Surface plasmon resonance biosensor for genetically modified organisms detection

The development of a surface plasmon resonance (SPR) affinity biosensor based on DNA hybridisation is described. This biosensor has been applied to genetically modified organisms (GMOs) detection. Single stranded DNA (ssDNA) probes were immobilised on the sensor chip of an SPR device and the hybridisation between the immobilised probe and the complementary sequence (target) was monitored. The probe sequences were internal to the sequence of 35S promoter and NOS terminator which are inserted sequences in the genome of GMO regulating the transgene expression. The system has been optimised using synthetic oligonucleotides, then applied to real samples analysis. Samples, containing the transgenic target sequences, were amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and then detected with the SPR biosensor.     

Detection of microcystins in environmental samples using surface plasmon resonance biosensor

An indirect inhibitive surface plasmon resonance (SPR) immunoassay was developed for the microcystins (MCs) detection. The bioconjugate of MC-LR and bovine serum albumin (BSA) was immobilized on a CM5 sensor chip. A serial premixture of MC-LR standards (or samples) and monoclonal antibody (mAb) were injected over the functional sensor surface, and the subsequent specific immunoreaction was monitored on the BIAcore 3000 biosensor and generated a signal with an increasing intensity in response to the decreasing MCs concentration. The developed SPR immunoassay has a wide quantitative range in 1-100 μg L⁻¹. Although not as sensitive as conventional enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), the SPR biosensor offered unique advantages: (1) the sensor chip could be reusable without any significant loss in its binding activity after 50 assay-regeneration cycles, (2) one single assay could be accomplished in 50 min (including 30-min preincubation and 20-min BIAcore analysis), and (3) this method did not require multiple steps. The SPR biosensor was also used to detect MCs in environmental samples, and the results compared well with those obtained by ELISA. We conclude that the SPR biosensor offers outstanding advantages for the MCs detection and may be further developed as a field-portable sensor for real-time monitoring of MCs on site in the near future.     

Comparison of biosensor platforms for surface plasmon resonance based detection of paralytic shellfish toxins

Paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) toxins are produced by certain marine dinoflagellates and may accumulate in bivalve molluscs through filter feeding. The Mouse Bioassay (MBA) is the internationally recognised reference method of analysis, but it is prone to technical difficulties and regarded with increasing disapproval due to ethical reasons. As such, alternative methods are required. A rapid surface plasmon resonance (SPR) biosensor inhibition assay was developed to detect PSP toxins in shellfish by employing a saxitoxin polyclonal antibody (R895). Using an assay developed for and validated on the Biacore Q biosensor system, this project focused on transferring the assay to a high-throughput, Biacore T100 biosensor in another laboratory. This was achieved using a prototype PSP toxin kit and recommended assay parameters based on the Biacore Q method. A monoclonal antibody (GT13A) was also assessed. Even though these two instruments are based on SPR principles, they vary widely in their mode of operation including differences in the integrated μ-fluidic cartridges, autosampler system, and sensor chip compatibilities. Shellfish samples (n = 60), extracted using a simple, rapid procedure, were analysed using each platform, and results were compared to AOAC high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and MBA methods. The overall agreement, based on statistical 2 × 2 comparison tables, between each method ranged from 85% to 94.4% using R895 and 77.8% to 100% using GT13A. The results demonstrated that the antibody based assays with high sensitivity and broad specificity to PSP toxins can be applied to different biosensor platforms.     

Label-free optical diagnosis of hepatitis B virus with genetically engineered fusion proteins

A simple biosensing strategy for the diagnosis of patients with hepatitis B virus (HBV) was developed. This study can be divided into two themes, both of which utilized gold-binding polypeptide (GBP) fusion proteins: HBV surface antigen PreS2 (HBsAg) detection with GBP-fused single chain antibody (GBP-ScFv) and anti-HBsAg detection with GBP-HBsAg. These GBP-fusion proteins can directly bind onto the gold surface via the high binding affinity between the GBP and the gold surface, while at the same time, orient the recognition sites toward the sample for target binding. This one-step immobilization strategy, which greatly simplifies a fabrication process as well as maintaining biological activity of the recognition elements, can be applied to optical analytical methods, such as surface plasmon resonance (SPR) and localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR).     

