A handheld platform for target protein detection and quantification using disposable nanopore strips.

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Nanotechnology
• Point-of-Care Diagnostics

Background:

• Point-of-care (POC) diagnostics are crucial for infectious disease control, especially in low-resource settings.
• Solid-state nanopores offer durable, low-energy sensing but lack demonstrated protein detection capabilities.
• Existing assays often lack the sensitivity or quantitative accuracy needed for effective POC use.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a novel method for electronic detection and quantification of target proteins using solid-state nanopores.
• To demonstrate the modularity and efficacy of the developed biosensor for various clinically relevant targets.
• To establish a rapid, portable diagnostic platform for infectious disease screening.

Main Methods:

• Engineered a novel biomolecular detection reagent for specific protein binding in bulk-phase.
• Integrated the detection reagent with disposable nanopore test strips and a portable reader device.
• Validated the system using HIV antibodies, TNFα, and tetanus toxin as targets.

Main Results:

• Achieved electronic detection and quantification of target proteins with high specificity.
• Demonstrated modularity of the detection reagent for multiple targets, including HIV antibodies.
• Showcased a saliva swab-to-result assay for HIV antibodies in under 60 seconds with clinically relevant sensitivity (0.4-20 mg/liter).

Conclusions:

• The developed nanopore sensor provides a quantitative and rapid method for protein detection.
• This technology enables simultaneous immunoassay and molecular diagnostics on a single portable platform.
• The system holds significant potential for enhancing infectious disease diagnostics in resource-limited environments.