In the September 1st issue of Biomedical Optics Express (reference), Zheng and colleagues present a proof of concept study for a novel type of biosensor for the detection of proteins in blood. Briefly, the team immobilized amine-terminated aptamers – artificial oligonucleotides engineered to bind specific ligands – onto a gold modified surface and used Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) to detect the binding of the ligand; in this case thrombin. This prototype sensor showed good performances (sensitivity, linearity, and reversibility) for the intended ligand (thrombin), in the presence or absence of high levels (400 nM) of BSA, suggesting that this technology could be applied to direct detection of reasonably abundant factors in blood.
Considering the relative inexpensive nature of the manufacturing process of this new biosensor and the relative simplicity of SPR detection, it is tempting to speculate that this technology could solve the issue of cost for current and new blood diagnostics. Time will tell if the reported performance of this prototype biosensor will be reproduced for other blood proteins.
Thierry
Sornasse for Integrated Biomarker Strategy
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