Polymer-Based Prism-Free Nanograting SPR Imaging Enables Multiplexed Detection and Single-Step Aptamer Binding...

Area of Science:

• Biophotonics
• Nanotechnology
• Analytical Chemistry

Background:

• Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) is a key technique for label-free biomolecular interaction analysis.
• Traditional prism-based SPR systems face limitations in cost, speed, and multiplexing capacity.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a novel, prism-free, low-cost, and single-use polymer-based SPR imaging (SPRi) platform.
• To enable high-throughput, multiplexed kinetic analysis of biomolecular interactions.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a gold nanograting SPRi platform with normal-incidence optics and camera-based detection.
• Integrated the platform with a microarray and a custom microfluidic design for simultaneous multi-concentration kinetic analysis.
• Demonstrated using thrombin-aptamer interactions with 1-second time resolution.

Main Results:

• Achieved dissociation constants of 10.1 ± 0.05 nM (kinetic) and 8.71 ± 0.59 nM (steady-state) for thrombin-aptamer interactions.
• Demonstrated multiplexed analysis capability through microarray integration.
• Enabled simultaneous, multi-concentration kinetic analysis in a single step.

Conclusions:

• The developed prism-free SPRi platform offers a cost-effective and efficient alternative for label-free biomolecular analysis.
• This technology has significant potential for high-throughput aptamer screening, drug discovery, and various biomedical applications.
• The system's capabilities in multiplexing and kinetic analysis advance life science research tools.