Label-free genetic and proteomic marker detection within a single flowcell assay

Area of Science:

• Biotechnology
• Analytical Chemistry
• Materials Science

Background:

• Current multiplexing techniques for label-free measurements face challenges in complexity, cost-effectiveness, and flexibility.
• A need exists for adaptable platforms capable of accommodating diverse molecular targets and surface chemistries in a single assay.

Purpose of the Study:

• To demonstrate a simple and versatile microparticle-based technology for high-throughput multiplexed label-free assays.
• To enable the simultaneous immobilization and analysis of multiple distinct molecules on various surfaces within a single flowcell.

Main Methods:

• Development of microparticles encoded with unique identifiers and optical gratings.
• Immobilization of diverse molecules (e.g., Protein A, IgG, DNA) onto chemically varied surfaces (-OH, -NH2, -COOH terminated).
• Utilizing avidin binding as a universal detection method to confirm immobilized species and compare binding affinities.

Main Results:

• Successful demonstration of a 26-plex assay showcasing the technology's capability.
• Direct comparison of molecular binding on dissimilar surfaces and vice-versa within the same assay.
• The platform shows potential for scaling to hundreds of molecular species.

Conclusions:

• The developed microparticle technology offers a flexible and scalable solution for multiplexed label-free assays.
• This approach overcomes limitations of existing methods, paving the way for cost-effective, high-throughput molecular analysis.