.NEWS

Inflammatory biomarker detection in saliva samples by printed graphene immunosensors

Spoke 01
Spoke 01
21 Giugno 2024
Inflammatory biomarker detection in saliva samples by printed graphene immunosensors

Abstract:

Herein, we present the design and fabrication of a portable biochemical sensor based on the Screen Printed Electrode (SPE) concept and applied for detecting interleukin-6 (IL-6), a key player in the complex process of inflammation, in real human saliva.

The sensing mechanism relies on the antigen-antibody binding between the IL-6 molecule and its antibody immobilized over a surface of a Thermally Exfoliated Graphene Oxide (TEGO) layer.

TEGO, deposited by Aerosol Jet Printing (AJP), provides advantages in terms of a time/cost consumingfast, easy and efficient biofunctionalization.

The biosensor shows a dynamic range comprising IL-6 concentrations falling within the normal IL-6 levels in saliva.

An extensive analysis of device performance, focused on the assessment of the sensor Limit of Detection (LoD) by two modes (i.e. from the lin-log calibration curve and from blank measurements), provides a best value of about 1 × 10−2 pg/ml of IL-6 in saliva.

Our work aims at providing a contribution toward applications in real environment, going beyond a proof of concept or prototyping at lab scale.

Hence, the characterization of the sensor was finalized to find a reliable device-to-device reproducibility and calibration through the introduction of a measurement protocol based on comparative measurements between saliva samples without (blank) and with IL-6 spiked in it, in place of the standard addition method used in daily laboratory practice.

Device-to-device reproducibility has been accordingly tested by acquiring multiple experimental points along the calibration curve using different individual devices for each point.

Published:

21 June 2024

RAISE Affiliate:

Spoke 1

Name of the Journal:

Sensors and Actuators Reports

Publication type:

Contribution in journal

DOI:

10.1016

Finaziato dall'Unione Europea Ministero dell'Università e della Ricerca Italia Domani Raise