Editor, Author at Institute of Nano Electronic Engineering

Complementation of ELISA and an Interdigitated Electrode Surface in Gold Nanoparticle Functionalization for Effective Detection of Human Blood Clotting Defects

July 29, 2019 By Editor

Abstract – Developing an enhanced diagnosis using biosensors is important for the treatment of patients before disease complications arise. Improving biosensors would enable the detection of various low-abundance disease biomarkers. Efficient immobilization of probes/receptors on the sensing surface is one of the efficient ways to enhance detection. Herein, we introduced the pre-alkaline sensing surface with amine functionalization for capturing gold nanoparticle (GNP) conjugated to human blood clotting factor IX (FIX), and we demonstrated the excellent performance of the strategy. We have chosen the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and the interdigitated electrode (IDE), which are widely used, to demonstrate our method. The optimal amount for silanization has been found to be 2.5%, and 15-nm-sized GNPs are ideal and characterized. The limit of FIX detection was attained with ELISA at 100 pM with the premixed GNPs and FIX, which shows 60-fold improvement in sensitivity without biofouling, as compared to the conventional ELISA. Further, FIX was detected with higher specificity in human serum at a 1:1280 dilution, which is equivalent to 120 pM FIX. These results were complemented by the analysis on IDE, where improved detection at 25 pM was achieved, and FIX was detected in human serum at the dilution of 1:640. These optimized surfaces are useful for improving the detection of different diseases on varied sensing surfaces.

Corresponding Author: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Subash C B Gopinath
Corresponding Author’s Email: subash@unimap.edu.my

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Multidimensional (0D-3D) nanostructures for lung cancer biomarker analysis: Comprehensive assessment on current diagnostics

July 8, 2019 By Editor

Abstract – The pragmatic outcome of a lung cancer diagnosis is closely interrelated in reducing the number of fatal death caused by the world’s top cancerous disease. Regardless of the advancement made in understanding lung tumor, and its multimodal treatment, in general the percentage of survival remain low. Late diagnosis of a cancerous cell in patients is the major hurdle for the above circumstances. In the new era of a lung cancer diagnosis with low cost, portable and non-invasive clinical sampling, nanotechnology is at its inflection point where current researches focus on the implementation of biosensor conjugated nanomaterials for the generation of the ideal sensing. The present review encloses the superiority of nanomaterials from zero to three-dimensional nanostructures in its discrete and nanocomposites nanotopography on sensing lung cancer biomarkers. Recent researches conducted on definitive nanomaterials and nanocomposites at multiple dimension with distinctive physiochemical property were focused to subside the cases associated with lung cancer through the development of novel biosensors. The hurdles encountered in the recent research and future preference with prognostic clinical lung cancer diagnosis using multidimensional nanomaterials and its composites are presented.

Corresponding Author: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Subash C B Gopinath
Corresponding Author’s Email: subash@unimap.edu.my

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UniMAP researchers invent Nano Lab-On-Chip to detect early stage cervical cancer

July 5, 2019 By Editor

A group of researchers from Universiti Malaysia Perlis (UniMAP) has successfully invented a device to detect early stage cervical cancer. Nano Lab-On-Chip is an electrochemical device with Interdigitated Electrodes (IDE) which are highly sensitive and are able to detect changes in tissues, blood and saliva.

Principal researcher Dr. Nor Azizah Parmin from the Institute of Nano Electronic Engineering (INEE), UniMAP, explains that a sensor chip has been developed to combine voltammetric determination which will be able to quickly detect the cancer-causing Human Papillomavirus (HPV). Early detection is vital as the HPV can be treated, hence increasing the patient’s survival rate. It can also help in controlling the spread of the virus as early detection is crucial in ensuring its mortality. The device will be particularly useful in low and middle income countries that lack advanced technology and those whose patients face issues with access to relevant facilities due to logistical and geographical challenges.

According to Dr Azizah, the presence of the virus can be detected within a few minutes of taking the test. Apart from its use for cancer detection, Nano Lab-On-Chip can also be used for the purpose of environmental control during clinical tests, to check for antibiotic residue in water, to detect formaldehyde gas in wood and for related uses in the furniture industry. The device is cheaper than costs associated with conventional methods, has low fluid volume consumption and fast response time, is reusable and can directly measure real time molecular binding interaction.

Moving forward, the team is currently seeking industry partners or donors to work on enhancing the effectiveness of the sensor. Several agencies are being considered for partnership, including the Ministry of Health and Cancer Detection Centers.

Source: QS WOWNEWS