Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 9, 2026
12:20
Fabrication of Carbon Nanotube High-Frequency Nanoelectronic Biosensor for Sensing in High Ionic Strength Solutions
Published on: July 22, 2013
18.7K
High-Performance Silicon Nanowire Array Biosensor for Combined Detection of Colorectal Cancer Biomarkers
Jiaye Zeng1, Mingbin Liu1, Xin Chen1
1School of Electronic and Information Engineering, China West Normal University, Nanchong 637002, China.
Micromachines
|October 29, 2025
Summary
This study introduces a silicon nanowire biosensor for detecting colorectal cancer (CRC) biomarkers circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA). The novel device enables early CRC screening with high sensitivity and selectivity.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Nanotechnology
- Oncology Diagnostics
Background:
- Colorectal cancer (CRC) poses a significant health burden, necessitating improved early detection methods.
- Current diagnostic tools for CRC biomarkers like circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) have limitations in sensitivity, specificity, or ease of use.
- There is a critical need for integrated, high-performance biosensors capable of simultaneously detecting multiple CRC biomarkers.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and characterize a novel silicon nanowire (SiNW) array biosensor for the simultaneous detection of ctDNA and CEA.
- To evaluate the biosensor's performance, including its limit of detection, sensitivity, selectivity, and stability in complex biological matrices.
- To establish a scalable, label-free, and real-time detection platform for early CRC screening and personalized medicine.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of dual SiNW arrays on a single chip using conventional micromachining techniques.
- Surface functionalization with specific probe DNA for ctDNA and anti-CEA antibodies for CEA detection.
- Real-time, label-free detection of biomarker binding events using the SiNW array platform.
- Performance evaluation using synthetic samples and human serum, including assessment of selectivity against interfering substances.
Main Results:
- Achieved an ultralow detection limit of 10 aM for ctDNA within a linear range of 0.1 fM to 10 pM.
- Demonstrated high sensitivity for CEA detection, with a limit of 1 fg/mL.
- Exhibited excellent selectivity against single-base mismatched DNA and non-specific proteins.
- Maintained robust and reliable performance in human serum samples, indicating clinical relevance.
Conclusions:
- The developed SiNW array biosensor offers a high-performance, integrated solution for dual biomarker detection in CRC.
- The platform's label-free, real-time capabilities and high sensitivity/selectivity show significant promise for early CRC detection.
- This technology has the potential to advance personalized medicine approaches for colorectal cancer management.
