title: Microwave-accelerated metal-enhanced fluorescence (MAMEF): application to ultra fast and sensitive clinical assays.
abstract: In this rapid communication we describe an exciting platform technology that promises to fundamentally address two underlying constraints of modern assays and immunoassays, namely sensitivity and rapidity. By combining the use of Metal-enhanced Fluorescence (MEF) with low power microwave heating (Mw), we can significantly increase the sensitivity of surface assays as well as >95% kinetically complete the assay within a few seconds. This technology is subsequently likely to find significant importance in certain clinical assays, such as in the clinical assessment of myoglobin, where both the assay rapidity and sensitivity are paramount for the assessment and treatment of acute myocardial infarction.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Fluorescence, Laboratory for Advanced Medical Plasmonics, Medical Biotechnology Center, University of Maryland Biotechnology Institute, 725 West Lombard St., Baltimore, Maryland, USA.
authors.forename: Kadir
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Aslan
authors.forename: Chris D
authors.initials: CD
authors.lastname: Geddes
mesh_terms: D005453:Fluorescence; D006801:Humans; D007118:Immunoassay / Q000379:methods*; D018625:Microscopy, Atomic Force; D008872:Microwaves; D008954:Models, Biological; D009211:Myoglobin / Q000032:analysis / Q000276:immunology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D049329:Nanostructures; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012834:Silver / Q000737:chemistry*; D013050:Spectrometry, Fluorescence; D013499:Surface Properties; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D009211:Myoglobin; D012834:Silver