Pattern-recognition-based Sensor Arrays for Cell Characterization: From Materials and Data Analyses to Biomedical Applications

Abstract

To capture a broader scope of complex biological phenomena, alternatives to conventional sensing based on specificity for cell detection and characterization are needed. Patternrecognition-based sensing is an analytical method designed to mimic mammalian sensory systems for analyte identification based on pattern recognition of multivariate data, which are generated using an array of multiple probes that cross-reactively interact with analytes. This sensing approach is significantly different from conventional specific cell sensing based on highly specific probes, including antibodies against biomarkers. Encouraged by the advantages of this technique, such as the simplicity, rapidity, and tunability of the systems without requiring a priori knowledge of biomarkers, numerous sensor arrays have been developed over the past decade and used in a variety of cell sensing applications; these include disease diagnosis, drug discovery, and fundamental research. This review summarizes recent progress in pattern-recognition-based cell sensing, with a particular focus on guidelines for designing materials and arrays, techniques for analyzing response patterns, and applications of sensor systems that are focused primarily for the biomedical field.

Microfluidic Sensing System with a Multichannel Surface Plasmon Resonance Chip: Damage-Free Characterization of Cells by Pattern Recognition

“…Encouraged by the potential of cell culture media as target analytes, we have recently reported a pattern-recognition-based sensing strategy for characterizing cells based on holistic information. , These sensing methods utilize “pattern information” of optical responses coupled to differential interactions between analytes and multiple cross-reactive macromolecular probes. Because the resulting patterns include chemical properties of various components in the media, pattern recognition using multivariate analysis can be used to accurately identify cellular properties without a highly specific molecular design. , …”

A Multichannel Pattern-Recognition-Based Protein Sensor with a Fluorophore-Conjugated Single-Stranded DNA Set

“…However, such molecular probes often interact with non-target proteins whose structure is similar to that of the target protein in a cross-reactive manner [ 5 , 6 , 7 ], which complicates the preparation or synthesis of probes that are completely specific to a target protein. Pattern-recognition-based protein sensing techniques have recently received increasingly attention as alternatives to the lock-and-key approach [ 8 , 9 , 10 ]; target proteins can be identified using “optical response patterns” generated via non-specific or cross-reactive interactions between proteins and multiple molecular probes. The molecular probes used to construct systems that generate optical response patterns must meet two criteria: (1) Successful interaction via different mechanisms with a variety of proteins, and (2) signal generation, i.e., conversion of the information generated upon interacting into readable optical signals.…”

Polymer-Based Chemical Nose Systems for Optical Pattern Recognition of Gut Microbiota

“…Chemical nose is an analytical concept that mimics the sensory mechanisms of animals, where arrays of molecular probes and pattern-recognition techniques are combined. By using a library of molecular probes that exhibit varying affinities for samples of interest, this strategy enables the generation of characteristic pattern information reflecting the entire samples through comprehensive interactions between molecular probes and the components of samples 16,17 .…”

“…Figure 1B illustrates a library of block-copolymers synthesized to meet the criteria. For the sensitive and selective extraction of bacterial characteristics, PEG-b-PLL was chosen as the scaffold material with high density of reaction sites that allow interaction in a multi-contact manner 17,23 . Amino groups of PEG-b-PLL were partially modified with an aggregation-induced emission (AIE) luminogen, tetraphenylethene (TPE) 24 .…”