distinguish signals above noise levels. In addition, multiple biomolecules can be differentiated within a mixture using optical barcodes, with much faster and simpler readouts compared with sequencing methods. In ideal digital assays, signals should, in theory, further represent absolute molecular counts, rather than relative levels, eliminating the need for calibration standards that are the mainstay of typical assays. Several digital assay platforms have now been commercialized but challenges hinder the adoption and diversification of these new formats, as there are broad needs to balance sensitivity and dynamic range of detection, increase analyte multiplexing, improve sample throughput, and reduce cost. Our lab and others have developed technologies to address these challenges by redesigning molecular probes and labels, improving molecular transport within detection focal volumes, and applying solution-based readout methods in flow.This Account describes the principles, formats, and design constraints of digital biomolecular assays that apply optical labels toward the goal of simple and routine target counting that may ultimately approach absolute readout standards. The primary challenges can be understood from fundamental concepts in thermodynamics and kinetics of association reactions, mass transport, and discrete statistics. Major advances include (1) new inorganic nanocrystal probes for more robust counting compared with dyes, (2) diverse molecular amplification tools that endow attachment of numerous labels to single targets, (3) specialized surfaces with patterned features for electromagnetic coupling to labels for signal amplification, (4) surface capture enhancement methods to concentrate targets through disruption of diffusion depletion zones, and (5) flow counting in which analytes are rapidly counted in solution without pull-down to a surface. Further progress and integration of these tools for biomolecular counting could improve the precision of laboratory measurements in life sciences research and benefit clinical diagnostic assays for low abundance biomarkers in limiting biospecimen volumes that are out of reach of traditional ensemble-level bioassays.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chia-Wei Kuo
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
- Micro and Nanotechnology Laboratory, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
| | - Andrew M Smith
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
- Micro and Nanotechnology Laboratory, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
- Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
- Department of Materials Science & Engineering, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
- Cancer Center at Illinois, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
- Carle Illinois College of Medicine, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
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Brandmeier JC, Jurga N, Grzyb T, Hlaváček A, Obořilová R, Skládal P, Farka Z, Gorris HH. Digital and Analog Detection of SARS-CoV-2 Nucleocapsid Protein via an Upconversion-Linked Immunosorbent Assay. Anal Chem 2023; 95:4753-4759. [PMID: 36916131 PMCID: PMC10018451 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.2c05670] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/03/2023]
Abstract
The COVID-19 crisis requires fast and highly sensitive tests for the early stage detection of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. For detecting the nucleocapsid protein (N protein), the most abundant viral antigen, we have employed upconversion nanoparticles that emit short-wavelength light under near-infrared excitation (976 nm). The anti-Stokes emission avoids autofluorescence and light scattering and thus enables measurements without optical background interference. The sandwich upconversion-linked immunosorbent assay (ULISA) can be operated both in a conventional analog mode and in a digital mode based on counting individual immune complexes. We have investigated how different antibody combinations affect the detection of the wildtype N protein and the detection of SARS-CoV-2 (alpha variant) in lysed culture fluid via the N protein. The ULISA yielded a limit of detection (LOD) of 1.3 pg/mL (27 fM) for N protein detection independent of the analog or digital readout, which is approximately 3 orders of magnitude more sensitive than conventional enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays or commercial lateral flow assays for home testing. In the case of SARS-CoV-2, the digital ULISA additionally improved the LOD by a factor of 10 compared to the analog readout.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julian C Brandmeier
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, 625 00 Brno, Czech Republic.,Institute of Analytical Chemistry, Chemo- and Biosensors, University of Regensburg, 93053 Regensburg, Germany
| | - Natalia Jurga
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, 625 00 Brno, Czech Republic.,Department of Rare Earths, Faculty of Chemistry, Adam Mickiewicz University, Poznań, 61614 Poznań, Poland
| | - Tomasz Grzyb
- Department of Rare Earths, Faculty of Chemistry, Adam Mickiewicz University, Poznań, 61614 Poznań, Poland
| | - Antonín Hlaváček
- Institute of Analytical Chemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences, 602 00 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Radka Obořilová
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, 625 00 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Petr Skládal
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, 625 00 Brno, Czech Republic.,CEITEC - Central European Institute of Technology, Masaryk University, 625 00 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Zdeněk Farka
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, 625 00 Brno, Czech Republic.,CEITEC - Central European Institute of Technology, Masaryk University, 625 00 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Hans H Gorris
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, 625 00 Brno, Czech Republic
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Makhneva E, Sklenárová D, Brandmeier JC, Hlaváček A, Gorris HH, Skládal P, Farka Z. Influence of Label and Solid Support on the Performance of Heterogeneous Immunoassays. Anal Chem 2022; 94:16376-16383. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.2c03543] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Ekaterina Makhneva
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kamenice 5, 625 00 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Dorota Sklenárová
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kamenice 5, 625 00 Brno, Czech Republic
- CEITEC MU, Masaryk University, Kamenice 5, 625 00 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Julian C. Brandmeier
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kamenice 5, 625 00 Brno, Czech Republic
- Institute of Analytical Chemistry, Chemo- and Biosensors, University of Regensburg, 93053 Regensburg, Germany
| | - Antonín Hlaváček
- Institute of Analytical Chemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Veveří 967, 602 00 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Hans H. Gorris
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kamenice 5, 625 00 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Petr Skládal
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kamenice 5, 625 00 Brno, Czech Republic
- CEITEC MU, Masaryk University, Kamenice 5, 625 00 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Zdeněk Farka
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kamenice 5, 625 00 Brno, Czech Republic
- CEITEC MU, Masaryk University, Kamenice 5, 625 00 Brno, Czech Republic
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