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Bioparticle Microarrays for Chemotactic and Molecular Analysis of Human Neutrophil Swarming in vitro
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Fluorescent label-free quantitative detection of nano-sized bioparticles using a pillar array.
Kerwin Kwek Zeming1, Thoriq Salafi1,2, Swati Shikha1
1Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117583, Singapore.
Nature Communications
|March 30, 2018
Summary
A novel label-free method uses deterministic lateral displacement (DLD) to detect nano-sized bioparticles. This technique offers sensitive, low-cost disease diagnostics by measuring changes in polymer beads upon bioparticle capture.
Area of Science:
- Biotechnology
- Nanotechnology
- Medical Diagnostics
Background:
- Accurate detection and quantification of nano-sized bioparticles (DNA, proteins, viruses, exosomes) are crucial for disease diagnostics.
- Current methods often require complex labeling or are less sensitive.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and demonstrate a sensitive, label-free method for detecting and quantifying nano-sized bioparticles.
- To explore the potential of deterministic lateral displacement (DLD) for bioparticle sensing.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a DLD device with micrometer-sized pillars to analyze 1 µm polymer beads.
- Measured changes in bead size and/or electrostatic charge caused by captured target bioparticles.
- Quantified bioparticles by analyzing the lateral displacement of beads in the DLD array.
Main Results:
- Successfully detected albumin protein at concentrations as low as 10 ng/mL (150 pM).
- Detected nano-sized polymer vesicles at concentrations of 3.75 μg/mL.
- Demonstrated a sensitive, label-free detection mechanism based on bead displacement.
Conclusions:
- The developed label-free DLD method provides sensitive detection of nano-sized bioparticles.
- This approach is suitable for point-of-care diagnostics due to its low cost, speed, and sensitivity.
- Requires only a standard laboratory microscope for detection, enhancing accessibility.
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