A Au nanoparticle and polydopamine co-modified biosensor: A strategy for in situ and label-free surface plasmon resonance immunoassays

This article reports a surface plasmon resonance (SPR) strategy capable of label-free yet amplified in situ immunoassays for sensitive and specific detection of human IgG (hIgG), a serum marker that is important for the diagnosis of certain diseases. Primarily, a wavelength-modulated Kretschman configuration SPR analyzer was constructed, and Au film SPR biosensor chips were fabricated. Specifically, based on Au nanoparticles (AuNPs) adsorbed on the surface of the Au film, the AuNP/Au film was coated with polydopamine (PDA) to fix streptavidin (SA), and then the biotinylated antibodies were connected to the surface of the biosensor chip. The SPR analyzer was utilized for in situ real-time monitoring of hIgG. Due to the immunological recognition between the receptor and target, the surface plasmon waves produced by the attenuated total reflection were affected by the changes in the surface of the biosensor chip. The resonance wavelength (λ_R) of the output spectra gradually redshifted, and the redshift degrees were directly related to the target concentration. The biosensor can realize the in situ detection of hIgG, displaying satisfactory sensitivity, excellent specificity and stability. Briefly, by monitoring the shift in λ_R after specific binding, a new SPR immunoassay can be customized for label-free, in situ and amplified hIgG detection. The operating principle of this research could be extended as a common protocol for many other targets of interest.     

A surface plasmon resonance probe without optical fibers as a portable sensing device

A surface plasmon resonance (SPR) sensor integrating a small sensor probe, a laser emission diode, a photo detector, and a polarizer was developed as a portable sensing device. The sensor probe was made with a glass cylinder, 50 mm long and 1.5 mm in diameter, that was connected directly to a beam splitter without optical fibers. The SPR spectrum obtained with this probe system showed a 10% reflectivity minimum at 690 nm. Shifts of the SPR spectrum induced by refractive index (RI) changes in the sample were measured by detecting the reflection light intensity at 670 nm. When the sensitivity was compared using a BIAcore™ SPR instrument, the lowest sensor response of 1 mV observed with the SPR probe system coincided with 1.4 × 10⁻⁶ of the RI changes. The RI resolution of the SPR probe was estimated with experimentally evaluated noise on the signal, and, consequently, it was concluded that the RI resolution was 1.2 × 10⁻⁵. Moreover, immunoreaction was demonstrated with adsorbed bovine serum albumin (BSA) and anti-BSA antibody as an analyte. As a result, 50 ng mL⁻¹ of the lower detection limit was estimated.     

Surface plasmon resonance biosensor for enrofloxacin based on deoxyribonucleic acid

A DNA-based surface plasmon resonance biosensor for enrofloxacin was developed. Heating denatured DNA immobilized on the gold-coated glass surface was exploited. The immobilization was performed by a layer-by-layer co-deposition with a cationic polymer. The sensor performance was tested with real biological probes. Direct and simple determination of enrofloxacin in milk samples was demonstrated. The sensor response obeys Langmuir binding isotherm being almost linear until about 20 μg mL⁻¹. The detection limit in milk samples was estimated to be 3 μg mL⁻¹.     

Real-time immunoassay of ferritin using surface plasmon resonance biosensor

A surface plasmon resonance (SPR) biosensor was used for the first time to determine the concentration of ferritin in both HBS-EP buffer and serum. The monoclonal antibody was immobilized on the carboxymethyl dextran-modified gold surface by an amine coupling method. The interaction of antibody with antigen was monitored in real-time. The signal was enhanced by sandwich amplification strategy to improve the sensitivity and specificity of the immunoassay, especially in serum. The linear range of the assay in serum is over 30-200 ng ml⁻¹ with the detection limit of 28 ng ml⁻¹. The sensitivity, specificity, and reproducibility of the assay are satisfactory. The analyte and enhancement antibody-binding surface could be regenerated by pH 2.0 glycine-HCl buffer and the same antibody-immobilized surface could be used for more than 50 cycles of ferritin binding and regeneration.     

