Platform based Detection Technologies from Micro scale to Nanoscale

Abstract

Rapid, multiplexed, high throughput detection of proteins is essential for the development of protein biomarkers as sensors. Electrical alignment and detection is a non-invasive, label free technique for rapid identification of bimolecular. We present here a micro fabricated platform based detector for rapidly identifying protein biomarkers present in atherosclerotic plaque for rapid clinical diagnosis of arterial obstruction. This is achieved by electrical assembly of polystyrene beads functionalized with specific antibody receptors (anti-C-reactive protein) .The electrical assembly is achieved using electrophoresis. The polystyrene “bridge” micro structure formed due to electrical assembly aids in the amplification of the antibody-antigen binding event. Antigen (C-reactive protein) at nanogram / ml concentration was detected when binding of the antigen resulted in an amplification of the electrical signal that was measured from the base microelectrode platform. This technique is a demonstration of the application of microscale technology (electrodes) in nanoscale (protein) electrical detection.