Multiplexed Biosensing of Proteins and Virions with Disposable Plasmonic Assays

TL;DR

This paper introduces a low-cost, disposable plasmonic biosensing platform capable of multiplexed, label-free detection of proteins and viruses, including SARS-CoV-2, aiming to enable rapid, point-of-care diagnostics.

Contribution

The authors develop a novel disposable plasmonic biosensor that eliminates flow systems and enables multiplexed, label-free detection of multiple biomarkers and pathogens in a single step.

Findings

Demonstrated detection of SARS-CoV-2 in complex solutions.

Achieved multiplexed detection of multiple biomarkers.

Showcased potential for low-cost, point-of-care diagnostics.

Abstract

Our growing ability to tailor healthcare to the needs of individuals has the potential to transform clinical treatment. However, the measurement of multiple biomarkers to inform clinical decisions requires rapid, effective, and affordable diagnostics. Chronic diseases and rapidly evolving pathogens in a larger population have also escalated the need for improved diagnostic capabilities. Current chemical diagnostics are often performed in centralised facilities and are still dependent on multiple steps, molecular labelling, and detailed analysis causing the result turnaround time to be over hours and days. Rapid diagnostic kits based on lateral flow devices can return results quickly but are only capable of detecting a handful of pathogens or markers. Herein we present the use of disposable plasmonics as a platform for low-cost label-free optical biosensing with multiplexing capabilities, eliminating the need for flow systems often required in current optical biosensors. We demonstrate the biosensing capabilities of a system that uses chiroptical measurements as well as plasmonic enhanced fluorescence from metafilms with shuriken shaped nanoindentations. We also perform the detection of SARS-CoV-2 in complex solutions as an early developmental milestone towards high-throughput, single-step, diagnostic kits for differential diagnosis of multiple respiratory viruses and any other emerging diagnostic needs. Diagnostics based on this platform which we term Disposable Plasmonics Assays, would be suitable for low-cost screening of multiple pathogens or biomarkers in a near point of care setting.