Gold nanostar-enhanced surface plasmon resonance biosensor based on carboxyl-functionalized graphene oxide

A new high-sensitivity surface plasmon resonance (SPR) biosensor based on biofunctional gold nanostars (AuNSs) and carboxyl-functionalized graphene oxide (cGO) sheets was described. Compared with spherical gold nanoparticles (AuNPs), the anisotropic structure of AuNSs, which concentrates the electric charge density on its sharp tips, could enhance the local electromagnetic field and the electronic coupling effect significantly. cGO was obtained by a diazonium reaction of graphene oxide (GO) with 4-aminobenzoic acid. Compared with GO, cGO could immobilize more antibodies due to the abundant carboxylic groups on its surface. Testing results show that there are fairly large improvements in the analytical performance of the SPR biosensor using cGO/AuNSs-antigen conjugate, and the detection limit of the proposed biosensor is 0.0375 μg mL⁻¹, which is 32 times lower than that of graphene oxide-based biosensor.     

Development of an optical surface plasmon resonance biosensor assay for (fluoro)quinolones in egg, fish, and poultry meat

The aim of this study was to develop an optical biosensor inhibition immunoassay, based on the surface plasmon resonance (SPR) principle, for use as a screening test for 13 (fluoro)quinolones, including flumequine, used as veterinary drugs in food-producing animals. For this, we immobilised various quinolone derivatives on the sensor chip and tested binding of a range of different antibodies (polyclonal and one engineered antibody) in the presence and absence of free (fluoro)quinolones. The main challenge was to detect flumequine in an assay giving good results for the other compounds. One antigen–antibody combination proved satisfactory: polyclonal antibodies raised against a dual immunogen and, on the sensor chip, a fluoroquinolone derivative. It was the first time that this concept of the bi-active antibody was described in the literature.The assay, optimised for detection in three matrices (poultry muscle, fish, and egg), was tested on incurred samples prepared by liquid extraction followed by two washing steps. This rapid, simple method proved adequate for detecting at least 13 (fluoro)quinolones at concentrations below established maximum residue levels (MRLs). The reference molecule norfloxacin could be detected in the range of 0.1–10 μg kg⁻¹ in extracts of egg and poultry meat and in the range of 0.1–100 μg kg⁻¹ in extracts of fish. The determined midpoints of these calibration curves were about 1, 1.5 and 3 μg kg⁻¹ in poultry meat, egg and fish, respectively.     

Janus particles with a functional gold surface for control of surface plasmon resonance

We report in this study the presence of Janus particles, which are candidates for use with electronic color papers. We used negatively charged polystyrene particles (370 nm) as the core particles, and gold was then sputtered onto their packed monolayer under several conditions. The sputtered particles were next redispersed into the aqueous medium by gentle sonication. Gold nanoparticles localized on one side of the cores could also serve as seeds for subsequent shell growth by electroless gold plating. Through these treatments, a series of well-dispersed Janus particles were obtained with gold nanostructures of different size and shape only on one side. Their dispersions showed different colors originating from the surface plasmon resonance absorption of gold nanoparticles localized on the hemisphere. The particles obtained by this approach have potential applications such as in sensors and electronic color paper.     

Present and future of surface plasmon resonance biosensors

Surface plasmon resonance (SPR) biosensors are optical sensors exploiting special electromagnetic waves—surface plasmon-polaritons—to probe interactions between an analyte in solution and a biomolecular recognition element immobilized on the SPR sensor surface. Major application areas include detection of biological analytes and analysis of biomolecular interactions where SPR biosensors provide benefits of label-free real-time analytical technology. This paper reviews fundamentals of SPR affinity biosensors and discusses recent advances in development and applications of SPR biosensors.     

