Microscope-Free Analyte Detection Based on Fiber-Optic Gliding Motility Assays.

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Nanotechnology
• Molecular Diagnostics

Background:

• Prolonged hospital waiting times increase patient mortality and institutional costs.
• Current point-of-care diagnostic tools lack cost-effectiveness and broad analyte detection capabilities.
• Lab-on-fiber technology offers real-time feedback for in situ diagnosis, treatment, and monitoring.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a cost-effective, lab-on-fiber device for rapid, in situ, multiplex analyte detection.
• To demonstrate proof of concept using motor-protein-driven microtubule assays for molecular detection.
• To enable microscope-free determination of microtubule gliding speeds for diagnostic purposes.

Main Methods:

• Harnessing motor-protein-driven microtubule molecular detection assays coupled to optical fibers.
• Developing a novel method for microscope-free microtubule gliding speed determination.
• Utilizing antibody-functionalized microtubules for label-free detection of specific analytes.

Main Results:

• Demonstrated detection of Monomeric Streptavidin and Neutravidin via changes in microtubule gliding speed and bundling.
• Achieved label-free, microscope-free detection of the heart attack marker Creatine Kinase-MB.
• Successfully detected secondary antibodies at nanometer concentrations.

Conclusions:

• The developed lab-on-fiber detector shows potential for in situ, rapid, and low-cost multiplex analyte screening.
• This technology can significantly improve point-of-care diagnostics, reducing hospital waiting times and costs.
• The microscope-free detection method offers a practical approach for real-time medical monitoring.