Nature Communications (2022). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-33487-3″ width=”800″ height=”530″/>
Basic principle of continuous biomarker monitoring based on measuring diffusion movement of biofunctionalized particles floating above a substrate. The particles exhibit reversible target-induced molecular interactions with the substrate. a Microparticles (Dynabeads) are functionalized with binders on the particle side (blue). The particles diffuse near a substrate functionalized with binders on the substrate side (red). The binders (eg ssDNA or antibodies) have a specific affinity for target molecules (green; ranging from small molecules to macromolecules). Target-induced sandwich complexes are reversibly formed and cause the particles to switch between unbound and bound states. The particles exhibit free Brownian motion in the unbound state and limited Brownian motion in the bound state. The right panel shows a microscopy image of ~500 particles in the field of view (single frame). The inset shows the reconstructed in-plane trajectories of a random subset of particles (n = ~25) followed for 300 s (1,800 frames). In this experiment, the particles have a diameter of 2.8 m. b Experimental data for a sandwich system with oligonucleotide binders and target. Left: Individual particle trajectories in the absence (top) and presence (bottom) of target molecules in solution. The orange traces in the lower panel indicate bound states caused by target-induced sandwich bonds. Right: Effective diffusivity D as a function of time based on the in-plane displacements derived from the particle trajectories. In the absence of analyte (top), the particles typically exhibit free Brownian motion. In the presence of analyte (lower) particles show transitions from unbound (blue) to bound (orange) states and back. Assigned state transitions are indicated by binary step functions (black line at the top). c Distributions of D of ~500 particles showing unbound state (blue) and bound state (orange) populations in the absence (top) and presence (bottom) of target molecules in solution. Credit: nature communication (2022). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-33487-3
Accurately monitoring concentrations of biomolecules – important for monitoring diseases and adjusting treatments – requires not only very specific and sensitive sensors, but also that measurements can be taken continuously and over a long period of time.
A team of researchers from the Molecular Biosensing Group, led by Professor Menno Prins, has developed a sensor described in a paper they recently published in the journal. nature communication. The sensor contains particles that move freely over a surface and occasionally come to a temporary stop due to single molecular bonds. The timeline of the concentration of biomolecules in the liquid can be derived from the dynamic changes.
The research contributes to the development of sensors for monitoring applications in basic research, organ-on-chip research, methods for monitoring patients in intensive care and methods for monitoring industrial processes, bioreactors and ecological systems.
New sensor technology enables super-sensitive live monitoring of human biomolecules
Alissa D. Buskermolen et al, Continuous biomarker monitoring with single molecule resolution by measurement of free particle motion, nature communication (2022). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-33487-3
Quote: Continuous biomarker monitoring with single molecule resolution by measurement of free particle motion (2022, October 19) retrieved October 19, 2022 from https://phys.org/news/2022-10-biomarker-molecule-resolution-free-particle.html
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