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Awawdeh K, Buttkewitz MA, Bahnemann J, Segal E. Enhancing the performance of porous silicon biosensors: the interplay of nanostructure design and microfluidic integration. MICROSYSTEMS & NANOENGINEERING 2024; 10:100. [PMID: 39021530 PMCID: PMC11252414 DOI: 10.1038/s41378-024-00738-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2024] [Revised: 06/08/2024] [Accepted: 06/12/2024] [Indexed: 07/20/2024]
Abstract
This work presents the development and design of aptasensor employing porous silicon (PSi) Fabry‒Pérot thin films that are suitable for use as optical transducers for the detection of lactoferrin (LF), which is a protein biomarker secreted at elevated levels during gastrointestinal (GI) inflammatory disorders such as inflammatory bowel disease and chronic pancreatitis. To overcome the primary limitation associated with PSi biosensors-namely, their relatively poor sensitivity due to issues related to complex mass transfer phenomena and reaction kinetics-we employed two strategic approaches: First, we sought to optimize the porous nanostructure with respect to factors including layer thickness, pore diameter, and capture probe density. Second, we leveraged convection properties by integrating the resulting biosensor into a 3D-printed microfluidic system that also had one of two different micromixer architectures (i.e., staggered herringbone micromixers or microimpellers) embedded. We demonstrated that tailoring the PSi aptasensor significantly improved its performance, achieving a limit of detection (LOD) of 50 nM-which is >1 order of magnitude lower than that achieved using previously-developed biosensors of this type. Moreover, integration into microfluidic systems that incorporated passive and active micromixers further enhanced the aptasensor's sensitivity, achieving an additional reduction in the LOD by yet another order of magnitude. These advancements demonstrate the potential of combining PSi-based optical transducers with microfluidic technology to create sensitive label-free biosensing platforms for the detection of GI inflammatory biomarkers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kayan Awawdeh
- Faculty of Biotechnology and Food Engineering, Technion—Israel Institute of Technology, 320003 Haifa, Israel
| | - Marc A. Buttkewitz
- Institute of Technical Chemistry, Leibniz Universität Hannover, 30167 Hannover, Germany
| | - Janina Bahnemann
- Institute of Physics, University of Augsburg, 86159 Augsburg, Germany
- Centre for Advanced Analytics and Predictive Sciences (CAAPS), University of Augsburg, 86159 Augsburg, Germany
| | - Ester Segal
- Faculty of Biotechnology and Food Engineering, Technion—Israel Institute of Technology, 320003 Haifa, Israel
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Liu Z, Ge D, Zhao C, Shi J, Zeng Z, Fang Z, Liu J, Zhang L. A porous silicon composite with irregular silver nano-dendritic particles: a rapid optical sensor for trace detection of malachite green in freshwater fish. ANALYTICAL METHODS : ADVANCING METHODS AND APPLICATIONS 2024; 16:608-614. [PMID: 38197306 DOI: 10.1039/d3ay02044d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2024]
Abstract
This study focused on creating a SERS composite particle specifically designed for detecting malachite green. We synthesized silver nano-dendritic structures on p-type porous silicon using an external electric field, separating them from the silicon wafer. Ultrasonic crushing yielded irregular silver nanodendrite-modified porous silicon composite particles. Upon being tested in an aqueous solution of malachite green, these composite particles demonstrated significant surface-enhanced Raman scattering effects. Our findings highlight the exceptional performance of the SERS substrate composed of porous silicon and irregular silver nano-dendritic particles. It exhibited high sensitivity, specificity, consistent signal strength, and reliability in detecting trace amounts of malachite green in water. Under ideal conditions, the substrate could detect malachite green at concentrations as low as 10-8 M. Moreover, its swift response to trace amounts of malachite green in fish underscores its potential as an effective Raman detector.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhen Liu
- Institute of Intelligent Flexible Mechatronics, Jiangsu University, Xue Fu Street, Zhen Jiang, Jiangsu Province, China.
| | - Daohan Ge
- Institute of Intelligent Flexible Mechatronics, Jiangsu University, Xue Fu Street, Zhen Jiang, Jiangsu Province, China.
| | - Chengxiang Zhao
- Institute of Intelligent Flexible Mechatronics, Jiangsu University, Xue Fu Street, Zhen Jiang, Jiangsu Province, China.
| | - Jiakang Shi
- Institute of Intelligent Flexible Mechatronics, Jiangsu University, Xue Fu Street, Zhen Jiang, Jiangsu Province, China.
| | - Zhou Zeng
- Institute of Intelligent Flexible Mechatronics, Jiangsu University, Xue Fu Street, Zhen Jiang, Jiangsu Province, China.
| | - Zhiwei Fang
- Institute of Intelligent Flexible Mechatronics, Jiangsu University, Xue Fu Street, Zhen Jiang, Jiangsu Province, China.
| | - Jingcheng Liu
- Key Laboratory of Synthetic and Biological Colloids, Ministry of Education, Jiangnan University, Li Hu Street, Wu Xi, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Liqiang Zhang
- Institute of Intelligent Flexible Mechatronics, Jiangsu University, Xue Fu Street, Zhen Jiang, Jiangsu Province, China.
