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Updated: Jul 8, 2025
Development and Validation of an Ultrasensitive Single Molecule Array Digital Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay for Human Interferon-α
Published on: June 14, 2018
Paper based SERS aptasensor towards dual-modal detection of interferon gamma
Insights
A new paper-based sensor offers rapid, dual-mode detection of Interferon gamma (IFN-γ), a key biomarker for various diseases. This low-cost assay achieves high sensitivity for early disease diagnosis, even in resource-limited settings.
Area of Science:
- Biomarker Detection
- Biosensor Technology
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Interferon gamma (IFN-γ) is a crucial diagnostic biomarker for numerous diseases, including infections and cancers.
- Low physiological concentrations of IFN-γ necessitate highly sensitive detection methods for accurate diagnosis.
- Current detection methods may lack the required sensitivity, speed, or cost-effectiveness for widespread clinical application.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a novel, paper-based aptasensor for the rapid, dual-modal detection of Interferon gamma (IFN-γ).
- To create a user-friendly and low-cost diagnostic tool for IFN-γ detection at pg/mL levels.
- To establish a sensitive and selective assay for clinical relevance, particularly in resource-limited environments.
Main Methods:
- A lateral flow platform was utilized, incorporating a paper-based substrate.
- Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) was employed for ultrasensitive detection.
- An aptamer-based competitive assay was designed, utilizing complementary DNA for signal generation.
Main Results:
- The aptasensor demonstrated dual-modal detection capabilities (visual and SERS).
- A linear detection range of 10-2000 pg/mL was achieved with a detection limit of 8.7 pg/mL.
- The assay successfully detected IFN-γ in human serum at concentrations as low as 10 pg/mL, comparable to ELISA.
Conclusions:
- A simple, rapid, and cost-effective assay for dual-modal IFN-γ detection was successfully established.
- The developed SERS aptasensor meets the urgent clinical demand for sensitive IFN-γ detection.
- This technology holds significant promise for disease diagnosis, especially in resource-limited settings.
Abstract:
Interferon gamma (IFN-γ), can serve as an active diagnostic biomarker of a broad spectrum of diseases such as auto inflammatory disease, viral and bacterial, parasites infections, and tumor control. The low physiological concentration of IFN-γ at pg‧mL-1 level for most diseases such as tuberculosis and lung cancer demand highly sensitive and selective detection methods. To achieve the goal, a novel paper-based SERS aptasensor towards rapid, dual-modal (visual and ultrasensitive) detection of IFN-γ is presented for the first time. A lateral flow platform with low-cost and user-friendly format in this study is adopted. The detection relies on the competition of the specific aptamer sequence of IFN-γ between its complementary DNA in the test line and IFN-γ in the sample solution. The presence of IFN-γ can be easily observed in the test line by naked eye and detected at pg‧mL-1 level by a portable Raman spectrometer. Linear detection range of 10-2000 pg‧mL-1 could be obtained with detection limit of 8.7 pg‧mL-1. In addition, as low as 10 pg/mL of IFN-γ in human serum could be detected, which is comparable with the results from ELISA.Clinical Relevance- This study establishes a simple, rapid, and low-cost assay for dual-modal detection of IFN-γ, which is in urgent demand in clinics especially vitally important in resource-limited areas.
