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Ultrasensitive Detection of Biomarkers by Using a Molecular Imprinting Based Capacitive Biosensor
Published on: February 16, 2018
Molecularly imprinted polymer-based bioelectrical interfaces with intrinsic molecular charges.
Toshiya Sakata1, Shoichi Nishitani1, Taira Kajisa2
1Department of Materials Engineering, School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku Tokyo 113-8656 Japan sakata@biofet.t.u-tokyo.ac.jp +81-3-5841-1842 +81-3-5841-1842.
This study presents a novel molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) biosensor for label-free detection of small biomolecules. The MIP-based bioelectrical interface in a field-effect transistor (FET) sensor enables sensitive and selective biomolecule quantification without enzymes or antibodies.
Area of Science:
- Biomolecular Engineering
- Sensor Technology
- Analytical Chemistry
Background:
- Enzyme- and antibody-based biosensors often require labeling, increasing complexity and cost.
- Field-effect transistor (FET) sensors offer high sensitivity but require effective bioelectrical interfaces.
- Molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) can be designed for selective molecular recognition.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop an enzyme-/antibody-free and label-free biosensing platform using MIPs.
- To integrate MIPs with a bio-FET sensor for detecting small biomolecules.
- To enable quantitative analysis of biomolecule binding affinity and adsorption mechanisms.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of a molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) membrane functionalized with phenylboronic acid (PBA).
- Integration of the MIP membrane as a bioelectrical interface for a biologically coupled gate field-effect transistor (bio-FET) sensor.
- Utilizing surface-initiated atom transfer radical polymerization (SI-ATRP) for controlled MIP film formation.
- Applying potentiometric Langmuir isotherm adsorption analysis for quantitative assessment.
Main Results:
- The MIP-coated bio-FET sensor demonstrated selective detection of small biomolecules like glucose, dopamine, sialic acid, and oligosaccharides without labels.
- Controlled MIP film formation via SI-ATRP facilitated quantitative sensing.
- Potentiometric Langmuir isotherm analysis allowed evaluation of binding affinity and adsorption mechanisms.
- The developed platform showed suitability for enzyme-/antibody-free and label-free biosensing.
Conclusions:
- A MIP-based bioelectrical interface for bio-FET sensors provides a robust platform for enzyme-/antibody-free, label-free biosensing.
- This technology is applicable to diverse fields including clinical diagnostics, drug discovery, food safety, and environmental monitoring.
- The quantitative analysis capabilities enhance the reliability and utility of MIP-based biosensors.