Development of surface chemistry for surface plasmon resonance based sensors for the detection of proteins and DNA molecules

The immobilisation of biological recognition elements onto a sensor chip surface is a crucial step for the construction of biosensors. While some of the optical biosensors utilise silicon dioxide as the sensor surface, most of the biosensor surfaces are coated with metals for transduction of the signal. Biological recognition elements such as proteins can be adsorbed spontaneously on metal or silicon dioxide substrates but this may denature the molecule and can result in either activity reduction or loss. Self assembled monolayers (SAMs) provide an effective method to protect the biological recognition elements from the sensor surface, thereby providing ligand immobilisation that enables the repeated binding and regeneration cycles to be performed without losing the immobilised ligand, as well as additionally helping to minimise non-specific adsorption. Therefore, in this study different surface chemistries were constructed on SPR sensor chips to investigate protein and DNA immobilisation on Au surfaces. A cysteamine surface and 1%, 10% and 100% mercaptoundecanoic acid (MUDA) coatings with or without dendrimer modification were utilised to construct the various sensor surfaces used in this investigation. A higher response was obtained for NeutrAvidin immobilisation on dendrimer modified surfaces compared to MUDA and cysteamine layers, however, protein or DNA capture responses on the immobilised NeutrAvidin did not show a similar higher response when dendrimer modified surfaces were used.     

Detection of ozone gas using gold nanoislands and surface plasmon resonance

Gold nanoislands interact with gaseous ozone to produce a surface plasmon resonance shift, similarly to the interaction of ozone and gold nanoparticles in water. Gold nanoislands are produced by sputtering, which significantly simplifies the synthesis and produces controlled size for the gold nanoislands. The shift of surface plasmon resonance peak was monitored while gold nanoislands were exposed to variable concentration of gaseous ozone. The shift was then correlated with ozone concentration. Our current results indicate sensing gaseous ozone at concentration of as low as 20 μg/L is achievable. Gold nanoislands were reversed to their original wavelength and were able to cycle between the wavelengths as ozone was introduced and removed. Potentially, this system can be useful as a sensor that identifies the presence of ozone at low part-per-billion concentrations of ozone in gaseous media.     

Colloidal-based localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) biosensor for the quantitative determination of stanozolol

This work reports the systematic preparation of biosensors through the use of functionalized glass substrates, noble metal gold colloid, and measurement by localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR). Glass substrate was modified through chemical silanization, and the density of gold colloid was carefully controlled by optimizing the conditions of silanization through the use of mixed silanes and selective mixing procedures. At this point, samples were exposed to bioreagents and changes in the shallow dielectric constant around the particles were observed by dark-field spectroscopy. Biological binding of high affinity systems (biotin/streptavidin and antigen/antibody) was subsequently investigated by optimizing coating layers, receptor concentration profiling, and finally quantitative determination of the analyte of interest, which in this case was a small organic molecule—the widely used, synthetic anabolic steroid called stanozolol. For this system, high specificity was achieved (>97%) through extensive nonspecific binding tests, with a sensitivity measurable to a level below the minimum required performance level (MRPL) as determined by standard chromatographic methods. Analytical best-fit parameters of Hillslope and regression coefficient are also commented on for the final LSPR biosensor. The LSPR biosensor showed good reproducibility (<5% RSD) and allowed for rapid preparation of calibration curves and determination of the analyte (measurement time of each sample ca. 2 min). As an alternative method for quantitative steroidal analysis, this approach significantly simplifies the detection setup while reducing the cost of analysis. In addition the system maintains comparable sensitivity to standard surface plasmon resonance methods and offers great potential for miniaturization and development of multiplexed devices. Figure Schematic of sensor configuration indicating both min and max controls and associatedexample localized resonance curves Electronic supplementary material  The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Surface plasmon resonance sensing of nucleic acids: A review

Biosensors based on surface plasmon resonance (SPR) have become a central tool for the investigation and quantification of biomolecules and their interactions. Nucleic acids (NAs) play a vital role in numerous biological processes and therefore have been one of the major groups of biomolecules targeted by the SPR biosensors. This paper discusses the advances of NA SPR biosensor technology and reviews its applications both in the research of molecular interactions involving NAs (NA–NA, NA–protein, NA–small molecule), as well as for the field of bioanalytics in the areas of food safety, medical diagnosis and environmental monitoring.     

