title: In-flow real-time detection of spectrally encoded microgels for miRNA absolute quantification.
abstract: We present an in-flow ultrasensitive fluorescence detection of microRNAs (miRNAs) using spectrally encoded microgels. We researched and employed a viscoelastic fluid to achieve an optimal alignment of microgels in a straight measurement channel and applied a simple and inexpensive microfluidic layout, allowing continuous fluorescence signal acquisitions with several emission wavelengths. In particular, we chose microgels endowed with fluorescent emitting molecules designed for multiplex spectral analysis of specific miRNA types. We analysed in aquasi-real-time mannercirca80 microgel particles a minute at sample volumes down to a few microliters, achieving a miRNA detection limit of 202 fM in microfluidic flow conditions. Such performance opens up new routes for biosensing applications of particles within microfluidic devices.
authors.affiliation: Center for Advanced Biomaterials for Healthcare@CRIB, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT) , Largo Barsanti e Matteucci 53, 80125 Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Dannhauser
authors.forename: Filippo
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Causa
authors.affiliation: Center for Advanced Biomaterials for Healthcare@CRIB, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT) , Largo Barsanti e Matteucci 53, 80125 Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Edmondo
authors.identifier: 0000-0003-0915-9176
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Battista
authors.affiliation: Center for Advanced Biomaterials for Healthcare@CRIB, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT) , Largo Barsanti e Matteucci 53, 80125 Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Angela M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Cusano
authors.affiliation: Center for Advanced Biomaterials for Healthcare@CRIB, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT) , Largo Barsanti e Matteucci 53, 80125 Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Domenico
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Rossi
authors.forename: Paolo A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Netti