Enhanced sensitivity of lateral flow assay for NGAL detection using cysteamine-modified gold nanoparticles

Neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) has emerged as a crucial biomarker for various clinical conditions, including acute kidney injury. However, enhancing the sensitivity of the lateral flow strip (LFS) for NGAL detection remains a challenge. LFS has revolutionized point-of-care diagnostics, offering rapid and cost-effective detection of biomarkers. This study explores the potential of cysteamine gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) as a novel conjugate for NGAL detection in LFS, comparing their sensitivity enhancement against traditional citrate-coated AuNPs (Cit-AuNPs). Through comprehensive experimentation and analysis, we demonstrate the superior performance of cysteamine-coated AuNPs (Cys-AuNPs) LFS in detecting NGAL, paving the way for more sensitive point-of-care diagnostics in relevant clinical settings.