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Advancing the speed, sensitivity and accuracy of biomolecular detection using multi-length-scale engineering
Shana O Kelley1, Chad A Mirkin2, David R Walt3
1Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Department of Biochemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3M2, Canada.
Nature Nanotechnology
|December 4, 2014
Summary
Combining nano- and microscale technologies enhances disease biomarker detection. This integration leads to faster, more accurate diagnostics, enabling the identification of previously undetectable biomarkers in clinical samples.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Nanotechnology
- Analytical Chemistry
Background:
- Advances in biomarker identification necessitate high-performance detection technologies.
- Recent detection platform designs have focused on either nano- or microscale approaches.
- Integrating nano- and microscale elements offers synergistic benefits for detection.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review strategies combining nano- and microscale materials and devices for improved biomarker detection.
- To highlight advancements in sensitivity, speed, and accuracy of diagnostic technologies.
- To discuss the potential for identifying previously undetectable biomarkers in clinical samples.
Main Methods:
- Review of recent scientific literature on nano- and microscale detection strategies.
- Analysis of integrated systems incorporating nanoscale features into microsensors.
- Examination of microdevices utilizing nanocompartmentalization for analyte quantitation.
- Evaluation of microfluidic systems employing nanoscale binding events for rare cell detection.
Main Results:
- Combined nano- and microscale approaches significantly enhance detection sensitivity, speed, and accuracy.
- Microsensors with nanoscale features enable rapid detection of disease-related nucleic acids.
- Microdevices with nanocompartmentalization allow precise analyte quantitation.
- Microfluidic systems using nanoscale binding events improve rare cancer cell detection in blood.
Conclusions:
- The integration of nano- and microscale technologies is revolutionizing biomarker detection.
- These advancements facilitate the identification of previously undetectable biomarkers.
- The development of faster and more reliable clinical diagnostic devices is imminent.