Improvement of surface plasmon resonance biosensor with magnetic beads via assembled polyelectrolyte layers

The conjugates of magnetic beads coupled with an antibody can be trapped on the Au film firmly due to the magnetic force for the immunoassay of a surface plasmon resonance (SPR) biosensor. However, this approach exhibits significant limitations in robustness and sensitivity due to incomplete dissociation of magnetic beads from the Au film. The incorporation of a polyelectrolyte film on the Au surface can prevent the magnetic beads from the direct contact with the Au film. The layer-by-layer assembly of polyelectrolyte was used as spacer between the gold surface and the magnetic bead. Different layers of polyelectrolyte can be assembled onto the Au film based on an electrostatic force between polycations and polyanions. After the polyelectrolyte film was fabricated on the Au film, the deposition of the magnetic beads was maintained effectively on the film, which favors the sensitivity of the biosensor and the regeneration of the sensing membrane. When the polyelectrolyte layers of (PAH/PSS)₃ were constructed on the Au film, the SPR biosensor with magnetic beads exhibited a satisfactory response to human IgG in the concentration range from 0.25 to 30.00 μg mL⁻¹, and the determination limit obtained is eight times lower than that obtained with (PAH/PSS)₁ layer.     

Application of octadecanethiol self-assembled monolayer to cholesterol biosensor based on surface plasmon resonance technique

Octadecanethiol (ODT) self-assembled monolayer (SAM) prepared onto gold-coated glass plate has been modified by using nitrene reaction of 1-fluoro-2-nitro-4-azidobenzene (FNAB) that further covalently binds to cholesterol oxidase (ChOx) via thermal reaction. FNAB acts as a bridge (cross-linker) between SAM and ChOx. The ChOx/FNAB/ODT/Au electrode thus fabricated has been characterized using contact angle (CA) measurements, UV-vis spectroscopy, electrochemical techniques and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) technique, respectively. This ChOx/FNAB/ODT/Au bioelectrode has been utilized for estimation of cholesterol in solution using surface plasmon resonance (SPR) technique. This SPR based cholesterol biosensor has linearity from 50 to 500 mg/dl of cholesterol in solution with lower detection limit of 50 mg/dl and shelf life of about 2 months when stored at 4 °C.     

A novel detection of single-stranded DNA binding protein based on ss-DNA modified chip using surface plasmon resonance microscopy

An ss-DNA gold chip was prepared based on self-assembly of the thiol-derivatized oligonucleotide,and used for thedetermination of single-stranded binding protein(SSB)by surface plasmon resonance microscopy(SPR).The experiment resultsshowed that SSB binds ss-DNA with high specificity,and relative signal of SPR response is proportional to the concentration of SSBin the range of 0.1-100 ng/mL with a detection limit(S/N=3)of 0.07 ng/mL.     

High-sensitivity biosensors fabricated by tailoring the localized surface plasmon resonance property of core-shell gold nanorods

An enhanced sensitive biosensor has been developed to detect biological targets by tailoring the localized surface plasmon resonance property of core–shell gold nanorods. In this new concept, a shell layer is produced on gold nanorods by generating a layer of chalcogenide on the gold nanorod surface after attachment of the recognition reagent, namely, goat IgG and antigen of schistosomiasis japonica. The bioactivity of these attached biomolecules is retained and the sensitivity of this biosensor is thus enhanced significantly. The plasmonic properties of the gold nanorods attached with the biomolecules can be adjusted and the plasmon resonance wavelength can be red-shifted up to several hundred nanometers in the visible or near infrared (NIR) region, which is extremely important to biosensing applications. This leads to a lager red-shift in the localized surface plasmon resonance absorption compared to the original gold nanorod-based sensor and hence offers greatly enhanced sensitivity in the detection of schistosomiasis japonica. The human serum infected with schistosomiasis japonica diluted to 1:50,000 (volume ratio, serum/buffer solution) can be detected readily. The technique offers enhanced sensitivity and can be easily extended to other sensing applications based on not only immuno-recognition but also other types of specific reactions.