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Ward SJ, Cao T, Zhou X, Chang C, Weiss SM. Protein Identification and Quantification Using Porous Silicon Arrays, Optical Measurements, and Machine Learning. BIOSENSORS 2023; 13:879. [PMID: 37754113 PMCID: PMC10526835 DOI: 10.3390/bios13090879] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2023] [Revised: 09/02/2023] [Accepted: 09/05/2023] [Indexed: 09/28/2023]
Abstract
We report a versatile platform based on an array of porous silicon (PSi) thin films that can identify analytes based on their physical and chemical properties without the use of specific capture agents. The ability of this system to reproducibly classify, quantify, and discriminate three proteins separately is demonstrated by probing the reflectance of PSi array elements with a unique combination of pore size and buffer pH, and by analyzing the optical signals using machine learning. Protein identification and discrimination are reported over a concentration range of two orders of magnitude. This work represents a significant first step towards a low-cost, simple, versatile, and robust sensor platform that is able to detect biomolecules without the added expense and limitations of using capture agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon J. Ward
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37235, USA; (S.J.W.)
| | - Tengfei Cao
- Interdisciplinary Material Science Program, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37235, USA
| | - Xiang Zhou
- Department of Chemistry, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37235, USA
| | - Catie Chang
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37235, USA; (S.J.W.)
| | - Sharon M. Weiss
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37235, USA; (S.J.W.)
- Interdisciplinary Material Science Program, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37235, USA
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Muthukumar D, Shtenberg G. SERS-based immunosensor for E. coli contaminants detection in milk using silver-coated nanoporous silicon substrates. Talanta 2023; 254:124132. [PMID: 36459872 DOI: 10.1016/j.talanta.2022.124132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2022] [Revised: 11/20/2022] [Accepted: 11/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
The dairy sector is frequently affected by contagious and environmental factors that spread between animals by numerous means and induce the inflammatory disease of bovine mastitis (BM). Herein, silver decorated porous silicon (Ag-pSi) SERS platform was designed for rapid and reliable Escherichia coli (predominant BM pathogen) detection in various milk origins. The inherent surface void and pore morphology were physically optimized to augment the SERS effect using 4-aminothiphenol (4ATP) while achieving an enhancement factor >4.6 × 107. An indirect immunoassay evaluated the residual unreacted antibodies using an optimized 4ATP/Ag-pSi SERS platform modified with secondary antibodies. Under optimized conditions, the porous substrate offered high sensitivity toward target bacteria detection of 3 CFU mL-1 and linear response of 101-105 CFU mL-1. Moreover, the selectivity and specificity of the designed sensing platform were cross-validated against other interfering bacteria without compromising its performance efficiencies. Finally, the applicability of the developed system for real-life conditions was elucidated in different milk samples (bovine, goat, sheep) with recovery values of 78-115% compared to the conventional culture technique. Considering the complex media analysis, the miniaturized SERS platform is highly reliable, rapid and accurate that could be applicable for routine on-site analysis of various emerging pathogens relevant to BM management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Divagar Muthukumar
- Institute of Agricultural Engineering, ARO, Volcani Institute, Rishon LeZion, Israel
| | - Giorgi Shtenberg
- Institute of Agricultural Engineering, ARO, Volcani Institute, Rishon LeZion, Israel.
