Integration of genetically modifiedvirus-like-particleswith an optical resonator for selective bio-detection

Abstract

A novel virus-like particle (TMV-VLP) receptor layer has been integrated with an optical microdisk resonator transducer for biosensing applications. This bioreceptor layer is functionalized with selective peptides that encode unique recognition affinities. Integration of bioreceptors with sensor platforms is very challenging due their very different compatibility regimes. The TMV-VLP nanoreceptor exhibits integration robustness, including the ability for self-assembly along with traditional top-down microfabrication processes. An optical microdisk resonator has been functionalized for antibody binding with this receptor, demonstrating resonant wavelength shifts of (Δλo) of 0.79 nm and 5.95 nm after primary antibody binding and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), respectively, illustrating label-free sensing of this bonding event. This demonstration of label-free sensing with genetically engineered TMV-VLP shows the flexibility and utility of this receptor coating when considering integration with other existing transducer platforms.

Applications of Optical Microcavity Resonators in Analytical Chemistry

“…Aptamers are another alternative that hold potential to avoid many of the drawbacks of antibodies, but generation of high affinity aptamers for a wide range of protein targets has proven challenging. In recent years, alternative capture agents have been used for biomolecule detection such as phage proteins (116) and genetically modified virus-like particles (117), which could offer improvements in stability and even self-assembly. As an alternative to standard immunoglobulin antibodies, single domain antibodies have enhanced stability and resistance to denaturation, and Shia and Bailey (118) previously incorporated these capture agents into a microcavity-based detection platform.…”

Whispering-Gallery Mode Resonators for Detecting Cancer

“…There are various, well-defined methods of surface functionalization, such as physical adsorption [ 118 ], covalent binding [ 119 ], non-covalent binding [ 38 ], or His tagging [ 120 , 121 ]. Physical adsorption means the interaction is based on hydrophobic and electrostatic properties.…”

Real-time monitoring of macromolecular biosensing probe self-assembly and on-chip ELISA using impedimetric microsensors

“…Previously, VLPs were used both as free floating particles in solution to selectively sense the presence of TNT explosives and as immobilized receptors on optical disk resonators for antibody sensing (Zang et al 2013;Zang et al 2014;Fan et al 2015). In the latter case, the VLP functionalized optical resonators were able to sense antibody attachment by measuring the endpoint resonant frequency shifts in air.…”