LMP1 gene detection using a capped gold nanowire array surface plasmon resonance sensor in a microfluidic chip

Area of Science:

• Nanotechnology
• Biosensing
• Molecular Diagnostics

Background:

• Surface plasmon resonance (SPR) is a powerful optical sensing technique.
• Nanowire arrays offer enhanced sensitivity for SPR-based biosensors.
• Microfluidic systems enable rapid and efficient sample handling.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate a capped gold nanowire array with a microfluidic system for rapid DNA detection.
• To understand the kinetic binding of SPR nanowires and surface refractive index.
• To evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of the developed biosensor for amplified DNA products.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of a capped gold nanowire array.
• Integration with a microfluidic test platform.
• Kinetic binding analysis using surface plasmon resonance.
• Detection of latent membrane protein 1 (LMP1) DNA via hybridization.

Main Results:

• Achieved high device sensitivity (485 nm RIU-1) and a low detection limit (4.1 × 10-5 RIU).
• Observed a specific peak shift (2.21 nm red-shift) upon hybridization of target DNA.
• Demonstrated sensitive detection of amplified DNA products without labeling or complex sample preparation.
• Showed superior detection of PCR products at lower cycle numbers compared to gel electrophoresis.

Conclusions:

• The SPR nanowire array chip provides a highly sensitive and specific method for detecting amplified DNA products.
• This nanostructured SPR chip is suitable for developing small-footprint, rapid detection devices.
• The findings support advancements in DNA biosensing and diagnostic tools.