Femtomolar Biodetection by a Compact Core-Shell 3D Chiral Metamaterial

Area of Science:

• Nanotechnology
• Biomedical Engineering
• Optical Sensing

Background:

• Advanced sensing tools are crucial for early disease diagnostics and monitoring.
• Detecting extremely low concentrations of circulating biomarkers remains a challenge.

Purpose of the Study:

• To demonstrate the sensing capabilities of a chip-based metamaterial with a functional core-shell nanoarchitecture.
• To achieve highly sensitive detection of biomarkers for neurodegenerative diseases.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of a chip-based metamaterial with 3D chiral geometry and a functional core-shell nanoarchitecture.
• Utilizing the metamaterial's circular polarization-dependent optical response for analysis.
• Conformal coating with a polymer shell to enhance biomolecule interaction.

Main Results:

• The chiral metamaterial exhibited a circular polarization-dependent optical response, minimizing background interference.
• The functional nanoarchitecture enhanced biomolecule interaction through energy transfer mechanisms.
• Achieved a system sensitivity slope of 27 nm/pM for detecting TAR DNA-binding protein 43.
• Detected biomarker concentrations from 1 pM down to 10 fM in spiked solutions and human serum.

Conclusions:

• The developed metamaterial sensor offers a new route for early diagnostics and disease progression monitoring.
• The system's high sensitivity and broad detection range surpass conventional immunological assays.
• Opens new perspectives for next-generation biomedical sensing systems.