Simple patterned nanofiber scaffolds and its enhanced performance in immunoassay

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Nanotechnology
• Analytical Chemistry

Background:

• Cancer is a leading global cause of death, necessitating early detection for improved patient survival.
• Multiplex detection of cancer biomarkers in biological fluids aids in diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment prediction.
• Current diagnostic methods require enhancement in sensitivity and accuracy.

Purpose of the Study:

• To fabricate a high-throughput micro-immunoassay using electrospun polystyrene (PS) substrates.
• To improve the sensitivity and limit of detection (LOD) for cancer biomarker analysis.
• To evaluate the efficacy of electrospun PS substrates for multiplex immunoassay applications.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of a micro-immunoassay utilizing electrospun PS nanofibers as substrates.
• Surface modification of PS nanofibers via plasma treatment to enhance hydrophilicity.
• Evaluation of immunoassay performance by analyzing three cancer biomarkers: AFP, CEA, and VEGF.

Main Results:

• Electrospun PS substrates demonstrated significantly lower LODs for AFP, CEA, and VEGF compared to conventional PS substrates.
• Assays on electrospun PS substrates achieved LODs in the ng/mL and pg/mL ranges, a substantial improvement over conventional methods.
• Plasma treatment enhanced the hydrophilicity of PS nanofibers, improving immunoassay functionality and capture molecule immobilization.

Conclusions:

• Electrospun PS substrates offer high porosity and surface area, enhancing immunoassay sensitivity.
• Plasma-treated electrospun PS nanofibers provide a promising platform for sensitive and accurate multiplex cancer biomarker detection.
• This technology holds potential for early cancer screening and diagnosis through improved detection limits.