Sensitive immunodetection through impedance measurements onto gold functionalized electrodes

This article deals with a direct electrochemical method of detecting antigens using new methods of functionalization of gold electrodes. Based on the reacting ability of gold with sulfhydryl groups, three protocols for the fixation of antibodies have been explored. They are based on either the self-assembling properties of functional thiols bearing long alkyl chains or the possibility of a direct coupling of antibody moieties. Coverage rates as high as 97% can be reached. The analysis of the electrochemical impedance behavior of such layers can lead to a sensitive method for the direct detection of the antibody/antigen interaction. The addition of a redox couple in the tested solution, acting as an amplifier, allowed detection limits for the antigens as low as a few picograms/milliliter to be reached.