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Ultrasensitive Detection of Biomarkers by Using a Molecular Imprinting Based Capacitive Biosensor
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An Innovative Approach for Tailoring Molecularly Imprinted Polymers for Biosensors-Application to Cancer Antigen
Daniela Dos Santos Oliveira1,2, Andreia Sofia Rodrigues Oliveira2, Patrícia Vitorino Mendonça2
1BioMark@ISEP-CEB/LABBELS, School of Engineering, Polytechnic Institute of Porto, R. Dr. António Bernardino de Almeida, 4249-015 Porto, Portugal.
Biosensors
|May 24, 2024
Summary
Atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) creates precise molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) cavities for enhanced biosensor performance. This novel MIP approach improves cancer biomarker detection sensitivity and reproducibility for point-of-care diagnostics.
Area of Science:
- Polymer Chemistry
- Biomedical Engineering
- Analytical Chemistry
Background:
- Molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) are crucial for selective analyte binding.
- Precise control over MIP cavity formation is essential for biosensor performance.
- Conventional free-radical polymerization methods offer limited control over polymer structure.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a novel method for creating molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) using atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP).
- To engineer a highly sensitive and reproducible biosensor for CA15-3 detection.
- To investigate the impact of polymerization technique on MIP-based biosensor performance.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis of a well-defined acrylamide and N,N'-methylenebisacrylamide (PAAm-co-PMBAm) copolymer via ATRP.
- Immobilization of the copolymer onto gold electrodes with a template, followed by crosslinking.
- Template removal using enzymatic/chemical methods.
- Surface modification monitoring using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS).
Main Results:
- The ATRP-based MIP biosensor demonstrated a linear response to CA15-3 over a wide concentration range (0.001–100 U/mL).
- Compared to conventional methods, the ATRP-MIP extended the dynamic linear range 10-fold and improved low concentration detection.
- Enhanced signal reproducibility across biosensor units was observed with the ATRP-based MIP.
Conclusions:
- The polymerization method significantly influences the detection capacity and reproducibility of MIP-based biosensors.
- ATRP offers superior control over MIP cavity formation, leading to enhanced biosensor performance.
- This methodology holds promise for developing next-generation MIP biosensors for point-of-care cancer biomarker detection.
