Microporous Nanocomposite Enabled Microfluidic Biochip for Cardiac Biomarker Detection

Area of Science:

• Nanomaterials Science
• Biomedical Engineering
• Analytical Chemistry

Background:

• Early detection of cardiac biomarkers like human cardiac troponin I (cTnI) is crucial for diagnosing myocardial infarction.
• Existing detection methods may lack the sensitivity, speed, or portability required for point-of-care applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and demonstrate an ultrasensitive microfluidic biochip for detecting human cardiac troponin I (cTnI).
• To nanoengineer a microfluidic electrode with a manganese-reduced graphene oxide (Mn3O4-RGO) nanocomposite for enhanced biomarker detection.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of a microfluidic biochip with a patterned indium tin oxide substrate modified with Mn3O4-RGO nanocomposite.
• Functionalization of the nanoengineered microelectrode with antibodies specific to cTnI.
• Electrochemical detection of cTnI within a polydimethylsiloxane-based microfluidic system.

Main Results:

• The Mn3O4-RGO nanocomposite provided a large surface area for antibody loading and improved electrochemical reactions.
• The microfluidic biochip exhibited high sensitivity (log [87.58] kΩ/(ng mL-1)/cm2) in a wide detection range (0.008-20 ng/mL) for cTnI.
• The device demonstrated excellent stability, reproducibility, and minimal interference from other cardiac biomarkers.

Conclusions:

• The developed microfluidic biochip, utilizing a nanoengineered Mn3O4-RGO nanocomposite, is a promising platform for ultrasensitive point-of-care detection of cardiac troponin.
• The combination of nanomaterial engineering and microfluidic integration enhances diagnostic capabilities for cardiac conditions.