Detecting carcinoembryonic antigen based on the aggregation-induced emission enhancement effect

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Analytical Chemistry
• Biochemistry

Background:

• Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) is a tumor marker.
• Accurate detection of CEA is crucial for cancer diagnosis and monitoring.
• Existing detection methods may lack sensitivity or simplicity.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a novel label-free fluorescent aptasensor for sensitive and selective detection of CEA.
• To investigate the aggregation-induced emission enhancement (AIEE) effect for enhanced fluorescence.
• To evaluate the sensor's performance in human serum samples.

Main Methods:

• Development of a label-free fluorescent aptasensor utilizing AIEE.
• Optimization of sensor parameters for CEA detection.
• Validation of the aptasensor using standard solutions and human serum.

Main Results:

• The aptasensor demonstrated a simple detection mechanism and easy operation.
• Achieved high sensitivity with a low limit of detection (LOD) of 1 pg mL^-1.
• Exhibited good selectivity and a wide linear range (0.003-10 ng mL^-1).

Conclusions:

• The developed aptasensor is a promising tool for sensitive and selective CEA detection.
• The AIEE-based sensor offers advantages in simplicity and performance.
• The aptasensor is suitable for direct application in human serum analysis for cancer biomarker monitoring.