Detection of protein disease markers using long-range surface plasmon waveguides

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Currently available point-of-care bio-detection systems provide blood analysis results relevant to blood chemistry/electrolytes, hematology, blood gases, coagulation and cardiac markers. The core technology used in commercial systems is based on electrochemical transduction, and although convenient, it is limited in specificity and sensitivity. These limitations preclude market expansion into the detection of markers for many diseases. Thus, there is a strong interest in new detection technologies that will improve sensitivity and specificity of tests carried out at the point of care. The detection of analyte, e.g., cardiac troponin I (c-TnI, a myocardial infarction marker), to low concentration levels is of strong interest. The company-specific problem to be addressed in this project consists of detecting a protein disease marker, such as c-TnI, to low concentrations, initially in clean fluids, then in complex fluids such as blood plasma. Our industrial partner will benefit from this project through the development and application of new bio-detection approaches and technologies to a problem of high relevance to the medical community. Ultimately, transfer of the technology to the partner would lead to expansion into new markets producing economic benefits to Canada.