PDMS microfludic device for optical detection of protein immunoassay using gold nanoparticles

A simple but highly specific immunoassay system for goat anti-human IgG has been developed using gold nanoparticles and microfluidic techniques. The assay is based on the deposition of gold nanoparticles that are coated with protein antigens in the presence of their corresponding antibodies to microfluidic channel surface. The effects of time accumulation, the flow velocity, and the concentration of antibodies to the red light absorption percentage (RAP) of deposition were investigated with an ordinary optical microscope. By controlling the reaction time and flow velocity, a dynamic range of 3 orders of magnitude and a detection sensitivity of 10 ng ml(-1) of goat anti-human IgG were achieved. Because of its simplicity and flexibility, this new technique should be useful for fast, highthroughput screening of antibodies in clinical diagnostic applications.