Paper-Based Microfluidic Devices: Low-Cost Platforms for Rapid Biochemical Detection

We developed low-cost, portable paper-based diagnostic devices for detection of human immunoglobulin M (IgM) and immunoglobulin G (IgG) in serum without any sample preparation. These devices can be used to help identify presence of diseases, used to provide rapid results (<5 minutes), readily used by untrained personnel, employed in austere environments, configured to obtain multiplexed assays, and easily disposed of.

We successfully accomplished colorimetric detection of human IgG and human IgM using a sandwich-style assay within the microfluidic paper device via vertical flow immunoassay configuration. The reaction zone in the wax printed paper layer is a small circular pattern. Gold nanoparticles conjugated with anti-human IgG and IgM antibodies have been used for colorimetric detection of IgG or IgM by naked eye. Colorimetric signal can be precisely quantified through implementation of image analysis software which can be developed as an app for a smartphone. The size of the device is 2 cm × 2 cm × 1 mm.

Colorimetric detection of human IgG was accomplished at 100 fg/mL concentration using a gold nanoparticle-conjugated anti-human IgG antibody. The developed platform has a dynamic range of IgM and IgG concentrations between 0.1 pg/mL and 100 μg/mL. These devices provided a color readout in <5 minutes using 20 µL of serum. We also demonstrated that the devices show a significant degree of ruggedness and temperature stability as they were able to provide satisfactory results (detection of 0.1 pg/mL IgG) after 14 days of long stability and shelf-life experiment at an elevated temperature of at least 50 ˚C-the shelf life can be as long as 180 days under ambient conditions for detection of 100 µg/mL IgG.

Because of the inherent simplicity of the device operation and their ease of use, there is no variation between samples and users of the device. This low-cost approach enables multiplexing with >1 measurement performed in parallel at the same time. We anticipate that because of the sensitivity, specificity, ease of use, and overall reliability, this approach will become a standard for diagnosis of diseases and health conditions.