Next-generation biosensors for real-time, enhanced sensitivity antigen detection

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The ability to measure biomarkers and trace analytes both specifically and selectively at the single-molecule level in biological fluids has the potential to transform the diagnosis, real-time screening, analyte seining for specific hazardous materials of high-profile defence interest. Strategies such as the use of nanopore sensors combined with functional molecular probes have been gaining in prominence not only for sequencing but more recently in screening applications. However, substantial challenges remain in achieving sufficient resolution to distinguish bound from unbound target analytes or in reaching detection of critical analytes that may be present at a very low level in biofluids. The proposed CDT project addresses the above limitations by delivering a new class of biosensors, of importance to the DstL, the research arm of the Ministry of Defence. The platform combines custom molecular probes and dielectrophoretic nanopore sensors, that are capable of selective analyte discrimination in near real-time at sub-pM and fM concentrations.