High-throughput label-free microcontact printing graphene-based biosensor for valley fever

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Nanotechnology
• Infectious Disease Diagnostics

Background:

• Coccidioidomycosis, or Valley Fever, is a prevalent and virulent fungal infection in the Western Hemisphere.
• Severe pneumonia, respiratory failure, and disseminated disease are potential complications.
• Rapid and high-throughput detection methods are crucial for effective management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a highly sensitive and rapid biosensor for Coccidioidomycosis detection.
• To utilize reduced graphene oxide (rGO) and Coccidioides antibodies for analyte targeting.
• To enable label-free and high-throughput diagnostic capabilities.

Main Methods:

• Assembly of a reduced graphene oxide (rGO) based biosensor.
• Utilized Coccidioides antibodies as target analytes.
• Employed microcontact printing (μCP) for surface patterning and scalable design.

Main Results:

• Achieved ultrasensitive detection with a wide linear range.
• Demonstrated sub-picomolar detection limit (2.5 pg/ml).
• Exhibited high selectivity and reproducibility for Coccidioidomycosis detection.

Conclusions:

• Developed a sensitive, label-free rGO biosensor for Coccidioidomycosis.
• The biosensor offers rapid, high-throughput detection capabilities.
• Presents potential for direct pathogen diagnosis in future biosensor development.