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Updated: Jan 29, 2026
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Label-free Single Molecule Detection Using Microtoroid Optical Resonators
Published on: December 29, 2015
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Rapid Drop-Test for Lectin Binding with Glycopolymer-Coated Optical Ring Resonators
Christine Schulte-Osseili1, Moritz Kleinert2, Norbert Keil3
1Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Polymer Research IAP, Geiselbergstr. 69, 14476 Potsdam, Germany. christine.schulte-osseili@iap.fraunhofer.de.
Biosensors
|February 15, 2019
Summary
A novel sensor system for analyzing glycan interactions was developed using optical ring resonators. This robust, drop-test system demonstrates high sensitivity for detecting molecular binding events in routine analytics.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Analytical Chemistry
- Biosensing
Background:
- Glycan-mediated interactions are crucial in biological processes.
- Developing sensitive and robust analytical systems for these interactions remains a challenge.
- Existing methods often require complex fluidics and lack applicability in routine settings.
Purpose of the Study:
- To create a simple, robust sensor system for qualitative analysis of glycan-mediated interactions.
- To enable drop-test analysis without complex fluidics for routine applications.
- To achieve high sensitivity for detecting binding events in the nanomolar range.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of a sensor system utilizing optical ring resonators.
- Coating resonators with high-avidity glycopolymers based on N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc).
- Performing drop-on binding studies with specific lectins to evaluate system performance.
Main Results:
- The developed sensor system successfully detected specific binding events.
- Glycopolymers based on N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc) were specifically recognized by a GlcNAc-specific lectin.
- The system demonstrated excellent performance in preventing unspecific protein adsorption.
- Binding events were detected with sensitivity in the nanomolar range.
Conclusions:
- A simple and robust sensor system for glycan-mediated interactions has been successfully fabricated.
- The system is suitable for qualitative analysis, drop-tests, and has potential for routine analytics.
- The sensor shows promise for biomedical applications, including multiplexed and routine glycan analysis.
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