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Reducing Unspecific Protein Adsorption in Microfluidic Papers Using Fiber-Attached Polymer Hydrogels.
Alexander Ritter von Stockert1, Anna Luongo2, Markus Langhans1
1Laboratory of Macromolecular Chemistry and Paper Chemistry (MAP), Department of Chemistry, Technische Universität Darmstadt, 64287 Darmstadt, Germany.
Sensors (Basel, Switzerland)
|October 13, 2021
Summary
This study presents a novel hydrogel coating for microfluidic paper analytical devices (µPADs) that significantly reduces protein adsorption. This innovation enhances analyte detection and improves the signal-to-noise ratio in paper-based diagnostics.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Analytical Chemistry
- Materials Science
Background:
- Microfluidic paper-based analytical devices (µPADs) offer low-cost, sustainable point-of-care diagnostics.
- Unspecific protein adsorption to paper fibers limits µPAD sensitivity and hinders commercialization.
- Improving analyte transport and detection is crucial for advancing paper-based diagnostics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a novel method for reducing nonspecific protein adsorption in µPADs.
- To enhance the sensitivity and reliability of paper-based lateral flow assays.
- To enable quantitative accumulation of protein analytes in µPADs.
Main Methods:
- Lab-formed paper sheets were modified with a hydrogel layer composed of photo-crosslinked copolymers (poly-(oligo-ethylene glycol methacrylate) and poly-dimethyl acrylamide).
- The modified paper was tested for its ability to reduce nonspecific binding of model proteins in lateral flow assay simulations.
- Local heating was employed to evaporate transport fluid and accumulate protein analytes at the end of the paper strip.
Main Results:
- The hydrogel coating significantly reduced the unspecific binding of model proteins to paper fibers.
- Local heating enabled near-quantitative accumulation of protein analytes at the end of the microfluidic strip.
- The modified µPADs demonstrated a substantial improvement in the signal-to-noise ratio for protein detection.
Conclusions:
- The developed hydrogel modification effectively mitigates protein adsorption in µPADs.
- Quantitative protein accumulation is achievable, paving the way for more sensitive paper-based assays.
- This approach holds significant potential for improving the performance and applicability of point-of-care diagnostic devices.
