Bead-based multiplex immunoassays for common use require enhanced sensitivity and effective prevention of non-specific adsorption, as well as miniaturization of the detection device. In this work, we have implemented virus-tethered gold microspheres for multiplex immunoassay applications, employing a DC impedance-based flow cytometer as a detection element. The advantages of virus-tethered gold microspheres, including excellent prevention of non-specific adsorption, are extended to signal enhancement arising from the large quantity of antibody loading on each virion, and to flexible movement of filamentous virus. Individual virus-tethered beads generate their own DC impedance and fluorescence signals, which are simultaneously detected by a chip-based microfluidic flow cytometer. This system successfully realized multiplex immunoassays involving four biomarkers: cardiac troponin I (cTnI), prostate specific antigen (PSA), creatine kinase MB (CK-MB), and myoglobin in undiluted human sera, elevating sensitivity by up to 5.7-fold compared to the beads without virus. Constructive integration between filamentous virus-tethered Au-layered microspheres and use of a microfluidic cytometer suggests a promising strategy for competitive multiplex immunoassay development based on suspension arrays.
Keywords: Bead-based immunoassay; DC impedance-based cytometer; Filamentous bacteriophage; Microfluidics; Multiplex analysis.
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