Self-validating quasi-BIC Metasensors for reusable, ultrasensitive, and label-free biosensing

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Nanotechnology
• Optical Sensing

Background:

• Rising prostate disease incidence necessitates advanced early detection methods.
• Current biosensors often lack the sensitivity and reusability required for efficient biomarker analysis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a novel, highly sensitive, and reusable on-chip biosensor for multidimensional biomarker analysis.
• To utilize a quasi-bound state in the continuum (QBIC) platform for enhanced biosensing capabilities.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of a QBIC-based biosensor with a one-step Parylene C modification for antigen-antibody immobilization.
• Utilizing Parylene C's removability for potential sensor reusability.
• Monitoring intensity changes and spectral shifts for prostate-specific antigen (PSA) detection.

Main Results:

• The biosensor demonstrated high sensitivity in detecting varying concentrations of PSA.
• Achieved a limit of detection (LOD) of 0.17 pg/mL for PSA.
• Concurrent spectral shift tracking and intensity modulation analysis enabled high-performance, self-validating optical detection.

Conclusions:

• The novel QBIC biosensor platform offers high sensitivity, reusability, and a low detection limit for biomarker analysis.
• This approach represents a promising advancement for early prostate cancer detection and other biosensing applications.
• The self-validating optical detection capability establishes a new paradigm in biosensor technology.