Highly sensitive detection of alpha-fetoprotein using sandwich sensors

Area of Science:

• Biomarker Detection
• Nanomaterials Science
• Chemical Sensing

Background:

• Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) is a vital tumor biomarker for various cancers.
• Current AFP detection methods often lack sufficient sensitivity and reliability.
• There is a need for improved, user-friendly, and highly sensitive AFP detection techniques.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a novel, highly sensitive sandwich sensor for alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) detection.
• To utilize a unique composite material for enhanced sensing capabilities.
• To validate the sensor's performance in complex biological samples like serum.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of a sandwich sensor system based on a GDYO@AuNPs@PCN composite.
• Integration of dual aptamers and antifouling peptides for specific AFP capture and reduced non-specific binding.
• Characterization of the composite material's properties and sensor performance, including limit of detection (LOD).

Main Results:

• The GDYO@AuNPs@PCN composite demonstrated superior quenching capabilities and sensitivity for AFP detection.
• The "three in one" sandwich sensor achieved a low LOD of 1.51 pg mL⁻¹.
• The sensor effectively reduced background noise and non-specific adsorption, enhancing the signal-to-noise ratio.

Conclusions:

• The developed sandwich sensor offers a straightforward, dependable, and highly sensitive method for AFP detection.
• The unique composite material and sensor design significantly improve detection performance.
• The sensor shows excellent potential for practical clinical applications in cancer diagnostics.