An abiotic fluorescent probe for the detection and quantification of carcinoembryonic antigen

The reported methods mainly use biomolecules such as antibodies, enzymes, and aptamers for biomarker detection. However, applying an abiotic fluorescent probe to detect cancer biomarkers such as carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) has not been reported. In this regard, we conceived an abiotic fluorescent probe BIQ-1 for the rapid yet straightforward detection of CEA. The bioinformatics tools and molecular docking techniques were used to develop the probe BIQ-1 for the selective detection and quantification of CEA in a buffer matrix resembling serum. The probe BIQ-1 exhibited a limit of detection of 0.2 ng/mL for CEA in a simple cuvette-based experiment. The BIQ-1 did no show interference from the possible interfering components such as hemoglobin, intralipid, and human serum albumin (HSA) in concentrations several-fold higher (µg/mL) than CEA.

Nucleic Acid Tests for Clinical Translation

Nucleic acids, including deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and ribonucleic acid (RNA), are natural biopolymers composed of nucleotides that store, transmit, and express genetic information. Overexpressed or underexpressed as well as mutated nucleic acids have been implicated in many diseases. Therefore, nucleic acid tests (NATs) are extremely important. Inspired by intracellular DNA replication and RNA transcription, in vitro NATs have been extensively developed to improve the detection specificity, sensitivity, and simplicity. The principles of NATs can be in general classified into three categories: nucleic acid hybridization, thermal-cycle or isothermal amplification, and signal amplification. Driven by pressing needs in clinical diagnosis and prevention of infectious diseases, NATs have evolved to be a rapidly advancing field. During the past ten years, an explosive increase of research interest in both basic research and clinical translation has been witnessed. In this review, we aim to provide comprehensive coverage of the progress to analyze nucleic acids, use nucleic acids as recognition probes, construct detection devices based on nucleic acids, and utilize nucleic acids in clinical diagnosis and other important fields. We also discuss the new frontiers in the field and the challenges to be addressed.

Dual-color magnetic-quantum dot nanobeads as versatile fluorescent probes in test strip for simultaneous point-of-care detection of free and complexed prostate-specific antigen

Simultaneous detection of free and complexed prostate-specific antigen (f-PSA and c-PSA) is critical to the prostate cancer (PCa) diagnostic accuracy for clinical samples with PSA values in the diagnostic gray zone between 4 and 10 ng mL^-1. Herein, red and green magnetic-quantum dot nanobeads (MQBs) with superior magnetic property and high luminescence were fabricated via polyethyleneimine-mediated electrostatic adsorption of numerous quantum dots onto superparamagnetic Fe₃O₄ magnetic cores, and were conjugated with f-PSA antibody and c-PSA antibody, respectively, as versatile fluorescent probes in test strip for immune recognition, magnetic enrichment, and simultaneous detection of f-PSA and c-PSA analytes in complex biological matrix with t-PSA antibody on the test line. A low-cost and portable smartphone readout device with an application was also developed for the imaging of dual-color test strips and data processing. This assay can simultaneously detect f-PSA and c-PSA with the limits of detection of 0.009 ng mL^-1 and 0.087 ng mL^-1, respectively. Clinical serum samples of PCa and benign prostatic hyperplasia patients were evaluated to confirm the clinical feasibility. The results suggest that the proposed dual-color MQBs-based fluorescent lateral flow immunoassay is a promising point-of-care diagnostics technique for the accurate diagnosis of PCa even in resource-limited settings.

An electrochemical immunosensor for the prostate specific antigen based on the use of reduced graphene oxide decorated with gold nanoparticles

The authors describe an immunosensor for the prostate specific antigen (PSA). It was obtained by modifying a glassy carbon electrode (GCE) first modified with gold nanoparticles and then with reduced graphene oxide that was decorated with gold nanoparticles. The AuNPs on reduced graphene oxide provide a suitable surface for attachment of antibodies. On binding of the antigen, the square wave voltammetric signal (measured by using hexacyanoferrate as a probe) reduced. This method has two logarithmically linear analytical ranges that extend from 25 to 55 fg.mL^-1 and from 1 to 36 ng.mL^-1, respectively. The lowest detection limit is 2 pg.mL^-1. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy was also carried out for PSA determination. EIS works in the 0.0018 to 41 ng.mL^-1 concentration range and has an LOD of 60 pg.mL^-1. This method was applied to the determination of PSA in (spiked) human serum samples. In order to survey the selectivity of immunosensor, determination of PSA was performed in human serum samples, and finally sensitivity and reproducibility were examined. Graphical abstract Facile label free immunosensor based on reduced graphene oxide decorated with gold nanoparticles for early diagnosis prostate cancer via ultrasensitive detection of PSA biomarker: application in human serum.

Field-effect sensors - from pH sensing to biosensing: sensitivity enhancement using streptavidin-biotin as a model system

Field-Effect Transistor sensors (FET-sensors) have been receiving increasing attention for biomolecular sensing over the last two decades due to their potential for ultra-high sensitivity sensing, label-free operation, cost reduction and miniaturisation. Whilst the commercial application of FET-sensors in pH sensing has been realised, their commercial application in biomolecular sensing (termed BioFETs) is hindered by poor understanding of how to optimise device design for highly reproducible operation and high sensitivity. In part, these problems stem from the highly interdisciplinary nature of the problems encountered in this field, in which knowledge of biomolecular-binding kinetics, surface chemistry, electrical double layer physics and electrical engineering is required. In this work, a quantitative analysis and critical review has been performed comparing literature FET-sensor data for pH-sensing with data for sensing of biomolecular streptavidin binding to surface-bound biotin systems. The aim is to provide the first systematic, quantitative comparison of BioFET results for a single biomolecular analyte, specifically streptavidin, which is the most commonly used model protein in biosensing experiments, and often used as an initial proof-of-concept for new biosensor designs. This novel quantitative and comparative analysis of the surface potential behaviour of a range of devices demonstrated a strong contrast between the trends observed in pH-sensing and those in biomolecule-sensing. Potential explanations are discussed in detail and surface-chemistry optimisation is shown to be a vital component in sensitivity-enhancement. Factors which can influence the response, yet which have not always been fully appreciated, are explored and practical suggestions are provided on how to improve experimental design.

Surface Modification Chemistries of Materials Used in Diagnostic Platforms with Biomolecules

Biomolecules including DNA, protein, and enzymes are of prime importance in biomedical field. There are several reports on the technologies for the detection of these biomolecules on various diagnostic platforms. It is important to note that the performance of the biosensor is highly dependent on the substrate material used and its meticulous modification for particular applications. Therefore, it is critical to understand the principles of a biosensor to identify the correct substrate material and its surface modification chemistry. The imperative surface modification for the attachment of biomolecules without losing their bioactivity is a key to sensitive detection. Therefore, finding of a modification method which gives minimum damage to the surface as well as biomolecule is highly inevitable. Different surface modification technologies are invented according to the type of a substrate used. Surface modification techniques of the materials used as platforms in the fabrication of biosensors are reviewed in this paper.