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Ultrasensitive Detection of Biomarkers by Using a Molecular Imprinting Based Capacitive Biosensor
Published on: February 16, 2018
A label-free membrane-based biosensor array with AuNP-modified PDMS for sensitive and specific detection of
Zhongfu Zhao1,2, Dong Zhao3,4, Haoyu Wang1,2
1Shanxi Key Laboratory of Micro Nano Sensors & Artificial Intelligence Perception, College of Integrated Circuits, Taiyuan University of Technology, Taiyuan, 030024, China.
Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry
|July 3, 2026
Summary
A novel label-free biosensor array using gold nanoparticles and PDMS membrane offers sensitive detection of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), a key biomarker for liver cancer. This cost-effective platform enhances surface stress biosensor performance for clinical applications.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Nanotechnology
- Biosensing
Background:
- Surface stress-based transduction in antibody-functionalized biosensors shows promise for label-free detection.
- Conventional methods face limitations like high cost, complex modifications, and insufficient sensitivity, hindering clinical application.
- High-throughput analysis remains a challenge for current biosensor technologies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a high-throughput, label-free biosensor array for sensitive and specific detection of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP).
- To integrate gold nanoparticles (AuNPs), polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) membrane, and silver paste for stress-electric coupling transduction.
- To optimize the biosensor for enhanced antigen capture and transduction performance for clinical biomarker detection.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of a multi-component biosensor array integrating AuNPs, PDMS membrane, and silver paste.
- Utilizing the immunoreaction between anti-AFP antibodies and AFP to induce surface stress, leading to PDMS deformation and altered electrical resistance of the AuNP layer.
- Optimization of antibody surface density and AuNP layer thickness to maximize performance.
Main Results:
- The biosensor array demonstrated sensitive and specific detection of AFP.
- Achieved a linear detection range of 0-50 ng/mL with a low limit of detection (LOD) of 0.225 ng/mL.
- Validated performance in clinical serum samples with high accuracy (relative error < 5.05%, RSD < 2.97%).
Conclusions:
- The integrated AuNP-PDMS-based biosensor array enhances surface stress biosensor performance.
- The developed platform offers a cost-effective solution for sensitive detection of clinical cancer biomarkers like AFP.
- The study confirms the practical applicability of the biosensor for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) biomarker detection.
