A highly sensitive and selective diagnostic assay based on virus nanoparticles.
Early detection of the protein marker troponin I in patients with a higher risk of acute myocardial infarction can reduce the risk of death from heart attacks. Most troponin assays are currently based on the conventional enzyme linked immunosorbent assay and have detection limits in the nano- and picomolar range. Here, we show that by combining viral nanoparticles, which are engineered to have dual affinity for troponin antibodies and nickel, with three-dimensional nanostructures including nickel nanohairs, we can detect troponin levels in human serum samples that are six to seven orders of magnitude lower than those detectable using conventional enzyme linked immunosorbent assays. The viral nanoparticle helps to orient the antibodies for maximum capture of the troponin markers. High densities of antibodies on the surfaces of the nanoparticles and nanohairs lead to greater binding of the troponin markers, which significantly enhances detection sensitivities. The nickel nanohairs are re-useable and can reproducibly differentiate healthy serum from unhealthy ones. We expect other viral nanoparticles to form similar highly sensitive diagnostic assays for a variety of other protein markers.
Park
Jin-Seung
JS
Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Korea University, Anam-Dong 5-1, Seongbuk-Gu, Seoul 136-713, Republic of Korea.
Cho
Moon Kyu
MK
Lee
Eun Jung
EJ
Ahn
Keum-Young
KY
Lee
Kyung Eun
KE
Jung
Jae Hun
JH
Cho
Yunjung
Y
Han
Sung-Sik
SS
Kim
Young Keun
YK
Lee
Jeewon
J
D001681:Biological Assay / Q000379:methods*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis; D015374:Biosensing Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007118:Immunoassay / Q000379:methods; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000378:metabolism*; D053758:Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D019210:Troponin I / Q000032:analysis*; D014771:Virion / Q000737:chemistry*
D015415:Biomarkers; D019210:Troponin I