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A shear-enhanced CNT-assembly nanosensor platform for ultra-sensitive and selective protein detection
Diya Li1, Ceming Wang1, Gongchen Sun1
1Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Notre Dame, 321 Stinson Remick, Notre Dame, IN 46556, United States.
Biosensors & Bioelectronics
|June 8, 2017
Summary
This study introduces a novel nanoscale sensor using dielectrophoresis and hydrodynamic forces to detect low-concentration proteins. The platform achieves attomolar sensitivity and femtomolar detection limits, overcoming traditional limitations in protein quantification.
Area of Science:
- Nanotechnology
- Biosensing
- Analytical Chemistry
Background:
- Low-concentration protein detection faces challenges with sensitivity (high KD) and specificity (similar KD non-targets).
- Existing methods struggle with thermodynamic limitations in heterogeneous biological samples.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a nanoscale sensing platform overcoming thermodynamic limitations for sensitive and specific protein detection.
- To utilize non-equilibrium kinetics with dielectrophoretic and hydrodynamic forces for irreversible protein capture and quantification.
Main Methods:
- Assembling carbon nanotubes (CNTs) across electrodes using DC electrophoresis and AC dielectrophoresis (DEP).
- Employing single-CNT electron tunneling for detection.
- Utilizing hydrodynamic shear forces to differentiate target and non-target binding events.
Main Results:
- Achieved detection limits of 100 attomolar (aM) for biotin/streptavidin and 10 femtomolar (fM) for HER2/HER2 antibody in pure samples.
- Demonstrated a dynamic range tunable up to 5 decades by adjusting CNT numbers.
- Showcased high selectivity for HER2 in spiked serum samples, with detection limits below 100 fM.
Conclusions:
- The developed nanoscale platform effectively overcomes sensitivity and specificity limitations in protein detection.
- Non-equilibrium, irreversible kinetics provide a robust method for attomolar-level protein quantification.
- This technology holds promise for sensitive biomarker detection in complex biological matrices like serum.
