A rotationally focused flow (RFF) microfluidic biosensor by density difference for early-stage detectable diagnosis

Sci Rep. 2021 Apr 29;11(1):9277. doi: 10.1038/s41598-021-88647-0.

Abstract

Label-free optical biosensors have received tremendous attention in point-of-care testing, especially in the emerging pandemic, COVID-19, since they advance toward early-detection, rapid, real-time, ease-of-use, and low-cost paradigms. Protein biomarkers testings require less sample modification process compared to nucleic-acid biomarkers'. However, challenges always are in detecting low-concentration for early-stage diagnosis. Here we present a Rotationally Focused Flow (RFF) method to enhance sensitivity(wavelength shift) of label-free optical sensors by increasing the detection probability of protein-based molecules. The RFF is structured by adding a less-dense fluid to focus the target-fluid in a T-shaped microchannel. It is integrated with label-free silicon microring resonators interacting with biotin-streptavidin. The suggested mechanism has demonstrated 0.19 fM concentration detection along with a significant magnitudes sensitivity enhancement compared to single flow methods. Verified by both CFD simulations and fluorescent flow-experiments, this study provides a promising proof-of-concept platform for next-generation lab-on-a-chip bioanalytics such as ultrafast and early-detection of COVID-19.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Biomarkers / metabolism
  • Biosensing Techniques
  • COVID-19 / diagnosis*
  • Early Diagnosis
  • Humans
  • Lab-On-A-Chip Devices
  • Microfluidics / methods*
  • SARS-CoV-2 / physiology*
  • Sensitivity and Specificity

Substances

  • Biomarkers