Design and Implementation of a Dual-Region Self-Referencing Fiber-Optic Surface Plasmon Resonance Biosensor

Abstract

The need for self-referencing is extremely important in the field of biosensing. In this manuscript, we report on the study, design, and validation of a dual-region self-referencing fiber-optic surface plasmon resonance biosensor. One region is intended to measure and monitor the binding events of the biological sample under test, while the other one is designed to be used as a reference channel to compensate for external factors, such as bulk refractive index modifications and temperature oscillations, that can negatively affect the biomolecular interaction measurement. Two different configurations for the biosensor probe are presented and investigated here, both theoretically and experimentally. First, the theoretical performance of the proposed biosensor probes, in terms of surface plasmon resonance wavelength shift, was simulated using a numerical model. Afterward, they were experimentally validated in sucrose−water solutions and showed a response to refractive index and temperature changes with sensitivities up to 2000 nm/RIU and 1.559 nm/°C, respectively. Finally, an aptamer-based bioassay and a high-resolution melting assay were successfully implemented on the two proposed configurations, demonstrating the feasibility of analyzing the binding events and measuring other external signal modifications simultaneously using the same biosensor probe.

Advance on fiber optic‐based biosensors for precision medicine: From diagnosis to therapy

“…(D) A dual-region self-referencing fiber-optic SPR. 64 Copyright 2022, American Chemical Society. (E) Microfiber interferometry modified with molecular imprinted nanocarrier for the detection of parathion methyl.…”

Non-fouling polymer brush grafted fluorine-doped tin oxide enabled optical and chemical enhancement for sensitive label-free antibody microarrays

“…[13][14][15] Even compared with the angle-scanning SPR based label-free immunoassay, the sensitivity of the OIRD chip is generally lower. [16][17][18] Therefore, it is of utmost importance to enhance the performance of OIRD based microarrays.…”

Highly sensitive self-referenced surface plasmon resonance fiber optic sensor with indium tin oxide/metal/dielectric structure

“…Using this dual-mode, the self-referenced sensor can reduce the influence of changes in external temperature and light intensity on the sensor 6 . In addition, unlike traditional sensors, the self-referenced sensor can distinguish the interaction of interest from interfering effects and can be used to detect small changes in analyte concentration in small complex solutions, 7 which makes it widely used in interference effects, non-specific binding, and background refractive index changes between multicomponent solutions in the field of biosensing 8 , 9 . In 2013, Ricardo et al.…”

“…6 In addition, unlike traditional sensors, the selfreferenced sensor can distinguish the interaction of interest from interfering effects and can be used to detect small changes in analyte concentration in small complex solutions, 7 which makes it widely used in interference effects, non-specific binding, and background refractive index changes between multicomponent solutions in the field of biosensing. 8,9 In 2013, Ricardo et al proposed a self-referenced fiber optic sensor for temperature measurement. 10 In 2016, Sachin et al proposed a prism self-referenced dual mode SPR sensor with an SF11/ITO/Ag/analyte structure.…”