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Nanda Kumar D, Freidman I, Sionov E, Shtenberg G. Porous Silicon Fabry-Pérot Interferometer Designed for Sensitive Detection of Aflatoxin B1 in Field Crops. Food Chem 2022; 405:134980. [DOI: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2022.134980] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2022] [Revised: 10/27/2022] [Accepted: 11/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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Using machine learning and an electronic tongue for discriminating saliva samples from oral cavity cancer patients and healthy individuals. Talanta 2022; 243:123327. [DOI: 10.1016/j.talanta.2022.123327] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2021] [Revised: 02/14/2022] [Accepted: 02/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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Salama R, Arshavsky-Graham S, Sella-Tavor O, Massad-Ivanir N, Segal E. Design considerations of aptasensors for continuous monitoring of biomarkers in digestive tract fluids. Talanta 2021; 239:123124. [PMID: 34896821 DOI: 10.1016/j.talanta.2021.123124] [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: 10/13/2021] [Revised: 11/27/2021] [Accepted: 12/01/2021] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
We present a porous Si (PSi)-based label-free optical biosensor for sensitive and continuous detection of a model target protein biomarker in gastrointestinal (GI) tract fluids. The biosensing platform is designed to continuously monitor its target protein within the complex GI fluids without sample preparation and washing steps. An oxidized PSi Fabry-Pérot thin films are functionalized with aptamers, which are used as the capture probes. The optical response of the aptamer-conjugated PSi is studied upon exposure to unprocessed GI fluids, originated from domestic pigs, spiked with the target protein. We investigate biological and chemical surface passivation methods to stabilize the surface and reduce non-specific adsorption of interfering proteins and molecules within the GI fluids. For the passivated PSi aptasensor we simulate continuous in vivo biosensing conditions, demonstrating that the aptasensor could successfully detect the target in a continuous manner without any need for surface washing after the target protein binding events, at a clinically relevant range. Furthermore, we simulate biosensing conditions within a smart capsule, in which the aptasensor is occasionally exposed to GI fluids in flow or via repeated cycles of injection and static incubation events. Such biosensor can be implemented within ingestible capsule devices and used for in situ biomarker detection in the GI tract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel Salama
- Faculty of Biotechnology and Food Engineering, Technion- Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, 3200003, Israel
| | - Sofia Arshavsky-Graham
- Faculty of Biotechnology and Food Engineering, Technion- Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, 3200003, Israel
| | | | - Naama Massad-Ivanir
- Faculty of Biotechnology and Food Engineering, Technion- Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, 3200003, Israel
| | - Ester Segal
- Faculty of Biotechnology and Food Engineering, Technion- Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, 3200003, Israel.
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Arshavsky-Graham S, Ward SJ, Massad-Ivanir N, Scheper T, Weiss SM, Segal E. Porous Silicon-Based Aptasensors: Toward Cancer Protein Biomarker Detection. ACS MEASUREMENT SCIENCE AU 2021; 1:82-94. [PMID: 34693403 PMCID: PMC8532149 DOI: 10.1021/acsmeasuresciau.1c00019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2021] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
The anterior gradient homologue-2 (AGR2) protein is an attractive biomarker for various types of cancer. In pancreatic cancer, it is secreted to the pancreatic juice by premalignant lesions, which would be an ideal stage for diagnosis. Thus, designing assays for the sensitive detection of AGR2 would be highly valuable for the potential early diagnosis of pancreatic and other types of cancer. Herein, we present a biosensor for label-free AGR2 detection and investigate approaches for enhancing the aptasensor sensitivity by accelerating the target mass transfer rate and reducing the system noise. The biosensor is based on a nanostructured porous silicon thin film that is decorated with anti-AGR2 aptamers, where real-time monitoring of the reflectance changes enables the detection and quantification of AGR2, as well as the study of the diffusion and target-aptamer binding kinetics. The aptasensor is highly selective for AGR2 and can detect the protein in simulated pancreatic juice, where its concentration is outnumbered by orders of magnitude by numerous proteins. The aptasensor's analytical performance is characterized with a linear detection range of 0.05-2 mg mL-1, an apparent dissociation constant of 21 ± 1 μM, and a limit of detection of 9.2 μg mL-1 (0.2 μM), which is attributed to mass transfer limitations. To improve the latter, we applied different strategies to increase the diffusion flux to and within the nanostructure, such as the application of isotachophoresis for the preconcentration of AGR2 on the aptasensor, mixing, or integration with microchannels. By combining these approaches with a new signal processing technique that employs Morlet wavelet filtering and phase analysis, we achieve a limit of detection of 15 nM without compromising the biosensor's selectivity and specificity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sofia Arshavsky-Graham
- Department
of Biotechnology and Food Engineering, Technion—Israel
Institute of Technology, Haifa 3200003, Israel
- Institute
of Technical Chemistry, Leibniz Universität
Hannover, Callinstraße 5, 30167 Hanover, Germany
| | - Simon J. Ward
- Department
of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 37235, United States
| | - Naama Massad-Ivanir
- Department
of Biotechnology and Food Engineering, Technion—Israel
Institute of Technology, Haifa 3200003, Israel
| | - Thomas Scheper
- Institute
of Technical Chemistry, Leibniz Universität
Hannover, Callinstraße 5, 30167 Hanover, Germany
| | - Sharon M. Weiss
- Department
of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 37235, United States
| | - Ester Segal
- Department
of Biotechnology and Food Engineering, Technion—Israel
Institute of Technology, Haifa 3200003, Israel
- The
Russell Berrie Nanotechnology Institute, Technion—Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 3200003, Israel
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