Protein Discrimination Using a Fluorescence-Based Sensor Array of Thiacarbocyanine-GUMBOS

Area of Science:

• Analytical Chemistry
• Biochemistry
• Materials Science

Background:

• Accurate protein detection is crucial for clinical diagnosis and proteomic research.
• Developing sensitive and selective fluorescent sensors for complex biological samples remains a significant challenge.

Purpose of the Study:

• To synthesize and evaluate novel fluorescent sensors based on organic salts (GUMBOS) for protein detection.
• To assess the ability of these sensors to discriminate between different proteins in various biological matrices.

Main Methods:

• Synthesis of six thiacarbocyanine (TC)-based GUMBOS.
• Fluorescence spectroscopy of GUMBOS in the presence of seven proteins in buffer solutions.
• Analysis of fluorescence data using linear discriminant analysis (LDA).
• Evaluation of sensor performance in protein mixtures and spiked urine samples.

Main Results:

• TC-based GUMBOS exhibited distinct fluorescence responses to different proteins.
• LDA models achieved 100% accuracy in discriminating seven proteins in buffer solutions.
• 100% accuracy was maintained for discriminating protein mixtures and proteins in spiked urine samples.

Conclusions:

• TC-based GUMBOS are effective fluorescent sensors for sensitive and selective protein detection.
• LDA analysis enables accurate discrimination of proteins, even in complex biological fluids.
• These GUMBOS show significant promise for applications in diagnostics and proteomics.