Trimethylamine N-oxide detection for early prediction of renal function utilizing a three-dimensional localized...

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Biosensor Technology
• Analytical Chemistry

Background:

• Trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO) is a biomarker associated with renal function.
• Current methods for TMAO detection can be complex and time-consuming.
• There is a need for rapid, sensitive, and accessible diagnostic tools for non-clinical settings.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce a novel Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS) biosensor architecture.
• To develop a biosensor capable of detecting low concentrations of TMAO in biological fluids.
• To enable early-stage renal function assessment through metabolic profiling.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a three-dimensional localized electronic structure (3DLES) array biosensor.
• Incorporated a modified Cole-Cole model to quantify enzymatic impedance effects.
• Integrated on-chip signal processing for rapid detection within 1 second.

Main Results:

• Achieved high sensitivity (320 ADC units/μM) and low detection limit (0.2 μM) for TMAO.
• Demonstrated high reliability with 98.1% repetition and low signal drift.
• Showed excellent agreement with cyclic voltammetry and mass spectrometry (R²=0.954).

Conclusions:

• The 3DLES biosensor offers a reliable and effective method for TMAO quantification.
• The device is suitable for early-stage renal function assessment in non-clinical settings.
• This compact and cost-effective biosensor presents a promising approach for at-home pre-screening.