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Biomolecular Detection employing the Interferometric Reflectance Imaging Sensor IRIS
Published on: May 3, 2011
Human IgG detection in serum on polymer based Mach-Zehnder interferometric biosensors
Eva Melnik1, Roman Bruck2, Paul Müellner2
1AIT Austrian Institute of Technology GmbH, Health & Environment Department, Molecular Diagnostics, 1220, Vienna, Austria, www.ait.ac.at. eva.melnik@ait.ac.at.
Insights
We developed a new polymer-based biosensor for detecting human IgG (hIgG) in serum. This cost-effective optical sensor achieves high sensitivity down to 100 pM, offering an alternative to traditional methods.
Area of Science:
- Photonics
- Biotechnology
- Materials Science
Background:
- Integrated-optical Mach-Zehnder interferometer biosensors are crucial for biomolecule detection.
- High index contrast polymer systems offer potential for cost-effective photonic devices.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report a novel method for detecting human IgG (hIgG) in serum using polymer-based Mach-Zehnder interferometer biosensors.
- To evaluate the sensor's performance in terms of sensitivity, accuracy, and matrix effects.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of Mach-Zehnder interferometer biosensors using a high index contrast polymer material system.
- Direct binding assay for hIgG detection in buffer and serum.
- Signal enhancement using secondary anti-human IgG antibodies.
Main Results:
- The sensor demonstrated excellent signal recovery (95-110%) in the linear range of 5-200 nM, indicating no significant matrix effects.
- Signal enhancement enabled detection of hIgG down to 100 pM.
- The polymer-based sensor is compatible with mass production.
Conclusions:
- A novel, cost-effective polymer-based optical biosensor for hIgG detection in serum has been developed.
- The sensor exhibits high sensitivity and accuracy, making it a promising alternative to inorganic optical sensors.
- Compatibility with mass production technologies enhances its potential for widespread application.
Abstract:
We report a new method for detecting human IgG (hIgG) in serum on integrated-optical Mach-Zehnder interferometer biosensors realized in a high index contrast polymer material system. In the linear range of the sensor (5-200 nM) we observed excellent signal recoveries (95-110%) in buffer and serum samples, which indicate the absence of matrix effects. Signal enhancement was reached by using secondary anti-human IgG antibodies, which bind to immobilized target IgGs and allow detecting concentrations down to 100 pM. This polymer based optical sensor is fully compatible with cost-efficient mass production technologies, which makes it an attractive alternative to inorganic optical sensors. Graphical abstract of the hIgG measured on polymer based photonic sensors using a direct binding assay and a signal enhancement strategy with secondary antibodies.
