ImmunoDisk—A Fully Automated Bead-Based Immunoassay Cartridge with All Reagents Pre-Stored

Automatic microdispenser-integrated multiplex enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay device with autonomously driven centrifugal microfluidic system

In this study, we established the control and design theory of an autonomously driven dispenser at a steady rotation speed and proposed a dispenser-integrated multiplex enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) device. In establishing the theory of the dispenser, we estimated the flow rate in the dispenser and the applied pressure onto the passive valves, so that the suitable burst pressure of the valves and flow rate could be designed. The dispenser-integrated multiplex ELISA device has the potential to perform flow control for executing an ELISA of 6 samples/standards per chip or 18 samples/standards per compact disk by just steadily rotating a chip. In the immunoassay evaluation of the device using mouse IgG detection, it was confirmed that the device could assay 5 μL of several standards in just 30 min without nonspecific reactions, and although this system has a high limit of detection (LOD, 63.4-164 pg mL-1) it is equal to that of manual assay with a titer plate. The device can be fabricated by transferring the microchannel pattern from a mold without complex assembly or alignment, and it can control the liquid operation by just steadily rotating. Thus, the device system developed will contribute to reducing the cost of fabricating chips and control equipment for ELISA systems. Consequently, a compact, portable, and low-cost ELISA system for point-of-care testing is expected to be realized.

Patient Stratification for Antibiotic Prescriptions Based on the Bound-Free Phase Detection Immunoassay of C-Reactive Protein in Serum Samples

C-reactive protein is a well-studied host response biomarker, whose diagnostic performance depends on its accurate classification into concentration zones defined by clinical scenario-specific cutoff values. We validated a newly developed, bead-based, bound-free phase detection immunoassay (BFPD-IA) versus a commercial CE-IVD enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit and a commercial CE-IVD immunoturbidimetric assay (ITA) kit. The latter was performed on a fully automated DPC Konelab 60i clinical analyzer used in routine diagnosis. We classified 53 samples into concentration zones derived from four different sets of cutoff values that are related to antibiotic prescription scenarios in the case of respiratory tract infections. The agreements between the methods were ELISA/ITA at 87.7%, ELISA/BFPD-IA at 87.3%, and ITA/-BFPD-IA at 93.9%, reaching 98-99% in all cases when considering the calculated relative combined uncertainty of the single measurement of each sample. In a subgroup of 37 samples, which were analyzed for absolute concentration quantification, the scatter plot slopes' correlations were as follows: ELISA/ITA 1.15, R2 = 0.97; BFPD-IA/ELISA 1.12, R2 = 0.95; BFPD-IA/ITA 0.95, R2 = 0.93. These very good performances and the agreement between BFPD-IA and ITA (routine diagnostic), combined with BFPD-IA's functional advantages over ITA (and ELISA)-such as quick time to result (~20 min), reduced consumed reagents (only one assay buffer and no washing), few and easy steps, and compatibility with nucleic-acid-amplification instruments-render it a potential approach for a reliable, cost-efficient, evidence-based point-of-care diagnostic test for guiding antibiotic prescriptions.

Recent Progress in Biosensors Based on Biorecognition Molecules

Biosensors are considered a popular technology to rapidly detect targets, and are generally composed of biorecognition molecules that specifically capture analytes and signal elements [...].

Precision periodontal care: from omics discoveries to chairside diagnostics

The interface of molecular science and technology is guiding the transformation of personalized to precision healthcare. The application of proteomics, genomics, transcriptomics, and metabolomics is shaping the suitability of biomarkers for disease. Prior validation of such biomarkers in large and diverse patient cohorts helps verify their clinical usability. Incorporation of molecular discoveries into routine clinical practice relies on the development of customized assays and devices that enable the rapid delivery of analytical data to the clinician, while the patient is still in session. The present perspective review addresses this topic under the prism of precision periodontal care. Selected promising research attempts to innovate technological platforms for oral diagnostics are brought forward. Focus is placed on (a) the suitability of saliva as a conveniently sampled biological specimen for assessing periodontal health, (b) proteomics as a high-throughput approach for periodontal disease biomarker identification, and (c) chairside molecular diagnostic assays as a technological funnel for transitioning from the laboratory benchtop to the clinical point-of-care.