A disposable fiber optic SPR probe for immunoassay

Area of Science:

• Biochemical Sensing
• Biosensor Technology
• Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR)

Background:

• Immunoassays are crucial for detecting antigens or antibodies.
• Traditional immunoassays can be limited by complexity and potential for cross-contamination.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and demonstrate disposable fiber optic biosensors for both antigen detection and antibody screening.
• To compare the performance of antibody fragment-decorated versus antigen fragment-decorated SPR biosensors.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of a fiber optic SPR biosensor using gold-coated fibers.
• Surface functionalization with antibody fragments and antigen fragments.
• Comparative analysis of sensor performance for antigen and antibody detection.

Main Results:

• Antigen-decorated fiber probes exhibited a 10-fold higher sensitivity (0.9771nm/(μg/mL)) and better limit of detection (0.1 μg/mL) compared to antibody-decorated probes.
• The biosensor demonstrated reliable antigen detection and effective antibody filtering capabilities.
• The proposed sensor offers miniaturization, low cost, label-free detection, and high sensitivity.

Conclusions:

• Disposable fiber optic SPR biosensors functionalized with half-antibody fragments offer a sensitive and reliable platform for immunoassays.
• This technology provides a clean, efficient, and miniaturized alternative for biochemical sensing.
• The dual capability of antigen detection and antibody filtering opens new avenues for biosensing applications.