Opto-fluidic micro-ring resonator for sensitive label-free viral detection

Area of Science:

• Biophotonics
• Nanotechnology
• Microfluidics

Background:

• Sensitive virus detection is crucial for public health.
• Existing methods often require labeling or large sample volumes.
• Novel sensing platforms are needed for rapid and efficient diagnostics.

Purpose of the Study:

• To demonstrate a sensitive, label-free virus detection method using an opto-fluidic ring resonator (OFRR) sensor.
• To evaluate the specificity and sensitivity of the OFRR sensor for M13 bacteriophage detection.
• To establish the potential of OFRR technology for developing micro total analysis devices.

Main Methods:

• Utilized an opto-fluidic ring resonator (OFRR) sensor integrating microfluidics and photonic sensing.
• Coated the OFRR surface with M13-specific antibodies for targeted virus capture.
• Flowed M13 bacteriophage samples through the OFRR and monitored real-time binding events.
• Performed theoretical analysis to validate experimental findings.

Main Results:

• Achieved sensitive, label-free detection of M13 bacteriophage.
• Demonstrated high specificity and sensitivity of the OFRR sensor.
• Established a detection limit of approximately 2.3 x 10(3) plaque-forming units per milliliter (pfu mL(-1)).
• Observed a wide detection dynamic range spanning seven orders of magnitude.

Conclusions:

• The OFRR sensor is a highly effective platform for sensitive and specific virus detection.
• This technology offers a low detection limit and operates in a small volume.
• OFRR-based sensors hold promise for developing rapid, low-cost micro total analysis devices for pathogen detection.