Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 2, 2026
09:02
Fabricating a UV-Vis and Raman Spectroscopy Immunoassay Platform
Published on: November 10, 2016
10.7K
An efficient NIR-to-NIR signal-based LRET system for homogeneous competitive immunoassay
Dongkyu Kang1, Seok Lee2, Heewon Shin3
1Molecular Recognition Research Center, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Seoul, 02792, South Korea; Department of Material Science and Engineering, Yonsei University, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, 120-749, South Korea.
Biosensors & Bioelectronics
|December 11, 2019
Summary
Upconversion nanoparticles enable sensitive progesterone detection using a novel near-infrared to near-infrared luminescence resonance energy transfer (LRET) system. This efficient immunoassay offers a background-free signal for rapid biomarker detection.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Nanotechnology
- Analytical Chemistry
Background:
- Upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) offer unique near-infrared (NIR) emission for biological applications.
- Luminescence resonance energy transfer (LRET) systems benefit from UCNPs' NIR emission for enhanced signal-to-noise ratio.
- Classical LRET systems face limitations in penetration depth and autofluorescence in biological tissues.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop an efficient NIR-to-NIR LRET system for homogeneous competitive immunoassay.
- To detect progesterone as a proof-of-concept target using the developed LRET system.
- To enhance LRET efficiency through novel UCNP donor and acceptor design.
Main Methods:
- Construction of inert-core/active-shell/inert-ultrathin shell UCNPs (NaYF4@NaYF4:Yb,Tm@NaYF4) as LRET donors.
- Development of a progesterone/horseradish peroxidase/IRdyeQC-1 (P-HRP-dyes) complex as an LRET acceptor.
- Utilizing a homogeneous competitive immunoassay format for progesterone detection.
Main Results:
- Achieved significantly improved LRET efficiencies (95% donor, 85% acceptor) compared to conventional systems (70% donor, 50% acceptor).
- Successfully detected progesterone with a background-free signal.
- Established a low limit of detection (1.36 pg/ml) in diluted human serum.
Conclusions:
- The developed NIR-to-NIR LRET system demonstrates high efficiency and sensitivity for biomarker detection.
- This system shows potential as a simple probe for homogeneous competitive immunoassays.
- The technology enables rapid and sensitive detection of biomarkers in biological samples.
