Electrohydrodynamic-Induced SERS Immunoassay for Extensive Multiplexed Biomarker Sensing.

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Analytical Chemistry
• Cancer Research

Background:

• Single cancer biomarker analysis provides insufficient diagnostic information.
• Simultaneous detection of multiple biomarkers is crucial for accurate cancer diagnosis and monitoring.
• Development of sensitive and selective assays for multiplex biomarker detection is needed.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a microfluidic platform for rapid, sensitive, and parallel detection of multiple cancer-specific protein biomarkers.
• To enhance target-sensor interactions and minimize non-specific binding using AC electrohydrodynamics.
• To enable specific and simultaneous detection of captured biomarkers via spectral encoding.

Main Methods:

• Utilized alternating current electrohydrodynamics (ACE) for precise fluid control.
• Employed surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) with unique spectral barcodes for multiplex detection.
• Integrated ACE and SERS on a microfluidic platform for biomarker quantification.

Main Results:

• Demonstrated sensitive and specific detection of HER2, MUC1, EGFR, and MUC16.
• Achieved detection limits as low as 10 fg mL⁻¹ in patient serum.
• Successfully validated the platform's performance using clinical patient samples.

Conclusions:

• The developed microfluidic platform offers a rapid and sensitive method for multiplex cancer biomarker detection.
• The approach shows significant potential for clinical translation in cancer diagnostics.
• This technology could improve early cancer detection and patient management.