Strategies for Multiplexed Electrochemical Sensor Development

Abstract

Detection of multiple biomarkers for disease diagnosis or treatment monitoring has received a lot of attention due to their potential impact on clinical decision making.Electrochemical biosensors have become one of the preferred detection approaches, due to the simplicity of the accompanying instrumentation. This chapter will explore how electrochemical sensors can be utilized for detection of multiple analytes by integration of sensors into microfluidic microsystems. Some key fabrication technologies for such devices will be presented utilizing polymer microfabrication, paper-based approaches, and the use of printed circuit boards. Next, the use of electrode arrays will be presented along with some commercial platforms, outlining plausible paths towards a successful electrochemical multiplexed sensor. Novel approaches based on microbeads and various labels will then be introduced along with various strategies and technologies utilized to achieve ultrasensitive multiplexed detection.

Multiplexed Prostate Cancer Companion Diagnostic Devices

“…gle transducer surface using multiple labels (also known as barcoding) [16,20,89]. Some of these multiplexing approaches have been shown to improve the sensitivity of the biosensor during PCa protein detection and also have the potential to become commercially available xPOCT devices for PCa treatment management.…”

“…Figure 2 describes various approaches to multiplexing, which include: the use of spatially separated detection sites for each biomarker; spatially divided regions within a channel network or electrode array; the use of several labels such as enzymes, metallic nanoparticles, or magnetic microbeads; and finally the use of spatially encoding on a single transducer surface using multiple labels (also known as barcoding) [ 16 , 20 , 89 ]. Some of these multiplexing approaches have been shown to improve the sensitivity of the biosensor during PCa protein detection and also have the potential to become commercially available xPOCT devices for PCa treatment management.…”

“…Thus, considerable attention has been dedicated to the creation of cost-effective integrated biosensor systems, such as the application of microfluidic systems, while also considering multiplexed detection techniques, as stated above. Microfluidic system integration is a crucial technique to explore for clinical usage by end users, as it can enable high-throughput detection while requiring smaller sample amounts, and possible automated control [ 89 , 134 ]. In addition, microfluidic systems can incorporate important steps performed in a clinical laboratory setting, such as sample preparation, molecular recognition, and signal amplification procedures (so-called lab-on-chip devices), negating the need for expensive specialist equipment or skilled professionals [ 135 ].…”

“…Key fabrication technologies used to detect PCa protein biomarkers included paper-based techniques, polymer (plastic-based) microfabrication, and the usage of microarrays [ 118 ]. When incorporating multiplexing approaches to either optical or electrochemical detection methods, each fabrication technology has some limitations, which can have an impact on translating prototypes into clinical utility that is appropriate for end users [ 89 , 136 ]. Because electrical instrumentation is difficult to incorporate, paper-based techniques such as LFIAs are more compatible with optical measurements.…”

“…Label-free surface chemistries, on the other hand, may impair detection sensitivity for certain PCa protein biomarkers with low serum concentrations. As a result, a compromise must be established between the integrated biosensor system’s complexity and the multiplexed detection approach [ 20 , 89 ].…”